I was so close

Hubster has chronic back pain. He's always on pain meds and it drives me crazy that he can never remember our conversations. He'll ask me the same question over and over. It may be the meds, it may not, but as long as he's on them I'll never know. He recently had another MRI done. We're still awaiting the results. His doctor had suggested that it's time for an alternate solution. Hubster is petrified to have his back operated on but what's going on now isn't working.

The last diagnosis was degenerative disc disease so I googled it to see what all is involved in repairing or at least to alleviate the pain. I came across a medical travel site that advertised Lumbar Dynamic Stabilization. It's a minimally invasive, quick recovery alternative for patients suffering from DDD. There's a form to get more info and quotes but before I got to that I noticed that the procedure is "now being offered in Europe and Mexico." Huh? I'm pretty sure there is no way Hubster is travelling to get back surgery. Why isn't it being done here? I had such high hopes.

Back to my search...

How did I Survive without a Car Seat

With all the added safety products we have today for our children I often wonder who benefits most. I'm in no way saying they shouldn't be used, I just wonder how I ever managed to make it through my childhood without helmets, pads, and car seats. I (almost) always make sure the kids have their helmets on. My 3 year old loves to wear hers. but she's riding a tricycle. I know it's important to set the expectation now but really? How hurt could she get if she fell off?

My theory on Car seats is this: By having the kids restrained they can't physically fight. If they're not fighting, Mommy (or Daddy) can concentrate better on driving. If Mommy and Daddy are paying better attention to the road, less accidents are surely the outcome. Except, Now (some) Mommy and Daddy's are texting and talking and throwing all that extra concentration out the window which makes those car seats necessary, more than ever, for the kids. What will we find to do next to keep us from paying attention to the road?

Going back to work when the kids go to school

I swear I get more e-mails for online businesses and schools. I've thought several times about going back to school to get my college degree. Then I look at the cost and just can't believe how expensive it is. I know college credits have gone up in the 20 something years since I left but sheesh. Why so expensive for online classes?

I wonder sometimes if it would be worth it to take a specialized course for something like paralegal courses, nursing or medical assistant training school. At least all the classes would be towards the specified degree and I would be wasting money on pre-reqs.

What to do, what to do. Puddin Pop could go to all day pre-k next year, but that just seem like too much for a 4 year old. If not next year, she will definitely be a full tim student the following year and then what will I do. My previous positions are not even an option as I refuse to spend all those hours away from the kids. I need to look into available positions at the school. That would be the perfect solution. We would be off on the same days and Summer's would be free too.

If you were/are a SAHM do/did you go back to work when the kids go to school? What are your plans?

Too Much Snow for School and Too Cold for a Fire

Being a Michigander and now living in Virginia I'm amazed at what people think is "a lot" of snow and what they think is "cold". It hasn't gotten cold here. Sure, temps have dropped to the teens at night, but I'm not outside in the middle of the night so I don't feel it.

Schools have been closed because the roads were icy and they couldn't get the parking lots and sidewalks cleared. I get it. It's a safety issue. I remember as a kid listening to the radio every morning in the Winter and hearing all the rural school closings. It was rare that us Capitol City Public School kids got snow days. I'm glad I have friends who have lived other places that can laugh with me while others stay home in "panic" mode.

Natives of Virginia are also very susceptible to cold. My In-Laws demand that everyone wear slippers when they come over because they insist the floors are cold. I like to go barefoot. Especially since they keep the thermostat at 78.

Friday Hubster was going to get fire wood on his way home to build a fire, then decided it was a bad idea. He said "It's too cold for a fire." Something about the fire sucking all the heat out of the house. If 30 is too cold for a fire, what is the acceptable temp to build one without "losing heat"? He ended up caving (3-1) and went out to get the wood. The kids and I slept in front of the fire, which Hubster thought was a bad idea for the reason mentioned above. He also thought we'd freeze once the fire went out. We were all very cozy and no one complained of being cold.

