Long Length Blackout Shades

Where is the best place to buy long length blackout shades?

I looked everywhere for long length blackout curtains for my toddler's room. I needed at the least 95 inches and something that looked nice. I searched Amazon, Target, Linens N' Things, Pottery Barn, and then I found Walmart.com. Personally, I do not like the Walmart store. It just seems dirty, crowded, and the prices are not any cheaper than Target. Walmart.com is a whole different story. There are more products, cheaper prices, and great shipping options. I found many different options for blackout panels and I settled on a set of microsuede Mocha colored panels for my toddler's jungle themed room. Elsewhere, these would have cost upwards of $60 per panel. At Walmart.com they were $20 each.

Looking for a girl name

I borrowed this book from a friend with my last baby and this time I decided to purchase it. This book is different than most baby name books because instead of extensive lists that make you fall asleep, this book organizes the names with other pertinent information such as popularity over time, complementary middle names, good sibling names, etc. I am hoping this book does the trick and gives my husband and I the name we've been looking for.

A Great Book When Considering Vaccines

This is an excellent book for all parents. The author is a practicing pediatrician who chose not to vaccinate her own children. I appreciate the way that she outlines the risks and benefits of the vaccines you will be asked to give your children. She also lists the ingredients in the vaccines, including human fetal tissue. This is a great source for anyone who is weighing the options. I feel her book presents an unbiased approach to the vaccine issue and simply presents the information in a "concise" manner.

Do vaccines contain fetal human tissue?

I received this article and wrote this reponse to it.
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fautism.about.com%2Fod%2Fmedicalissuesandautis1%2Ff%2Fvaxfetal.htm&h=aef33eab266e1331038bc4ae3679af28

Unfortunately there is so much conflicting information out there for consumers. I have many resources that continue to support that Human Diploid tissue continues to be used in vaccines, and not just from random internet articles like the one I linked to. What I do know is that it has been used in Rubella (which is in the MMR), Polio, and Chickenpox--this info. I have gained from medical doctors practicing pediatrics. I do also know that it has been used in some flu shots. When they are made in countries other than the US, I have a difficult time trusting what the CDC is saying about them. We have to remember how many times the CDC has "misinformed" us about things deemed to be safe. They continue to say that Thimerosal is safe, while the EPA calls it toxic.

My personal feeling is that it doesn't matter if new fetuses are used or not. If they were ever used, then their presence is still in the vaccine (very much like Thimerosal cannot completely be ruled out of the MMR even though they try to purport that it was taken out--traces can still be found in it). I did a lot of thinking and researching when considering vaccines for my son(by the way, I have given him the Polio shot, but I no longer feel good about this and will discontinue).

To me, the Bible is completely clear on the issue of abortion. But it is each person's decision. I finally came to this thought for me. During the Holocaust, the Nazis gained loads of information from conducting medical and psychological experiments on their prisoners. They probably gained some information that would be very valuable to us for saving lives today. The world has not allowed this information to be be released because it would be wrong. The way they experimented on humans like they were animals was wrong and would be completely offensive to release the information. I feel the same way about abortion (and stem cell research for that matter). I don't agree with even one baby being experimented on, even if this was discontinued or if they are using the same source over and over. I feel that God is very clear about how he feels about life. I also feel like He has given me a gift of knowing how important every life is.

This is my belief, and I don't expect everyone to follow it. But I do expect people to hear both sides of the issue and to do their own research.

Hopefully I have encouraged you to think.

H1N1 Vaccine Ingredients

www.childhoodshots.com/uploads/SwineFLuVaccineFactSheet.pdf
H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine Facts to Consider
In order to make informed vaccine decisions, you must know what the
ingredients are in the vaccine. There are no long-term safety studies done
on any vaccines, including the flu vaccines. This new flu vaccine will be
released without adequate safety studies.
Common Flu Vaccine Ingredients include:
 Egg protein, many are allergic to eggs
 Formaldehyde- Formalyn (formalin) is a 37 percent solution of
gaseous formaldehyde which includes methanol. (Used in vaccines
as a tissue fixative) Formaldehyde solution (formalin) is considered a
hazardous compound and it is vapor toxic. Polysorbate 80 shown to cause infertility in mice
 Sodium Chloride and Calcium Chloride
 Monosodium Glutamate (MSG):C5H8NNaO4, a Stabilizer MSG -
MSG intolerance: There have been numerous studies of allergies
and/or sensitivities to MSG, attributed to the free glutamic acid
component, which has been blamed for causing a wide variety of
physical symptoms such as migraines, nausea, digestive upsets,
drowsiness, heart palpitation, hair loss, asthma, anaphylactic shock,
rapidly increasing diabetes, and many other complaints.
 Potassium phosphate- a soluble salt which is used as a fertilizer, a
food additive and a fungicide. It is a source of phosphorus and
potassium. It is also a buffering agent.
 Thimerosal- a form of mercury still found in some multi-vile vaccines.
 Polyoxidonium- Synthetic polymers and nanomaterials display
selective phenotypic effects in cells and in the body that affect signal
transduction mechanisms involved in inflammation, differentiation,
proliferation, and apoptosis. When physically mixed or covalently
conjugated with cytotoxic agents, bacterial DNA or antigens,
polymers can drastically alter specific genetically controlled
responses to these agents.
 Squalene- An oil based adjuvant that has never been approved in the
US as safe, can cause blindness, autoimmune dysfunction and can
inhibit sperm production. More than two dozen peer-reviewed
scientific papers from ten different laboratories throughout the U.S.,
Europe, Asia, and Australia have been published documenting the
development of autoimmune disease in animals subjected to
2
squalene-based adjuvants. Novartis will make a flu vaccine using
MF59 consisting of Squalene, Tween 80 - A recent study (December
2005) discovered that Tween80 can cause anaphylaxis, a sometimes
fatal reaction characterized by a sharp drop in blood pressure, hives,
and breathing difficulties.
 Span85 another oil
 Human Diploid Tissue- organ and tissue from aborted baby tissue is
now used in manufacturing many vaccines. Vaccines given in the past have contained H1N1 viruses; this is not a
new virus. (novaccine.com)
For complete ingredient list go to
World Association of Vaccine Education (WAVE)
www.novaccine.com

She's Coming

Pregnancy Tickers from WiddlyTinks.com

Who is benefiting from the H1N1 scare?

