{ Stewie the Duck - Drowning Prevention }

This review touched my heart like no other.

Being a mother of two who are just learning to swim, it is one of my biggest fears.....drowning.

With drowning as the second leading cause of death among children ages one to 14, it is crucial that parents understand the importance of water safety…especially with warmer weather right around the corner.

Even if you don't read anything else in this post, I want you to please take the time to read the following information, it is imperative that we are informed and aware.

• Children – of all children aged 1 to 4 who died in 2005, almost 30% died from drowning. Drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children aged 1 to 14 years.

Where do children drown?

Residential swimming pools account for most drownings of children aged 1 to 4 years.

Children who drown in residential pools had been:

• last seen inside their home

• gone for less than 5 minutes; and

• in the care of either or both parents at the time.
  

Children aged 1 to 4 are most likely to drown in home swimming pools.

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Yes it's shocking and it rocks me to the core, but it's fact and it's something that happens all the time.

Now before I tell you about the book I received, let me give you some background on it:

On January 1, 1989, a 21-month old toddler, Stew Leonard III (Stewie), lost his life in a tragic accident when he ventured unnoticed into a pool to grab a birthday balloon. Within minutes, Stewie’s family realized he was missing and searched the house, only to find a yellow T-shirt floating in the pool. His father dove in to save him and perform CPR…but it was too late. Stewie had drowned. Since that heart-breaking day, the Leonard family pledged that they would do everything in their power to prevent this tragedy from striking other families. Stew Leonard, Jr. and his wife Kim set up the “Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation” to promote water safety awareness.

Beginning in 1990, the foundation has raised more than a million dollars to help provide swimming lessons and safety equipment for kids through local YMCAs and SwimAmerica. Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities also has published two illustrated and interactive children’s books on water safety: Stewie the Duck Learns to Swim and Swimming Lessons with Stewie the Duck, a Spanish version of which is also available – El Patito Stewie Aprende a Nadar. Information about the foundation may be found at www.stewietheduck.com

Also, here are some startling stats that emphasize importance of water safety awareness:

• · Drowning is the most common cause of death in children under five years old.
• · More than half of the drowning accidents among children under four years of age occur in friends’ or neighbors’ pools.
• · Most young children who have drowned in a pool were out of sight for less than five minutes and were in the care of one or both parents at the time. [The problem is often not a lack in supervision, but a lapse in supervision.]
• · And each year, almost 300 children ages five and under drown in swimming pools, while another 3,700 children in this age group are treated for near-drowning in hospital emergency rooms.

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Shocked yet? Do I have your attention?

It's extremely hard for a mother to read things like this and know that it could happen to one of your own children. It breaks my heart and it brings me to tears just imagining the pain these parents go through and though I don't know what the future brings, I can do my best to ensure that a tragedy like this does not befall my family.

With Summer being here we have been enjoying the pool....a LOT. I'm always there watching them, making sure that they are being safe and not messing around. Problem is that it takes but a minute for something to go wrong, so I watch them like a hawk....constantly.

It was during one of our days in the pool that I heard a knock at the door and received a package from www.stewietheduck.com. Perfect timing!

The kids were thrilled and wanted to read the book right away, so that is what I did, while they sat in the water, I read the book.

I have to give Kudos to the Leonard family for turning their loss into a way of saving lives.

My kids loved the book and the CD included, especially the song that is prominent throughout the book, to the tune of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".

If you have little ones, I highly recommend buying this book or the other one Swimming Lessons with Stewie the Duck of which a spanish version is also available.

{ Fusion Pro-Glide Kit - Father's Day Giveaway }

I was recently contacted by the wonderful people over at Gillette, to ask if I would be interested in reviewing one of their newer products and also holding a giveaway. I said yes of course, not only because I love trying out new products, but I thought "my husband will love this".

And indeed he does.

I received the kit in the mail a few days ago and that very same night, my husband tried it out. He came out of the bathroom with a big smile on his face and asked me to feel his face. Soft as a baby's bottom, I'm not kidding.

Let me quickly tell you about the new razor:

New features range from blades that are 15 percent thinner and meant to tug skin less, to a better grip and new mineral-oil lubrication.

Along with the razor, included in the kit are Facial Exfoliant, Battery, Shave Gel, 1 Cartridge, Razor.

My husband was over the moon with the new razor, he said that it was like he couldn't even feel the razor against his face, it was that smooth and comfortable. He loves the way it looks, he loves the handle, he loves the way it makes clean up so much easier. He just LOVES it.

