Awesome GiveAway Blog

I recently won a heart-shaped key chain from one of Pat’s giveaways over at her blog Mom’s Best Bets.  

Her blog is amazing!  It’s loaded with awesome giveaways, reviews, and a page called Kids Corner; which is loaded with reviews and ideas for lots of fun for kids and parents with eco-friendly crafts and great recipes. 

She was professional and quick about contacting me and shipping my key chain.  I am a huge fan of Mom’s Best Bets and I make it a habit to return to her blog as often as I can.

Your best bet is if you head on over and visit Pat at Mom’s Best Bets!

This giveaway was sponsored by WholeSale Keychain.    They have a wonderful selection of key chains.  I’ve never seen so many different types of key chains in my life!

They are great little items to give as a gift or to keep for yourself.  You’ll definitely want one for yourself.   They have something for everyone there!  And, the prices are more than reasonable.  You’d end up spending more somewhere else and probably be getting a lower quality item.  You don’t have to worry about quality or price at

  The key chain that I chose was the Metal Heart Keychain ( see pic above).  I was allowed to have it engraved too!  I had the words “Mom of 5” engraved on it.  The engraving is a really nice script and the key chain is very heavy-duty.  You can tell by the weight of it that it’s high quality item.  I love my key chain!

I am definitely going to be shopping at WholeSale Keychain in the future!

Thank you Pat and thank you  WholeSale Keychain.  Please, please, please, go visit both and enjoy yourself!

Disclaimer:  I was not paid to write a review for either site.  This is my honest opinion and I have gained nothing, other than winning the keychain, in return for writing this review.

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In honor of Black History Month~ A 5 star rating for The Color of Water

In honor of Black History Month, I decided to share with you one of my favorite books, The Color of Water by James McBride, a New York Times Bestseller. With coffee in one hand and this book in the other, I read the book in its entirety. I just couldn’t put it down.

About the Book

James McBride’s memoir, The Color of Water- A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother is an amazingly well-written, inspirational piece of literature that addresses issues such as race, religion, loves lost, and a sense of self.

Growing up in this day and age is no easy feat. Growing up black is another story. Still yet, growing up black with a white mother gets even tougher. Now try, growing up black with a white, Jewish mother during the 60’s and 70’s with eleven brothers and sisters. Now that’s difficult. That’s exactly what James McBride explains in this book.

Discrimination of any kind is horrendous. Not only does he show us what it was like growing up a black son with a white mother, he also shows what his mother faced as a white, Jewish girl who married a black man and how that has affected his life.

Coming from a religious background of “you can’t do that, it isn’t proper” I related so well with McBride’s mother.

“While she never seemed on the verge of losing her mind, there were moments when she teetered close to the edge, lost in space…She responded with speed and motion. She would not stop moving. She rode her bicycle.”

This excerpt reminds me of a quote by Albert Einstein, “Life is like riding a bicycle. In order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” And that’s exactly what Mrs. McBride did. She kept moving through many trials and tribulations throughout her life. No matter what was thrown at her, she kept moving. She never let anything stop her from being who she was.

My honest opinion

McBride brings you on a very moving roller coaster ride of his childhood, religion, drugs and alcohol, and his venture into adulthood. His honesty was very refreshing about how he felt about his mother and those around him and how those feelings affected him later on in life. I really enjoyed how he wrote from his point of view and then from his mother’s point of view. You get to see both sides and how they correlate to each other.

The clarity and originality of McBride’s writing makes for a heart-felt, intriguing read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were many times when I laughed, cried, and contemplated my own life. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone. I rate this book 5 stars on a 5 star rating, 5 being the best!

About the Author

At the age of twenty-two, James McBride was awarded a master’s in journalism from Columbia University. He holds several honorary doctorates and is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.

SYNOPSIS (Taken from the back of the book):

As a boy in Brooklyn’s Red Hook projects, James McBride knew his mother was different. But when he asked about it, she’d simply say, “I’m light-skinned.” Later he wondered if he was different, too, and asked his mother if he was black or white. “You’re a human being,” she snapped. “Educate yourself or you’ll be a nobody!” And when James asked what color God was, she said, “God is the color of water.”…As an adult, McBride finally persuaded his mother to tell her story—the story of a rabbi’s daughter, born in Poland and raised in the South, who fled to Harlem, married a black man, founded a Baptist church, and put twelve children through college. The Color of Water is James McBride’s tribute to his remarkable, eccentric, determined mother—and an eloquent exploration of what family really means.

