Before the shopping, the mad rush for the stores and the best deals, before people go insane for sales and Black Friday door busters, I would like to take a moment and remind everyone that this week is much more than consumerism. This week is a time to reflect on what we have, what we have gained and what we are most thankful for. Like so many, I will admit that I sometimes forget to look at what I have and give thanks. That is why we need this day. Sure the food is wonderful and the shopping is…chaotic.. but there is nothing like family and friends getting together to spend time with each other and being thankful for everything we have and the blessings we receive.

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Being thankful is not limited to physical items, it can also be for something not necessarily tangible but just as important. For example we can be thankful for the love in our lives, our health and even the rights we posses. It wasn’t long ago when women were not considered equal to men. Women had to fight for their rights and make their voice heard. That is why it is so important to recognize what we have and what we need to do to keep moving forward.

I have spent most of the #19DaysofSuffrage asking all of you to think about what it means to you to be a woman, what changes need to occur to make it better and how these changes can be made. There have been some amazing answers from many of you! Here are just a few that I find incredible.

These comments are awesome and I would like to continue this amazing momentum. Therefore, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, this week I want to change it up a bit. I want all of us to reflect on what rights we are thankful to have. Comment your answers below. Is it the right to vote? The right to free speech? Or perhaps you are simply thankful for the right to choose?

I will start with my personal thanks. I am most thankful for the right to speak my mind through writing and/or speaking. There was a time when women were seen and not heard. Women suffered in silence and scorned if they spoke. With my loud voice and my love of writing, if I had lived in that time, I think I would have died a little inside each day. I say, “Thank You” to the women before me, who struggled and fought to give me and the women of today a voice.

Unfortunately, not all women enjoy the rights much of us have. So While you are thinking of the rights you are most thankful for, remember that many women are still struggling for even the most basic rights the #fightsnotover yet!

“Sisterhood”

Suffragette will be released on Blu-Ray and DVD February 2, 2016. Pre-order your copy from Amazon.com

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Disclosure: SKGaleana receives products in order to conduct reviews. Unless noted otherwise, no monetary compensation was provided. I only share and recommend products or services I think will be a good fit for my readers. All the opinions are 100% my own. In exchange for referrals, some posts may contain affiliate links that I may receive commission for payment. (See more here)
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The Drac Pack is back and coming to Digital HD when Hotel Transylvania 2 arrives Dec. 22! That is just in time for Christmas! It will be released on Blu-ray 3D™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD on Jan. 12 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment! Special Features Include Fifth Harmony’a Music Video, Sing-Along Scary-oke, Deleted Scenes, and more!

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Culver City, Calif. (Nov. 23, 2015) – Sony Pictures Animation’s monster family box-office hit HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2, which grossed more than $430 million in theaters worldwide to date, will debut on Digital HD Dec. 22, just in time for holiday viewing and on Blu-ray 3D™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD on Jan. 12 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The Hotel Transylvania sequel reunites ‘Drac’s Pack’ of loveable characters, led by “Vampa” Drac (Adam Sandler, Grown-Ups) as they try to put Mavis (Selena Gomez, Spring Breakers) and Johnny’s (Andy Samberg, TV’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) son Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp to bring out his vampire side. But little do they know that Drac’s grumpy and very old, old, old school dad Vlad (comedy legend Mel Brooks) is about to pay the family a visit to the hotel. And when Vlad finds out that his great-grandson is not a pure blood and humans are now welcome at Hotel Transylvania, it doesn’t take long for things to get batty!

The record-breaking film, which scored the best September opening of all-time previously held by the original Hotel Transylvania and was the #1 family film internationally for eight consecutive weeks, also features Kevin James (Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2), David Spade (TV’s “Rules of Engagement”), Steve Buscemi (TV’s “Boardwalk Empire”), Keegan-Michael Key (TV’s “Key and Peele”), Molly Shannon (TV’s “Saturday Night Live”) and Fran Drescher (TV’s “The Nanny”). HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 marks the return of 3-time Primetime Emmy winning director Genndy Tartakovsky (Star Wars: Clone Wars), along with producer Michelle Murdocca (Hotel Transylvania). The screenplay is by Adam Sandler and Robert Smigel (TV’s “SNL”).

The Blu-ray combo pack and DVD are full of extras, including Fifth Harmony’s “I’m in Love With a Monster” music video, a character sketch gallery, an inside look at how the filmmakers and animators created Hotel Transylvania 2 and director commentary with Genndy Tartakovsky. Exclusive to the Blu-ray are interactive featurettes on how to throw the ultimate monster party and draw your favorite characters from the film, a special Monster Scary-oke, which gives viewers the chance to sing along with Dennisovitch to spooky versions of three classic songs, must-see deleted scenes and much more.

Synopsis: In this all-new monster comedy adventure, everything seems to be changing for the better at Hotel Transylvania! However, Drac is worried that his adorable half-human, half-vampire grandson, Dennis, isn’t showing signs of being a vampire. So while Mavis is on vacation, things get batty as Drac enlists his monster friends Frank, Murray, Wayne and Griffin to put Dennis through a “monster-in-training” boot camp!

