AutismLearningFelt

Pictures From Carolina Beach

2010-03-12T09:17:00.001-08:00

Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace CD Giveaway

2010-03-11T03:43:00.000-08:00

“Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace" is the exquisitely soothing, award-winning stress-relief audio-book that gently releases layer-after-layer of worry, depression, exhaustion, and pain. Sleepless in ...wherever? Like an easy chair, here's an oasis from a stressful schedule, or prelude to deep, restful sleep. The warm narration by nationally acclaimed stress-relief expert Susie Mantell instantly carries listeners into the deeply comforting relaxation of a spa vacation--any time, anywhere! Clinically approved to relieve symptoms associated with health-related, work-related, traumatic and day-to-day stress, "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace" is found in The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, Fortune 500, Canyon Ranch (#1 Spa,) The Betty Ford Center, and Mantell's work is seen on ABC, NBC, CBS-TV, and in international media. In a world that often seems to spin too fast, drift into the quiet place where worries dissipate, where healing begins. [Honors include: “Best Audios" –Publishers Weekly Award, “Good As It Gets" issue –Town Country, “Superb" –The American Pain Society, “Terrific corporate gift!" -Remington, Ann Buivid,, Pres., “Surrounds nerve endings like salve." –Rocky Mountain News] Do you know someone who'd really love some deeply soothing stress-relief? Slow down, sit back...and just let go. Read all about it and enjoy free stress-relief tips at http://www.relaxintuit.com

This giveaway is for one copy of "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace" by Award-Winning Stress-Relief Expert Susie Mantell. There will be FIVE winners. You must live in the US to enter. This giveaway starts March 11, 2010 and ends March 27, 2010. Good Luck.

Main Entry: Leave a comment telling me who you would give this to and why. (If this rule isn’t followed, no additional entries will count).

You can get extra entries by doing any or all of the below. Each entry needs to be a separate comment.

1 Extra Entry - Follow @taless on Twitter and leave your twitter id in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry - Twitter this giveaway and leave your twitter name in a separate comment (You can get up to one extra entry by tweeting each day and leaving a comment here each day.)
1 Extra Entry - Follow my blog and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Subscribe to my RSS feed via email and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Write a post on your blog linking to my blog, and let me know in a separate comment

Over The Rainbow Book Giveaway Winner

2010-03-11T03:38:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to noreen said... 14

You are the winner of the Over The Rainbow Book and CD. You have 48hrs to claim your prize or I will have to pick a new winner.

Wordless Wednesday Snakes

2010-03-10T03:01:00.001-08:00

Three Times The Love Giveaway

2010-03-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

Last year, I did a review and giveaway for the book "Three Times The Love," a story about raising triplet boys with autism. I loved this book and am happy to have another givaway on my blog for it. This time, the giveaway will be for the paperback version of the book and there will be three winners. Each winner will get one copy. You must live in the US to enter. This giveaway begins March 9, 2010 and ends March 26, 2010.

Main Entry: Leave a comment telling me who you would give this to and why. (If this rule isn’t followed, no additional entries will count).

You can get extra entries by doing any or all of the below. Each entry needs to be a separate comment.

1 Extra Entry - Follow @taless on Twitter and leave your twitter id in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry - Twitter this giveaway and leave your twitter name in a separate comment (You can get up to one extra entry by tweeting each day and leaving a comment here each day.)
1 Extra Entry - Follow my blog and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Subscribe to my RSS feed via email and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Write a post on your blog linking to my blog, and let me know in a separate comment

Look Mom It's A Dinosaur Butt

2010-03-09T03:50:00.000-08:00

I couldn’t believe it. I swear, it sounded like she said “Look Mom! A dinosaur butt!” What she actually said was “Look Mom! A dinosaur foot!” It was hilarious. My daughter is always coming out with things that take me by surprise, so I wouldn’t have put it past her to have said “butt” instead of “foot.”

We didn’t get to spend that much time on the beach. We arrived at Carolina Beach in the evening. It was too cold and too dark to take a walk on the sand. Our hotel was right on the beach and our room had a view of the water.