Who is stands to benefit from the H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic?

Hand sanitizer companies
Clorox
Lysol
The Drug Companies

Have you heard that H1N1 is much milder than they thought it would be? Have you heard that it is actually much less potent than the regular flu? Have you heard that it has not mutated like they feared it would? Have you heard that Drug Companies will be making $20 per vaccine?

Why parents are homeschooling.

Is it any wonder why so many parents are choosing to home school? Between the unions, the textbooks, and displays like this one parents are bound to think twice before sending their kids off to school.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zrsl8o4ZPo

March Against Spending

Up to two million march to US Capitol to protest against Obama's spending in 'tea-party' demonstration

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1213056/Up-million-march-US-Capitol-protest-Obamas-spending-tea-party-demonstration.html#ixzz0QxJDWeRr

Van Jones and President Obama

Barack Obama has told us that if we want to know what his policies are, look at the people he surrounds himself with. One person who is very close to him is Van Jones.

It only takes a few video clips to realize that Van Jones, special advisor to the president, is anti-white, anti-law enforcement, pro-communist, pro-socialist, and pro-conspiracy theorist on the subject of 9-11. Big deal right? Who is this guy and why do his views matter to me? It is America right, the place where everyone is entitled to his own opinion?

The scariest part of listening to Van Jones’ words is that you hear a lot of the president in them. This is not merely intuition or conjecture on my part, but direct words spoken by our president that can be found in Jones’ “motivational” speeches. Van Jones speaks of fundamentally changing the system. Sound familiar? Van Jones speaks of the racism in law enforcement. Ring a bell with any recent events ending in a beer summit? What about the investigation of the CIA? He also speaks of the redistribution of wealth. Barack Obama campaigned on spreading the wealth. Van Jones speaks of starting with the indoctrination of children to get your message across and has been involved in the school system. Is this why parents are concerned about our president going into the schools? Van Jones is on the board of the Apollo Alliance, which wrote the stimulus package. It’s not surprising that many frivolous items in the stimulus package support the views of Van Jones.

Study Van Jones and you will understand the president, his policies, his thinking. Study Van Jones and you will realize why so many people are worried. Study Van Jones and you will understand everyone surrounding the president and you too should be scared.

Breastfeeding and Breast Cancer

It just seems like when God designs something, it is best. Well, it doesn't seem like it. It actually is.
I just heard a report out today that women can decrease their risk of breast cancer by 40% by maintaining a healthy weight, not drinking too much alcohol (one drink a day for women), and breastfeeding. Not only is breastfeeding best for baby, but it is best for mom too!

Garage Salers Beware

Check out this article regarding news laws on what can be sold second hand.

http://www.kansascity.com/444/story/1395184.html

Gluten Free Dairy Free Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

An Easy Gluten Free Dairy Free Slow Cooker Recipe

What you will need:
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders
1 jar of salsa
1 cup of water
1 can of corn, drained
1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
rice
shredded cheese (optional)

Place frozen chicken in crock pot. Add water and salsa. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. One hour before serving place corn and black beans in the crock pot and stir. Serve over rice and top with cheese (optional).

Our Favorite Macaroni and Cheese

I like this recipe because it contains no processed ingredients and it only uses one pot and one baking dish. It is also easy to tweak to your family's tastes and health concerns. I found this at allrecipes.com

Chuck's Favorite Mac and Cheese

INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 (8 ounce) package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (I grate mine for a fresher taste)
1 (12 ounce) container small curd cottage cheese (I use 2%)
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup dry bread crumbs (I do not add the bread crumbs or the butter)
1/4 cup butter, melted
**I also add 3/4 cup of milk to make it creamier.
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add pasta, and cook until done; drain.
In 9x13 inch baking dish, stir together macaroni, shredded Cheddar cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. In a small bowl, mix together bread crumbs and melted butter. Sprinkle topping over macaroni mixture.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until top is golden. Stir and enjoy!
**Our oven runs hot so I cooked it at 325 for 25 minutes then 350 for 15.

The Truth Behind Obama's Healthcare Plan

Little Tikes Endless Adventures Climber and Slide

Our 13 month old is working on his large motor skills. It was the little things that gave it away like him knocking down chairs and trying to climb on them, him trying to climb up on the bed and couch, and him desiring to push larger items around the house. When one of our dining chairs broke I knew we needed some appropriate play equipment, preferably outdoor play equipment.

I began researching outdoor climbers, slides, swings, and play houses and was shocked at the prices. I would have to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 to get the playard I wanted. So I went to craigslist. I found out right away when there is a good deal, it goes fast as I missed out on several great finds. I stuck with it and saw a play house advertised at a garage sale. We went to the garage sale and again, missed out on a good deal, but we headed around the corner to another one. We were astounded to find an amazing deal!

We are now the proud owners of a gently used Little Tikes Endless Adventures Climber and Slide. The best part, we only paid $40 for all of it instead of the retail price of $400! And of course, our little climber loves them!

Obama and Juinior G8 Delegates

I found this picture on the Drudge Report. I'm not sure if it just looks like the two leaders are checking out this young woman, or if they really are. Either way, it is a funny moment captured by the photographer. Apparently they were taking their places to be photographed with Junior G8 delegates.

Books

I am a non-fiction junky. I think it has something to do with my love for learning. It must be the teacher in me. Here are some books I am working my way through slowly but surely.



It is becoming even more clear just how strong-willed our child is so this one is for him.

Let's Apply It

Here is my first attempt at a discussion.

Let's take this idea of Unity and apply it to Jon and Kate as our case study. In doing this we are making a lot of assumptions. We are assuming 1. that Jon and Kate are believers, 2. that Jon and Kate believe God brought them together, and 3. that Jon and Kate believe/believed that God wanted their marriage to be a reflection of the church. In doing this we are also only able to use what we have been given on the show and the media some of which may or may not be true and may or may not be "reality".

