What Is Happening Today On Gather - Friday June 27 2008

I was just too tired to do this article up last night. I went to bed a little after 6 in the evening and just now woke up.  I will try to find some interesting information for you today. There really is a lot going on around the community. 

Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you again on Monday . If you don't already have plans maybe it is time to grab a good book and just relax. No matter what you do - Remember to Enjoy life to the fullest!

YOU COULD WIN A BOOK

Abby Dodge  has posted an article with a recipe for Falafel - the original veggie burger! It sounds just wonderful.  She is also giving away two books to lucky gather members  who comments on the article with their favorite Middle Eastern recipe! Leave your answer in the field in her article between now and June 29th and you could receive Around the World Cookbook

 TRANSCRIPT OF LIVE CHAT WITH ABBY DODGE

I just got finished reading the Transcript of Live Chat with Abby Dodge, Author of "Around the World Cookbook". It looks like it was a great chat. I hope you were able to make it but if you were not, you can still read the transcript. It was hosted by ♥¸.•* Bridget *•.¸♥

Would you like to review a new book?

Lauren at Fiction Readers  has published an article titled Fiction Readers Picks for July -- enter to get free books!    The Fiction Readers Group currently are needing 10 people to review each of the two featured books for July. If you are interested in reading and reviewing either of these two books click here to find out more.  Requests must be submitted by July 1, 2008.

Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead by Saralee Rosenberg

In Mindy's yoga-obsessed, thirty-is-the-new-wife neighborhood, every day is a battle between Dunkin' Donuts, her jaws-of-life jeans, and Beth Diamond, the self-absorbed sancti-mommy next door who looks sixteen from the back. So much for sharing the chores, the stores, and the occasional mischief to rival Wisteria Lane.

It's another day, another dilemma until Beth's marriage becomes fodder on Facebook. Suddenly the Ivy League blonde needs to be "friended," and Mindy is the last mom standing. Together they take on hormones and hunger, family feuds and fidelity, and a harrowing journey that spills the truth about an unplanned pregnancy and a seventy-year-old miracle that altered their fates forever.

Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead is a hilarious, stirring romp over fences and defenses that begs the question, what did you do to deserve living next door to a crazy woman? Sometimes it's worth finding out.

The Smart One, by Ellen Meister

Bev is the Smart One, who finally leaves her artistic ambitions in chalk dust (and her humor-impaired husband in the arms-and legs-of his nubile protégée) to become a schoolteacher. Clare is the Pretty One, who married well and seems to be living a designer version of the suburban dream. Joey is the Wild One, struggling to stay clean and sober now that she's used up her fifteen minutes of fame as a one-hit-wonder rock star.

They love each other but mix like oil, water, and hundred-proof gin . . . a combination that threatens to combust over family tensions, suspected infidelities, a devastating accident, a stunning confession, and the sudden reappearance of their handsome, now all-grown-up former neighbor, Kenny Waxman, who's back in town making his mark as a TV comedy writer.

It seems they'll never understand where their differences begin and their own destructive tendencies end. Then it happens: the sisters discover a decades-old body stuffed inside an industrial drum and begin a bold, heartbreaking, and sometimes hilarious journey that will either bring them together . . . or tear them apart for good.

 YOUR  PHOTOS COULD BE USED IN A GATHER MARKETING CAMPAIGN!

Gather is looking for photos for a Marketing Campaign.  Pam Johnston  has posted an article with the details. If you're interested in submitting your favorite photos for consideration, simply publish them with the tag gatherpics.  If selected, you must be willing to provide a high resolution version of your pic. Please submit your images no later than Wednesday 7/2 at 5pm ET. Thanks Gatherers...  You can find out more here.

ARE YOU A DESIGNATED DAUGHTER?

Designated Daughter - The Bonus Years With Mom  is the current  featured book in the Getting Better All the Time group, this story shares all of the tips and lessons D.G. learned as she sat by her mother's side.

Gather is looking for 10 lucky members to write a review of the book. Tell us if you're a designated daughter in the comments below and they will randomly select 10 reviewers! You can read more about this in Christine M. Team Gather 's  article found here

Comments should be made by Monday, June 30^th. All reviews should be posted by Thursday, July 31^st.

Bright Ideas by Bestselling Authors is offering free copies of upcoming books to members interested in writing book reviews! You can read more about his in this article. All requests must be submitted by Tuesday, July 1st.  The following are the two books chosen for July:

Practically Posh

Practically Posh is the budget babe's guide to the good life. Filled with thrifty tips and delivered with style and humor, this do-it-yourself handbook is designed for glam girls on the go who want to live large on their little paychecks.

Packed with brilliantly simple advice, Robyn Moreno teaches that it's about more than just finding deals-it's about finding pleasure in your present life. It is about being resourceful-working with what you have, then working what you have. Practically Posh is your bible for living as a bon vivant on a budget.

From how to score a seat at the trendiest restaurant and tips for being arty without being affected, to easy cheats for staying beautiful and advice on how to book your dream vacation now, the book includes anecdotes, sidebars, quotes, quizzes, and gorgeous photos to punctuate the information from Moreno and her team of experts.

Note to Self

Keeping a journal is easy. Keeping a life-altering, soul-enlightening journal, however, is not. At its best, journaling can be among the most transformative of experiences, but you can only get there by learning how to express yourself fully and openly. Enter Samara O'Shea.

Selections from O'Shea's own journals demonstrate what a journal should be: a tool to access inner strengths, uncover unknown passions, face uncertain realities, and get to the center of self. To help create an effective journal, O'Shea provides multiple suggestions and exercises.

YOU COULD WIN A FLAG

Each day Between now and July 4^th Gather will select three members to receive a flag from Paralyzed Veterans of America. All you have to do is upload one of the  flag icons AT THIS ARTICLE as the main image in your profile and comment on this article for a chance to receive one. There have been many gather members who have won flags already.  I hope to see your name on the list soon if is not already there.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE SOME MORE POINTS??

Have you joined the Relax group yet? You are going to love this offer. You can win 1000 points. Yep, you heard me right. They are going to be giving away 1000 points each week.  All you have to do is be a member of the Relax group.  Christine M. Team Gather  has written an article with more details in it. Click here to read the article. This group is owned by Westin Hotels & Resorts . So if you want more points, hurry on over and join the group. This promotion will last  will run until August, 31, 2008.

ARE YOU ALREADY GREEN?

Do you have a "Big Idea" for the environment? Join The Green group to learn more about the environment, share your thoughts on sustainable living, and to contribute to weekly discussion topics. To join, click here.

This weeks discussion is on animals. There are many ways that we can go green when it comes to animals. Check out this article and view what others have suggested as well as suggest your own ideas.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE TODAY ON GATHER ARTICLE  

  This article is a place where your opinions are always welcome and you will always find a friend. I have a place reserved just for you. I do read all comments and usually try to acknowledge those comments as well. Keyword being "try". There is always a place reserved just for you in the Gather Community. You need never be alone.

Is there something that you would like to see changed on the "Today On Gather" articles?

Do you know of some exciting activity that is going on in the Gather Community? Please just let me know.

Just let me know by making a comment in the comment section. I will be back to chat with you again each weekday of the week.

Today On Gather article is published each weekday to the group Today On Gather and Gather Essentials: News .

You will find many more updates in past articles.