It also had a window right in front of the bed I was sleeping in and the sun rose right there. It was like waking up to a bright light aimed right at your eyes. We got up early Sunday, which is usual with our kids. After getting everyone together and everything together, we went for a walk on the beach and collected shells.

My daughter loves looking for shells. My son, not so much. As you can see from the picture, he just wanted to leave. Walking along the sand was no fun. The water was too cold for swimming. We didn’t even bother to bring swimming suits.

We ended up taking a short walk on the beach, collected a few shells, and then went in search of a store to get a drink. First, we had to stop and deposit the shells and the “dinosaur foot” into the truck. Yes, we brought it home. It was heavy, but my husband was a good sport about it. He carried it all the way to the truck. I wanted to see what it looked like all cleaned up. I thought it would be nice in our garden. My husband wants to break it up and see what is inside.

It turned out to be a nice day at the beach. It warmed up as the day went on. Carolina Beach, NC is a really nice place to visit during the off season. It costs a lot less to rent a room. We rented a two-bed efficiency at the Savannah Inn. I like staying in a room with a kitchen. We paid $75 for the night. That’s a little higher than what we usually pay, but the room was nice and the beds were comfortable. They have a pool, but I didn’t bother to find out if it was heated, since we didn’t bring bathing suits.

We had a great time at the Aquarium. I’ll tell you all about that, tomorrow.

Children's Game Pack Giveaway Winner

2010-03-09T03:43:00.001-08:00

Anonymous said... 27
Congratulations Courteney. You have 48 hours to claim your prize pack or I will have to pick a new winner.

My Son Picks Shania Twain As His Birthday Present

2010-03-08T03:41:00.000-08:00

Taking both of my kids to the store can be stressful. When I do it without my husband, it is only done because I have to. When it is my husband and my kids, it can still be stressful, but I am not alone. It is easier when I have someone to help me keep an eye on both of the kids.

Grocery shopping is the worse. Neither one of my kids wants to stay with us. They both want to roam around. They both want things that they don’t need. I spend the whole time saying “No.” Then we get to the check out register. Really? Who’s bright idea was it to put chips and candy at the check out register? After spending the whole shopping trip going up and down aisles saying “no,” I just don’t have it in me to say it again. I just want out of there and I don’t want to listen to anymore temper tantrums.

When I go to the store with just one of my kids, it is a little easier. It’s easier to keep track of one, than two. If I am going to the store to just look around, I don’t feel stressed out when I am with just one of my children. Since I don’t have to get anything, I let my child lead the way. I follow.

Saturday was my son’s birthday. He received birthday money that he split up and piggy banked part of it and the rest was to spend. He wanted a game for his Nintendo DS. My daughter had to go to school for half a day in order to make up a snow day. My husband and I took our son out for a birthday breakfast. Afterwards, we hit the pawn shops and the local indoor flea market in search of used Nintendo DS games.

My son loved it. This is a boy that walks as slow as a snail when we take him to stores to get things that the house or my husband and I need. When this little boy has money to spend, and can spend it any way he chooses, he becomes the energizer bunny.

We didn’t find anything in any of the places we went to, so my husband dropped us off at home. Our daughter needed to be picked up at school and I was determined that our son be given the opportunity to buy what he wanted without his sister’s presence. I knew that if she was with us, she would be begging me to buy something for her.

There was one last store that we could go to for a great deal on Nintendo DS games. It was Sam Goody, a small store that was going out of business. They primarily sell music CD’s, DVD’s, and games. I took my son there to pick out a game, but, once we got there, he wanted nothing to do with the games. Up and down the three small aisles he went. He was on a mission to find the perfect CD.

It took a while, and I was just about to give up, when he finally stopped, pointed, picked up a CD and headed for the register. Wow! He did it! He picked out an item for himself with determination and confidence. I had to shake my head and laugh at his choice, though. It was Shania Twain’s Greatest Hits. Now it’s in his CD player and he listens to it over and over again. We left for the beach that evening, and when we returned on Sunday, he went straight back to his room to listen to his Shania CD. It could have been worse. He has been watching all of the different music channels. He could have picked out something that I absolutely hated. I would have let him buy it, but I am so glad he picked out a country music CD.