Someone said to me recently that they thought that Jon was okay with Kate "ruling the roost" until the show started getting really popular. When it got more popular, this person believes that people started pointing out Kate's faults (divisiveness) to Jon and thus started a spiral. Don't we find our partners faults enough on our own? Imagine if the media joins in the game. Thus, Unity was broken.

I suggest that Jon and Kate were more unified in the early shows. They had to be. They were both working and they had to rely on each other much more heavily to get things done. They had to stay united to remain in control. As the show progressed, they received more help, and needed each other less. When this happened, they didn't make it a priority to continue fostering their unity.

I also suggest that their communication skills began to deteriorate as their unity did. They go hand in hand. I saw a pretty good example of communication on one of the early shows. It was the Christmas shopping episode. Here they all were in the toy store shopping for everyone in the family. Kate was stressed as usual. Jon felt that he was doing his part. At one point Kate began yelling rather loudly to Jon across several aisles. Now, for the good communication. Outside when they were loading the car Jon expressed his feelings to Kate. He said something like he felt very embarrassed when she yelled at him like that and that he felt like she was treating him like a child in front of the whole store. She responded in a very positive manner and I believe they allowed us to see something close to an apology. The best communication and conflict resolution I saw from them. A true unity builder.

On every episode, Jon and Kate share their thoughts and feelings at the end of the show. The producers ask them questions and lead the discussion in the direction they want it to go. At times they just share funny stories about the kids. At times they share about their frustrations about their marriage (mostly Kate the talker). How can this ever unify a marriage? Sharing your grievances in front of everyone instead of with each other? Unity killer. Maybe they did set aside time to talk about the days events off camera, but from everything they said, this never happened.

Please feel free to share your thoughts or experiences from your own life.

Unity

A very timely message given my venture into Jon and Kate's lives.

I heard a very timely sermon yesterday about unity. Our pastor gave many scriptural references to the importance of unity in a church and in relationships. I know I have heard many times how marriage is to mirror the church, but sometimes the same old thing said at different times in my life resonates differently.

The pastor explained that we know what divides a church: Lack of unity. We know that when people talk about all the faults of the pastors and the church that it causes divisiveness. If you have a problem with the church (pastor or policy) it is your responsibility as a believer to go directly to that person. By gossiping and “venting” (I consider venting to be a Christian’s excuse to gossip) you are dividing what God has created.

In the same way, a Godly marriage requires unity. If you believe that God has joined you together with your spouse as a mirror to the church, the relationship needs to be taken seriously. If you have a problem with your spouse, you go to the source. Going elsewhere is divisive. The pastor said that God’s spirit is only present when there is unity.

He also went on to talk about the possibly of disagreements in the midst of unity. He used the example of his disagreements with a young, more modern, pastor in the church. Yes, they disagree on issues at times. But then he said something very important: he is for that other pastor regardless because both of them are for the Lord.

I took from this that if you allow divisiveness to enter into your marriage, you are not allowing God to show himself in your marriage. How can other people see God in you if you are divided. You’ve been in churches or around people who are divided and you know that they are not turning you in God’s direction. Be wary of those that cause divisiveness. They are not encouraging the spirit of the Lord to live in your relationships.

Jon and Kate Plus 8

Suppose you see someone walking down the street and they are approaching a gigantic pit. You keep watching and notice that this person doesn’t seem to know what is coming. There he is in his own ignorance about to fall in a pit that may kill him. Would you say anything? Would you shout, “Hey there, you’re about to walk into danger?” Would you do everything possible to help this person avoid something traumatic?

I think about this analogy related to a lot of marriages. Specifically this time I think of Jon and Kate (you know from the hit TLC show “Jon and Kate Plus 8”). It was so obvious to all of us. Kate was continually nagging Jon. Jon knew that he had trouble communicating and just let her do it. They never took time to work on their marriage. They spent a lot of time apart. So, who here is at fault? Of course both of them, but my beef this time is with Jon. I’ve had my own issues with Kate, but this time it is Jon.

On the show where Jon and Kate announced their divorce, Jon almost seemed gleeful at his new freedom. If you’ve seen him lately he has grown a lot more hair, put in earrings, and been driving a sports car. Can anyone see the midlife crisis here? He kept saying during the show that everything is about his kids. They are most important. I’m sorry, the best thing you can do for your kids is to fix your marriage. If you really have the best interest of your kids in mind, you’ll do whatever it takes to fix it.

I believe that Jon is the one who stood by and let the family fall into a pit. He knew he wasn’t happy. He knew he didn’t like Kate controlling everything. He knew he was making poor decisions when he went out at night. He even said on the announcement show that he let Kate rule the roost for far too long and now he was putting his foot down. What a man. Putting his foot down by allowing divorce to tear his family apart. He knew this pit was coming and did nothing to resolve the problem. I propose that he is the responsible party. If you know your family is headed toward something terrible and you do nothing about it, you are at fault even though you may try to blame the other person for all the wrong things they have done.

So Jon, I’m disappointed. I expected more. I cannot believe a family could work so hard to get somewhere to now get there and let it all fall apart.

Are we headed toward censorship?

ABC news has struck a deal with the President to host his Obamamercial promoting his health care reform ideas. ABC is claiming that this will not be an infomercial for the President and that the audience will be asking the President real questions. However, ABC would not sell airtime to advertisers with views that oppose the President's plan. How balanced can the coverage be without a word from the opposition? What happened to giving ad space to the highest bidder? This sounds a little like something called censorship.

Obama brings more Chicago politics to Washington--helping his buddy before the people.

Where are all the people who were so angered by President Bush's "illegal" acts? Our President has done something completely illegal this week and no one is saying anything. If this had been George W., you can bet the media would have been shouting from the roof tops. President Obama has taken an honorable man who was serving the people and torn his reputation apart for one simple reason: Gerald Walpin caught his buddy misusing Americorp funds and he called him on it as his job requires. Obama seems to know that the media will help him hide the facts. Check out this article on the Gerald Walpin story and call your congressman.
By the way...two days before President Obama fired Gerald Walpin without cause, he had asked him to give a speech. Would you ask someone who was disoriented and confused, reasons for which you would fire him, to give a speech?
Something stinks.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/17/fired-ig-calls-white-house-explanation-baseless-says-hes-targeted/

Disneyland Kennel

Our dog has visited the Disneyland Kennel on two occasions and we have been very pleased with the service. The Disneyland Kennel is just that, a kennel. This is not your high end dog resort where your pup can frolic and socialize while you have a day in the Magic Kingdom. However, for the price and the convenience, the Disneyland Kennel was just right for our yellow lab.

