Man Candy Monday - Jim Caviezel

I wanted to do someone that I wouldn't naturally gravitate to on my own.  I have loved him in some things and hated him in others so I have a love hate relationship with him for sure!! But I know there are a lot of ladies out there that just adore this man to bits and pieces and I have to agree he is hard to not take a second glance at!

Remember he was Jesus in Passions??

I hope that all of you have enjoyed our Man Candy Monday today!! Don't hesitate to send me requests I just LOVE them, comment below and I will feature your hearts desire!  Hope you have a great start to the week, get ready and look forward to our great Mother's day line up this year it is gonna be AMAZING!!

Also don't forget to enter to win the Blu Ray DVD of New Years Eve right here on Mumfection!!!

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Inukshuks + creepy lawn decor + dream home views

Today is Sunday, and in this house that only means one thing.  Cleaning day.  Tons of it.... although right now you can clearly tell that I haven't done very much of that.  Thankfully there also isn't very much for us to do.  We did start our day off with a great walk/hike around the neighborhood which was lots of fun.  Great way to start our day, and I got a few nice photos too! 

A little Inukshuk (I think that is what these things are called) on the trail we were on, pretty neat I remember making these as a teen down by Ambleside... usually when I was there drinking at night.  Clearly more fun to try and make whilst drunk of course. 

I saw this yard and I loved all the random little pieces they had in it... other than this one that just creeped me out.  I had to take a picture of it. 

These people are clearly convinced that duct tape can actually fix everything.  Also that it is a permanent fix I think I laughed for a good solid minute while hubby and I took photos of it.  I hope they weren't home or watching us I just couldn't help myself. 

This is one of the view spots from one of our possible dream home locations.  For when hubby wins that huge lottery ya know?? We've been expecting it, just a matter of shopping around [ roaring laughter fills the room ]. 

It is very heavenly looking, especially for a place nearby us here in Burnaby.  I am quite pleased with myself.  What did you do this morning ??

Don't forget to ENTER to win a Blu Ray DVD of New Years Eve!!! We got low entries and your chances are HIGH!! 
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"Snatch That Cat!" By: Larry Buttram

I was recently given a lovely opportunity to review a wonderful children's book written based on an idea from the author's niece!  Snatch That Cat By: Larry Buttram, how could I not completely agree and get my hands on the softcover copy via the publisher to see what this book really was all about.  I knew I was going to definitely be in for a surprise, and I was right.

The Author, Larry Buttram, heard this idea back in 1997 from his, at the time, three-year-old niece who clearly had a lovely little imagination.  After about fifteen years he had turned this idea for a game into an adorable children's book that I can think of few little girls this would be perfect for.  Perhaps cause they are slightly mischievous by nature.  

The story was creative and fun, though not terribly nice at times to the feline species.  But it is a book, get over it.  I thought it was goofy and I always loved the story about the spoiled little girl.  Just like Angelica in the tv show Rugrats, honestly that is still one of my fav shows, although I like them little not so much grown up.  I am sure the little girl who thought up the game is just completely in love with this book!  I have to admit I would even like to see her game, I bet it is full of fun like that "Mouse-trap" game.

I think my favorite parts of this book were the facial expressions of the cat.  How sweet the little thing looked and how upset he was when taken from his home.  In fact I have to say that I really enjoyed all the illustrations (By: Paul Richardson) of the story, it was really well done!!  And it flowed just as well as the tale did rhyming and all!

Overall I would definitely add it to your little girl or cat lover's book anthology, in fact you can easily find it available as an e-book through Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble, and in hard copy softcover from the publisher, New Virginia Publications.  All great reasons to get your hands on it.  I would be way too addicted to those Kindle things if I had one... probably go bankrupt purchasing books constantly!!  

Snatch that Cat was a fun book that all my daycare kids completely enjoyed, especially cause it rhymed, they do love a tale that rhythms with a constant steady rhythm.  This book did loose that once or twice but I think it is completely necessary in the context of the story.  I was so thankful to have been given this opportunity, so thank you again for the chance!! I hope all of you take a look at this and have as much fun with it as I did.     
 
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New Years Eve DVD Giveaway!!!!!

The great people at Warner Bros. Pictures are proud to announce the release of the hit romantic comedy New Year’s Eve on DVD and Blu Ray May 1st!  This all-star comedy stars Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Katherine Heigl, Sofia Vergara, Hilary Swank, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron, Jon Bon Jovi, and Josh Duhamel!!  

And guess what??!!  They want to give the incredible readers of Mumfection the chance to win it RIGHT HERE!! 

