An author's aha moment

Here's to inspirations and realizations!

Remember I told you about the book Wind Warrior and the author Cynthia Roberts? Well, I am trying to clear out my email and came across a link she sent me. This is a brief (a little more than a minute) video about how she came across her 10-year-old Wind Warrior manuscript when she was packing up her belongings because of an impending foreclosure. In the process, she had her Aha Moment. Check it out: aha moment: wind warrior.

It’s always a good time to get a gift basket

With about one more day until the first of August, it’s time for me to start dropping hints for my birthday in September. LOL. Yup, I like to start early. It’s just my way of being helpful. I’m sure you’re wondering how that’s being helpful. Let me share with you: A lot of people wait until the last minute to get the gift they want for their loved one so I’m preventing that from happening. If you want to order something like a gift basket then you have to be sure to order it in time.

The perfect times to order gift baskets are birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Christmas. Everyone loves to receive a basket of goodies that was picked out especially for them.

So, don’t forget, my birthday is in September and I – for one – love gift baskets. :-)

Live like a kid again

When I awoke this morning I was feeling relatively good. A little tired, but good nonetheless. As the day progressed, a headache would not leave me alone and I began to feel weak, tired and irritable so I retired to my bed to rest. In the middle of resting I did a little work and watched some movies on my laptop.

A few minutes ago I was on my way into the kitchen to get a drink of water and I heard the beginnings of a storm. The thunder boomed as the sky became dark and rain started to sprinkle. For some reason, at that moment I decided to go and get the mail. I could beat the rain, I thought.

When I glanced out of the weekend I could see the pavement in the driveway getting damp. I heard the patter of rain on the leaves and the wind picked up a little bit. The cool rain hit my skin and I began to trot a little. Against my will, a giggle escaped my throat. Just thinking about it makes me laugh. I started to run a little ‘cause the rain was coming down faster, but I had a big grin on my face.

I giggled, skipped and rain back to the house as I began to get wet. It was so exhilarating. I can’t remember the last time I played in the rain. In fact, most of my adult life I have lamented my hate of the rain and how it gets on my glasses, it’s cold and inconvenient.

Today, as I did something totally against my nature, I experienced a moment of pure, unabashed joy – just like a child at play – it’s a moment I think we should all take for ourselves more often.

As I sit here on the bed and watch the rain beat down on the leaves of the tree outside of my window, I’m looking forward to my next chance to experience life like a child. It is truly a magical and freeing moment.

What are you going to do to put a little childhood joy back into your life?

For your moving needs

If you’re in the process of moving then you already know there’s a lot to do and a lot of worked involved. Besides packing up all of your belongings and finding boxes to put everything in there’s also locating a truck or a moving company to transport your valuables on the to-do list. There’s one thing that can make moving a little more pleasant, and that’s finding a great deal on the services and supplies.

That’s where Upack.com comes in. They offer discount moving supplies and their services also include trailers, containers, packing, storing and so much more. It’s the ideal company to assist in what can be a stressful situation. Upack.com can get you moved virtually anywhere in the United States in two to five business days. They’re a professional company and if you’re still in the research phase of your move, you can go to their site, get a free moving quote on your move and review all of the services that they offer (including their “you pack, we drive” service).

Don’t worry another moment about all that needs to be done to get prepared for your move, Upack.com has the solutions you need to help you from beginning to end.

A child’s trust

Yesterday the children and I were waiting for RP to come home from work, which allowed for time for Anna and I to have an impromptu conversation and play session. Ever since she was really tiny I’ve stood her on my legs. Before she could balance herself I would hold her hips. As she got bigger and stronger I’d hold her hands, her calves and eventually she started saying, “I can stand by myself.”

So, she often likes to climb onto my lap and stand. After a little balancing, a lot of giggling and me pretending that I was going to dump her off of my lap, I took her hands and she started to lean backwards.

She’d lean back and I’d pull her back up. She’d lean, I’d pull. She did that about 20 times and despite my aching biceps I realized that she has complete and total trust in me. Of course, that realization led to me wanting to share it with you and I yelled for Amber to bring a camera.

It’s sad how adults hurt children who give their complete love and trust to us. Anna had pure joy with spending those few minutes with me to play and live her life on the edge. LOL… She trusted me enough to hang her upside down with her little head inches from the floor. She didn’t cry or scream, and she wasn’t worried.

To have that type of true childhood love, trust and freedom must be a liberating and relaxing feeling. I’m happy to be able to enjoy that moment with her and, on the other hand, my heart aches for children who have been hurt by adults they trusted.

Take a moment before bedtime tonight to have a little tickle-fest, a snuggle or some other little thing you like to do with your children. I think Anna and I will play patty cake again tonight. After her rollercoaster ride last night, she said, “Mommy, let’s play patty cake.” As we were playing she started to cover her tummy and grin really widely.

“You remember when I played this with you when you were little,” I asked.

She nodded and waited…

“Roll ‘em up, roll ‘em up and put ‘em in the pan,” I sang as my fingers zeroed in to tickle her tummy. She fell to the floor with laughter. Oh, the joy in that sound.

Have a lovely weekend.

Made in America

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

When my oldest daughter was somewhere between 5 and 8 years old we had a conversation about where products are made. I pointed out to her that most items have a sticker on them that says where they were made. From that point on every time she picked up a cup, plate, box of cereal or whatever she would look for the “made in ____’ sticker. She was surprised that about 98 percent of the products she looked at were made in China. That started her to looking into it more and more, and eventually she asked why everything was made in China.

If I remember correctly, I told her that it is often cheaper for goods to be made in other countries and I left it at that. Over the years as she’s studied history, commerce, government and other related subjects, she’s learned quite a bit more about it. My daughter is now 19 and with the economy the way it is she’s seen small businesses close quite often.

It seems especially true for small business. almost every small American town has seen their main street shops suffer from the economy as well as the urban sprawl. There was a bead and jewelry making shop that I frequented, and I know that it didn’t take long for them to close. These mom and pop shops along with the go-to department stores have made way for strip malls and the companies are outsourcing for cheaper labor resulted in the closing of many factories. These types of things have caused entire communities to suffer.

It’s time for things to change and the Ramblers Way Farm is making those changes. This company sources, grows and produces fine woolen apparel using 100 percent domestic resources. They’ve started manufacturing facilities in distressed small towns to help revitalize the communities. When customers read their Made in America label they can be rest assured that not only are they receiving a top-quality product, but it was made in a way that is beneficial to us as citizens.

Have you had a similar conversation with your children? What does made in America mean to you?

 

Introducing Wind Warrior by Cynthia Roberts

I’m excited to be apart of Cynthia Roberts’ book tour. Her book, Wind Warrior, was released in June and she’s doing her part to get the word out. I’ve gotten on the bandwagon with a lot of other bloggers.