When we were re-doing our foyer and bathroom floor I toyed with the idea of putting tile in the bathroom. My MIL insisted it was a bad idea because it would be too cold on our feet in the winter. She was also against the wood floors we did have put in for the same reason, and she warned of the water stains that would develop when even the smallest drops got on the floor.

We're not even in the far south. I wonder how people in Florida react to cold weather. I'll bet most don't even have Winter "gear". Or maybe they do, and they pull it out and bundle up when temps get in the 50's.

Teaching Children to "Give Back"

The older I get the more I want to do to help others. I'm not in a financial situation to always give money, but I try to donate clothes, used toys, and other stuff we've outgrown or no have a need for around the house. I knit for the homeless in Ohio, which reminds me I need to send a shipment out, I do charity walks, and try to support in other non-monetary ways. How do I get my kids to "buy in"?

Every time I suggest we go through all their old toys and find some stuff to give away to other children who have nothing, my 3 year old falls to pieces and her brother insists that they are all his favorites and he couldn't imagine parting with any of them. I know I could just take stuff out of the play room when they are not home and they would never know the difference, but I really want their buy in. I want them to come to me with baskets of toys and say "Mom. I really don't play with this stuff anymore do you think we could find some other kids who would enjoy them."

How do I make that happen?

How do I get my kids to realize how fortunate they are? Boogs in the 1st grade and must have kids in his class who don't have what he has. They must have talked after Christmas and told each other about what they got. They were talking about the ipods they wanted before Christmas so wouldn't it seem like they'd discuss what they received after? Was anyone disappointed with how little they got? Or are those kids so thankful for the smallest things that it was a great Christmas anyway?

Do I have them watch the devastation in Haiti? Will they get it then or would they just get scared? I hear of children who have birthday parties and have their guests donate to a cause rather than bring gifts. Who are these children and how did they get to be this way. Am I doing it all wrong?

I'll contunue to talk to them about others less fortunate while attempting to protect them from seeing things they would have no control over anyway. I'll explain to them why Mommy is walking all night long and take them along (with a ride home) to see the volumes of people that are also helping the causes. I'm hoping at some point it clicks. What do you do?

More Ways to Support

Lots going on around here. Hubster is going to be out of a job come the end of March and relocating is NOT and option for him. I am willing to relocate to Omaha where he could continue his current job but he is an only child and feels strongly about staying in the area and being able to see and spend time with his parents. He's in the process of updating and sending out resumes and hopefully something will become available. Fingers crossed.

A friend of mine recently found out the love of her life has brain cancer. They can treat but not cure her husband. They are ready to give it their all and are fighting with everything they have. If you are on facebook, I encourage you to join Grey Ribbon Crusade. Joan is looking to set up walk-a-thons in each city. Maybe you or someone you know can help. Check it out. It's a few seconds of your time and I know Joan would appreciate the support. She is currently trying to keep it a secret from Jim, though, so Shhh.

The Bridge and Beyond Project which provides hats, scarves, and mittens for the homeless and women and children in need in Ohio is still in need of all the above. If you knit or know someone who does, encourage them to share a couple pieces with some folks who REALLY need them.

Ripples of Difference ~ Get It Free

I'm a huge fan of charities and those who spend their time giving back and helping others. Some of us are fortunate enough to make it our life's work, others of us do what we can, when we can, through volunteering, personal financial support, organized walks, run or rides, or just by creating awareness to all less fortunate than ourselves.

We are always seeing news stories of different celebrities in their plights to make a difference. We applaud and commend them for their dedication to a cause. But what about the everyday people like you and me? When do we get to recognize them for their selfless acts and hard work to make the world a better place?

NOW

Ripples of Difference is an e-book collection of stories written by volunteers around the globe. It's what they've seen, what they've done to make a difference, and what they've learned along the way.

This book was first brought to my attention over a week ago and I've been so enthralled with the stories that I almost forgot to tell you about it. It's that good. Due to come out in hard copy in the next couple months, you can download the e-book FREE just by clicking here, or on the widget on my sidebar.