What others had to say:

“A triumph.” –The New York Times Book Review

“A lyrical, deeply moving tribute…The Color of Water is about the love that a mother has for her children.” –The Detroit News

“A standout among the current surfeit of memoirs about growing up black in the United States…Mr. McBride’s portrait of his mother is not of a saint, which makes her all the more compelling.” –The Washington Times

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Thumbs Up or Down? Revlon Product Review

Revlon 1" Perfect Heat Ceramic Curling Iron

 

             Revlon Product Review

  

I recently bought the Revlon 1″ Perfect Heat Ceramic Curling Iron from Wal-Mart for $10.48.  Great price!  

 I’ve bought a lot of Revlon products before.    So, after using this product, I decided to write my review.  

 I’m going to be totally honest about the pro’s and con’s of this product.  So, please read the whole review. 

Product Features:

Size: 1″ 

• 1″ ceramic barrel for large curls
• 30 heat levels
• 60-second fast heat-up
• Automatic shut-off
• World-wide dual voltage

I did like how the curling iron worked for the most part.  It heats up in 30 seconds.  Now, that’s definitely a bonus for those who don’t have a lot of time.  It has 30 different heat settings for different hair types. 

Hair type                                                                               Heat level

———————————————————————————————

Fine, thin hair                                                                               1 – 6

Wavy to medium hair                                                                7 – 14

Thick hair                                                                                        15 – 22

Coarse, hard-to-curl hair                                                         23 – 30

  

The safety features are a definite plus.  It features automatic shut-off, tangle-free swivel cord, and safety stand.  When used according to directions, it’s a great curling iron.  Compared to a regular curling iron, the Revlon Ceramic curling iron gives a better, long-lasting curl and doesn’t dry out your hair. 

Unfortunately, the first time that I used the Revlon 1″ Perfect Heat Ceramic Curling Iron the handle was very loose and the buttons slipped into the handle.   I was very disappointed with the way that it was put together.  It was difficult to get it put back together.  Once I got the on/off buttons back in place, I tightened up the screw on the bottom of the handle.  So far, it’s working okay.  Other than this technical difficulty, it works wonderfully. 

However, I would definitely recommend spending a little bit more for another ceramic curling iron.  Sorry Revlon, I would have to give this curling iron a thumbs down.  If it falls apart on the first use, it’s not worth the money.

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Dating someone with children? Divorced parent? Need help?

Co-parenting 101

This morning I visited a website that deals with co-parenting. As a divorced and then remarried mom of four kids, I found this site very informative and helpful.

When Michael Thomas and Deesha Philyaw’s marriage ended, they say that they “became poster-children for divorce” amongst their friends. They are not advocates of divorce. In fact, they see divorce as the last option. But, when it became apparent that there was no other alternative, they learned to co-parent very well. Well enough, in fact, that they started the website Co-parenting 101 which helps divorced parents raise happy, healthy children. Many divorced couples find it very difficult to parent their children properly, or should I say safely, without creating emotionally traumatized, angry children. It is possible for divorced couples to raise healthy, happy children.

The article that caught my eye was:

 Co-Parenting Dad to Girlfriend: “My Kids Will Always Come Before You”

One woman recounts her experience with a divorced man with two little kids. She is concerned about his devotion to his children not allowing room for her and their life together as a couple. This account reminded me of what I told my husband when we started dating.

“My kids come first, and they always will,” I told him.

His response to me was, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

That’s when I knew that he was the right one! I was very upfront with him from the start. My kids do come first and they always will. I didn’t say this to be mean or to push him away. I was just being honest about what kind of parent I am and how important my children are to me. But, that doesn’t mean that he can’t be a part of putting the kids first too.

Over the next three years of our relationship, he definitely proved that he puts my kids first. And he always puts them first in everything. Not in a spoiled brat kind of way, mind you.  Their needs are always put before ours and their wants are taken into consideration and mulled over extensively.  Add some “hands-off” discipline and we have a great family.  My kids may not be his biological children, but, he treats them as if they were his own.  