Let me tell you what the book is about first:
Leslie Michaels is a visionary, and only those close to her know of her special gift and the visions that come when her mind and body surrender to sleep.  Fate has a way of righting many wrongs, and for Leslie it is a destiny that changes her life dramatically. But not before she is forced to flee into the wilderness to escape a murderous trapper bent on claiming her for his very own.  Faith and a strong will to survive are her only companions, until she encounters Winnokin, the handsome Seneca war chief who first came to her in her dreams.  Not only does he prove to be her rescuer and protector, he teaches her that tragedy can breed happiness and the passion to live and love deeply once again.
Wind Warrior plunges readers into the intimate depths of a relationship that unfolds like a live drama before their eyes while painting an insightful and intriguing portrait of Native Indian life in the 1800s.  It is a story of longing, of a wanton need to survive all odds, and a love so strong it conquers human evil. Wind Warrior expresses with cunning words the simple, raw human emotions that hold readers spellbound and captivates their hearts.

Intrigued? Check out the trailer:


One of the things she’s doing to celebrate her book’s official release is to hold a giveaway where there will be five lucky winners, but I’m going to leave you in suspense about that. The contest officially begins on Sept. 1st so you’ll have to come back here then to find out all of the details. Okay, okay, you’ve twisted my arm. Check out Cynthia’s author site to find out more information about the contest and the fabulous prizes.
I’ll be posting more about Cynthia Robert’s book Wind Warrior over the next month and reminding you about the contest at the end of August.
Until next time…

Piggy bank for the 21st century

How do you teach your children about money as it relates to saving, spending and investing? I normally incorporate money lessons into our day-to-day activities. For instance, my children enjoy shopping at the Dollar Store and when it’s time to checkout I let them checkout individually and give them to cash so they can learn how to listen to find out much they are spending, give the correct amount, receive and check their change, etc.

Now there is a fun, high-tech, interactive and educational way to teach children about money: Ekomini interactive money box. The money box was designed by educational professionals to promote financial literacy in children. The money box connects to your computer via the USB and provides an entertaining way to virtually keep track of the money they save.

In addition, kids can participate in virtual adventures in Edominiville and learn about saving, spending, donating and investing their money. The product, which is available in the United States and Canada, retails for $39.99. Find out more on the Ekomini site and to purchase.

Picture-less Wednesday & procrastination

On most Wednesdays I like to post a Wordless Wednesday picture, but it doesn’t always happen. There are a few reasons why it doesn’t happen:

1. I forget, which can be funny especially when I have a picture waiting.
2. I don’t have a picture I’ve deemed worthy.
3. The day gets away from me and I run out of time.

So today I’ve been considering what to do about that. How can I ensure I always have a picture ready and posted? (These solutions can actually apply to any type of post.)

• Be on the lookout for picturesque moments/things. That means ensuring I have my camera with me so that when something presents itself I’m ready to click away. When a post idea comes to me I need to have my phone – for voice memos – or a pen and paper handle for notes.
• Use the scheduling function in this program, Windows Live Writer. As soon as I take a picture and I want to use it for WW then I can upload it, compose the post and schedule it for the time and date I want. Again, I can do the same thing with posts. If I’m finished reviewing a product and I’m between assignments/tasks with a little extra time to spare, I can bang out the review (or whatever!) schedule it for the date and time it should go live and cross my ankles and take a break move onto the next task.

Now those plans don’t solve the problem of my procrastinating (everyone likes to goof off), but at least it’s half the problem to getting things done. Maybe those two tips will help you as well. Do you have any ideas or tips that you use to get posts completed quickly and efficiently.

Credit card merchant accounts

For those who have a merchant website and are considering changing how they process credit cards or for new sites that need to find a way to get credit and debit card transactions handled professionally and quickly, this information could be helpful for you. BluePay Merchant Processing is a leading credit card processing company for retail merchants. The company offers a quick and easy sign-up, competitive rates, free terminal program, online account management, fraud protection and more.

It’s easy to sign up and it’s easy to switch. In fact, you can begin today if needed. It’s the ideal solution for processing the most popular means of payments. Let a professional company help you with retail/POS solutions today.

The good, bad & sweaty!

On Friday I somehow stumbled upon the American Cancer Society’s Choose You site where I signed up to commit to exercising regularly (three times each week) for the next 12 weeks. If I don’t meet my commitment and report on each Friday then I’ll be charged $5 per week. The money will go toward the American Cancer Society, which is terrific, but I need to keep this commitment so that I can keep my money.

One of the things I like about the site is that I can ask friends to support me by sending me emails to remind me to exercise or putting an encouraging message on my Facebook wall. It’s a good way to also hold myself accountable in addition to writing these regular health and weight loss journals. If you’d like to visit my Choose You page and see what’s going on; I would love for you to come by on Friday when I submit my first report. Or stop by my page whenever you can and leave me a message.

My advice to those who are also making a commitment to a healthier lifestyle – whether it’s losing weight, eating healthier, exercising, etc. – is to find someone who can hold you accountable. I don’t have an individual in my life to workout with or to get me off of my lazy butt so I’m adding the Choose You to see if that will make a difference.

So far, I’ve exercise once this week and that was today. Almost 40 minutes of walking. That’s good, right? It was only 78 degrees – according to the thermometer in my van – but the heat index must have been off the charts ‘cause I was sweating like an ice cube sitting in the sun. This whole sweating thing is a relatively new development for me. I spent more than 1/2 of my life barely sweating and I’m definitely making up for it. That, to me, is bad. Well, I guess it’s bad-ish. At least my body is cooling itself because before I always felt overheated and I’m assuming I’m releasing some toxins. So it’s just a gross factor for me right now.

I haven’t lost any weight the last two weeks, but I haven’t gained any either (that’s good!). I’m still 175 like I told you the last time I wrote a health and weight loss journal post. I would like to weigh less, but I’m happy that I haven’t gained any. The key is to be consistent with my caloric intake and my exercise and movement. Piece of cake tofu, right?

How are your weight loss and exercise goals coming along?

Calm baby’s colic

Even though I don’t have infants any longer I have vivid memories of screaming babies who are inconsolable. As mommies we’ll do anything to ensure our children are well and comfortable, but sometimes when it comes to a colicky baby it is hard to know what to do. Everyone has different opinions about what to do for colic relief. There are the old wives’ tales that include using peppermint tea or peppermint drops and some people swear by the rocking, soothing and patting of the tummy.

When my second child suffered from a lot of gas it was recommended that I use gripe water, which I’d never heard of at the time. Now, I understand, gripe water is an excellent cure for gas in children as well as for baby heartburn.

Thankfully, I’m past that stage and all of my children can communicate to me exactly what’s wrong and are able to tolerate more choices. But if you have very young children who are suffering from colic, gas or heartburn then this is an alternative option for you.

Have you used gripe water before? What remedies have you used or heard of in the treatment for colic?

