Really Octomom?

If you missed The View yesterday you may be better off. It was like watching a train wreck over and over again. "Hold on. I'll get to your question in a minute." Nadya Suleman was unfocused, confused, giddy and energetic all while claiming to be a "shy, quiet person". My a$$. She is on some sort of upper, be it an anti-depressant or some diet pill. I'm sure of it. I think she should have been hooked up to a pulse oximeter . Then we could get some answers....or more questions.

If you missed the train wreck you can watch it here.

Myself and some of the other Brand Ambassadors were tweeting during the show and no one had any sympathy for this woman. We were all dumbfounded and a few even shut off the TV. I think we need to let this woman go back to taking care of these babies she willingly brought into this world. We must stop giving her media attention and insist she goes home to her kids. The only way for her to get her reality is to live her reality and I don't believe she's come even close to achieving that.

I'm pretty sure with 14 kids I would not have time to worry about my own self image, nor would it be a priority. I would be ragged, tired, and also only get 2 hours of sleep a night. I would not have time to indulge in writing a book, going to the gym, or shopping for stylish clothes. Let's show her how her life is really going to play out by not paying attention. Then, for kicks and giggles, let's pop in when the octuplets turn 5. Especially if they've inherited their mom's "natural energy."

As a Brand Ambassador for the View (through Mom Central) I've been promised swag but the opinions are all mine.

Reunited

I'm still in the process of viewing older posts and thought this one deserved another run. Since this posting, Colonel and Dash have gotten together and their "parents" have met. I feel happy that I helped in getting them together. I'm off to check out some tazorac reviews in the hope that I can find something that finally works. Any suggestions?

How cool is this?

I posted a while back about my Step Mom's dog Colonel. He is an assist dog that was bred and trained by Paws with a Cause to help her in her day to day life with Multiple Sclerosis. I had the opportunity to meet Colonel on my last visit home and had posted about how amazing this dog is and how much he helps WSM (wicked step mother, her name of choice). Through the power of the Internet, WSM now has these pictures and more of her baby colonel...when he was a baby.

In the first picture Colonel is the pup in the red collar. The second is of his mother, Dash, and his entire litter. Here's how I came to receive these:

WSM wrote a letter to all her contributors that helped her get Colonel and sent a copy to Paws. They asked if they could publish it in their quarterly News Letter and she said yes. A couple living not far from them who also participates in the Paws program saw the letter and decided to do an Internet search to see if they could get more info about the new owners of their dog's pup...and found the post I had done here. They e-mailed me with the pics above and explained that their dog, Dash, was originally being trained as an assist dog but they (the trainers at Paws) determined that she had a strong heart and good hips so they pulled her from the assist program and she joined Paws' breeding program. She is bred each year and the top pups are returned to Paws to be trained as assist dogs. Colonel was Dash's first pup put back into the program.

I was glad to be involved in getting WSM baby pictures of Colonel. She is now contacting Dash's owners to see if they can all get together.

Isn't that fun?

Stop Stealing Hemorrhoid Cream

I saw a report recently that stated the number one product most commonly stolen from stores is hemorrhoid cream. I imagine it's not a money issue but more likely and embarrassment issue. Now what if I told you that this hemorrhoid treatment could be used for so many different things?

Some people use the cream on cellulite and other flabby areas as the cream is known to tighten those problem areas.

Some women use it under their eyes to diminish puffyness.

It can be used to treat cold sores as long as it isn't in an area that your tongue won't come in contact with.

It can be used to treat acne and the swollen red bumps that it causes.

It can be used to treat frown lines on your forehead.

With all these uses there is no reason to be embarrassed to purchase hemorrhoid cream. Stop Stealing It!

Repost~ The Hunger Site

I've been spending the weekend looking back at early posts from when I first started blogging. It's been enjoyable to see how I started and how much more focused I've become. By branching out to 3 different blogs I've been able to post about different things and give a little more clarity to each. Some topics, like cholesterol treatment , would fit in any and other topics, like wine reviews, would only fit on Wine at Five? Because Someone Cares is about interesting things I find, charities and giving back, and general topics.

Here's a post from August 2008. I love spotlighting easy ways to give back and this one deserves to be revisited.

Here's a no brainer. An easy way to help children in need. The Hunger Site, developed in 1999, dedicates itself to eliminating world hunger.

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Hunger: Do You Know The Facts?