 

To add to our success, we both have a good relationship with my ex-husband and his wife, if you can imagine that.  Most people are flabbergasted when they find out that we actually enjoy our time with my childrens’ father and his wife.  It’s all about the children.  If you work together for the childrens’ sake, then there are no losers!  Our family is not perfect.  No-one’s is.  We have our differences every now and again.  But, for the most part, we’re a happy family.

 

If you are having a difficult time of co-parenting or you are dating someone who is co-parenting, please go visit the Co-parenting 101 website. I know that you’ll find the help that you need. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

 

Note: Michael and Deesha are not counselors, licensed or otherwise, nor are they able to provide legal services .

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Raising 5 Kids with disablities…blog review

 Raising 5 Kids With Disabilities And Remaining Sane Blog

Rave Review!!!!!  Two thumbs up! 

5 Stars!   A must read blog!!!!!

 

Last night I found the most wonderfully caring, amazing, intelligent, funny woman on the internet.  Not that she was lost.  I think that, until I found her blog, I was the one that was lost.  I was so inspired by her blog that I just had to share it with all of you, my cherished readers.

Lindsey Petersen is a 50+ mom and author of Raising 5 kids with disabilities and remaining sane blog.  In her blog posts she recalls her memories of growing up in New England with an architect father that was very money conscious and a very loving, upbeat, optimistic mother whom she just recently lost.  She discusses much needed topics such as children with disabilities, adoption, dealing with stress, and so much more.   Her most inspiring blogs are about how she and her husband raise with 5 kids with disabilities.  Reading Lindsey’s blog, I laughed and cried and then laughed all over again.  There are so many things that I can related with.

Lindsey uses her positive, upbeat outlook on life to keep herself sane.  Much like, I imagine, her mother did.  Let’s face it, being a parent in this day and age is no picnic in the park.  Being a parent of children with disabilities is like being on a roller coaster ride.  We have our ups and downs but, by the end of the day, we’re satisfied with the ride.  On a daily basis Lindsey and her husband deal with such disabilities as ADHD, anxieties, Autism, blindness, OCD,  deafness, Dissociative Identity Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  I’m sure that I’ve missed a few diagnoses somewhere.  For that, I apologize. 

I related with her because, I too, grew up in New England.  I recall my Nana’s house being so hot that I couldn’t breathe.   The downstairs was sweltering hot and as my sister and I ascended the stairs for bed, the temperature drastically changed.  We would slip into an ice cold bed and shiver for hours until we finally fell asleep.  Mornings were the worst.  It seemed that the woodstove had slept while we did and, come morning time, required someone to re-stoke the fire.  My sister and I lived with my mom and stepfather.  My mom was a cook at our elementary school for over 20 years.  My stepfather was a landscaper/carpenter/painter. 

 I’m a mom of 5 kids.  I have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, OCD, and anxieties.  I’m also a mom of children with disabilities.  My youngest son has ADHD, OCD, and anxieties.  My oldest daughter, now 19, has shown signs of Bi-polar disorder since she was a child.   That was one very long roller coaster ride.  My last baby girl, Sierra Cheyenne, was born in January of 2001.  She died six hours and five minutes after she was born.  Had she survived, she would have been severely developmentally delayed.  I would give anything to have her back even though I know how difficult it would be to care for her.

I will never get enough of Lindsey’s blog.  I visit it on a daily basis.  I beg you, my dear sweet readers, to head on over to Lindsey’s blog,  Raising 5 kids with disabilities and remaining sane blog and enjoy the words that  I so very much cherish.  There is no way that you can leave her blog without being inspired and/or comforted.  Her blog has become a part of my daily dose of reality, sanity, and comfort.  I now feel that life is going to be okay no matter how hard that it seems.  Lindsey has become my sanity and peace of mind.

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Leaving Legacies~ A wonderful article by Dionna Sanchez

I recently visited the Old Fashioned Living website. This website is a compilation of crafts, gardening advice, family activities, genealogy tips, and ideas for teaching your kids and grandkids about the generations that came before them.