The Kennel is located to the right of the main Disneyland gates and works on a first come first serve basis. The Kennel keeps the hours of the park. The Kennel does open a half an half before the park so you have time to drop off your pooch and still make it into Main Street before the park officially opens. The cost is $20 for the entire day and they will feed and water your dog. A vaccination record is required with proof of Hepatitis, Rabies, and Distemper vaccinations. The kennel has larger dog runs for big dogs (that's what we use) and small crate style kennels for smaller dogs. There is an area for your dog to do his duty for which they expect you to return every few hours. Your dog can also go off leash in this area when no other dogs are present, but you do need to be aware that some people may unexpectedly open the gate that leads out into the plaza. Your dog can ride the tram with you to get to the kennel. This is sure to surprise some folks.

Both times we put out dog in the Disneyland Kennel were great. The Cast Members were very friednly and really seemed to like dogs. We recommend this service.

Vitamin A and Bone Deficiency

My pediatrician is a strong advocate of multivitamin supplements. I am not sure whether it is the irresponsibility of parents or his strong opinions about supplements that drive his advocacy, but he believes children should be receiving them.

As long as I was breastfeeding, I did not give my child a vitamin supplement. When he was quickly weaned and switched to milk I began giving them to him worrying that he might be missing something. I always try to give him very complete meals using the food groups and I feel incredibly guilty if I fail to give him all that he should be getting. After all, his dietary needs are completely my responsibility and will be for a long time. What pressure!

Last week I was reading an article in the June issue of "Parents" when I read something that alarmed me. The article begins by saying that if children are eating a variety of foods then they do not need multivitamin supplements. If they do not drink 4 cups of milk each day then they will need extra vitamin D. One place this can be found is in fortified orange juice (which is often fortified with calcium as well). Now for the alarm. "Unfortunately, many multivitamins contain too much vitamin A, which in high doses, can lead to bone weakening or other side effects". It goes on to say that children ages 1 to 3 should get 1,000 IU of vitamin A each day and children ages 4 and up should get 1,300 IU. This is one case where more is not better. When I looked at my child's multivitamin, it had more than the recommended amount.

I chose to stop the multivitamins immediately and continue giving well balanced meals until I can discuss this with my pediatrician. I was surprised by this information because I had not read it elsewhere.

Acid Reflux

Chances are you know someone with it. This diagnosis has become very popular these days, especially in children and babies. I have talked to several moms who gave their babies medication for Acid Reflux and at one point I was concerned that my baby had it. There was a period of time where he spit up almost everything after breastfeeding. I quickly ran to my computer and began researching because I did not want to give my baby medication for what seems to be a problem that is over diagnosed. The advice I found most helpful was to change his nursing position by making sure that he was angled head up and to avoid bending him in half. This was somewhat difficult given that he was so flimsy at the time but I gave it a try. It took a while (and I do not give up) but he got better without medication. He did not starve or lose weight so I figured we were okay.

I started researching the causes of acid reflux and began to see a connection with the way our world works now. Acid Reflux can be caused by poor diet, eating late, laying down after eating, eating acidic foods, overeating, and being overweight. If this is not a wake up call to parents, it should be. Parents are so busy these days that children are given premade meals, they eat late because that is when they get home, and they probably overeat because they are so hungry by the time they finally sit down to eat.

Some of the suggestions I found for children are to eat frequent small meals throughout the day, eat less sugar and acidic foods, do not eat late, and do not lay down after eating. I would suggest the typical 3 meals and 2 snacks that all children should be getting. Take away the sugary foods (chips, candy, soda). Do not feed a child with reflux right before bed.

Of course some children have an abnormality that will cause reflux, but giving them reflux aggravating foods can only make it worse. Once again I think it all goes back to the way things used to be. The more we conform to the world's standard of being over scheduled and way too busy to care for our children appropriately, the more we (our chidlren) will suffer.

Is Obama making progress on Iran?

Here is an excerpt from Joel Rosenberg's blog http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/ on the topic of America's popularity in Iran. Rosenberg is the author of the political thriller series "The Last Jihad" as well as two other best sellers "Epicenter" and "Inside the Revolution". I consider him and expert on the topic.

What’s happening? Why were we more popular in Iran when George W. Bush was in
office? Because President Bush told the truth. He didn't kowtow to the Radicals
in Tehran. He accurately described them as members of the “axis of evil.”
President Obama, by contrast, keeps apologizing about American shortcomings —
real and perceived — and keeps beseeching Iran’s Radicals to please, please come
to the table and talk to us. Iranians by and large hate their government for
lying to them and enslaving them and destroying their economy and their
children’s future. They don’t respect Western leaders who legitimize the tyrants
who oppress them, plain and simple.

Dinseyland Gluten-Free

We recently made another trip to Disneyland. This trip was different than the others because we had a relative with us who has celiac. Ahead of time I googled information on how to eat gluten-free at Disneyland. The easiest thing to do is to get there early. Go to City Hall. Ask for the gluten-free menus.

I was amazed at the number of places that are now accommodating this disease. There is a place on Main Street that will prepare gluten-free pancakes. The popcorn is gluten-free. There are numerous restaurants that will specially prepare gluten-free meals and I believe they take cross contamination very seriously.

We had one issue when my sister-in-law went to a Mexican Food place in the food court at California Adventure. The list said that the rice was gluten-free, but the workers confirmed that it was not. Always ask despite what the list says.

We did not get the menus for other allergies, although I am sure they are available as well.

Who do we believe?

On the Flu virus
The Vice President told us to avoid planes, trains and buses.
The President told us to cover our noses and mouths and stay home if we are sick.
The director of Homeland Security told us that we do not need to avoid public transportation.