It is estimated that one billion people in the world suffer from hunger and malnutrition. That's roughly 100 times as many as those who actually die from these causes each year.

About 24,000 people die every day from hunger or hunger-related causes. This is down from 35,000 ten years ago, and 41,000 twenty years ago. Three-fourths of the deaths are children under the age of five.

Famine and wars cause about 10% of hunger deaths, although these tend to be the ones you hear about most often. The majority of hunger deaths are caused by chronic malnutrition. Families facing extreme poverty are simply unable to get enough food to eat.

The Hunger Site began on June 1, 1999. In 1999, a year marked by good economic news, 31 million Americans were food insecure, meaning they were either hungry or unsure of where their next meal would come from. Of these Americans, 12 million were children.

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By going to their site, you can click the "Click here to Give" button and every click generates money from sponsors which in turn is 100% donated to Mercy Corps and Americas Second Harvest. It's easy, and you get to feel really good about yourself for helping others.

What are you waiting for? Go to the site NOW!

I'm Worthy of The Bogart Award

Look at me! I just got another award. One can never have too many of these. I like awards. Aren't we (some of us) here for recognition? I love when someone isn't afraid to stand up and give me some props. Makes me warm and fuzzy. I actually received this award last week but felt I needed to use my special face creams, and lose that 5 pounds before I was ready to stand up in front of the world and accept this prestigious award.


Thanks Nicole

I received this award from Nicole @ The Young Mama Blog. She really is a young mama too. One of the rules of this award is to say where you would like to be in 10 years. She discusses her goals for when she turns 32. Sheesh, that was 10 years ago. I'm sure she'll do very well, and enjoy reading how the young mom's deal with their children in contrast to how us "older moms" do it. I don't know why I always think there is going to be such a big difference, there seldom is.

So. Here are the official rules:

- link back to the blogger who sent me this award
- post where I would like to be in 10 years
- pass it on to 10 awesome bloggers

In 10 years I hope to still have my hair and frankly will feel blessed to still be sane. You see. In 10 years I will be 52. Not a seriously "old" age, but I will also have a 16 and a 13 year old. That's the scary part. No matter how I envision my children growing up, I always seem to skip right over the teenage years. Maybe it's too much to imagine, maybe I'm subconsciously not looking forward to it. Maybe I know the crap I got away with as a teen and can only imagine how much worse my kids will be. I don't know. I see them now at 6 and 3 and the future (in my mind) is them as adults with families of their own. All the middle is missing from my dreams. Maybe not having any expectations for these middle years will work in my favor.

Passing it on...
Sorry. Can't pick just 10. If you'd like this award and are here to visit, then you deserve to take it and pass it along.

Thank you again Nicole. I'll look forward to checking in 10 years from now.

When is it too much Testing?

I knew when I became pregnant with my first child that I would be delivering after the "cut-off" age. I had read several articles that discussed the increased risks of having children after 35. I would deliver him 6 months after my 35th birthday. I fully expected to be talked to about amnio and other tests, but nothing was ever mentioned. I was pretty sure I didn't want the added risk of amnio so not being asked was probably a good thing. It was my first time and I probably could have been easily persuaded. The entire pregnancy was treated as if that magic age had not yet passed.

When I became pregnant again (exactly) two years later. The difference was mind-blowing. Everything I didn't wasn't to acknowledge the first time was shoved down my throat the second time. I would be 38 when my daughter was born. Not only was the mentality of the doctors different. I was a veteran. I had done this before and no amount of coaxing could get me to do an amnio or go for genetic counseling. The doctors were miffed and (it seemed) upset that I wouldn't take advantage of these added services they were providing.

I'm not telling anyone NOT to do these. Each Mother has to do what's right for her. Some people are worriers by nature and these added tests could possibly ease their minds. I'm the opposite. I don't worry until I have something to worry about. I did not want to go through counseling so I could be told all the things that possibly could go wrong. I wanted to enjoy my pregnancy. At every turn I felt as though My Doctor's were trying to get rid of me. Each test would be explained and then followed with "...and if the results aren't favorable, we'll transfer you to (the other hospital that deals with high risk pregnancies)". It got to the point where I would just say, "You can't get rid of me that easy. I'm staying here and you're stuck with me." It got to be kind of a joke. I took my prenatal vitamins, took all the "regular" tests and did just as I had planned. I enjoyed my pregnancy.