One of the things included in the kit is the Thermal Face Scrub which actually warms and softens your facial hair. He said it was like a massage and it felt really good. I'll take his word for it, unless I grab some and use it to shave my legs LOL

Overall, it got a big thumbs up from him and there will be no other razors allowed in this house, he's finally found one that he loves and that I love, I kid you not when I tell you that it gives such a close shave, his face feels really soft and smooth.

Are you ready for the coolest part???

Would you love to have one of these razors to give your father or husband for Father's Day???

Well you can, because the wonderful folks at Gillette have offered 3 razors....that's right THREE razors to my readers.

Three of you will win a Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor (retail value $9.99) along with valuable coupons for Gillette Fusion ProGlide products (redeemable at Target stores nationwide).

All I need from you is the following:

#1 - Follow my blog or let me know if you're already following
#2 - An email or a way to contact you
#3 - A comment letting me know who you will give this razor to if you win.

That's it! No running a marathon around Chicago, no having to blog about it on your own blogs (though if you do want to let your readers know about it, that's fine too)....nothing complicated, just a simple "Hey I would love to win the razor for my husband/father" will suffice.

The contest is open to US residents and will run until Thursday, 10th of June at 12 am EDT. Good Luck!

Gillette provided me with products and information to review. All opinions are my own.

{ Are we really that dependent on technology }

I used to think that as things evolve and technology advances, that human beings as a whole, would be happier.

But sometimes I just have to wonder, because if my household is any indication of how it is nowadays, then I have to say that's a big fat lie.

When did we start depending on computers, internet and cellphones so much?

It's taken a lot away from personal contact, from actually talking to people face to face, from making an effort to go out of the way to see them and use words instead of punching letters into a phone or a computer screen.

Perfect example, we had no internet for about 5 hours today and it was like the world was ending. I have never heard my kids say so many times "I'm bored, there's nothing to do"......5 minutes later "I'm bored, what can I do?"

I don't remember it being like this when I was a child, matter of fact I didn't touch my first computer until I was 17 or 18.

What happened to just being a kid? To using your imagination, playing with your toys, inventing games?

What happened to spending hours entertained without being near anything electrical?

It just seems to me that in this day and age we rely far too much on these modern things, and I'm not saying just the kids, I think me personally and other adults too are so used to these things which we say simplify our life, that we're forgetting or actually choosing to oversee the fact that they really don't.

Simple for me was making popcorn on the stove with my stepmother and brothers, hearing it pop............not shoving a bag in the microwave.

Simple for me was putting in a movie on the tv, having the whole family gather around with blankets and watch it together........not having everyone at their respective computers watching it online.

Simple for me was sitting in my bedroom with my toys around, playing for hours......not sitting on the computer with games.

Simple for me was picking up the phone and talking to a family member......not picking up the cellphone and texting.

Simple for me was taking the time to send out pretty invitations for a party........not finding an invitation online and emailing it.

Simple for me is opening a book and reading through the pages.......not downloading an ebook and listening to the words.

Life was simple, and it was far more enjoyable than it is now, that is for sure!

{ I fell in love....all over again..... }

You might think I'm referring to my husband or my children, and though I love them with every fiber of my being, I'm actually referring to something else.....something that also makes me smile.

Sense and Sensibility!

I know you've heard me talk about it on my blog many times, you've seen the posts about how much I love Jane Austen and how I just can't help but read her books over and over and watch her movies countless times, something I NEVER do with any other movie. I'm a one time watch and never watch again, kinda gal.

That right there should give you an example of how much I adore this woman's work and the movies based on them.

When I first heard that BBC had produced a new version of Sense and Sensibility, my first thought was NO....why? Why mess with a good thing?

But goodness I was not prepared to watch the new version and completely fall in love again with the story, and furthermore.....proclaim this version my favorite and the best of all others.

As much as I loved Kate Winslet as Marianne Dashwood and truly thought there could never be another, I was wrong, deadly wrong.

Be forewarned though that the very beginning of this new version has a very un-Janelike scene, it's a little racy though you don't see much at all, but it's not something you expect from a Jane Austen book or movie so it may throw you off a bit. I honestly had to go back and check to make sure I was watching the right show *teehee*

But it lasts a second or two and then kicks into the movie..the death of Mr. Dashwood and John’s promise to take care of his stepmother and stepsisters.

Oh and then you are hooked, from beginning to very end. The music, the costumes, the new actors which for me are by far the best from all other S & S versions. I even found myself loving Captain Brandon which had not happened until now, I just could never get into the character and never thought any of the actors played him well enough.

Colonel Brandon

Willoughby

Edward Ferrars

Of course there may be some of you out there who will watch it or have watched it and completely disagree with me, and that's ok, we all have different views on things.

I'm just saying that for me, this is my favorite and is going in my collection.