Do you believe in evil? – a book review of A Hole in the Attic by Mary Ellen Dias

Have you ever been excited to read a book then began and was disappointed? I must say that I felt that way when I began reading A Hole in the Attic by Mary Ellen Dias. The text was tedious and a bit repetitive, and the initial introduction of characters was a bit much to take in. But, as a diehard book lover, I did not let those things stop me from continuing the novel to discover the interesting story hidden within.

Taken from the back cover:

Anyone who loves a good mystery with evil and the unexpected thrown in absolutely must read this book! A Hole in the Attic by Mary Ellen Dias delivers a compelling page-turner about Trish Montgomery, a trusting and risk-taking woman who retires to the mountains and sets about restoring an old house. When Mike the handyman cuts a hole in the attic to do electrical work, evil pours in, the handyman disappears, and Trish is accused of murder. While her new friends rally to her aid, the horrors keep coming and the chances of clearing her name seem increasingly bleak. Can the medium or the psychic discover the source of this evil? Will it take the priests or the stranger from Rome to solve this eerie mystery? Dias has woven a story that is to be savored, enjoyed, and shared!

When Trish begins settling into her new town and home the story moves along slowly and somewhat painfully. But there is a quality to it that keeps your attention. You have to find out if what the town’s gossip spreads is true, if the lady who sells the vegetables and “feels” evil spirits is right, if the handyman is found or not and if Trish is convicted of murder, and, of course, you want to know if Trish and her best friend will take their relationship to a new level.

Then there is the evil that is lurking in Trish’s attic: Will it take over her home, the town or be vanquished by the stranger from Rome? Those are all questions I can’t answer because it would spoil the book for you. What I will say is that although the essence of the story is interesting I, unfortunately, wasn’t that impressed with the writing. Also, if you like “cliffhangers” then you’ll love the ending. Although I was a little disappointed with that, I am intrigued enough to pick up Dias’ next novel – if it’s a continuation of A Hole in the Attic.

Disclosure: I received a copy of A Hole in the Attic to facilitate my review, but that in no way influenced my opinion. The opinions expressed here are my own. No other compensation was received. If you click the picture and make a purchase I will receive a small commission. Here is my complete disclosure policy.

Dream kitchens

Have you ever considered remodeling your kitchen or bathroom? I have – many times. Let’s just say I’m a dreamer. I get a kick out of imagining what it would be like to have the house of my dreams, which includes personalizing each of the spaces with the ideal elements. One of the most engaging daydreams I have is what my dream kitchen will look like.

There are quite a few types of sinks one can use in their kitchen with different materials and different installations including undermount kitchen sinks. Of course there are a lot of different elements to consider, but since I spend so much time at the kitchen sink it’s the only thing I can picture right now.

What’s your dream kitchen like?

Matters of the heart – a book review of The Threadbare Heart by Jennie Nash

I am mighty pleased that I’ve had the chance to get a little reading done. Wait, let me clarify: Not just reading, but finishing books! For me that’s extremely exciting. Most recently, I’ve read The Threadbare Heart by Jennie Nash, which I won from 5 Minutes for Books, and A Hole in the Attic by Mary Ellen Dias.

When I first began reading The Threadbare Heart I had a little trouble concentrating and getting into the story. I think it was just my brain being distracted because the overall story and message of the book soon engulfed me and started my brain churning.

From the back of the book:

A photo of her sons. A doormat from Target. Twenty-three tubs of fabric.  Somehow it comforts Lily to list the things she lost when a wildfire engulfed the Santa Barbara avocado ranch she shared with her husband, Tom. He didn’t make it out either. His last act was to save her grandmother’s lace from the flames – an heirloom she has never been able to take scissors to, that she was saving for someday.

As she negotiates her way through her grief, mourning both the tangible and intangible, Lily wonders about her long marriage. Was it worth all the work, the self-denial? Did she stay with Tom just to avoid loneliness? Should she have been more like her mother, Eleanor – thrice-married and even now, approaching eighty, cavalier about men and, it seems, even about her daughter’s emotions?

It is up to Lily to understand what she could still gain even when it seems that everything is lost. Someday has arrived.

Without giving a lot away, I’ll just say that while Lily discovers the true meaning of what’s going inside of her head and heart in the midst of grieving, you may discover something about yourself and what you believe about love, marriage and commitment.

This is the first book where I’ve actually read and thoughtfully considered my answers to the reader’s guide at the end. It’s because The Threadbare Heart was more than entertainment to me, it’s a glimpse into others’ thoughts (in the form of the characters) about feelings that effect each individual in a different way. And it was a way for me to seriously consider where my opinion falls.

Nash is also the author of The Last Beach Bungalow and The Only True Genius in the Family, which both received rave reviews. I can’t wait to read those as well.

If you’ve read The Threadbare Heart then please leave a comment letting me know what you thought. Otherwise, share what your favorite read has been.

Disclosure: I won a copy of The Threadbare Heart in a giveaway at 5 Minutes for Books, but that in no way affected my opinion of the book. No other compensation was received. If you click the picture and make a purchase I will receive a small commission. My complete disclosure policy is a click away.

What can Reputation Management Services do for you?

What does your online reputation say about you? And what is that online reputation worth to you? If it’s been slung through the mud then it’ll definitely be worth a lot to get it cleaned up. Using Reputation Management Services will help remove the negative opinion you see on search engines about your company, your brand and even your clients.

People like to complain and they can do it freely on the web. You can use Reputation Management Services to regain control of a sullied reputation. Research shows that four out of five individuals use the Internet to search for information about companies, services and products. And, to make matters worse, what they find will influence their decision about whether they want to do business with you or not.

That’s why each individual – especially those responsible for companies, brands and clients – should be proactive about managing their online reputation. You don’t have to worry about being proactive if you hire a company specializing in Reputation Management Services.

It doesn’t matter where the negative information is coming from, a reputation manager can help you overcome it. All you have to do is contact one and they’ll tell you what they can do to help.

Fantasy Jewelry Box, Earlums & more – reviews & reveals

I’ve told you many times about my addiction to skincare products, but what you may not know is that I also have a thing for jewelry. I think I’m just now realizing how big of an obsession or addiction it really is. I think it started when I was a senior in high school and got my first credit card: It was for Kay Jewelers. Back then it was easy to charge up a couple of hundred dollars and pay it off my the end of the month because I was working and only had myself to be concerned with. Well, things changed rather quickly when I had my first child in 1991 and the obsession simply went a little dormant.

The life of a blogger can re-ignite all kinds of things. I mean, you guys are wonderfully talented and generous. You hold giveaways and make jewelry, and the more I looked around the blogosphere the more my palms started to itch to continue to fill my jewelry box. So I started entering jewelry giveaways.

As I searched my blog looking for the post I’m sure I wrote about the Twillypop necklaces I won from Diane Estrella’s blog back in early December, I realized that I’ve written about jewelry quite a bit. (I still can’t find that post.) Sara, Twillypop lady, is an extremely talented and unique artist. She describes her jewelry as “a line of fun, functional, affordable, trendy at times, timeless at others, line of necklaces.”