Clutter Clearing Choices Winner

2010-03-08T03:37:00.000-08:00

Congratulations! You have 48 hours to claim your prize or I will have to pick a new winner.

chromiumman said... 53

Birthday at the Beach This Weekend

2010-03-05T14:45:00.000-08:00

This will be a busy weekend. Tomorrow is my son’s birthday. My daughter has to go to school for half a day in order to make up a snow day. I asked my son what he wanted for his birthday, and his answer was the beach.

He’s a lucky boy, because it is supposed to be about 61 degrees at the beach on Sunday. The water will be too cold, but the kids can have fun playing on the sand, chasing the birds, and visiting the aquarium. The aquarium used to be a big hit with my kids, but now they seem to be getting bored with it. This time around, I think we will need to find something new to do at the beach to capture my kids attention.

The problem is that it is off season. Most of the fun, family activity places are not open this time of the year. We will play it by ear. Sometimes, the most fun you can have is by being spontaneous. It can be hard with an autistic child to change your plans or make plans at the spur of the moment. Luckily for me, my son handles changes pretty good.

I am doing better this week. The swelling has gone down a lot. It is now just around the main surgical area, instead of the whole right side of my face. The bruises are barely noticeable. I still have pain, but it is manageable. I have to be careful around the house. I have been trying to get myself into doing everything that needs to be done around my home. Big mistake. Yesterday was my first day of really getting back into the swing of things. Today, I am miserable.

Two of my blog friends, Blessed2BaMommy and GrammyMouse, have suggested using homeopathic oils. I need to look into that. I haven’t had time to do so, yet. Next month is Autism Awareness Month. I will be posting autism only articles for the whole month of April. I have the giveaways that are currently going on now and one more to come for this month. I have a couple of reviews to get posted for the month of March. That will bring us to April and there will be no reviews or giveaways scheduled for April.

I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Miss Trimble's Trapdoor Books Review and Giveaway

2010-03-04T05:15:00.000-08:00

I was sent the first two books in a series of children’s books by Lori Jordan-Rice to review and keep. The book s are titled “Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor” and Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor, The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus.” Both books were illustrated by Fox Carlton Hughes.

Most of the children’s books that I read are geared for young children, about the age of my daughter(6 ½). These books are for children around my son’s age, 11 years old this weekend. The main character in the book is a fifth grade boy named Tyler, that is shy, socially awkward, and has trouble paying attention in class.

Because of this, Tyler has his own corner in the classroom that is designated his “quiet place.” This is where he goes, or is sent, when he is having trouble concentrating. When I read this, it reminded me of my son and how he needs a quiet place to work. He is easily distracted. This is also true for a lot of autistic children and for children with other disabilities. However, there was nothing in the book that stated that the character had a disability of any kind. I asked the author what was the inspiration for the main character, if he is based on anyone in particular. She replied, “The main character, Tyler, is based loosely around my own oldest son, who is shy and struggles with self esteem. He is smart, but really needs his own "quiet space" to think and do his best.”

Ms. Jordan-Rice is a former elementary teacher that had become frustrated with the lack of knowledge children were able to demonstrate in the area of history. It seemed that more and more, our children are growing up “historically illiterate - meaning, our kids may not know which country the United States fought to declare its freedom, what explorer discovered America or even who won the battle of the Alamo.” She has written these books to teach history in a manner that will be engaging to young children. Ms. Jordan-Rice says “ The ‘Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor’ series revolves around a fictional classroom full of characters and their daily lives, with an extensive history lesson embedded in each story.”

I did not find this to be true in the first book. To me, the first book was centered on introducing the characters in the book and had a little bit of historical information in it. I felt that this was the best way to write the first book in the series. It gives the reader the opportunity to learn about the characters and to get invested in the story that is being read, and the ones to follow.

The second book does contain an extensive history lesson it. Both stories have important life lessons that are taught, using what has happened in our past (history), to teach the main character how to handle problems he faces in the present. In the first book, “Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor,” Tyler meets Barnabas Bailey, a talking dog that acts as his teacher and guide when Tyler discovers the trapdoor.