If anyone wants to watch it and hasn't yet done so, you can buy the movie by visiting Amazon here, or if you're impatient like me, while you wait for it to arrive in the mail, you can go on YouTube and watch it there. The one I used has French subtitles but it didn't bother me one bit.

Here's the first part for you:



Now remember, the opening little love scene thing is very short and it's not bad at all, you don't see much of anything, but just want you to be warned.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this version, did you like it, dislike it, which is your favorite Sense and Sensibility?

{ Cooking Thursday }

Won't you join me and share with us one of your new recipes, or an old family favorite, you can even throw in a recipe for homemade soaps or detergents (just remember to specify).

For the guidelines, you can go here.

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Made this one for Memorial Day BBQ and it got rave reviews, it's SO SO good.

BLT Pasta Salad

• 1 lb. rotini (or other pasta shape), cooked and rinsed in cold water
• 1 bottle Ranch dressing
• 1/2 t. black pepper
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 lb. bacon, diced and cooked crisp
• 1/2 head lettuce, diced

1. In a large bowl, toss together pasta, Ranch dressing and black pepper. Stir in tomatoes and bacon. Refrigerate until serving then stir in the lettuce until coated. Or, stir in the lettuce and serve immediately.

{ Unafraid by Karon Phillips Goodman - Giveaway }

You may remember a couple of months back I did a review for this amazing book. If not, you can read it here.

Karon has been doing a monthly tour on her blog, addressing specific fears and including strategies and and questions on how to conquer it. Here is the monthly plan:

February – fear of change, we overcome and build with joy in new blessings to come

[brief Bible study of Ruth]


March – fear of failing, we overcome and build with willingness, belief and patience

[brief Bible study of Gideon]


April – fear of loss, we overcome and build with faith in God’s provision and care

[brief Bible study of Peter]


May – fear of rejection, we overcome and build with security and purpose

[brief Bible study of Moses]


June – fear of loss of control, we overcome and build with trust (the point of the whole book: Trust ME, God says.) [brief Bible study of Joseph]


If you head on over to her blog, you can scroll back through the different months and catch up on some really amazing posts. (I've included the links for you above so it's easier to find the posts)

Now I'm giving away my copy of the book and I think anyone would benefit from reading it, it's certainly opened my eyes to a lot of my own fears and insecurities.

All you have to do is leave me a comment and a way to contact you.

I will draw a winner on Wednesday the 9th. It's open to US and Canada residents. Good Luck!


EDIT: Just wanted to add a note from Karon Phillips Goodman passed on through email:

Thank you, Sandra, for being part of our UNAFRAID project! I’m grateful to my readers and hope they enjoy the story and message from this book – it’s all about learning to live our lives without fear and in total surrender to God, trusting Him with everything we are to become everything He already sees. His plan for each one of us is special and unique, and He joys in building every day with us, one step at a time up on the ladder, touching each other as we receive grace and reflect God in everything we do. That’s my constant goal and what connects me to my readers – we touch each other with His grace and both our temples grow bigger and bigger. See ya on the ladder!

Karon Goodman

http://karongoodman.com

{ My blog on TV }

Yes, my blog was on my tv and yours could be on yours too, did you know that?

I'm always amazed at technology and what it brings us in this day and age, it's like there is never enough and there's always something more being invented and tweaked here and there.

I was surprised when I found out that you can use internet through your Wii.

Now I'm sure some of you already knew this and are probably laughing at me, but for those that are not up to speed, like mw, let me show you how easy it is and pretty soon you too will be seeing your own blog on the tv and grinning from ear to ear. It's the small things.

First thing though, it's free so don't worry about having to spend any money on this.

Just go to your Wii menu, then click on the Shopping Channel. Once that comes up, click on Wii Channels and scroll down to the Internet Channel. Again, I promise, it's free.

Follow the directions to download it, it's quick and easy.

Once that is up, you can just click on the WWW button and enter any website address. Like your blog or even YouTube. Just try it.

It's not as great as doing it on the computer, mainly because instead of a keyboard you have to use the Wii control to enter every letter, but it's pretty neat, you can google, you can go to facebook, your blog, watch YouTube videos etc.

Just remember to have your Wii connected to the internet. *giggle*

I don't want you to try this and then come back and yell at me because it didn't work.

Now I'm off to watch the new Sense and Sensibility (2008) version. I hear the Jane Austen fans are buzzing about how this is the best version and their favorite of all time. It's peeked my interest and I'm dying to see it, I'll let you know all about it tomorrow.

Here's the trailer:

{ All Gave Some....And Some Gave All }

Let us not treat this gift as a cheap one.
Let us honor the liberty bought for us by men in uniform.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!!!