This is how my Twillypop swag arrived. Aren’t they adorable? I won two and the one you see in the third picture I gave to my teenager for Christmas. See how Sara has it so perfectly spiraled into the box? I’ve tried tons of times and can’t get mine to do that…

 

 

This one, below, is mine. I keep it in the little round box ‘cause I love it so much. (Excuse the photo quality.) I like the uniqueness of the Twillypop necklaces and think they’re very girly. You can wear them with the ribbon streaming down a little in the back or tie it in a bow. I’ve recently discovered that it can serve as a beautiful belt.

I already told you about the gorgeous bracelet I won from Pajama Mommy Community, I gave that one to my daughter as well although I really wanted to keep it. :D … It was a little small for my wrist. Isn’t it gorgeous? As soon as I saw it I immediately fell in love with the copper look with the dangling copper-colored and clear beads. I’m really partial to jewelry that has a charm bracelet-like feel to them. This little lovely was made by Geniene.

I saw it laying on her shelf the other day and I started to swipe it. I’m kidding… really.

 

 

About a few weeks ago I found out that I won the Fantasy Jewelry Box giveaway from SkinnyPurse. If you haven’t visited the Fantasy Jewelry Box then you don’t know what you’re missing. I’ve been stalking them – and any blog hosting a giveaway from them – for the longest time.

Here’s the beauty that I chose (the prize was a $35 gift card): Princess Cut Garnet CZ Estate Ring.

 

 

 

Here’s a peek at it on my hand. I really love it and can wear it on three different fingers, which makes it extremely versatile.

It came beautifully packaged in a silver ribboned, pink box:

The Fantasy Jewelry Box has celebrity inspired jewelry including Mariah’s Silver Imitation Diamond Butterfly Ring that I’d like to get for my teenager. (She loves butterflies.) They have something for everyone and that’s what I like about them.

One of my favorite accessories is my Earlums ear jewelry that I am privileged to review. As soon as I saw these featured on someone else’s blog (I think it was Pajama Mommy) I immediately went to her Etsy site and blog to learn more about them. Earlums are beautiful ear cuffs and ear jewelry where no piercing is needed. This was especially of interest to me because years ago I had keloids removed from my ears and could no longer wear pierced earrings. The same thing, unfortunately, happened to my oldest daughter. When I contacted Lumi about reviewing them she generously said yes and sent them over straightaway.

They each arrived on the cute little cards, which explain Earlums on the back, and under each card was a “surprise” ear cuffs. She also sent a couple of temporary tattoos, which I am more than excited to test out. (Don’t ask.)

Red, which I’ve told you a hundred times, is my favorite color so I chose this one. The blue one has a center jewelry, which definitely adds a little extra accent. I love them both and will be stealing the blue one back from my daughter. I’ll let her keep the ear cuff (the one above left) that she chose.

 

The quality and details put into these little jewelry pieces makes wearing them more pleasurable. Although the braids close to my ears kept brushing it, Earlums is comfortable to wear. I had the one above on all day and forgot about it before the day was over.

Finally, I thought you may doubt my actual jewelry addiction and think I just wrote this to tell you about the giveaways that I’ve won and the review, but you’d be wrong. To prove my point, I am – with head a little bowed at the messiness – revealing my jewelry box to you. Don’t judge me…

I received the jewelry box on a Mother’s Day (or was it Christmas?) about six years ago. Below is what’s in the bottom drawer. There’s quite a bit in there that you can’t see.

Here it is from the front with the doors opened wide. I noticed today that it’s getting a little crowded in there. You’ll notice that everything isn’t all fancy-smancy, but I love every piece for different reasons. (A charm bracelet that I won on Carrie’s Growing a Baby in Seattle Reviews blog from The Charm Factory is high on my favorites list. It has blue sapphire hearts daintily dangling from it.)

I took the four drawers out so you can get a peek in there. The drawer on the bottom left holds broaches that belonged to me when I was a child (remember when “breast pins” were really in?)  and my mother wore them before they were passed down to me. I was dismayed recently to see that one of the ruby eyes on one of the poodles is missing.

This is actually a candle holder (up-purposed!) that I store my silver bangles in. It sits on top of the jewelry box.

   

I was thinking that maybe I should get a larger one or maybe another one; I don’t know. It isn’t that important, but it sure is fun to think about. Where do you store your jewelry? And what’s your favorite piece?

Disclosure: I did not receive any payment to brag about these fabulous blogs and companies. Winning the items did not influence my opinion and the opinions expressed are my own. Thanks to Lumi at Earlums for providing the ear jewelry for review. My complete disclosure policy is a click away.

Donate vehicles to Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam Veterans of America needs our support. They're asking for donations of cars, trucks or vans that will be used to help those who have given their service to us and our country: Our veterans. The car donation will provide critical support for veterans in their times of need. In addition to the vehicles mentioned above, they can - in most cases - accept boats, motorcycles, RV's, campers and property.



This is a car donation charity that converts car donations into cash to assist deserving veterans and their families through the provided programs. Donors determine the Fair Market Value of their vehicle, up to $500, and if it sells for more than that Vietnam Veterans of America will send donors an IRS Form 1098-C showing the higher selling price so it can be claimed as your tax deduction when filing your taxes.


It's quick, easy and secure:

1. Fill out a form.
2. Schedule a free convenient pickup time. (A tow truck comes to your location.)
3. Receive your tax deduction. (They issue a tax deduction donation receipt after the vehicle is received.)

Take a moment to help the Vietnam Veterans of America support the Vietnam Vets, donate a car today.

First Black male valedictorian in more than a decade...

... at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta.


Momlogic recently posted: "We were just amazed and inspired when we watched Atlanta senior Deonte Bridges' valedictorian speech on YouTube. How did his mother, Paris Hardaway, raise such an amazing son? To find out, we went straight to the source. Paris speaks to momlogic about her incredible child." I watched the YouTube video and listened to the young man's speech: I was encouraged that there are young people today succeeding and achieving despite their circumstances. I was moved by the creativity and emotion he expressed. And I was sure it is something you'd like to experience as well.

Here's the interview, which is re-posted with permission from Momlogic. 
 

momlogic: What was your reaction when Deonte was named valedictorian this year?

Paris Hardaway:  I was excited and overwhelmed! I started calling everyone and telling everybody. Stuff like that, I can't keep to myself. I was on the train when Deonte called me and told me. He said he was the first black male to receive the award in over a decade. I just lost it and had to calm down because I was on public transportation. I didn't tell anyone on the train because I didn't want them to think I was crazy, but I called my cousin and knew it would get out from there because she'd notify everybody! I cry when I look from where we came to where we are now. Things could have gone in a totally different way. For me to be here and see what Deonte has accomplished is a gift.

ml: How did you feel hearing Deonte's beautiful graduation-day speech?