Tyler learns an important lesson about friendship and the importance of liking yourself first. In the second book, “Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus,” Tyler learns that you have to work hard, be persistent, and accept failure in order to achieve success. These are great life lessons that children need to learn and understand.

It is my opinion that these books are not just books that your child can read for entertainment. They would be excellent books to use for book reports. They provide opportunities to discuss and relate events in the past to the present. You can use them to challenge your child’s critical thinking and interpretation skills. There soon will be other books in the series available for purchase. I am looking forward to that. For more information about the “Miss Trimble’s Trapdoor” series, please visit www.MissTrimblesTrapdoor.com.

This giveaway is for one autographed copy “Miss Trimble‘s Trapdoor“ and “Miss Trimble‘s Trapdoor The Perseverance of Christopher Columbus.” You must live in the US to enter. This giveaway begins March 4, 2010 and ends March 20, 2010.

Main Entry: Leave a comment telling me who you would give this to and why. (If this rule isn’t followed, no additional entries will count).

You can get extra entries by doing any or all of the below. Each entry needs to be a separate comment.

1 Extra Entry - Follow @taless on Twitter and leave your twitter id in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry - Twitter this giveaway and leave your twitter name in a separate comment (You can get up to one extra entry by tweeting each day and leaving a comment here each day.)
1 Extra Entry - Follow my blog and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Subscribe to my RSS feed via email and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Write a post on your blog linking to my blog, and let me know in a separate comment

Wordless Wednesday Snowplowed In

2010-03-03T02:59:00.000-08:00

The city just plowed our road and now my husband has to shovel the end of the driveway to get out.

The Dancing With The Stars Season 10 Cast Revealed

2010-03-02T03:13:00.000-08:00

The Season 10 Stars of Dancing With The Stars has been revealed. Much to my delight, one of them is Aiden Turner, from All My Children. This sexy soap star will certainly heat up the dance floor. I predict he will do great!

Other stars for this season will be astronaut Buzz Aldrin, NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, sports reporter Erin Andrews, Olympic Gold Medal skating champion Evan Lysacek, from The Bachelor, Jake Pavelka, Kate Gosselin, Niecy Nash, Nicole Scherzinger , Shannen Doherty, and Pamela Anderson.

Buzz Aldrin should be interesting to watch. He will definitely get the elderly vote. I don’t think he will last that long. From watching every season since Dancing With The Stars premiered, I don’t think he will be able to keep up with the physical challenges of the show.

Shannen Doherty and Pamela Anderson will be able to get a lot of votes based on their celebrity status. The question is, can they dance? We will see. I look forward to seeing if Cahd Ochocinco will be light on his feet, or if he will dance like he is wearing cement boots.

No matter what, Aiden Turner will get my vote. I hate that All My Children turned my beloved character into a bad guy. I miss him on All My Children. I look forward to watching him on Dancing With The Stars. If he can dance as well as he acts, then he will be the one to beat.

Snow Brought us Happiness

2010-03-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

The little frozen fellow on the back of my daughter's car is my attempt at a snowman. I thought I did very well for someone who isn't accustomed to the snow. I did have a motive for getting out in the cold to craft my snowman.

Our part of the country only gets snow once a year if we're lucky. We kept this snow for two days before it was almost gone. It was the only snow of our winter season.

But I digress....my daughter so badly wanted someone to go out and play in the snow. She couldn't talk anyone into joining her and was at the point of tears. For her, this was a big event that warranted up-close attention. So, after seeing her fail over and over to talk anyone else into going out to play in the snow, I gave in and got myself bundled for the cold.

How many times do we ignore our children's attempts to draw us out of our preoccupation with daily life? Children grow up so fast, or so it seems. It is to our advantage that we allow them to help us stay young-at-heart. Yet we fight their attempts at even the simplest requests. School is important. Chores are as well. Bookwork, errands, responsibilities.....all important. But is spending time with your child on your list of priorities or on your list of "things I might make time for"?