I guess part of me knew that, no matter what, I was bringing this precious baby girl into the world. I would love her unconditionally no matter what. I know some can't do this and I don't judge them for wanting to know. I just wish my decision not-to-know wouldn't have been judged so negatively.

The Recipe Club ~book review

I just finished reading the Recipe Club and it was truly a book I didn't want to put down. Written by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel, it is mostly comprised of letters written between two unlikely friends. Letters ranging from the time they were in breeches in grade school until they are middle-aged.

Brought together by their parents, Lilly and Valerie share everything. Attending different schools and being so vastly different as people, they managed to create a friendship that would stand the test of time. Opposites in almost every way, these young girls come of age in the 70's and have all the freedoms that that era was known for. One sets of to college as her life long dream. The other is forced into college by a father who doesn't understand or appreciate her other talents. They maintain a (sometimes strained) friendship and through it all share their innermost fears and triumphs.

At an early age the girls started to trade recipes. Each one is named after an event or emotion that they are living at the time of writing. Recipes such as Conspiracy Apple Pie, Wash-Away-The-Blues Berry Cobbler, Home-of-my-Own Hamburgers and Missing You Warmly Lentil Salad are scattered throughout the book as part of the girls attempt at an exclusive recipe club.

I would suggest this book to anyone who enjoys cooking as it is an excellent array of unique recipes. I would also suggest this book to anyone who enjoys a good Lifetime Movie. I can see this book becoming one.

I was sent a copy of The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel. While I was sent the book at no cost, I am not being paid for this review and all opinions are my own.

The View

I've been watching The View on and off since Rosie was on the show. The interaction between the hosts and their guests is always fun to watch. It's also refreshing to witness "Hot Topics" being discussed by opposing views. It's nice to see opinionated women discussing topics unafraid to expose their own views. Shouldn't we all be this way?

I've recently been invited to join an elite group to help spread the word of The View. Mom Central and ABC Daytime have teamed up to create The View Brand Ambassador Group. Doesn't that sound elite? We'll be given inside scoops on topics and guests and they're even asking for our feedback (which excites me most).

If you are a fan of The View, check back next week for more info and "secrets" about the show. If you've never seen the show, you can view full episodes on The View's website. It really is like sitting down with some girlfriends for coffee and some chatting.

Today Victoria Beckam was on. Gosh, to have that beauty and body. I'd love to sit down with her for a chat. First I'd ask her what's the best fat burning exercise that she's used. I'd hope she wouldn't tell me to just stop eating. Looking at her I can't imagine she eats much, but jealousy may have clouded my judgement.

Yesterday they were talking with kids about sext-ing. This is scary stuff and I can't even imagine what it will be like when my kids are actually old enough for a cell phone. They had two teens on who's lives were totally ruined by sext-ing. I'd have made the kids watch if they were older. It was an eye-opening segment.

I look forward to watching the rest of the week and tweeting with the other Ambassadors. Look for us at #theviewmoms. Grab a cup of Joe and join in.



I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.

Beatiful Weather and how I spent Valentine's Day

What a beautiful day we had today. After all the random snow, today felt Spring-like. The kids played outside on scooters and bikes and had Hubster not put away the outdoor cushions, I'd of been sitting outside reading a book. Okay, maybe I'm just dreaming about the outside reading. It was only in the 40's, but after all the random snow fall we've had, it really was a welcome surprise.

Hubster took his date (Puddin' Pop) to the pet store and to Lowe's (better her than me) to pick out a new garage door and water heater (sounds like fun, right)? I took my date (Boog) to the Farmer's market for some treats for his Valentine's snack-nic he had later on. It was kinda like a picnic, but at 3pm they decided it was a snack-nic. We bought fresh strawberries, vanilla wafer cookies and hot chocolate. We didn't realize his "date" would also be bringing snacks so they only ate the strawberries.

I have a new love. The real reason we went to the Farmer's market is because one of the managers at work brought in wasabi peas yesterday and I just had to have some of my own. Yum. Definitely worth a try if you like wasabi, even if you're like me and don't really care for peas. This is my new snack food and I know the kids and Hubster will leave them alone. Added bonus.

How did you spend Valentine's Day?

Things I'm Hooked On

I need to "un-plug". Every time I turn around I'm getting sucked into something on a screen. Between Reality TV, Social Networks, and gaming, I could be stuck to the screen all day long. Fortunately we have a DVR, or I may never get any sleep. Here's what I'm hooked on at the moment...

TV

American Idol~ Two days a week and I can't seem to take my eyes off it. Especially now with Ellen.