On "torture" memos
The President's chief of staff (among others close to him) said that the President was not going to release the memos.
The very next day the President released those memos.

On the New York photo opp.
The police said they were not supposed to tell the public.
The FAA said that the White house told them not to inform the public.
The President claims that he did not order the secrecy and will find out who did (oh no, another task force will probably be created)

On Iran
The President, as a candidate, said that Iran is a small country with a small army and is not a threat to the US.
The very next day he did an about face and said how great a threat Iran is.

Is anyone else noticing the mixed messages?
Is this simply inexperience?
Considering how calculated everything the President does is, I have a hard time believing that these confusing signals are not coordinated.
There is a trend here.

On the subject of torture...

I don't think the majority of Americans even care that we may have "tortured" terrorists in order to prevent a new attack.
I don't think most Americans think water boarding is torture when they consider that it is used as part of Air force training.
I don't think that most Americans think telling terrorists that we will not torture them will keep them from attacking us.
I do think that this new flip flop by our president is motivated by someone who is controlling him. Why else would he flip and flop on this issue?
Will I be put on a terrorist watch list by Homeland Security now?
Good, maybe they need to hear from some regular people instead of all the Washington Bureaucrats.


Check out this article on how we were saved by our so called "torture" of a terrorist.

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=46949

I'm Published

I was on Amazon the other day and decided to look up a book that I am published in. I found it. Through my Google searches I was excited to find that the book is used by schools to teach poetry to children. The book is titled Poetry Patterns and it was written by my 5th grade teacher Eleanor Orndoff. The book is a collection of different types of poetry and how to write them. My poetry is an example of seven poetry.



Here is my poem from page 43:
There were seven sisters sleeping in a bed.
The first fell off and bumped her head.
The second cried all through the night
The third was loudly snoring,
And the fourth wanted a night light.
The fifth wanted Mommy,
The sixth wanted Dad.
The seventh rolled all around and made everyone mad.

No TV for My Baby is My Goal

I don't let my 11 month old watch TV. This includes Baby Einstein, Thomas, Sesame Street, etc. I have heard it said several times that there is no television that is appropriate for children under the age of three. Many DVDs have labels of appropriateness for children as young as 6 months old but I don't believe them. While the material may be age-appropriate the act of sitting and staring at a multicolored moving screen while hearing fake voices is not. A young child's brain cannot comprehend what is being seen. My opinion is that the age-appropriateness is a marketing ploy.

Now in all fairness, I only have one child, I do have the news on often, and my husband will often have sports on. Can I say that my child has never watched any TV? No. My goal is to allow no cartoon type, fake voice TV for as long as I can. If I find my child looking at the TV for more than a few seconds I turn it off. I also do not want him sitting in front of the TV when he should be moving and exploring to learn. This is my goal. So far, so good. There was one day when I fought really hard not to let myself pop in a Baby Einstein DVD. I didn't, but I know I will have a much harder time when I have more than one child.

Three years old is my goal. We will see. This is why I am a stay and home mom. So I have the will power and energy to do the things I feel are best for my family. I don't always succeed, but this is the goal.

What I learned at my first protest.

People are angry.
People (media) support free speech when it agrees with their views. Check out CNN's so called interview of a man and his 2 year old at the protest in Chicago.
Older veterans are very angry at the state of our union and where it is headed.
Protesting is exciting!
Some immature people try to belittle others who do not support their views (on both sides of the issue).
People feel like they have no control.
People want to be heard.
People want to be represented.
People like my No More Pork sign best.

No More Pork

Baby's Stroller Sign for the Tea Party Protest

Tax Day Tea Party

Tassimo, a good cup of coffee

I am the proud owner of a Tassimo coffee maker. The Tassimo is great because I can choose many different beverages like lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolates, teas, and coffees. I even had some friends create mochas using the milk, espresso, and hot chocolate. It also has a water filter which is always a plus.

At first I was wary about the system because I have become accustomed to very strong coffee thanks to Starbucks. However, I read through the user guide and found that I can make the coffee as strong, or weak, as I like and I have noticed the Starbucks coffee is stronger than the others. To make other brands stronger just remove the coffee mug before the end of brewing because the strongest part comes out first.




I have also noticed that it can be difficult to get a large cup of coffee. There are different size T-dics and the morning blend is supposed to be 16 ounce, but I have not found this to be true when I make it. However, it is easy to brew two cups if I want more.




I am are also limited to the brands that make T-discs which are Gevalia, Starbucks, Seattle’s Best, and Maxwell House. This is not a problem for me.




If I had to pick a favorite drink it would be the cappuccino. And the latte. Of course the hot chocolate. Who am I kidding? I like them all.

What size do I buy?

Here is something I wanted to know when buying clothing for my child during the first six months of his life.

How clothing brands fit my child.
Clothing fit guide for babies.

My child was 75th percentile in length and usually 20-40th in weight.

GAP and Old Navy: onsies run big, pants and shorts run small—he always grows out of the pants in length earlier than the designated month

Gymboree: clothing runs big, pajamas run small—the clothing fits him well after the designated month, he always grows out of the length of the p.j.'s before the designated month

Carters: all of it runs big—he doesn’t start wearing it until the month after it is designated for

Circo at Target: runs small in length

Cherokee at Target: runs small

Jumping Beans at Kohls: I have only bought the shirts so far but they run big

Sonoma at Kohls: the onesies run very big

Chaps at Kohls: One pieces fit small in length, button up shirts fit large

How much do I feed my baby?

When I was ready to begin giving my baby solid food, other than cereals, I was shocked at the lack of good information. I found many great recipe books, my favorite being So Easy Babyfood, but nothing that helped me know how much to give him. As a first time mom, the task of providing the right foods in the right quantities was overwhelming and I soon found that many other moms felt the same way. I had trouble with the method of giving my child food until he showed signs of not wanting anymore because he would never stop. He loves food and I think he would eat until there was no food left in the house. I needed more to go on and I found a great chart at babyzone.com that gave me general guidelines to follow. I still use it now that he is 10 months old. Here is the link. I hope it helps you.

http://www.babyzone.com/baby/nutrition-chart.pdf

How I drink less soda

My new drink of choice.