I gave my daughter my cooperation, spent maybe an hour outside with her, threw a few snowballs, and was done. She was satisfied. What did I lose? Nothing, except a guilty conscience. I wouldn't have gotten any more accomplished by staying inside and foolishly pretending all else was more important than her. Everything I needed to do was still there waiting for me. What I gained was another loving and fun memory, my daughter's happiness, and much needed distraction. After playing outside in the snow with my child, I actually was able to get more accomplished than before. I was energized. The temporary fun was just what I had needed, and I hadn't even known it. My tension was gone. My thoughts were clear. I felt refreshed.

Maybe you have an older child, like I do, and you think your child really doesn't even like you anymore because of the teenage monster invasion. When my daughter develops the "disease", so to speak, I tease her. We've learned to laugh about the teenage monster who sometimes takes the place of her normally positive attitude. But all you have to do is something the child can relate to, something of the child's interest. It's not about you. It's about giving of yourself to one of the most important people in your life. Learn to recognize when you brush off your child, and you may be surprised at how often it happens.

So maybe you normally don't like the snow, so what? Will it hurt you to open your mind, resist your fuddy-duddy attitude, and jump outside for a temporary romp with your child? It doesn't have to be snow. It could be playing with the water hose on a warm day. Let a little time bring you happiness like the snow brought it to us.

Computer Products to Make Things Easier

2010-03-01T05:11:00.000-08:00

I was sent the following products to review and keep from Honestech:

Easy Video Editor 3.0
Claymation Studio 2.0
Audio Recorder 2.0
VHS to DVD 4.0
Fotobox Plus

These are programs accessories to use with your computer. The Easy Video Editor 3.0 and the Claymation Studio 2.0 are programs to create videos or movies. The Easy Video Editor 3.0 was easy to use. I thought that it was similar to the Windows Movie Maker that I had been using on my computer. The Claymation Studio 2.0 was difficult for me. I tried, but I just couldn’t figure out how to use all of the features.

My favorite items are the other three. The Fotobox Plus for creating slideshows is easy to use. The VHS to DVD 4.0 was one that I was not able to use, because our VCR no longer works. Thanks to little kids with crayons and coins, nothing we did would fix it. I am sad about this, because we have a lot of VHS tapes that I would love to convert to DVD’s. DVD’s take up a lot less storage space.

The Audio Recorder 2.0 was my favorite and my husband’s. You can use this to record albums and cassette tapes onto a CD. There is a negative to this product, (this applies to the VHS to DVD 4.0 also). You have to have your stereo

next to your computer. You have cords that you need to plug into the stereo and into the computer. If you are using a laptop, no problem. If you aren’t, which I wasn’t, you have to move some things around.

When using the Audio Recorder 2.0, I highly recommend doing all of your sound adjustments before setting it to record. Once you start recording, you can not adjust the sound quality. When done correctly, the sound quality of your new CD will amaze you. You have to really listen hard to your new CD to tell that it is a recording of an album. Recordings I did from a cassette were high quality. I love that my music sounds better, and that I can’t tell that my new CD’s are recordings made from a cassette. To find out more about Honestech and their products, please visit www.honestech.com.

Bathroom Organizers From MagnaPods

2010-03-01T04:45:00.000-08:00

I like organizational products that are practical. MagnaPods sent me two of their bathroom organizational products to review and keep. The first one is the Magnetic Tooth Brush Holder and the second is the Magnetic Cosmetic Organizers. These are designed for you to place on the inside of your medicine cabinet. The cosmetic holder holds little things. The little things that you are usually hunting around for in a drawer. The Toothbrush Holder is a nice way to conceal your toothbrush from visitors or one last thing you have to store on your bathroom countertop or in a drawer.

There’s one little problem. I don’t have a medicine cabinet. I wasn’t going to let that stop me from putting these little organizers to good use. I found another place that they work just as well. My freezer door. They adhere easily to the door, thanks to the magnetic strip on the back. I can easily move them around, as needed. They are clear, so they match with any décor.