I was very inspired by one of their articles written by Dionna Sanchez entitled, Leaving Legacies. In the article, Dionna tells us about a wonderful legacy that her mom left her and that she will be leaving her children.

[Quote] “I am so thankful to have a precious gift that my mom gave me – one that I am now doing for my own children. She kept journals for me and my sister.”[Quote]

You can read the full article on the Old Fashioned Living website here:Leaving Legacies

I was so inspired by this article that I decided to write one for each of my four children. My oldest daughter has already moved out of the house. But, that doesn’t mean that I can’t write one for her just the same. I think that I’ll start hers and keep writing until she becomes a mother. Maybe I’ll give it to her when she has her first child. Then, she can start one for her child(ren).

What’s a better gift than leaving your children with wonderful and cherished memories through the eyes of their own loving parent? I encourage everyone to try this. Mothers, fathers, and grandparents can all do this and leave their loved ones with their own legacy.
You can find more about Dionna Sanchez on her website, Emphasis On Moms

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The Kids Are Driving Me Crazy!-Free e-book!

I have four children. So, sometimes it gets really crazy around my house. While my 17 year-old is yelling at her younger brothers, her brothers (ages 11 & 12) play fighting and screaming back at her, messes everywhere, I sit and suffer with an excruciating headache and praying for a break.

If you have days like this, be assured that it does get worse. But, then again, it does get better. One of the best remedies for a crazy day in my house is a laughter break. After all, they say that laughter is the best medicine.

My laughter break came to me today in the form of an e-book entitled, The Kids Are Driving Me Crazy! by Lisa Barker. Lisa Barker is known as “The Jelly Mom” from the humorous Jelly Mom column which can be found at:

JellyMom.com

This e-book is an excerpt from her book Just Because Your Kids Drive You Insane… Doesn’t Mean You Are A Bad Parent!. The e-book cover humorous subjects about toddlers, older children ,going out in public with your kids, kids showing you who the boss is, and so much more.

I highly recommend this book to parents, grandparents, and caretakers so they can enjoy their “laughter break.” Get the free e-book and check out the Jelly Mom Column and more of Lisa’s books.

~Get the free e-book here~

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More of Me- A “must see” movie for mom’s on the go!

Have you ever felt like there’s just not enough of you to go around?  Are you always on the go?  Are you Super Mom or Wonder Woman?  Do you do everything for everyone and leave your needs on the back burner?

I’m a mom of four very busy, demanding , yet wonderful kids. Even though my oldest daughter no longer lives at home, life can still be overwhelming with the three kids left at home. It’s not always a picnic in the park. But, then again, whose life is? Sometimes, I wish that there was three more of ME to go around. However, I wouldn’t change anything about my life as a mom! I’ve learned that life is too precious to complain and wish for things to be different.

Since I became a mom I’ve taken on a plethora of jobs. Not only am I a mom and wife, I’ve become a taxi driver, maid, chef, baker, referee, coach, troop leader, college adviser, social director, and hostess; to name a FEW! Trying to accomplish these tasks with or without a chronic illness is very taxing. Finding a balance between all of these tasks is the key.

Today, was no different. I was in the middle of folding laundry, searching for lost school books, and e-mailing teachers when I decided to take time for myself. I plopped down on the couch and grabbed the remote. I decided to check the free On Demand movies. Hey, why shouldn’t I take that much time for myself? I deserve it!

I found a wonderful movie called “More of Me” starring Molly Shannon. It’s a funny, light-hearted comedy about juggling a family and a career. Molly Shannon portrays “Alice” a wife, business woman, and mom to two young children. Alice never seems to have enough time for all the things that she needs to get done, let alone time for herself. One day, she becomes so overwhelmed that she wishes that there was more of her to go around.

When three of her different personalities step out of the mirror, she finds that it wasn’t such a great wish. The real “Alice” becomes invisible to everyone. She enjoys time to herself at first. But then her other personalities start having a bad affect on the family. Alice must now struggle with each personality to get her life back.

This movie made me realize that nobody is perfect and that when we try to do too much we lose out on what’s most important. “Slow down, enjoy life, and only do what you can!” That’s my new motto!

I hope you enjoy the movie as much as I did!

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