Survivor~ Just started last night. I have missed a couple seasons of this, but this season is going to be good...really good.

The Good Wife~ Love it, love it, love it. Interested to see how a woman can keep around a man who cheats and it's really good on the law side too.

Other shows that don't have to be watched the same day/night: House, Private Practice, CSI, CSI Miami, Ghost Whisperer, New Adventures of Old Christine, The Middle.

Computer

Blogging~ yep. This stuff I'm doing right here. It's addicting and about the only thing I've stuck with this long...in my life.

Facebook~ Chatting and seeing what others are up to. Games. School of Wizardry~ I swear I'm gonna quit this one. No skill involved and yet I log in twice a day just to take lessons and duel. Garden World~ Here's another one I'm not sure why I'm playing. Gardening doesn't excite me at all, but the flowers are pretty, people send gifts like garden gnomes, decorative pond pumps, and stone benches. It's relaxing and if I ever do get into gardening, I can look at some of my friends gardens for inspiration. Save the Planet~ this is one that claims to give money to different charities. You can play games for virtual money, which I sometimes do. I, at least, log in each day for my bonus $1,000,000. I donate every time I get $5m.

Twitter~ I go in spurts. When I get into a conversation, I get sucked in for too long. I also like tweeting during the reality shows.

Gaming~ The only thing I'm hooked on is Wii Fit Plus. 3-4 hours per week. It's not so much that I'm hooked on Wii Fit, I'm hooked on getting fit and am thrilled with the 4 pounds I've lost so far.

I'm sure there is more. I do other things too. Really. I do.

What are you hooked on?

Help Children, Win a Washer and Dryer

This is a no brainer. In my infinite quest to find ways to give back, I'm always looking for ways that don't directly take money out of my pocket. Not because I'm cheap, because I don't have a ton extra to give. If I did, I would. So imagine my delight when I came across a stunning Jennifer Garner (who stole my boyfriend a couple years back, but I forgive her) teaming up with Frigidaire to support Save the Children's U.S. Programs. Now, for those of you who posted about helping Haiti instead of helping those in the U.S., on Facebook, I better see you registered for this campaign, it's your chance to make a difference and stop pointing the finger.


Make Time for Change is a Spin and Win campaign where you can win daily and monthly prizes, including a new Affinity Washer and Dryer, and Frigidaire will donate $1 for every spin of the wheel you take as part of their $250,000 commitment to Save the Children's CHANGE program. The program is dedicated to providing nutritious snacks and teaching healthier lifestyles to poverty stricken children right here in the U.S.


I just spun the wheel and am in the drawing for $50 to start or finish a project, I'm also in the drawing for the new Washer and dryer. You can spin the wheel every day. What are you waiting for? Just click on Jen and the kids below to make your contribution of time. And just remember who sent you if you win something.

Strep, Super Bowl, Krispy Kreme and Ellen

Random, Random, Random. If you've got Random, head on over to the Un-Mom and link up...after you read here.

Son says he has a sore throat. Last time that happened I sent him to school and he threw up all over himself in class. He also had strep. He hasn't asked not to go to school, and he doesn't have a fever. I'll be waiting by the phone.

I didn't watch the Superbowl...not even for the commercials like I usually do. Hubster was watching with his Dad at his house and I just wasn't in the mood. I did record it though, in case there was buzz about the commercials and I wanted to see something. There was, and I did. However, in this day and age of computers, I didn't even need my TV. Fox had a whole top 10, bottom 10, and commercials by quarter. Guess the advertisers get their money's worth with all the reporting. Good for them.

We're supposed to be getting some more snow...I think. Just a dusting...or it may be rain. I can't keep up. I've enjoyed the winter weather as it's rare we get any. I think I'm the only one. Snow us in. I'm prepared. Won't even need a trip to the store. What is that about anyway? Bad weather and people run to the store to stock up. I must be a bad shopper because I'm always stocked up. It may be with a bunch of food that no one will eat, but we have food. And why the huge lines at Krispy Kreme before the storms. Are they selling shovels too? How are donuts necessary to survival?

Looking forward to Ellen on Idol tonight. Can't wait to hear what everyone is saying about it tomorrow. I think she's gonna rock. There's a twitter party tonight through twittermoms. I seem to be invisible at twitter parties so we'll see how it goes. Anyone know WHY I'm invisible? What would be the best format to participate? Help Please.

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?