PH:  That day when Deonte made that speech, I was sitting there listening. I was already in tears from hearing the salutatorian's speech and life story. When Deonte started telling his story, I saw him becoming emotional -- I sat there in awe because even being his mom, I didn't realize he was dealing with these things at the level he expressed it. I look at him as my hero. He gave me the courage and support I needed after being diagnosed with leukemia. He was in middle school, around age 13, when I was diagnosed, and I knew I had to be here for him, so I fought for my life. It was me and him, and with him being my youngest, I knew I had to be a mother to him. I wanted to see him progress over the years. It was through God's grace and mercy I was there that day to see him. He spoke life into me and Deonte.

ml : What was Deonte's childhood like? Did he face any challenges?

PH:  Deonte is the youngest of my four children ... he's my baby. My oldest is 37, my son Maurice would have been 34, my daughter is 30 and Deonte is now 18. My son, Maurice, was 20 years old when he passed away. He went to play basketball with friends and went into cardiac arrest and passed away.

Growing up, Deonte faced pressures from the outside world but never gave in to them. From birth to age 4, we lived in a neighborhood that was surrounded with drugs, guns and violence. Where we lived, it wasn't that bad, but it was definitely within the area. When Deonte was 4, we moved to "West End" in Atlanta. It was the same type of atmosphere, but we were in a better section. Those types of things were around, but I kept my kids away from it. They were familiar with what was going on -- they saw and knew it was there, but they stayed away.

No matter how much you try to protect your kids, things are still out there. One day, Deonte attended an event at the school. After, his friend's mom drove him home. Instead of bringing him to the house, she dropped him off at the bus stop. As he walked home, he was robbed at gunpoint and they took his wallet, cell phone and ID. I was always worried for Deonte because he went to school in the morning when it was dark and he came home at night when it was dark again. I always wanted him to get there safely and return home safely. There is so much going on in the world and in the streets with killings, robberies and more.

ml : What kind of student was Deonte? And at what age did you realize there was something truly special about him?

PH:  He was an excellent student from pre-K until his graduation. From the time I put him in pre-K, he excelled. Nine out of ten times, he was the only male student getting awards or honors in school. He was always the top male student in his class. When he was a little boy, I noticed a difference in him than other kids. We watched "Sesame Street," "Barney" and "Mister Rogers'" together. All his teachers were always telling me how smart he was, and in third grade, his teacher suggested I get him tested because she felt he was gifted. I never had to help him with homework ... he was always smart.

ml : How is your health now?

PH:  I was diagnosed with leukemia five years ago when Deonte was 13. I am doing pretty good now. I am in remission, but will always have to take my medication forever to prevent it from returning. I can't be in cold because my bones ache and hurt, but I am getting by and thank God for allowing me to be here with Deonte and my family.

ml : What are Deonte's future plans?

PH:  Deonte is planning to attend the University of Georgia. As of now, he wants to study business and accounting, but he's got the world at his feet. He's very talented, and he's a wonderful songwriter, so we'll see ....

ml: What advice would you give to other moms?

PH:  I would tell them to continue to support and love their kids. Let them know that if nobody else has their back, you do. Encourage them in any way, form or fashion. Say good things to them no matter what the outside world says. Every day is a fight, so stay in the fight and focus on goals and dreams. You're there with them and you want them to see they can accomplish all they desire to do.

Using the right cook top cleaner

The glass and ceramic smooth top ranges are really popular due to their convenience and beauty, but what some consumers do not realize is that in order to maintain that appearance over the long haul the right cook top cleaner must be used. Those smooth surfaces have to be cleaned regularly and there are certain cleaners, including Weiman Glass Cool Top® Cleaner, which are specifically formulated for those types of ranges. The Weiman cleaner removes food that has dried or been burned on the cook top and it will not mar the pristine surface.

When used regularly, the right cook top cleaner keeps your range looking brand new and beautiful and, believe it or not, it can help older ranges to renew their lost beauty. And, as an additional precaution, be sure to use the right scrubbing pads so you don’t scratch the surface of the cook top. Using the right pad and cleaner also reduces the amount of hard scrubbing that’s needed.

Although I’d love to, I don’t have one of the smooth cook top stoves yet. Do you have one? If so, take a moment to share what cleaners you have used on it, what worked and what didn’t.

Internet connection fix

For quite some time, when my computer would go into hibernation (and even when it was shut down) it would lose the wireless Internet connection. And getting it back up took more time than I have to spare each day. I called my computer-knowledgeable friend for a fix. Ten minutes later he had the answer in my in box. Today, my gift to you is the easy instructions on how to solve this problem:

1. Click Start
2. Right Click Computer
3. Click Manage
4. Click Device Manager in the left window pane
5. Go to Network Adapters and click the arrow to the left of the words
6. Now you will see your network adapter or adapters if you have more than one. In my case it was an Atheros L1 Gigabit. Right Click your network adapter.
7. Click Properties
8. Go to the Power Management Tab
9. Make sure all boxes are unchecked.
10. Once you've unchecked the boxes click okay and restart your system.
11. Enjoy never losing your connection again.

I'm not sure where he found these instructions, but they worked. One computer problem down and one to go. Now if you know how to fix my Windows Live Writer problem, please leave a comment to let me know. Thanks ... enjoy your Monday.

Shoe lovers unite

If you’ve ever swapped shoes with a girlfriend or your sister then I’ve got just the site for you. Now you can swap on a bigger level and save money in the process. IfTheShoeDoesntFit.com is The Auction Site for Shoe Lovers where you can shop, swap or sell new or used shoes and shoe accessories.

It’s easy and economical: You pay a $1 fee to post a product to sell (and you can post up to eight photos of the product). Once it’s sold, you keep the money. That’s it. There are no final value fees and no fees for photos and special listing accents like bold headlines, highlighting or gallery listings. If your shoe doesn’t sell even re-listing is free. For those who choose to create an online store then it’s $15 per month and you’ll receive a 5 percent listing discount.

What makes this auction site one-of-a-kind is the fact that you can swap shoes. Just like with any convenient online experience you can shop – and swap – from the comfort of your own home. To top it off, you’ll be able to interact with people who have a similar sense of style and the same shoe size. Listing the shoes for swaps works similar to that of an auction, they post a “bid” of what they want to trade and it still costs only $1.

So, if you have a closet of barely worn or never worn shoes that you’d like to sell or swap then If The Shoe Doesn’t Fit is an ideal online solution for you. Or if you’re looking for that one perfect pair then you may find it there. I saw a pair of red and black lace platform shoes with four-inch heels by Bordello Teeze that has someone’s name written all over them. Check them out and let me know what you think.

My apologies

Those who know me fairly well may see a little disconnect here and there with my writing, posts, my comments and my visits. My mind seems to be on a little vacation on the outskirts of Worryland. It’s where I spend a lot of time not worrying and trying to come up with solutions to take the almost worry away.