It's a challenge to all of us to continue to help people and strive to be better in doing so. It's riveting, emotional, and encouraging.

What are you waiting for? Go get your copy NOW!

Whew, I'm Back!

As I'm sure some of you have noticed (maybe it was just Sandy), this blog has not been accessible. I couldn't figure out why I was only having problems with this one and tried several different things. I finally noticed under blogger settings that it wanted me to revert to a classic template if I was using an external FTP server. I switched to the classic template and could see everything fine, but all my widgets were gone and the only way to re-add would be through some serious html coding. I had no option of the easy features blogger offers. I couldn't figure out why this changed. I never had to use the classic template when I moved from bravenet to blogger, and I racked my brain and read a lot of stuff I didn't fully understand to try and figure it out. I also found out that the people who are supposed to be the big helpers in google help aren't very nice. I never even got around to asking a question as every response for other's questions were met with "C'mon people. Do some work. We'll help you if you try to help yourself. Read the help answers, read the FAQ's, don't just ask questions." Actually, they weren't even that nice. I don't know about you, but half the time I try to find an answer to a question I click and realize it's not what I'm looking for and trying to even find the same category takes a lifetime. Maybe it's just me. I finally figured out that I had changed to the new "updated editor" and for some reason this blog didn't like it. I'm now back to the old editor and all is good.

So. Since I'm here, and my stress level has just drastically dropped. Merry Christmas. I hope the New Year finds you solving all your problems and brings your stress level down a couple notches too.

Wordless Wednesday: Why you shouldn't come to visit if you're afraid of birds

Look at all those birds...

Whew...They're leaving...


Nope. Just going across the street for a bit.

Wine and Charities. What Could Be Better?

If your familiar with my other blogs you know I'm a huge lover of wine. I'm not the snobby sort who can only consume the most expensive of varietals and looks down their nose at those with lesser tastes (or budgets). Yes. I am a fan of low budget wines. Some will say it's lack of knowledge, which in part is probably true. I don't taste a lot of high dollar wines so my palate is that of an amateur. It doesn't mean I don't truly enjoy my less expensive choices. Consider my palate untainted by money. The fact that I've never driven a Bentley doesn't mean I can't appreciate my Hyundai. If I drove a Bentley would I like my Hyundai less? Possibly. But anyone who knows me, knows I have never based my opinions on the likes of others. In fact, the opposite is almost true. I make my own decisions. If I say I like something, it's true. If I don't like something, chances are you're not going to persuade me to change my mind. My opinions can not be bought.

I'm also a sucker for a good charity and am always eager to point out folks who are doing something to help others. If we all strive to be the best we can be and look for ways to help others whenever we can, the world would be a much better place.

So what if we combined a love of the grape with a thoughtful nature and a need to give back? What if a group of eight, 20-something professionals got together to share their marketing and wine knowledge along with their passion to create awareness and give back? What if?

In 2007... They did come together.

In 2007...ONEHOPE Wine was created.


Since their inception in June of 2007, ONEHOPE has donated over $100,000 in cash an in-kind donations. They have also participated in over 300 charity events. They donate 50% of their profits to charity.

ONEHOPE isn't satisfied with just one charity. They have created five varietals with each bottle representing a different cause.

50% of the profits from ONEHOPE's Chardonnay are donated to fight against BreastCancer.

50% of the profits from ONEHOPE's Cabernet Sauvignon are donated to fight against Autism.

50% of the profits from ONEHOPE's Merlot are donated to fight against Aids.

50% of the profits from ONEHOPE's Sauvignon Blanc are donated towards saving the Environment.

50% of the profits from ONEHOPE's Zinfandel are donated to support our Troops.

Doesn't this make you want to go buy some? Whether it's for the Hostess of your next Holiday party or something for you to enjoy alone, I urge you to come up with one reason why ONEHOPE wouldn't be your first choice. Of course, I only received these yesterday. Keep an eye out for individual reviews over at Wine at Five?