This April is a perfect time to think about all those resolutions you made that may have been placed on the backburner.  With the New Year’s Eve Resolution Reset Blog App you can double check and make sure you are on the right path to making your resolutions come true!  Let's face it, resolutions get harder every year!  

If you haven't had the incredible pleasure of watching this movie in theaters during New Years you are going to completely fall in love with it!! I cried on a few occasions and the life lessons really end up resonating with you.  Not to mention the cast, I mean the cast should speak for this movie on its own.  I am especially fond of Zac Efron but that might only be because I found out he is born in the same year as myself 1987.  Damn that is a good year, and he ain't cougar bait anymore!! HORAY!! 

Sooo ENTER TO WIN AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS RE-TWEET EVERYTHING!!!

Probiotics – Making Sure the Bugs Inside Your Body Are Good For You [Guest Post - Shekhar Challa, M.D.]

Stomach aches, pain, gas, bloating, discomfort, or worse?  Is there a way to settle things down and avoid the problems associated with the digestive system?

With more than 25 years’ experience as a Board Certified Gastroenterologist, Dr. Shekhar Challa has written a new book Probiotics for Dummies which takes the mystery out of the way bacteria behaves in the body and describes exactly what you need to do to exert a positive control over your digestive system and everything else that depends on it.

Probiotics are beneficial, live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that are similar to those found naturally in the human intestine. Also known as "friendly" or "good" bacteria, probiotics are the cornerstone of any successful health program because they restore a healthy balance between friendly and bad bacteria in the intestinal tract, a balance that is critical for the health of the entire body. Probiotics are associated with treating everything from IBS to certain forms of cancer, allergies, eczema, and even the effects of aging. Here are some of the areas he covers in the book:

Protection For Childrens Health in Day Care Centers. Even in the best of facilities, keeping children healthy at day care can prove tricky. With groups of children playing and eating together, a child is bound to come into contact with at least some bit of bad bacteria that can make him or her sick. Dr. Challa explains about the positive preventative impact that adding probiotics to your child’s diet can have on staying healthy in day care and can discuss various studies that highlight which strains of good bacteria are the best for children’s immunity.

Women’s Health: Probiotics have an important preventative effect on the occurrence of yeast, urinary tract Infections (UTIs) and bacterial vaginosis. More than 75 percent of women at some point in their lives suffer from a yeast infection, UTI or bacterial vaginosis due to an imbalance of bacteria. Luckily, the use of probiotics may help treat and prevent such infections. Dr. Challa explains how the specific good bacteria help protect against and mitigate these issues. In addition, discusses the use of probiotic vaginal suppositories and probiotic tampons, which, although not available in the United States, are used in Asia and Europe to strengthen women’s defenses against infection. 

Health of Children Born by C-section - While the number of births in the U.S. fell by 3 percent from 2009 to 2010, the number of women giving birth by C-section has remained around the 32 percent range over the past couple of years. Children are born without intestinal flora, but through the process of natural birth, the child swallows bacteria from the mother’s vaginal and fecal flora. From that point on, the gut flora in the child grows over the next few weeks and starts building the immune system. This is how a healthy gut environment forms from birth. Children born by C-section, however, are not exposed to the maternal flora and have abnormal gut flora for the first few months of life. One study of C-section-delivered children found that six-month-old infants had half the amount of normal gut flora as naturally born babies. Dr. Challa discusses how probiotics may be the key to promoting the growth of good bacteria within a child’s gut.

Probiotics for Dummies

Shekhar K. Challa, MD

John Wiley & Sons (2012) - Paperback - 212 pages - ISBN 1118169735

Publication Date April 2012 

Probiotics For Dummies reveals how taking the right probiotics—in the form of food and supplements— as part of a total health program benefits one's overall health, as well as improving specific conditions. This hands-on, essential guide features 20 probiotic recipes and gives you a step-by-step plan for infusing probiotics into your diet to improve the health of the GI tract, alleviate allergies and asthma, restore reproductive and urinary tracts, bolster the immune system against disease, enhance weight loss, and more.

For more information  visit: www.dr.challa.com.

About the Author

Shekhar Challa, M.D. has over 25 years of experience as a Board Certified Gastroenterologist. Dr. Challa is the award-winning author of “Winning the Hepatitis C Battle” and “Spurn the Burn, Treat the Heat: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Acid Reflux Disease,” for which he received the Readers Preference Award. His most recent book is “Probiotics for Dummies” (Wiley, 2012).

In private practice since 1987, Dr. Challa received his board certification in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology from Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. He is the co-founder of the Kansas Medical Clinic (KMC), where he currently serves as President. Dr. Challa has been the principal investigator for 17 different clinical research trials for such leading companies as Glaxo, Roche and Bristol Myers.