The outskirts, I’ll call them Thoughtsville, are adjacent to Sadden Town, Pissed Place and Muddy Meadow. The good news is that if I get through those little towns, they’re all surrounded by Creative Centre, Big Deal Mountain and Peaceful Peninsula. I’m wading, at least, and not sinking. It’s just a fight against emotions and work, family and life, balance and disharmony…

One of the main problems is the amount of work I’ve put into some personal paperwork and providing everything that several organizations require and STILL I am left hanging. If I hadn’t of opened my mail, processed my paperwork or followed through then I would have no reason to be a little miffed. Then I could take complete responsibility for what’s lacking. But when others have control over certain aspects of your life – of my life – it makes for a very uncomfortable position. A position that I’ve tired of being in.

The solution, believe it or not, is to make more money. Although money doesn’t buy happiness; it does provide independence, a measure of peace and accomplishment. So, if I seem to be a little MIA – mentally and physically – know that I’m here cranking away trying to keep the money flowing and the brain working while avoiding Worryland, Sadden Town, Pissed Place and Muddy Meadow. They aren’t places I’d like to go on vacation to so I gotta make things happen. With.the.quickness.

Financial matters

When it comes to your money – and how you manage it – you don’t want to waste time or make mistakes. That’s why finding and obtaining the services of a financial advisor may be the right choice for you. You may have visions of taking time out of your busy schedule to travel to a financial advisor’s office, but that’s a thing of the past. You can quickly and conveniently develop a relationship and handle your financial affairs online.

You can find out more information about the ends and outs of working with a financial advisor by reading the Vaerdi Financial homepage. The information is detailed and easy to read as well as explain the process that the company takes. One of the best things about Vaerdi is you – as the client – will pay your financial advisor directly. Meaning they are not paid through commissions on sales. Why is that a good thing? Because you want someone working for that’s going to save you more money than is charged. Additionally, as fiduciaries the company does not believe commission-based compensation is of value for the clients. Vaerdi Financial also does sell products, which takes the pressure out of that relationship as compared to other financial organizations.

Now you can get your money issues in order with little to no hassle, and with the support of professionals behind you and giving you advice.

Checking in

Thursday updates on ticket, Twitter and tired…

Please forgive this moment of true randomness. I have been so tired lately that any true work or writing has gone unaccomplished except for one assignment that I pushed myself through today. I’m not even going to think about how behind I am on email.

I had a doctor’s appointment at the VA hospital today and the doc is thinking the exhaustion may be due to some medications mishaps and changes. She switched around some dosages and I may start taking one med (two tabs) I take during the day at night. My BF thinks it’s from almost three days worth of braiding my hair (I’ll have to give you that update later in my Hair Diary). And I’m thinking it may just be stress. Between not getting nearly enough all-night sleep and rest there are quite a bit of personal/financial issues that are being addressed. Although I think I’ve been handling things semi well my body will always tell the true story. So as I experience the pain, soreness, yawning, exhaustion and naps (YUP, with an ‘s’) … I … hmmm, I have no idea what I was about to say. Oh well, guess it wasn’t important.

An-t-way, the doctor said I need to get at least eight to 10 hours of sleep every night. Who in the world can go to bed that early? Just to get eight hours of sleep I would have to go to bed around 10 o’clock in the summer and around 9 during the school year. What about the quiet time after the kids go to bed? Well, I guess I should say go to sleep ‘cause they can go to bed at 8 and keep me fussing and up & down with them for hours or minutes – usually hours.

I’m not even going to go into detail about trying to spend time with my sweetie who doesn’t get off of work ‘til 11 or after right now. Going to bed that early means we don’t get to spend that much time together and it also mean interrupted sleep. He wakes me up, Anna wakes me up because she – for some reason – can’t just go to the bathroom by herself at night she HAS to have ME to accompany her. And Amareah wakes me up with her screaming, fighting and talking in her sleep along with her occasional nighttime awakenings where she’ll lay in front of my door like a lost puppy ‘til I stumble out of my room

Eight hours of sleep, huh? SIGH.

I got a ticket on the way to the VA hospital for doing 55 in a 40. Stupid motorcycle cop. Yup, gonna blame him. He didn’t even have any sympathy after I told him I was late for my appointment at the VA hospital. Hello? Veteran here. What happened to those perks/passes?

I’m loving TweetDeck. It’s like participating in hundreds of people’s lives and activities all at once. It can be addicting, but sometimes I have a pretty good handle on my addiction.

Uh… the end?

My kids love to read

Thus far I haven’t had to do anything special to get my children to embrace reading during the summer although I can probably be more diligent in requiring reading everyday. They request books and library time on their own. I think it’s because they – my three youngest ages 3, 5 and 6 – always see me and their older sister, age 19, reading. We continually have magazines or books in front of us and are engaged in reading.

I think because reading is such a natural part of my life I inadvertently suggest reading to them on the off chance they haven’t asked to read a book from their vast collection. These are some of the tips that I use:

• Offering them a magazine while in the doctor’s waiting room. It doesn’t have to be kid oriented. My 6-year-old son is realizing that he can find words that he knows and they “read” the pictures or ask what something says.
• Free subscriptions. I signed my son up to receive the Lego Magazine so he’s always excited to get one in the mail. That has made him more interested in magazines in general. When I’m reading my magazines I’ll ask my 5-year-old daughter if she likes something and read to her what it says about the item. Now she asks what things say.
• Writing book reviews. I’ve written book reviews since 1995 when I worked full-time in the magazine industry and I would always let my oldest daughter have the children’s books. My three youngest are able to enjoy this perk as well given the fact that I write book reviews here. They’re excited to see what new book is out and see their pictures on the blog.

One of the things that I need to do to make the children’s books more accessible to them is move them from the top of the shelf in their closet and get a bookshelf. Since they have such a large collection the books can be rotated on a regular basis so they always have something new and interesting to read.

How do you get your kids to embrace summer reading? A great idea is to get your children involved in the HarperCollins Children’s Books’ number one beginner reader series “I Can Read!” It’s a series, which debuted in 1957, which has been proven to encourage young readers who are reading together to advanced reading alone.

You can find more information on the series at I Can Read! along with a complete list of books and activities.

I Can Read! BooksBecome an I Can Read! Member

 

 

And, before you go, leave a comment telling me about ways you incorporate reading into your children’s summer. Do they like to read?

 

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get an "I Can Read!" book. For more information on how you can participate, click here. Here’s my complete disclosure policy.

Wordless Wednesday: Sleepy?

 

 

Take a gander at the last Wordless Wednesday snapshot I posted. And for my participants go to 5 Minutes for Moms or Blessings Abound Mommy.

Vacation dreams

I’ve been talking to my mother about getting a little break from everyday life, and I’m thinking about making plans to drive to Maryland to see her and the rest of my family for about a week at the end of this month. It would be great to visit with family and have them spend some time with my children, but I would prefer vacationing at one of the villas in Spain.