I am using my MagnaPods to store the doctor appointment cards for the family. You know, the ones that I am always digging around for in my purse. Now, they are within easy reach whenever I need to check them. I keep the little pocket knife that I am always needing, but don’t like to hunt around for. Of course, I am keeping a couple of pens in them too. My freezer is right next to my wall calendar, and I am always having to hunt down a pen to write something on the calendar. Now, the pen is right there on my freezer door.

I am also using the MagnaPods for storage of little miscellaneous items. Items that need to be kept track of, but aren’t. For example, hair accessories for my daughter. I find them all over the place, yet can never find one when I need to. Now, I can keep a couple in these organizers and always be able to find one when needed. To find out more about these products, please visit MagnaPods.

Danica Patrick Taken Out of Las Vegas Race

2010-02-28T06:31:00.000-08:00

The Nationwide Series, Sam’s Town 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was Danica Patrick’s last race until after the IndyCar Series. She will return to the Nationwide Series in June. So, how did Danica do Saturday? She was doing good until Michael McDowell took her out in the 85th lap of this 200 lap race. Michael McDowell took the blame for causing the crash that took Patrick out.

Danica gave an interview before the race stating that she would be happy if she just finished the race. She didn’t finish last week’s race. These things happen in racing. If Patrick wishes to become a serious Nationwide driver, she needs to accept that accidents will happen. As a veteran Indy racer, she should know this.

What I don’t understand, is why she has a problem talking to the press after a race. She draws a lot of attention from the media, and needs to be happy instead of upset that they want to interview. There are a lot of drivers that are not getting the attention they deserve because the media is focused on Patrick right now. If she doesn’t make an attitude adjustment, the fans that she is winning over will drop her like a hot potato. We don’t like drivers that don’t take the time to interact with us and the media. It makes them appear to be a diva.

One last point, if Danica is going to be a Nationwide Series driver, she needs to commit full time. That means that she needs to drop the IndyCar Series. I’m not saying that she needs to do it this year. She is already committed. Next year, if she intends to continue racing in the Nationwide Series, she needs to do so full time. Racing a few races, stopping to race in the Indy, and then coming back will not do it. The Nascar Nationwide Series fans want their drivers on the track every week.

Junior BanZ Sunglasses Winner

2010-02-28T05:10:00.001-08:00

Congratulations! You have won the Baby BanZ Junior BanZ sunglasses giveaway. You have 48 hours to contact me or I will need to pick a new winner.
Charity said... 15

Surviving Down Time

2010-02-28T02:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images

As I visited Tammy's blog and read of her surgery and then her time of recovery, I couldn't help relating to what she was experiencing during this "down" time.

I have been pregnant 13 times now and experienced 5 miscarriages anywhere from 8 weeks to 18 weeks into my pregnancies. To say that I have experience in surviving down time is a little bit of an understatement.

What Tammy shared is all true for me, too. It is incredibly hard to be down and see your husband, children and friends picking up your slack. I always feel lazy, more so as I start to get better but still shouldn’t resume all my normal activities. Yet at the same time, I have learned that if I don't slow down and allow myself to recover fully, that could mean additional recovery time. This would keep me out of commission for an extended period of time and add more responsibilities to my family and friends.

When I was younger I certainly bounced back much faster, but as I have aged over the years I realize that I am not the young whipper-snapper that I used to be. Therefore, to survive times when I am laid up, I created work. Yes, work.

I started working on my first business/website in 2005, right after our most difficult loss – Our son Matthew whom we lost at 18 weeks. In order not to be swallowed up by the grief, I had to do something to keep my mind from dwelling on my lost son. So I buried myself into building our website. Now, this won't work for everyone and it isn't exactly what I'd recommend; my point is that when we are laid up, we need to come up with ways to keep our minds or our hands busy and still let ourselves heal. This is how blogging and working on my Virtual Assistant business has helped me through two other losses and now a new pregnancy during the past 13 months. That's not to say that I always feel like blogging because there are lots of times when I couldn't write and my blogs will show proof of that. Other times I only wrote in my personal journal because feelings would be too raw or I was too tired to even think to write.

During morning sickness, I usually sleep because the feelings of nausea wipe me out. So unless the waves of nausea have passed, even reading is out of the question. This is when sleep is blissful because it not only rests the body, but also the mind.