Dr. Challa is also the founder of Osteoporosis Services, the largest mobile bone density testing company in the Midwest, which provides services to more than 150 rural hospitals. Affiliated with more than eight hospitals, Dr. Challa also serves as a member of several boards including: NutraCenter, Proctor & Gamble, AMSURG and My Medical Records (Australia). He has been interviewed for his expertise by dozens of radio programs and in print by such top publications as “AARP” and “Seventeen Magazine.” 

His latest ventures include being the co-producer of the first-ever probiotic video game, “Microwarriors: The Battle Within” (available summer 2012).

He has been interviewed for his expertise by dozens of radio programs and in print by such top publications as “AARP” and “Seventeen Magazine.” 

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Whimsical Wednesday

Today I want to have fun.  Fun with all of you.  I have been all business it feels like and I just wanted to be a complete goof today.  I have been having such a busy few weeks that I think I need to focus on a lot of fun today so get ready for a few laughs... first of which will be EPIC!



Isn't that one of the most amazing commercials you have ever had the pleasure of watching?? I completely agree with you it is GREAT!

Source: Uploaded by user via Eschelle on Pinterest

Source: bit.ly via Eschelle on Pinterest

Source: bit.ly via Eschelle on Pinterest

Source: bit.ly via Eschelle on Pinterest

I hope that all of you get more work that I will be getting done today, these are all incredibly hilarious and I hope some of them made your day!  I have actually seen that sign down on Commercial Drive before, which is a trendy hipster kinda street lol!!

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Bringing Up Little Angels [Guest Post]

Bringing Up Little Angels
Children’s Authors Offer Character-Building Tips

 

A recent rash of news stories highlights the positive in society’s youngest members: “Child Saves Kids from Bus Crash;” “Child Saves His Brother from Possible Abduction;” “Child Saves Family from House Fire.”   

But all too often, the news involving children indicates a dangerous lack of morality: 7- and 8-year-olds stealing cars; a 9-year-old’s recent shooting of a school classmate; a 12-year-old charged with armed robbery. A particularly bad one nearly 20 years ago shocked sisters Debbie Burns and Patty Cockrell. Two 10-year-old truants abducted a toddler in England, tortured the little boy and beat him to death.

It prompted the women to begin work on Tukie Tales: A New Beginning for a Better Tomorrow (www.tukietales.com), a series of five children’s books designed to help parents teach young children important values. 

“There is something especially senseless in reading about small children committing sadistic crimes,” Burns says. “We wanted to be part of a ‘positive push’ in the right direction.”

The younger the child, the more impressionable they are, she says. We wanted to help busy parents scrambling to make ends meet teach children empathy, compassion, environmental awareness and other values.

“I don’t think parents are bad,” she says. “But with all the economic worries, the job losses and home foreclosures, many are focused on working and worrying. It’s hard to also be thinking, ‘What value will I teach my child today?’ ”

Burns and Cockrell offer tips for parents to help positively shape children:

• Promote a love for nature: Are your kids outdoors much? Parents who are busying shuttling their sons and daughters from one building to another may overlook the benefits of the great outdoors. Wilderness, however, has a therapeutic effect on indoor dwellers. Spending time in nature also helps children learn about their place in the world and the value of all the life that shares space with us.
• Show the value of teamwork: Working together toward a common goal doesn’t always come naturally to children – or adults. Many youngsters learn teamwork through sports, which is good but almost always includes a competitive element. It’s important for children to experience the added benefits of creating, problem-solving and getting chores done as a team. Parents should look for opportunities to point out their children’s great teamwork.
• Make sure they appreciate safety: No good parent wants to unnecessarily frighten their children, but carelessness leads to bad habits, injuries and opportunities for others to do them harm. The best medicine for any problem is prevention. Remember: Don’t take for granted that your young child knows what’s safe and what’s not. Some years ago, someone taught you that stoves can burn your hand – even though you can’t remember who or when it was.
• Build their confidence with at least one skill: Remember what it’s like to be 4 years old? Very young children come into this world with no previous experience, which means their brains are hungry for know-how. Knowledge and skills to a child are like water for a thirsty man in the desert.
• Kindness counts: It is one thing to teach kids the old idiom that one catches more flies with honey than with vinegar. But children should also know that people who make kindness a habit tend to be happier; there is an inherent joy in helping others.

“I understand parents are busy earning a living to support their children,” Cockrell says. “But who you raise in the process makes all the difference to the future world.”

About Debbie Burns & Patty Cockrell

Burns and Cockrell are sisters and best friends. They were determined to instill honest and wholesome values in their children after establishing their families. Deeply affected by the bad news of the world, they decided to promote a better experience for children. The “Tukie Tales” series is written with compassion and love for all of the world’s children in the hope of making a positive difference.