Did you know there’s a holiday villa site that offers accommodations all over the world? It would be grand to experience that just once and not have to worry about washing the dishes at grandma’s house. Have you ever had the opportunity to vacation at one of the villas in France? Take a moment and tell me about it so I can live vicariously through you.

Exploring & embracing sexuality

For Adults Only

As I’ve gotten older I’ve become increasingly more comfortable with my body and my sexuality. I guess I should say my sensual side because I’m not suggesting that I don’t have “issues” with my body, but I’ve learned that those issues don’t have to have an effect on my sex life.

My experiences have become even more varied and comfortable as I’ve explored products and knowledge at EdenFantasys.com. Most people who think about an online stores like Eden Fantasys think they just sell sex toys when in fact there are a multitude of products to appeal to individuals on all interest levels.

For instance, you can find books and videos that are instructional or entertaining. There are mood enhancing products like oils and candles. And who doesn’t like to wear some sexy lingerie every now and then?

I recently tried The Intimacy Love Kit by Booty Parlor. The first thing I love about the products are that it’s housed in the cutest, small black box, which held two small vials – one a scented massage oil and the other water-based lubricant, two Booty Parlor brand latex condoms and a single-use vibrating cock ring.

I’ll spare you the details, but if you’ve never tried a vibrating cock ring then I must say you’re definitely missing something. It’s something that both individuals will enjoy using. I loved the scent of the massage oil because as someone with a sensitive nose I don’t want anything too overpowering. It was also smooth and not greasy, which is a definite plus.

On a final note, this woman would like to remind you to take a moment for yourself and your partner. Although there are many ways to strengthen a relationship, intimacy is definitely at the top of the list. Try something new and fun today; visit EdenFantasys.com and reDiscover Sex.

Disclosure: I received The Intimacy Love Kit by Booty Parlor free of charge from EdenFantasys.com to facilitate my review as a part of their Ambassador Program. The opinions expressed here are my own and not influenced by outside forces. Take a moment to review my complete policy.

Weight & meds management

This is a long one, but try to hang in there ‘til the end.

There has been a subject I’ve been avoiding in my health and weight loss journals, and that’s what’s going on with my health. Before you get concerned, don’t take that to mean that something is really wrong – it’s just that I’m not sure I’ve been doing everything that I should and can to maintain my health.

For all of my new readers you may not know that I have fibromyalgia and sjogren’s disease as well as problems with my liver. To avoid boring you with all the ups and downs I’ve conveniently (:-D ) including these links: About my liver stuff, the sjogren’s and this last link includes quite a few posts that I wrote that included fibromyalgia. (Please forgive me as that link may also include this post; I haven’t figured out how to not make that happen.) I’ve written several health and weight loss journals in the past so if you’d like to search my site for them then that would be fab. Otherwise, click that last link to read all the gory details.

Okay, moving right along.

Let me do a quick update on my weight loss and you’ll see how this ties in with my health. You’ll remember that I initially lost 60 pounds and recently gained 10ish back. Much to my semi shock and dismay. Last week when I did my weekly weigh in the scale read an alarming (too dramatic?) 175 pounds. I’m happy to report that I’ve lost five pounds (170 pounds, YIPPEE!) since then. I’m excited to be moving down the scale. I honestly haven’t been exercising much like I said I would, but I have been moving more. Up and down from my desk. Parking further away at stores. Dancing around. And, most importantly, not doing as much emotional eating.

The emotional eating thing is not entirely in my control. You see, I stopped taking one of my meds. Well, I kind of ran out and there were no more refills on it so I took it upon myself to wean off of it. It’s one of my meds that’s for depression and moods (yup complete disclosure today), and I thought maybe it’s time I see if I can handle it better with one med for that and not two. Ahem… Well, that particular med is also prescribed for chronic pain so my limbs and joints started feeling even more sore. Then, to make matters worse, my mood kind of started getting a little weird (for lack of a better word.) And, come to find out, once I started taking it again recently my urge to eat for emotional reasons has went down significantly.

So instead of taking matters – or medications! – into my own hands, I’m going to talk to the doc about the other med for moods and depression to see if I can wean off of that one or maybe just reduce the dosage to see how and if I’m able to cope. I really believe that I don’t have to live the rest of my life on meds like this. Getting to this stage has been a result of more than a decade of physical pain and several years of emotional and post-partum depression combined – none of which was ever treated.

The plan? Keep on moving during the day to burn calories, workout and do yoga when I can, stay on my prescribed meds until I talk to the doc, get more rest and continue to eat healthy.

Last but not least.

Oh, and I keep forgetting to tell you about the Bootcamp for Tummies from mama mio skincare that I won at Hip Mama’s Place. Bootcamp for Tummies is touted as being able to “rehab your abs in 30 days.” Can I honestly say it works? Well, yes, no and maybe. Yes because when I did the actual exercises it worked. No because I didn’t do it consistently for 30 days. Maybe because since I gained a little weight I couldn’t tell if the Get Waisted Body Shaper and Tummy Toner Skin Tightener really worked.

I’m going to – beginning today-ish – going to use it for 30 straight days then I’ll come back here and tell you about it. That is unless I forget. LOL

If you’re curious about the product, I found it on Amazon so you can click the picture to learn more.

Now don’t forget to come back here next Tuesday to check in on my weight loss and my health. Have a great week and feel free to leave a comment telling me how you’re feeling or how your weight loss is going.

Convenience of self storage

Everyone has different experiences in life and sometimes those experiences call for a few changes. The change could be moving out of state for a job or to be closer to family. It could be that someone lost their job and had to downsize their home. Or there are times when the elderly must relocate to places that are better suited for their needs. Whatever the case – or the change – it may be necessary to utilize a self storage unit.

When my grandmother passed away and I had to close up her house I placed the items that I couldn’t part with in a self storage unit because there wasn’t enough room in the two-bedroom townhouse I was living in at the time. I have a friend who was laid off two years ago and has been utilizing a temperature controlled self storage facility ever since. Having access to self storage can make life’s changes much easier because you don’t have to give away or sell all of your belongings. It’s also convenient because you have access to your belongings when you need them and have control over what type of unit you choose to put them in.

Here, Atlanta Storage facilities are fairly easy to find because the overall population in the area has grown so much in the past 10 years or so. I know that having a convenient, and cost effective self storage center in my area was a load off of my mind and pocket.

If life’s changes cause you to have to relocate your belongings consider using self storage. You’ll be glad you did.

Chocolate & coffee

There are two things that I can’t live without: chocolate & coffee. Together or apart – as long as I get them. I don’t know what it is about the smooth taste of some creamy dark chocolate it’s a little piece of heaven every time I take a taste.

The same goes for my coffee; the first sip is soothing as it flows across my taste buds and eases down my throat. And I like it fixed a certain way: Strong, but smooth (I’ll keep my favorite brand a secret for now) with two heaping spoons of raw sugar and enough low fat original Coffee-Mate to lighten the brew just enough. That’s my morning cup. Any additional cups that I consume during the day are normally spiked with low fat French Vanilla Coffee-Mate.