I have a difficult time drinking water consistently. I like soda but I am becoming increasingly aware of the harmful effects of it. Not only is the sugar a problem for psoriasis sufferers (and for health in general), the caffeine is as well. The author of Healing Psoriasis suggested drinking sparkling water as an alternative to soda. So, I made the switch and it was really easy. If I want a little flavor I just add some lemon or lime, or even a small amount of juice (I only buy 100% juice no sugar added). So far I have not craved soda at all. I guess what I was craving was the carbonation. What an easy fix.

Samsung Eternity Cell Phone for one penny from Amazon.com

It's been a long time since I got a new cell phone, but I decided it was time since I was eligible for an upgrade with my current AT&T contract. I did some research and set my heart on a new Samsung Eternity. I read some reviews and everybody who had one seemed to love it; many people preferring it over more expensive phones like the iPhone.

I went on Amazon.com and purchased by phone for 1 penny with a new 2 year contract. It's been a few weeks, but I am very satisfied with my choice. The phone is very easy to use and the touchscreen is great. I appreciate the calendar, appointments and contacts features and it has been very easy to learn how to use.

How To Eeat More Vegetables

How to Eat more Vegetables

I like vegetables. My husband does not. I feel a great sense of responsibility as the main food preparer to provide nutritious meals that promote our health and not our decline. Recently, we both had lab work done to check our cholesterol among other things. My scores came back incredibly good. The doctor told me people would pay to have my scores. My husband’s not so much. Prior to this I had become lax about providing complete meals. I think I just did not like making things that he did not like. Sure, if you put enough butter and sugar on anything, it can taste good. The problem with that is it defeats the purpose. The scores changed all that. I have a responsibility to get him his vegetables, like it or not.



With new purpose, I sprung into action. If there is one thing I have learned in the last year from my family’s medical issues it is that one vegetable on a plate at dinner is just not enough to promote a healthy life. I began making vegetables for every meal without fail. I also began injecting vegetables and garlic into everything in the form of purees. This idea came to me from the book Deceptively Delicious. It is easy for me because we have a baby in the house so purees are ever-present. I have put zucchini in rice, tomatoes in beans, cauliflower in macaroni and cheese, squash into chili, spinach in spaghetti sauce, etc. I can’t keep a secret like this so I will always tell him what he ate afterwards. It was amazing that he did not know while he was eating it. It has gotten to the point where he will ask me what kinds of surprises are in his dinner tonight.



Eat your vegetables. Your health and your family’s health depend on it.

Healing Psoriasis Without Medication

Healing Psoriasis Without Medication

I just bought the book called Healing Psoriasis by John O.A. Pagani, D.C. and I am thrilled about the possibilities. I read the reviews of this book on Amazon and was amazed at the results people have experienced. It seems that if you follow the regimen in this book, really follow it, you will rid yourself of psoriasis. So, what’s the catch? Well, it is all about diet. People do no like to follow diets. Most want a quick fix. We have become a society that values our freedom to do what we want over our health. I am included here. I do not like to be told I cannot do something. Is it worth risking my health for my own stubbornness?



I have not read very far yet, but here are a few interesting points I have gathered so far.
-Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder
-Psoriasis is a symptom that you body is unhealthy, despite what doctors might tell you
-Psoriasis is caused by the leaky gut syndrome (the intestinal walls are damaged by something which causes it to become porous causing toxic elements to enter the blood stream which taxes the liver and the kidneys and thus the skin tries to help remove the toxins)
-strep throat, antibiotics, heredity, just to name a few can be factors in getting psoriasis
-there are 7 common types of psoriasis, one being psoriatic arthritis
-400 people die each year from psoriasis related illness

Most of the book that I have read so far provided the backdrop for the cure. I could not help but look ahead at the diet portion. Like many other health related diets, it is fairly strict. I was shocked that it allows some grains and dairy and that tomatoes and nightshade vegetables are to be avoided at all costs. I was also surprised to find that for psoriasis, it is combination of foods that are ingested causing the problem. For example bananas and apples may be eaten, but not with other foods. The purpose of rules like this are to increase the alkaline in the body and to decrease the acid. I will keep you posted as I read more of the book.

Beware of Soy

In the last few weeks I began researching soy and soy products for the possibility of using a soy based formula. I had heard that there was estrogen in soy so I was wary to begin with. I just could not imagine that people are unknowingly pumping their children full of estrogen. I typed several different phrases into Google such as “dangers of soy” and “soy harmful”. I could not believe how much information sprung up. I understand that you have to be very careful when reading information on the Internet, never knowing if the site is reputable. However, there seems to be a growing amount of people trying to get the public’s attention about the dangers of soy.

Here are just two quotes from a plethora of data on a website called soy online service that I found to be very alarming. I also read similar findings on other websites.
http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/03soymyths.htm
Most modern soy foods are not fermented to neutralize toxins in soybeans, and are processed in a way that denatures proteins and increases levels of carcinogens

Soy foods contain trypsin inhibitors that inhibit protein digestion and affect pancreatic function. In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibitors led to stunted growth and pancreatic disorders. Soy foods increase the body’s requirement for vitamin D, needed for strong bones and normal growth. Phytic acid in soy foods results in reduced bioavailabilty of iron and zinc which are required for the health and development of the brain and nervous system. Soy also lacks cholesterol, likewise essential for the development of the brain and nervous system. Megadoses of phytoestrogens in soy formula have been implicated in the current trend toward increasingly premature sexual development in girls and delayed or retarded sexual development in boys.

For now, I’ll stick to breastfeeding. I do not want to use a dairy based formula due to the risk of causing milk allergies and I certainly feel less comfortable about soy. From what I have gathered, anytime you hear of a new “super food” look for the person or corporation behind it making millions of dollars off of unsuspecting consumers who are just trying to do the right thing.

Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson

I have recently been reading the book Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson. This is a fantastic book for anyone raising a boy. Dr. Dobson gives information based on research and a foundation of biblical principles that will guide parents in shaping their child’s character. I appreciated the topics on the differences between boys and girls, the importance of Fathers and Mothers, the impact of radical feminism on boys, just to name a few. If you are looking for a book to aide you in raising a boy with confidence and character, Bringing Up Boys is for you. If you have a son or know someone who will be having a boy, I strongly suggest this book.

Best Baby Food Book for a First Time Mom

I purchased several baby food books with hopes of combining all the material to create a system that works for me. After looking at a few of them, I found the So Easy Baby Food Kit to be far superior. The So Easy Baby Food book was informative and easy for a visual learner like me. The book is broken into sections for each age group. At the beginning of each section there is a list of fruits and vegetables taking into account a baby’s digestive development as well as the appropriate age for a baby to consume nitrates (found in carrots, green beans, spinach and other vegetables). This book provides a full page for each vegetable or fruit with instructions on how to pick, store and prepare each food. It also suggests good foods to mix with each other including spices.



The trays are great because they are BPA free and free from other chemicals that can be harmful to children.

Although I highly recommend this baby food kit, I do caution parents about the So Easy way to prepare baby food. The book suggests steaming the food in the microwave by covering the food with plastic wrap. This is very ironic considering the accompanying trays are free from many chemicals. I do not use this system to cook my baby food. Instead I use the rest of the information on choosing, storing, preparing, and mixing and then I cook and puree the food in my Beeba Babycook from Williams Sonoma.

“Medium or Large?”

Have you noticed the fast food marketing lately? It really is deceitful. I was ordering a value meal from Del Taco and they responded back to me, “Medium or large?” I said medium thinking it was the smaller of the two and I did not need all the extra food. What I did not realize is that the value meal as priced on the menu comes in a small size. When they asked me if I wanted medium or large, I assumed I had to choose one of them. Sneaky, but obviously it works. I have to remind myself when ordering to say small is fine when they ask “Medium or Large?”

How to Save Money by Making Your Own Foaming Hand Soap

We use a large quantity of soap in our household. Having a baby and a dog will do that to a family. A couple years ago we made the transition in our home from regular antibacterial liquid hand soap to foaming antibacterial hand soap. When comparing the two, it seemed obvious to us that liquid hand soap was a much better deal for the money, but once you go foam you cannot go back. We have tried, but it just seems like the liquid soap will not rinse off our hands after using foaming soap. I thought we were stuck paying the same price for a bottle with mostly water in it as we would for one full of liquid soap. It is no wonder Bath and Body Works has been increasing its supply of the foaming soaps. It is a huge moneymaker for them. Scented tap water to wash your hands anyone?

We were looking for ways that we can cut back on our spending and I thought this might be an area. I was ready to go back to the liquid soap, or even bar soap, when I did some research online and found that making foaming soap is a cinch. I already have the dispensers from my Bath and Body Works purchases so that part is taken care of. Now we just need a good smelling antibacterial liquid hand soap or dish soap and we are set to make our own. If you are partial to the Bath and Body Works or Williams Sonoma scents like we are in my family just buy one of their large refills of liquid soap.

This is the recipe I will follow:
2/3 cup of water
2-3 Tablespoons of liquid soap

Step one- gently mix the soap and the water (do not shake)
Step two- pour into foaming soap dispenser
Step three- enjoy the money you are saving

Dear Mr. Obama

Dear President Obama,

I have a suggestion that may save our nation financially. Please choose a citizen to audit your cabinet and other elected officials. This citizen should be honorable, competent, and experienced. This citizen should be free from political bias. This citizen should have a record that demonstrates integrity. My husband meets these standards and I would recommend him (the CPA audit chief), however he hates tax law.

It is my strong opinion that if you were to do this, we will no longer need such an astronomical stimulus/spending bill. I believe that the IRS would receive so much money from unpaid taxes and penalties that we might even come out ahead. Just look at the money received from Geithner and Daschle alone; nearly $200,00! Imagine how much could be found if all of the members of congress were audited.

Please also recommend that people not spend more than they make.

Sincerely,
Kimberly Brown
citizen with common sense

Beaba Babycook Williams Sonoma

I recently notcied a new comment about the Beaba Babycook regarding one of the comments I made about someone's review on Amazon. This prompted me to contact Williams Sonoma again about the materials in the Beaba Babycook and whether or not they are BPA free. See my new correspondence below.


Hello Suzie.
I have posted our correspondence on my blog and have been receiving quite a lot of traffic regarding the BPA issue. Someone recently posted a comment on Amazon that they went to the Beaba website and found the information below. This does not seem to be consistent with the information you gave me. I hate to beat a dead horse, but when you said the "bowl set" was made of polysulfone and did not contain BPA, did you mean this to include the steamer basket as well? That was my assumption, but I need it clarified.
From Amazon
To clarify the plastic issue, I went to the Beaba website.
http://www.beaba.com/en/index_collection.htm
It says:
- Transparent PP (Polypropylene) basket (for steaming)
- Unbreakable PSU (Polysulfone) bowl


Hello Kimberly,

Thank you for contacting Williams-Sonoma. We are so sorry for any inconvenience we may have caused you.

Our Beaba cooking bowl is made of polypropylene and the steam basket from polysulfone, both are BPA free.

If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us via email. Alternately, you may contact our Customer Service Department directly at 1(800) 541-1262 from 7:00am to 11:00pm (CST), seven days a week.

Kozy Coach Shopping Cart Cover

I was given the Kozy Coach shopping cart cover at my baby shower and recently started using it. This invention is great. I cannot imagine putting my baby in the shopping cart without the Kozy Coach again. The Kozy Coach stretches large enough to fit big carts, like Costco, and it fits snugly on small carts, like Trader Joe's.

The Kozy Coach also has loops for attaching toys which is a must have for a busy baby like mine. It is nicely padded for baby's comfort and I appreciate the durable fabric. I highly recommend the Kozy Coach if you are in the market for a shopping cart cover.

NCLB Part 2 Grade Level Achievement for Special Education Students

No Child Left Behind had just been enacted before I entered the classroom. During my school site training (prior to meeting my students) I was told over and over again, all students must be exposed to the standards. Your students (special needs students) need to be taught from the grade level general education curriculum.