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What I got in the mail this past week...

This I got in the mail... a letter from my eldest's school, I had to pair it with a glass of wine just to recover from it lol!! I can't believe he will be off to school come September.  I have all the coolest things for him though just in case like the hamburger lunchboxes that I got for him and GREAT Angry bird labels.  I can't wait to take him back to school clothes shopping!! It is so much fun shopping with him now that he wants to have input on what he wears, I love him having a wardrobe that reflects his personality.  Now saying that with my luck he will go threw a goth stage... at least I will be there giving him eye liner tips [uncontrollable laughter]. 

These two wonderful things are going to have to be my favs, not going to lie. I mean look at them, and you know what collection these are from??  Hunger games, oh yes you heard that right, glorious hunger games.  The orange on fire looking one there is called Riveting, and BOY is it! The gorgeous pink one that is so very Effie Trinket is called Limbo Bimbo, and I love it with all my heart! I never knew I could love nail polish again so much and these have now been added to my collection making my collection a whopping THREE!  You can see I never buy myself things??  I have three colors, these included... HORAY! 

This is a great thing that I will be reviewing at a later date.  I can't wait to show it you and it is going to be an AMAZING mother's day gift for anyone thinking.  It is really affordable too with that incredible special feel to go with it.  This would be something that they could keep and add to for years, just to give to you one day as a sort of memoir of everything the know.  A great gift and I can't wait to show it too you!

Another little something that I will be showcasing later this week great for the kiddos!  I kinda liked it despite it's aggressive feline captures.  Not the nicest little girl but a funny little story with some great rhyme rhythm.  Wishing you all a GREAT Tuesday!!  Our's here in Vancouver is a very muggy one today!

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Man Candy Monday - Collection Edition

Today I thought would be a good day to do a recap of some of my fav and most viewed Man Candy Mondays, after all all these great man candy days have brought each of us a large amount of joy on our sad dreary Monday mornings, afternoons and even, evenings.  I am especially doing this because I have been out all day, clearly not ahead of the game and obviously did nothing but mess around all weekend.  Not to mention I am just pooped my from my half weekend and work.  Seems that I have sooo much to do and never enough time to do it.  Here is hoping that this week I can manage to stay on top of it and efficient at it!!  YEAH RIGHT! 

Let us take a look at our most viewed Man Candy Monday of all time, it is the most epic and I can honestly say it has received the highest page views of all the posts I have EVER written... good to know all of you ladies have your priorities straight lol!!!! Christian Bale, you sly little page view creating BEAST, I LOVE YOU!!!  I have to also admit that my sister was the wonderful woman that requested this man be looked at over, and over and over again!  I always have a soft spot for Batman too can't deny that at all!  Although my fav Batman will always be George Clooney.  Hands down!

My most viewed Hunger Games boy was of COURSE Peeta, I mean It would have been a travesty if I couldn't manage that for my beloved Peeta!  Although it can be argued that Gayle is most incredibly gorgeous but Peeta is just way way way more awesome of a character and there is nothing anyone can say about that.  If you do, I wish to not hear of it. 

Out of all the musicians I have done... not that I can recall many if at all any more than this one, Adam Levine is of course the winner of views!  I mean with a body like his it is hard not to just sit, relax and enjoy the view.  Let us take a Man Candy Moment Of Silence.....

Oh snap... I don't know exactly what can follow that... In fact I am not even going to try I can't even recover from this... I think recap man candy monday has been done rather nicely, I can't wait to see who ranks best NEXT!!

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The Eco-Conscious Yard

Post not written by me, all views and expressions are from a third party, no compensation was given to present this:

Taking care of the environment can begin at your front door. Help your plants do what they do best – create oxygen, store carbon in their roots, cool your house, collect dust and particulate matter and provide places for play and relaxation. Look around your yard and find ways to be more Eco-conscious while creating your own natural oasis.

1.      Increase the number of trees and vegetative cover around your home. On a hot summer day, the sun can heat dry exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50–90°F (27–50°C) hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces—often in more rural surroundings—remain close to air temperatures. More

2.      Plant for your climate zone and at the appropriate time.  Many people buy plants simply based on looks. But you need to be aware of your climate zone and what grows well in your area. Fall is usually the best time to let trees, shrubs and grasses planted and well established. Reference the USDA Map when selecting plants and contact your local extension office for ideas on plants suited for your area.