A good cup of coffee and the right chocolate are, to me, like fine wine. And when you add the right ingredients (like the perfect measure of creamer – and my favorite is Coffee-Mate) it’s liquid happiness. Really.

Tell me: Do you drink coffee? If so, what do you add to yours, if anything? What’s your favorite creamer?

Disclaimer: I didn’t receive anything for free. I happen to be a Coffee-Mate user and (although I don’t remember when or how) I signed up to be on the Coffee-Mate Brew Crew. For participating I earn points that I’ll redeem for stuff. Cool, huh?

Mail stalker

I guess that’s what you can call me. I stalk my mail. Not in a way that I’m peering out of my window waiting for the mail carrier (well, I only do that sometimes), but in a way that I watch what he puts in the mailbox to determine whether it’s worth my time and effort to actually walk out of the door, down the driveway (in the sun), open the little door, reach my hand into the dark abyss and pull out what’s lurking inside.

If I open the little door and there are a bunch of flat small envelopes then I’m normally disappointed. I mean who wants a bill or just a plain ole coupon? Ahem, okay I’ll take the coupon, but you know what I mean.

This week has been a fairly good mail week. Among the books that came for review I got a bracelet, a t-shirt in my favorite color (RED!) and a few samples. Now the bracelet, which didn’t fit, is gorgeous and I gave it to my teenager (*I also don’t remember where I won it, but when I find out you’ll be the second to know). The tee is from Kenneth Cole to raise aWEARness. I was able to pick the color of the tee and the words as well as choose from the different designs. I can’t wait to wear it, but until then here are a couple of sneak peeks.

Doesn’t that look darling on Amber?	She has the daintiest little, ladylike wrist ever.
My shirt says, “Are you listening or just waiting to talk?” –Kenneth Cole	That’s perfect for me. Perfect saying and perfect color.

How’s your mail looking this week? I can’t wait to get a dress I ordered from Chadwick’s for $4.99. I hope it looks as cute as it did online and that something fun comes tomorrow. :-)

*Update: I found out where the bracelet came from. I won it from a giveaway at Pajama Mommy Community. Cool, huh?

Follow the womanly road

I’m glad to see you here and I’d like to ask a favor. See that Google Friend Connect follow button to your right? At the top of the column? Would you please follow me? I had to temporarily remove my RSS feed subscribe, so if you’re one of the very few people who were a subscriber, don’t panic it’ll be back soon.

In the meantime, there are quite a few things I’d like to do around these parts and your help with simply following me – publicly – is so greatly appreciated. In return I promise to always be here for you, write interesting (just nod!) content and let you comment to your heart’s content.

Do we have a deal?

Cool.

Now, if there’s anything you want me to do (as long as it doesn’t involve a webcam and flesh) I’m there for you. Need a follower? Want me to enter a contest? What about a guest blogger? I’m your gal… oh, uh: I’m your woman. ;-)

Beautifying the home

I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t talk about the changes, improvements and decorating that I want to do in my home. I want to maximize on my space as well as make it comfortable, efficient and beautiful for everyone who lives here.

One of the main things we need is kids bedding. The BedBathStore has some fashionable juvenile bedding that I know all of my children would love – from the oldest who’s 19 to the youngest who’s 3 – at prices that my bank account loves. They carry a Chiffon Ruffle Girls Velvet Quilt Collection that each of my girls would love. It comes in a variety of colors to fit their personalities and, I think, the style is something they’ll all be proud of and can grow into. And that’s just one of the many design choices for girls. I was just as impressed with the choices in boys’ linens; there were some fabulous sport-themed sets that I can hear him bragging about now.

If we’re going to get new bedding then we’d have to (well, I would want to) invest in hypoallergenic bedding as well. All of my children have some form of allergy or eczema, and I know that something like this would help them. And, just as importantly, this bedding – especially the ones with protective covering for pillows and mattresses – protects against "dust mite and fecal pellet" nastiness.

One place in the home that I think should be spruced up on a regular basis is the bathroom. Right now, I definitely need to pay some extra special attention to our bathroom. It’s quite small, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t need design attention. I recently bought one of those bath accent rugs, which I think makes a big difference especially when you’re stepping out of the tub or shower.

That’s just a glimpse into some of the things I want to do. Come back soon and see what I’ve been up to in the office. Have you made any design changes to your home recently?

If you see me eating slap my hand!

If you recall, last week I mentioned that I thought I may be back on the losing weight and workout wagon when Amber and I worked out together, but now I’m not so sure.

Why the doubt? I weighed myself, which also explains why I am two days late in posting this health and weight loss journal. I could tell I put on a little weight, but TEN POUNDS? Geez… Needless to say I’ve been feeling like a cow lately.

Okay, without further ado, I believe the last time I told you my weight it was about 165. Yes, I am now 175 pounds. So, I’ve officially gained back 10 of the 60 pounds I’ve lost.

(I think I gained it all in the girls, if you know what I mean. LOL. And I obviously need some sleep.)----->

The main problem? I’ve been doing some major emotional eating. I don’t know what’s up with that. I used to be so good at counting calories and portion sizes as well as not eating a bunch of junk.

It all started with my teenager coming home from college. She loves to cook and goes over the top with baking. And her food is good. And I’ve had a lot of stress. Did you hear about the new baby? And there’s always the money issues, parenting dilemmas and general life stresses. SIGH.

Then there were the birthday celebrations: Anna’s, Amber’s times two and my RP has a birthday at the end of this month. Before the summer is over I will be… GASP… I can’t say that. I won’t say it. That’s just taking negativity, worry and rant to a whole new level.

So, what am I going to do besides blame Amber’s cooking? I’m moving more. Since last week I’ve worked out with Amber again. We went to the middle school track the second time and I walked about a mile, sprinted, jumped rope, did some cartwheels and round offs AND I even did a hill sprint. Then there’s the little bit of dancing around the house.

Now, the food… SIGH (yes, another sigh). I do well in the mornings. I love fruit and whole grains so I normally have a plate a fruit – blueberries, strawberries, cherries – drink some water and take my meds. (The day I took that pic I even had some yummy kiwi.) Then I eat two cinnamon raisin toast with a tablespoon of peanut butter on one and honey on the other and, of course, a large cup of coffee. Hey, I put raw sugar and low fat creamer in it. That varies a little: sometimes I’ll have whole wheat or low fat waffles with honey or I’ll put some lean turkey or chicken on my raisin toast.

The morning snack is pretty good, but as the day goes on my choices get worse and my portion sizes are enough for a family of four. Okay, that was just a little exaggeration, but you get the point.

The solution: More self control and more (way more!) working out.

Wish me luck. How’s your healthy eating and weight loss going? Please tell me I’m not the only one being delinquent. :-) I know, I know… misery loves company. Come on – we can support each other and hold each other accountable. Share. You’ll feel better. ;-)