As long as I was physically able, I would also gather my children on my bed with me. We’d listen to music, cuddle, watch videos and if I felt up to it, read books. The children have always been welcome around me, unless I specifically requested alone time or my husband banned them from the room so I could rest. It is important for us to still feel a part of the hustle and bustle of family life, especially since more often than not we mothers are the center of our family. If we are down, usually the family is too.

It’s hard to be laid up, but looking back, I remember that we survived many months of me being on bedrest or being limited in my activity. And actually, I think the rest of my family has grown in so many ways that they wouldn’t have otherwise. So as much as being laid up teaches me patience and appreciation for my family, it also teaches them these things and more as they take on more responsibilities.

What we often feel as a burden is really a blessing in disguise as we grow through difficult circumstances. It is possible to survive down times. How we survive and how we respond are choices we make. - written by Theresa with Faith and Family Reviews

Tsunami to Hit Hawaii Live Coverage

2010-02-27T11:13:00.000-08:00

If you haven’t heard yet, Hawaii is on alert for a Tsunami. It’s all over the news and the internet. Twitter is full of tweets about it and prayers for those who are in Hawaii. There are also the ugly tweets like this one:

Twitter: “BREAKING: God sends tsunami to punish Hawaii for letting Rush Limbaugh benefit from state-run universal health care.”

Some people have no taste. Here is a live stream feed of what is going on in Hawaii.

Live Streaming by Ustream.TV

SeaWorld Killer Whale Not to Blame for Trainer's Death

2010-02-27T06:49:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, Dawn Brancheau was killed by Tilikum, a 6-ton orca at SeaWorld, Orlando. Original reports said that Brancheau was swimming with Tilikum when this happened. Videos have shown that she wasn’t actually swimming with the killer whale. She was laying in a slide out area of about 4 inches of water.

Thad Lacinak, former head trainer at Sea World, stated that there was a protocol in place when he worked there that trainers do not lay in the slide out area when working with the whales. “Sometimes we get too comfortable when working with these animals. …We all know the risk and Dawn certainly knew the risk.” Lacinak commented in an interview with ABC News. Lacinak also states that “She made a mistake.”

According to the videos of this tragic event, while laying down in the slide out, Dawn Brancheau’s hair floated out towards Tilikum. Tilikum grabbed it and that is when the trainer was pulled in and eventually was killed. Tilikum will continue to be a part of the SeaWorld Parks family. "He's been a part of our team and he will remain a part of our team," SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment President Jim Atchison told reporters.

We go to these shows and think how adorable and fun these animals are. We need to remember that there is a reason why they are referred to as killer whales. Should these animals be held in captivity and made to perform? This is a question that is, and will continue to be, passionately argued.

Should Tilikum be blamed for reacting in a way that is inherent in his nature? I don’t think so. I tend to agree with Thad Lacinak. Dawn Brancheau was a veteran trainer of 16 years. She should have known better than to let her guard down. It is a tragedy that this experienced trained lost her life. I think that SeaWorld is making the right decision in not making Tilikum pay for this with his life. For me, the ideal situation would be that these majestic animals were not held in captivity. Since they are, they need to be given the respect they deserve and trainers should always be cautious when interacting with them.

When Mom Is Dependent On Others

2010-02-25T05:56:00.001-08:00

It has been tough for me this week. I am recovering from my MOHS surgery and the plastic surgery. The ice packs and pain medicine have helped, but I have been almost useless to my family this week.

My husband has had to come home from work, cook and clean the kitchen. He has been doing the laundry. He has made sure the kids have had their baths and any medicines that they need. He has been waiting on me.

Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of my husband taking care of all my needs. What has been difficult is not being able to do anything for him and my kids. I love taking care of them. I also feel really bad for my husband, because I can see how tired he is when he gets home from work.

It's not just my husband that has had to go out of their way to help me. I am a Co-Leader for my daughter's Girl Scout Troop. I am also Cookie Manager for the troop. We have a meeting tonight, and I just can not go. My Co-Leader had to come over here to get forms that the moms need to sign for their cookie sales. She also needed to pick up some arts and crafts supplies, since I have them all.