 

3.      Water early or late in the day. And, don’t overwater! Let water sink in before the peak heat of the day. Too much water can loosen root systems. So, be sure to use an appropriate amount. And, try to use water from a rain barrel or include new smart water technologies to ensure watering is effective and efficient. More

4.      Compost & leave grass clippings on lawns. Composting is a good way to create your own nutrient-rich soil for creating mulch that enriches your own garden soil or top-dressing the lawn. Leaving the grass clippings fall on your lawn while mowing is another easy way to add nitrogen-rich nutrients to soil. How

5.      Cut and prune plants and trees to keep them in a growing state. Pruning trees, shrubs, ornamentals and cutting the lawn are important for plant health.  They will give off more oxygen and sequester more carbon. Pruning and cutting spurs healthy growth and the natural process of carbon in-oxygen out. More

6.      Let your grass go dormant. Grasses can go dormant for a period of time, especially during dry summer months. Turning brown, but greening back up when moisture levels return, is normal. More

7.      Encourage beneficial birds and insects to your yard and gardens with plants that attract them. Lure in pest-eating birds and beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, bees, praying mantis, butterflies, by planting certain flowers and shrubs. Learn

8.      Encourage a backyard habitat. By providing food, shelter, water and cover, you will attract beneficial birds and other wildlife. You may even get your yard certified as a Wildlife Habitat. How

9.      Make sure you have some groundcover to stem the flow of run off and capture dust and other particulate matter. Runoff can wash unwanted sediment and fertilizers into our waterways.  Be sure to plant some ivy, grass, or other creeping, clumping and spreading plants. More

10.  Get outside and enjoy your own landscape! Send the kids outside, eat al fresco, play games for exercise, and use your backyard as a learning tool for kids (from assigning outdoor chores to learning science and environmental lessons). More

By the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute ©2012

About TurfMutt

The free TurfMutt program is a dynamic digital curriculum led by Lucky, a real-life rescue dog who encourages kids (K-5) to protect the land around them and fosters an appreciation of natural surroundings in their own community.  In addition to lesson plans, engaging activities, puzzles and videos, students can enjoy an interactive map about ecosystems across the country. With these resources, teachers can emphasize the benefits of landscaping and green spaces in balance with local environments, and instill a new appreciation for environmental issues through scientific investigation.

Lesson plans can be found at: http://turfmutt.discoveryeducation.com/educators.cfm

For families and homeowners, TurfMutt hosts a blog at www.TurfMutt.com, discussing ways to take care of plants and the lawn and landscape in a way that works with Nature, not against it. 

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4:20 rallies do more harm than good...

I am soo happy that it is Friday, we have a gorgeous sunny day and all the stoner's from the city are all in one area downtown today to celebrate 4:20.   These rallies are epic here in downtown Vancouver but will probably be completely out done this year by California.  For those of you that don't know they have legalized it there and it is actually the place where the date of 4:20 originated from.

Of course this is a culture I have removed myself from, back in the day I was right in there with them, alas time passes and responsibilities came along with it.  Although I am a VERY strong medicinal advocate, I have seen it do so much good for so many horrible sick and pained people that I can't ignore that fact.  I am not ignorant.  What I don't like is seeing the large amount of young kids at these rallies most skip school, like I did, to go there during the day.  Or even worse you were brought there by your parents... *cough* me *cough* *cough*  Here in Vancouver though it is all over the place, you can't hide from it.  Your doctors, lawyers, girl guide leaders, school teachers, psychologists are probably all stoner's you just wouldn't know it. 

I myself wanted my mother to get a prescription when she was going through her last few days on this planet.  She would call and be in soo much pain or feel soo sick she wouldn't be able to hold anything down.  Medicinal could have helped her, made her comfortable, helped her eat and keep it down.  I dunno there are a lot of benefits to it and if you don't see that please keep your rude mean comments to yourself.  There are so many people out there suffering soo much cause they can't find anything that helps, if this helps DO IT.  By all means, everyone deserves the best quality of life they can manage, medicinal can help people struggling to do that. 

This rally today... doesn't display a responsible way of advocating that.  It is a hot box, all the people there have lost sight or are fighting the cause just so they can get high.  No wonder people wont take its medical benefits seriously... sad...

If you are going to the rallies today, why not DON'T cause you are only adding to demeaning nature of the rallies, they don't help the cause they DAMAGE it!  They create a place for young KIDS to go and get high on drugs while cops stand around and "keep people safe".  I don't see how this event could stand for anything... I really really don't. 


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A Little About Mumfection

In the beginning there was a young mother of one, then two and now I am a young mother without her sanity. Oh, how I love my boys, but don't get me wrong this is definitely not where I expected to be at the tender age of 24. I am always enjoying the daily chaos that a four year old and two year old can bring to my life, not to mention all the daycare kids that I also care for out of my home. Their huge similarities and differences amaze me everyday; there is nothing more amazing than a child learning about the world. So throughout my daily struggles I realized that my "supermom" ideals or "dreams," I guess they could be called, where terribly unrealistic. 