This was my first year teaching and I really did not know any different, so I taught from the 4th grade Teacher's editions in reading and math. I attended regular education grade level meetings. I went to trainings on ELD (English Language Development) and other general education curriculum.

You would not believe the amount of whining I heard in the first week alone. We can't do this! This is too hard! We didn't have to do this last year! There were tears. There was anger. There was a teacher more stubborn than the kids in that classroom. I put up my sign that let students know "I can't" is illegal in my classroom and began teaching them that we say "I will try" or "I need help" instead. It was not long before someone would slip and say "I can't" and the rest of the class would say "ooooh". Mission accomplished.

Soon they began to realize that I was not giving up and they began to achieve. They began helping each other in reading groups. They began to feel successful at reading and math for the first time. The best part was that they could take what they learned in my classroom and apply it back in the general education classroom. I had a general education teacher come up to me one day in complete shock. She began to tell me how one of our (I say our, not my for Special Ed. students--my way of helping gen. ed. teachers understand that they belong to them too) students had raised his hand to answer questions in the general education classroom. What was even more shocking, the answers were correct! On that day, I had another believer in grade level exposure for special needs students.

The best part of this was not that the students would do well on the testing. It was that they were learning that they could achieve.

More to come...

Beaba Babycook Bisphenal-A BPA Update

Here is my most recent correspondence with Williams Sonoma regarding the Beaba Babycook:

Hello. I purchased the Beaba Babycook after receiving an email from you
confirming to me that there was no BPA in the bowls. However, I have since
seen many comments on the internet from people who contacted the
manufacturer and they say the bowls are made from polycarbonate while you
say it is made from polysulfone (either way both contain BPA according to the info. from these people). I need a straight answer about whether or not BPA is contained in this product. I have used it and feel that it is a great product if it is BPA free.
Thank you



Hello Kimberly,
Thank you for contacting Williams-Sonoma.

As a responsible retailer, you can be confident that we carefully and rigorously test all of our products to ensure their safety and that they meet or exceed all government standards.

Independent testing completed in mid-June indicates no presence of Bisphenal-A in the BabyCook bowl set. The bowl set is made of polysulfone, an alternative to polycarbonate exclusively for Williams-Sonoma.

We hope you find this information useful and reassuring.

If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us via email. Alternately, you may contact our Customer Service Department directly at 1(800) 541-1262 from 7:00am to 11:00pm (CST), seven days a week.

Labrador Retriever Group Training Class

I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get your dog to obey commands, especially while in the presence of people and other animals. We enrolled our new yellow labrador puppy in a group training class when he was about seven months old, and we are so glad we did. We enrolled in a class administered by our City, with about twenty dogs in it. The first several weeks primarily consisted of walking around in a big circle outlined with cones for about an hour. It seems silly but the mere presence of the scent of the other dogs and all the activity at the park was so distracting to a young, active, and eager puppy! Here is a picture of the training class in action:

The class was one day a week for 12 weeks. Each week we were given homework and were instructed to work on various things with our dog. To tell the truth, we were not very impressed with the quality of the instruction, but we were happy because Buddy had a chance to learn be be around other dogs. He showed significant improvement. We would highly recommend this form of training.

No Child Left Behind Act Part 1

NCLB, you've heard of it right? Everyone seems to have an opinion about it these days. NCLB stands for the No Child Left Behind [Act]. I for one, support it which is a taboo thing to do in the world of education. I am in the minority among colleagues, especially those in special education. Allow me to explain my stance.

When I walked into my special education classroom for the first time it was somewhat more than I had expected. It was a normal classroom, placed in the middle of other normal classrooms. There was a large quantity of normal curriculum, although I had no idea which was to be used for what. I had five working computers, more than other regular education classrooms. There were age appropriate tables, age appropriate chairs, and wonderful chalkboards. It was all normal. What does this have to do with NCLB you ask? Keep reading.

Prior the the enactment of NCLB, special educators were on a different level. They were not afforded the same "luxuries" as other teachers. By luxuries I mean curriculum, supplies, you know the basic needs of a learning environment. It was blatant discrimination. It was wrong. Suddenly, when NCLB was put into place special needs students began to matter. Why? Because their scores on the tests mattered too. Special educators began receiving the same curriculum as the general educators. Special educators were invited to the same training as general educators. Materials became a necessity for special needs students for the first time in the history of special education.

Thank you George w. Bush for doing more for special needs students than any other president in history. No legislation is perfect, and I do believe NCLB can be improved, but I am so thankful for the chance to have everyone treated equal in the school system.

I will continue with NCLB and why I think grade level curriculum exposure is appropriate for special needs students in further posts.

In Defense of Teachers

My teaching career consisted of three years in the preschool setting and four years in the elementary setting. In seven years I taught every age from two to thirteen and every grade from preschool to sixth grade. I have been educated in Psychology, Child Development, Special Education, General Education, CPR, First Aid, and the list goes on. Prior to my teaching experience I was a Parent Educator for a company contracted by Social Services and it was my job to work with families that had been referred for some type of abuse. During this time I went to homes, worked with shelters, monitored visitations, drove children to visitations, and whatever else needed to be done. I have worked with the rich, the poor, the strong, the weak, and those somewhere in between.

At each of these jobs my employers provided an infinite number of training opportunities and I learned so much. There is something to be said for educators despite what society is saying today. Teachers are some of the most hardworking people I have met and they do this with very little recognition. Of course everyone knows teachers make very little money for the amount of hours and effort they put in. This should tell you something--teachers teach for the love of teaching. Sure there are a few now and then that have other motivations, but given such a large profession, there are bound to be those that do not fit. Usually they quit very quickly after they realize teaching it is not as easy as they thought it would be. I'll never forget the day my coworkers and I sat down to lunch with a man on his first day hired to teach the sixth grade at our school. He looked frightened and scared. I must admit, it was a tough school with tough kids. That was the last time I saw that man. Gone on the first day. Needless to say, it takes a special person to teach and to teach in a low income environment. You know if your talent is such on the first day!