DVD Special Features (also on Blu-ray & Digital*)

• Fifth Harmony Music Video: “I’m In Love With A Monster”
• Character Sketch Gallery
• Feature Commentary with Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel and Allen Covert
• Feature Commentary with Director Genndy Tartakovsky

Blu-ray & Digital Exclusives*
All DVD Bonus Features Plus…

• Sing Along with Monster Scary-Oke!
• Deleted Scenes
• Make the Scary, Silly Sounds of Hotel Transylvania 2
• How to Throw The Ultimate Monster Party
• How to Draw Your Favorite Characters
• The New Guys: Meet Vlad, Dennis, Kakie and More

* Digital Extras only available with iTunes Extras and Vudu Extras+

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 2 has a running time of 89 minutes and is rated PG for some scary images, action and rude humor.

Buy Hotel Transylvania and Hotel Transylvania 2 from Amazon.com

Grab the FREE Hotel Transylvania 2 Printables here. There are Recipes, bookmarks, masks and more! Get the free printable Cubeecrafts I made of Mavis, Johnny, Denis and the Drac Pack to help celebrate the epic release of Hotel Transylvania 2 by clicking the image below!

Throughout American History, our currency has featured images of great leaders and landmarks that express our American values. For example, the last theme created on our currency was “The Symbols of Freedom.” The State of Liberty’s Torch ($10), the Great Seal of the United States ($5), the Eagle ($20), the American Flag ($50) and the Declaration of Independence ($100) are all symbols of America and the freedom we posses. While this theme has been a part of our currency since 2003, it will not be for much longer. It is time for a change to a new theme and a new look.

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According to the The New 10 website, the new currency theme will be “An Era of Democracy.”

Over the last few years, Treasury staff has worked to identify potential themes reflective of the values of our current era. After historical research and reviews of previous designs and themes, democracy was chosen by Treasury Secretary Jack Lew as the theme for this next generation of currency.

From the founding of the nation, democratic ideals, and our striving to make those ideals a reality, have defined the United States of America. Our continuing efforts as a nation to form a more perfect union are something we plan to use the next family of Federal Reserve notes to celebrate thenew10

In 2020 we will see one of the most dramatic changes to our U.S. Currency. The $10 Bill will be introduced with a new face, and not just any face, but the face of a Notable American Woman. The U.S. Department of the Treasury is currently in the process of deciding which inspiring American woman will appear on the $10 bill.

This week during the ‪#19daysofsuffrage campaign, I would love for you to think about the women through history who have inspired you. Who do you think would be a worthy candidate for #TheNew10? There are many to choose from!

• women’s rights leader Susan B. Anthony,
• civil rights activists Rosa Parks & Harriet Tubman,
• mental health rights activist Dorothea Dix,
• disability rights activist Helen Keller
• and so many more

State what notable women you would like to see On #TheNew10 in the comments below. Share the image above with hashtag #TheNew10 with your choice to make your voice heard. Use #TheNew10 hashtag to tell the U.S. Department of the Treasury your ideas, symbols, designs or any other feedback that can inform the Secretary as he considers options for the $10 redesign.

Then be sure to enter for a chance to win our ‪#19daysofsuffrage Giveaway. The prize is a Suffragette Tote Bag, Journal, Bracelet and Mini Poster by clicking the image below.

Today is one of the most important days of the year, Veteran’s Day. It is that time of year where we honor our Veterans and thank them for all they have done. Really, there is nothing we could do to ever repay them for their service and sacrifice, but a ‘thank you’ can go a long way. The men and women who fought, died, and are fighting for this country are some of the biggest heroes this nation could ever have. I think, in honor of these heroes and in honor of Veteran’s Day, we continue the #19DaysofSuffrage campaign by reflecting on those who have sacrificed to provide our freedoms. Take a moment and thank a Veteran, have your kids sit down and talk with a Veteran, get them to think about how everything this one person did ensured our freedoms we have today.

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After the quality time with a Veteran, get the whole family together and think about these questions.

1. Do you have heroes in your family?
2. Who is your hero?
3. Are they Military or Non-Military?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and give a shout out to your heroes.

While reflecting on your heroes, take a moment to think about all the women fighters in the military. Did you know it wasn’t until 1948 when congress passed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act? This granted women permanent status in the military subject to military authority and regulations and entitled to veterans benefits. Women served in the military long before that Act was signed. In fact, in WWI, 400,000 women served at home and abroad as mechanics, ambulance drives, pilots, administrators, nurses, and in other non-combat roles. However, it wasn’t until 1948 when they were granted benefits and permanent status. That was only 67 years ago. Think about how far we have come and how far we still have to go.

Take this moment and also share your thoughts on what it means to be a woman in our Suffragette: The 19 Days of Suffrage Giveaway. You could win a beautiful Suffragette Promotional Pack featuring a tote bag, bracelet, journal and mini poster.

You can also download our free Suffragette Study guide to provide a little background information about the women’s movement for equality.

To all the Veterans out there, SKGaleana Thanks you for your Service!