Mumfection... that on the other had was attainable! It was what I thought was a perfect day, kids are fed, not terribly clean but manageable, my house probably a mess but both children in tact, healthy and happy.. see "Mumfection." Now of course this isn't the first time I have used this beautiful word before, when I was not yet pregnant with my second I started to run an at home daycare to which I dubbed the name "Mumfection." 

I wanted to create Mumfection the blog for a number of reasons: To reclaim my identity, to reconnect with myself on several different levels, and to make my short term goals more attainable. I figure letting the world know about my life would in fact help me improve myself.. and I can definitely say that it has not to mention the incredible connections I have made that I couldn't have made any other way. Blogging has given me a chance to validate others mothers on how amazing they are and even receive some myself.  In a mums life sometimes validation is so hard to get that when it is received it is a weight that is lifted off your soul.  I have even managed to use my blog as great release for myself as well as a reasonable source of income that I have been really happy about.  There is just nothing better than making money doing what you love, a true passion.  

I am happy to meet ALL of you, and I greatly look forward to speaking with you again about the many idiotic, trivial, exciting, boring things that I get up to on a regular basis!  In the meantime please follow me, let me know I will of course follow you back and I would just LOVE to get to know you!  You can also hunt me down via twitter @Eschelle, Facebook, pinterest, all those amazing places!

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Spring... a time for shopping, let's be honest...

As some of you have noticed I have been on a rather large shopping kick recently.  I have been making a little extra money blogging and definitely been taking advantage of that.  Which I think is fine especially when everything, once I have hunted it down, is dirt cheap in all respects.  Recently I found this GREAT Canadian clothing company that, no joke, is just AWESOME!  They are relatively new to the scene (November 2011) but they have created this AMAZING spring line that got its inspiration from "Nautical Romance" so you can just imagine the great romance novel kinda stuff you will be finding here like this great piece:

This to me is just to die for with its great kimono style heehee I have to say I really really want this.  I am pinning it too just to be safe, so make sure to follow me on Pinterest so you can see em all!!

I have to say that I love the look of the soft fabric and I love the color on her with that pale skin tone like mine.  They have so many things and all of them are light and flowing, I can definitely see the theme of the ocean throughout it, all would be amazing in a sea breeze.  Which, again, is very romance novel of them!

I love Canadian companies that go out of their way to be creative with their style and fabrics.  They use 100% silks which is just divine and silk is a natural heat regulator – cooling in summer and warm in winter – and absolutely perfect for sleep wear! Especially in Spring when the night temperatures fluctuate and are unpredictable at times.  Did you know that silk is naturally hypoallergenic?  Which is soothing for sensitive, dry or itchy skin, AND silk is also inhospitable to dust mites and naturally fire retardant!  All of these are GREAT excuses to start looking at silk in a more favorable way... definitely worth that lovely bit of luxury!  Imagine a night where you're nightie isn't too hot or not hot enough, I can't even begin to describe how silk bed gear would be EPICALLY incredible.  Even more so when the stuff looks like this:

They make is soooo hard to want their stuff right???  This one in particular is the same color as my prom dress.  Which I still have and I still love.  I keep meaning to donate it to the Cinderella project but every time I do I am either too early or just too late for donation collections.

I have to say that I am going to be putting one of these two items on my Christmas list and maybe,  just maybe I will get it from Santa.  I mean Santa would get me silk everything right?? I am also planning on e-mailing this post to my hubby cause well ya never know we might win the lottery here before Mothers Day!  Not gonna lie THESE ARE TO DIE FOR, you should check out their Fall collection too O.M.G. is it luscious! 


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The newest family members

For those that are obsessed with me enough to know that I recently got sea monkey's for my boys and we have fallen in love with the little guys.  They are an odd bunch of things and I have to admit our first round has fallen ill and there are only four of them left, none of their little babies seem to come to term anyways, so a while ago I accepted their impending doom and decided to take it upon myself to just buy some replacements.  I mean what are the chances that this fate is going to change in the near future.  Basically impossible with my track record so I even decided to take it one step further and get a new "tank" with decorations even.  My thoughts are this will keep them healthy and happy and perhaps a glass container would just be better in general for them.  The other one there is soo flimsy and I was always afraid to change them into a new one without some mass genocide happening at my hand. 