Our Area Cookie Man, (that's not his title, but that's what we call him) is coming over to my house to pick up the first payment for our troop's cookie sales. That is very generous of him to do this.

I feel bad that I have to depend on others this week and next week. I am grateful that I have this help, but it is hard for me to sit back and let someone else do what I should be doing. I go back to the doctor on Monday to have the stitches removed. The doctor told me that it would be about 6 months for a full recovery, though. I'll be happy to just be able to start doing things for myself and my family.

Over The Rainbow Book Giveaway Closed

2010-02-24T06:52:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite movies from my childhood is The Wizard of Oz. I watched it whenever it was on television. I can sing every song in the movie. My favorite song was, and still is, Over The Rainbow. I have tried to introduce the movie to my daughter, but she is still too young to appreciate it.

I was sent a children’s book to review and keep. It is titled Over the Rainbow, paintings are by Eric Puybaret and the music is performed by Grammy Award winner Judy Collins. In the back of the book is a CD of 3 songs, Over The Rainbow is one of them.

The book itself is the song, and it is illustrated with wonderful pictures. The pictures bring the story and song alive in a way that really captures a child’s imagination. Now I can share a part of my childhood love of The Wizard of Oz with my daughter. She has taken to the book and Judy Collins’ beautiful voice.

This giveaway is for one copy of the book Over the Rainbow. You must live in the US to enter. This giveaway begins February 24, 2010 and ends March 10, 2010.

Main Entry: Leave a comment telling me who you would give this to and why. (If this rule isn’t followed, no additional entries will count).

You can get extra entries by doing any or all of the below. Each entry needs to be a separate comment.

1 Extra Entry - Follow @taless on Twitter and leave your twitter id in a separate comment
* 1 Extra Entry - Twitter this giveaway and leave your twitter name in a separate comment (You can get up to one extra entry by tweeting each day and leaving a comment here each day.)
1 Extra Entry - Follow my blog and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Subscribe to my RSS feed via email and let me know in a separate comment
1 Extra Entry - Write a post on your blog linking to my blog, and let me know in a separate comment

Cancer Cells Removed and Plastic Surgery

2010-02-23T11:38:00.000-08:00

It's referred to as MOHS surgery. The procedure is done in-office. You are given a couple of shots to numb the area. The doctor scoops or scrapes a thin layer of skin. This is taken back and checked. If they got all the cancer cells, you are free to go. If not, you have to sit through the procedure again. And again. And again, until all the cancer cells are removed.

I had this done yesterday. The first time, the needles hurt. There were two of them. My doctor did her thing and I was left to wait 30 minutes for the results. The door would open and I was told they didn't get them all. The first couple of times, no problem. The fourth and fifth, I was tired, hungry, frustrated, and scared. The sixth time the door open, it was finally over.

That part of it was. Next, I had to hurry to the plastic surgeon's office. I thought that it would be a quick and easy visit. That's what I was told. Wrong. There was a big hole on my nose that needes to be fixed, and it woudn't be a simple procedure. When he told me what he had to do, I cried, a little.

The doctor took two hours working on me. When it was over, he had a mirror brought over for me to look at. I cried. I tried not to, but it was such a shock. I looked like the bride of Frakenstein.

The ride home was miserable. The pain medicine was upsetting my stomach. When I finally got home at 6:30PM (so much for the couple hours, tops, that I was told), I tried to eat. It came right up. I was in a lot of pain, but couldn't take anymore pain medicine. I had an awful night. I got up a few times to apply an ice pack to the side of my face. I've been in a lot of pain today, but did manage to take one pain medicine. My face is swolen. The bruising hasn't showed up yet, but I was told to expect it to be bad.

In case you think I am exagerating, that is me in the picture.

Giveaway Winner

2010-02-23T04:03:00.001-08:00

The original winner did not claim her prize within 48hrs, so I have selected a new winner.

Pink Fluffy Lunch Bag
AEKZ2 said... 63

You have 48hours to claim your prize or I will have to pick a new winner.