Mesothelioma -- a long word you may have heard on a commercial or two, but do you know what it means? This rare and deadly cancer is sadly lacking awareness. In honor of Mesothelioma Awareness Day on September 26, read below for the top 8 things you don’t know about this cancer, but should. Then share them. The key to saving lives starts with education.  1. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is invisible to the naked eye. Once inhaled, these fibers may infect the protective lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity, or cardiac cavity.  2. No amount of exposure is safe. Just exposing yourself once could put you at risk for developing the disease later on in life. If you were exposed today, you may not be aware until 2043, as the average latency period is about 30 – 40 years.  3. Asbestos was once used in more than 3,000 consumer products. These include household items, some of which may still be in use. Some of th...

    Summer has come and gone but temps are still rising.  In fact this week has been the hottest week on record in a long time in my home state.  We reached a sweltering 100+ on Monday and have gradually decreased to the mid 90s as the week has progressed.  After a long day at school the kids are really not into having a hot snack and no worries as I'm not overly thrilled at the idea of turning on the oven to prepare one either so we reach into the freezer for a cool  LUIGI'S   Italian Ice.

Disclosure: Many thanks to the sponsor for the opportunity to present this giveaway.  Are you living THE ULTIMATE LIFE? Between the pressure of running a foundation started by his late grandfather, being sued by his greedy extended family, and seeing his beloved Alexia leave on an extended mission trip to Haiti, Jason Stevens' world is unraveling. But when Jason discovers a journal that his grandfather began as a Depression-era lad, his writings transport Jason on an incredible rags-to-riches ride. With everything he loves hanging in the balance, Jason hopes he can discover THE ULTIMATE LIFE.   Opening in theaters September 6, THE ULTIMATE LIFE (the sequel to The Ultimate Gift) reminds us some things are worth more than money!  With The Ultimate Life Blog App, take the quiz to find out if YOU are Living Life to the Fullest! Read six great ways to start living the ultimate life NOW, as written by Jim Stovall, author of The Ultimate Life book. And watch the offi...

Chicken Soup for the Soul:  Reader's Choice 20th Anniversary Edition  The Chicken Soup for the Soul Stories  that Changed Your Lives  Twenty years later, Chicken Soup for the Soul and its stories are still changing lives! This special twentieth anniversary collection celebrates the power of storytelling. Readers share their personal, inspiring stories about how a Chicken Soup for the Soul story made a difference in their lives, paired with the life-changing story itself. It's a double dose of inspiration! One of my favorite stories in this collection is Sticks and Stones .  The writer reflects on the power of words and how the often shared "sticks and stones" childhood tease caused her to realize the pain behind those three little words. For more info: Visit the website:   www.chickensoup.com/ Buy It:  Chicken Soup for the Soul books are available in bookstores everywhere and also at many online retailers including Amazon, Barnes and ...

Triggering our age of high-stakes secrecy, explosive news leaks and the trafficking of classified information, WikiLeaks forever changed the game. Now, in a dramatic thriller based on real events, “The Fifth Estate” reveals the quest to expose the deceptions and corruptions of power that turned an Internet upstart into the 21st century’s most fiercely debated organization. The story begins as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and his colleague Daniel Domscheit-Berg (Daniel Brühl) team up to become underground watchdogs of the privileged and powerful.  On a shoestring, they create a platform that allows whistleblowers to anonymously leak covert data, shining a light on the dark recesses of government secrets and corporate crimes. Soon, they are breaking more hard news than the world’s most legendary media organizations combined. But when Assange and Berg gain access to the biggest trove of confidential intelligence documents in U.S. history, they battle each ...

Get ready to skate into three new-to-DVD wheely big adventures with  Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure . Join Dora and Boots as they zoom into Skate Park and stand up to the bullying Big Wheeler! Plus, enjoy two extra adventures as Dora brings her friends to the doctor and goes to the Green Power Science Fair. Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media Distribution,  Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure  will be released on DVD on September 10, 2013 for the suggested retail price of $14.99. Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure  Episode Synopses: Dora’s Great Roller Skate Adventure Dora wants to take Boots to Skate Park, but the big bully Big Wheeler closes Skate Park for all! Help Dora stand up to him so everyone can skate together. Check-Up Day Dora travels with Boots to visit Dr. Valdés...