So I created a new and more amazing home for a new bunch of monkies in the house, some that I hope wont fall ill to a mass plague that will take the lives of many of the cities inhabitants.  I am not a fan of it in the slightest the wierd little things you get attached to you know.  Well not that attached too, but enough that I went out and got a replacement kit, cause they are the most low key pet I could hope for in this house and I think it will be a permanent thing, thank goodness I can just keep ordering new kits.  I hope that my house is always filled with wonderful prosperous cities of sea monkies rather than the sickly plagued ones I just recently had to deal with.... well to be honest three of them are now still truckin' 

I am no stranger to the odd pet either so I want you to tell me about your strangest pet story!  I will be making a point of sharing mine back in return in posts of the future! 

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Man Candy Monday - Kit Harrington

As many as you know I am a fond lover of the HBO series Game of thrones, I have been completely sucked in and I am thankful every time that Europe leaks a new episode online so I can see it a few days before its release in North America.  Oh yes I am that special and dedicated not to mention incredibly cool for being able to get my hands on those amazing kinds of things!!

but let us get to what we have all come here today for... some Man Candy.  A Monday without man candy is like a Monday without coffee don't you think?? I know most of you that have come here today, are some of my most dedicated followers and I want to thank you soo much for that amazing-ness.  I also want to ask you to spread the word of #mancandymonday and help me out!  I would love for you to Re-Tweet this to all your friends, especially those that you know who are geeky just like me!  Make sure you and your friends tweet me @Eschelle so that you can be entered to win a super special FREEBIE!!! Everyone... Jon Snow!

Happy Man Candy Monday everyone!!! Don't forget to tweet us here at #mumfection @Eschelle for your chance to win an awesome FREEBIE!! Might get lucky and it could be your chance to win direct paypal cash!!!!!

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Increased Stress Puts More Teens at Risk - [Guest Post - Dr. Gregory L. Jantz]

Increased Stress Puts More Teens at Risk - Spot Early Signs of a Struggling Young Adult

Adolescence is difficult in the best of times. It’s doubly stressful for kids today; they’re experiencing the same worries and insecurities as adults in this troubled economy, and with far fewer coping skills. From families struggling with joblessness and foreclosure to increasing competition for college admissions to the normal fears associated with impending adulthood, they’re particularly vulnerable.
“Teens who are overwhelmed by stress often are unable or unwilling to ask for help,” says noted psychologist Dr. Gregory L. Jantz, (www.drgregoryjantz.com), author of When Your Teenager Becomes…The Stranger in Your House.
“But the longer they continue to flail and struggle emotionally, the greater the chance they’ll develop more serious problems like clinical depression, generalized anxiety disorder, dependence on alcohol or drugs and, sadly, suicidal tendencies,” Jantz says. “It’s up to parents and other adults to recognize when a teen is struggling and intervene.”
So how do you know when typical teen characteristics, such as moodiness, have moved beyond “normal?” Jantz offers these tips:

• Arguing is normal; constant anger is not. Sometimes teens argue just to argue. It allows them to let off steam, express their displeasure about life in general and test boundaries. The occasional dramatic meltdown is to be expected. But it’s not normal for a teen to be angry and hostile all the time, constantly fighting and yelling. 
• Withdrawal from parents is normal; pulling away from family and friends is not. Expect your teen to start pulling away from you – unless she wants something – and occasionally from their friends, as well. Sometimes, they just need to pull back for a few days, even from friends. But when they appear to isolate themselves for weeks, spending weekend after weekend alone in their room, they may be struggling with depression. Socializing with friends is one of the first things to go as depression sucks the joy out of life.
• Anxiety is normal; feeling constantly overwhelmed is not. Teens have a lot to be anxious about – the prospect of independence is both exhilarating and terrifying, so some worrying is to be expected. But a teen who seems to be, or says he is, struggling daily with stress needs help. Two types of kids are especially vulnerable to developing generalized anxiety disorder, a heightened, constant state of anxiety: The worker bee perfectionist who crams his schedule with activities, responsibilities and tasks, and the kids who worry so much over anything, they can’t get anything done.
• Being upset for days after a bad experience is normal; more than two weeks is not. Teenagers tend to react dramatically when things go wrong – their boss chews them out, they fail a test, they get in an argument with their sweetheart. Adults know from experience that these things aren’t the end of the world and all will be well again, but teens lack that perspective. It’s normal for them to be in a bad mood about it for a few days, but to dwell on the problem for more than two weeks indicates they’re struggling.

The most recent data available, which is about 3 years old, puts suicide as the third-leading cause of death for teens after unintentional injuries (such as car accidents) and homicide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. More than 2 million teens attempt suicide each year.
“I suspect new data will put suicide as the second and possibly even the leading cause of death for that age group, because depression is the biggest risk factor,” Jantz says. “We’re seeing more teenagers suffering from depression in recent years because of the economy and overstimulation by technology.”
Visit www.aplaceofhope.com for an online survey to see if you or your teen is showing signs of depression (click “Depression” and then “Depression Survey” in the drop-down menu).”