I decided to make a quick theme for this long weekend and leave it up until Tuesday, hence the different header and background!

We all know when Memorial Day is, but how many of us know the true history behind it or even remember why this day is celebrated?

I thought I would share it today, not only for those who have forgotten, but for those like my family and friends overseas who may not know the reason behind this day.

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers.

Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30. It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.


The ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns.

It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays.

Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those that attend today’s observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones.

To ensure the sacrifices of America ’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.


The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

Tens of thousands of names are inscribed on war memorials and headstones all across this country and in a number of overseas locations. From a distance, those names may seem indistinguishable. Yet, every husband or wife, mother or father, brother or sister, son or daughter, who visits, will always see his or her loved one’s name first. This Memorial Day, we also honor and thank them – those who placed so much on the altar of Freedom and for whom the pain of loss remains undiminished.

I thank every single soldier who served and continues to serve this amazing country.

Like Mari's son Andy, Michelle's husband Joe, Courtney's husband Matt, Laina's husband Eric, Christina's husband Dominic, Autumn's husband, Keri's husband Jason, Eden's husband Steve, Andrea's husband Daniel, Niki's husband, Laura's husband Brandon, my friends back here on base....Katrina's husband Joe (currently deployed), Heather's husband Troy, Alicia's husband Stephen and Jen's husband Charles..........

and last but certainly not least....my very own soldier, who I love more than life and am extremely blessed to still be able to thank in person, to his face, something that other families unfortunately can not do.

And I certainly can't leave out my wonderful father in law Doug, who unfortunately is no longer with us. He was a very proud Marine and loved his country!

{ Promotions, Pity Parties and Perfect Coffee }

How's that for a blog title?

First I have to start by announcing that the USAF has a new Technical Sergeant. My wonderful hubby, Curt. He has worked so hard for the past 19 years and has devoted his life to serving his country and protecting us all. He more than deserves this promotion and I'm so proud of him.

He's so handsome....and he's all mine.

Now for pity parties.

I have come to realize that I'm not a very patient person, matter of fact I can't stand anything that gets in my way, that interferes with my daily life, that leaves me feeling yucky or with no energy, or just not in the mood to do anything.

Hence the reason I just don't have the time or patience to be unwell. Yes I'm sure you think I'm a whiny baby and usually I'm not but teeth things.....oy vey.....teeth things are just so annoying.

Technically it's only been 3 days since my tooth was pulled and I'm not going to say that I'm really in a lot of pain. I'm not, I'm just annoyed with the wound in my mouth, and tired of eating on the opposite side and washing my mouth out with salt. I am thankful that it is healing well, but I'm just impatient and want it healed and done with already. I really am a whiny baby aren't I?

My kiddos have been enjoying the pool and I haven't been able to go in there. Not just for teeth issues but other womanly things. I don't need to spell it out.

I have to sit out. Watch them having fun. At least I get to work on my tan.

And then the punks started gloating about being in the water....so I splashed them. Cause that's what mommies do right?

Yeah take some of that!!!

Then I got too hot and moved my chair under the canopy and pulled out my book. The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever by Julia Quinn. I love her....Miss Quinn I mean, not Miranda, well I mean I really like the character, but I was referring to the author.

She is my favorite Historical Romance Author.

And then I got really thirsty for something sweet and yummy. Not just plain water. So I moved inside and pulled out the Iced Coffee recipe that the sweet Jen had shared with us through a link on Facebook.

I made myself one and halfway through it hubby walked in the door and took a sip. Then asked me to make him one too because it was oh so good. I asked him if I look like a waitress.

I'm kidding! I got up and fixed him one too. Now he thinks I'm the best cook in the world cause I mastered Iced Coffee. HA!

No really, if you love Iced Coffee but don't want to go spend money at McDonald's or Starbucks or whatever, go try this recipe. So good and so easy.

Now you're all caught up with my day and I'm out of things to say. And after that little doozy I feel like a poet LOL

I'm out of here, I have to start grilling chicken breasts and pork chops for dinner, gonna throw in some baked potatoes too and some grilled corn. Yummy!

Go on now skidaddle, go make some coffee and then come and tell me if you like it. Okay????

{ The Hot Mom to Be Handbook Giveaway }

Remember the review I did just a few days ago? Or yesterday or whatever, I don't even remember, I think it was during my pre tooth pain days. LOL

Anyway, I as you know, am not pregnant and as much as I love the book, I think it would definitely be a good addition to a "mom to be".

So I'm giving away my review copy.

All you need to do is leave me a comment and let me know if this book is for you or someone else.

The contest will run until Monday the 31st of May. I will draw and announce the winner on the 1st of June.

Open to US and Canada only. Good luck!