About Gregory L. Jantz, Ph.D.

Gregory Jantz has more than 25 years experience in mental health counseling and is the founder of The Center for Counseling and Health Resources, near Seattle, Wash. The Center, “a place for hope,” provides comprehensive, coordinated care from a treatment team that addresses medical, physical, psychological, emotional, nutritional, fitness and spiritual factors involved in recovery. He is the best-selling author of more than 20 books on topics from depression to eating disorders.

Carrie With Children Blog Hoppers welcome!

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My Interview with Karen Simmons

Recently I was given the amazing opportunity to interview the incredible Karen Simmons who is the creator and CEO of Autism Today.   She is a complete inspiration and I can't even believe I was given the honor to pick her brain a little bit!  I was especially grateful because I wasn't able to attend the conferences that they are having here in Vancouver on the 13th and 19th, which you can still get seats to if you are in the Vancouver area here!  Without further adieu I want to bring to you the wonderful Karen Simmons!!! (applause) 

1.        What were the first thoughts that lead to the creation of Autism Today?   What was its “birth thought”?

Honestly, getting the resources into the hands of all the many millions of parents out there in the world who can’t afford to travel across the country to attend conferences, or that don’t have the time to track down the many answers to their questions is the main reason I started Autism Today.  Our vision with Autism Today is to have a world where people with autism are respected, loved, self-reliant, happy and understood for who they are as a result of the strategies implemented by those that love and care for them.  Our mission is that as the first and largest information website worldwide we provide the keys to a treasure chest of affordable solutions and expertise for families, educators and professionals right at their fingertips. Through a plethora of conferences, products and services caregivers learn to empower those on the spectrum through their lifespan so they can be their own personal best by expressing their unique gifts, strengths and talents

 I couldn’t imagine anyone not being able to have the tools to help their child available to them.  To me as a new mom at the time, the thought of not helping my child was absurd.  Even to this day it astounds me that families still are struggling to get the resources or understand about the importance of early diagnosis and intervention which is the main key to helping your child through his or her lifespan. 

2.       What is the most rewarding part of doing your conferences?  Is there one particular story that stands out? 

Helping the parents understand how to help their children and to change the lives of the autism family towards the better.  I remember, it just so happens, a mother at our 2007 Autism Biennial Vancouver Congress who had just received the new diagnosis of autism for her child.  She was devastated and didn’t know what to do.  She happened to hear about our conference and convinced her husband to let her come.  The first day she was a mess and, however, by the end of the conference she approached me, with tears in her eyes, and thanked me for hosting the conference.  Two years later at our 2009 conference she told me how the conference had changed their entire life and without it she didn’t have any idea where they would be to this day.  Her question to me was “How many other families are out there that didn’t know about our conference or perhaps just couldn’t afford to attend”?  Their lives and the life of their child would just not have anywhere near the same opportunity to succeed. 

Here’s an example of what we also do and will be doing in your city.  We will be back in your lovely city next week for a one day workshop with world renowned Dr. Jed Baker who wrote several books including The Social Skills Picture Book for all school ages and presents all across North America.  He is one of the best presenters we have and it took me a long time to convince him to come out to Vancouver because he doesn’t like to leave his family for periods of time.  He’s a true dedicated family man that really believes in our kids.  Anyway he offers so many tools for parents and educators alike that it would be a shame to miss him.  Here’s a little bit about the conference.  Its called “A  Social Skills Training Workshop for Kids with Autism Spectrum Disorders, All Kids Can Succeed: Handling Challenging Behaviours and Teaching Social Skills being held in Vancouver, BC this Thursday, April 19th, 2012 at the Norman Rothstein Theatre – 950 West 41st Ave (at Oak Street)

Heres some of the benefits of attending the conference that Parents, teachers and professionals will do.  They will:

o    Learn how to prevent and manage meltdowns or tantrums

o    Learn strategies to teach verbal and non-verbal students

o    Find out how to develop an effective behavior plan

o    Become a facilitator to help create peer acceptance

o    Gain skills in teaching peers to be more tolerant and supportive

o    Inclusion Techniques for creating lasting friendships

o    Discover how to put together a social skills training programs

o    Case studies that show the strategies in action

o    Discover the reasons for social skill deficits and disruptive behavior

 

3.       As a daycare provider, what are some of the best ways I can help accommodate an autistic child? (eg involving them in activities , discipline, speech development etc….)

Certainly the biggest challenges are around social skills and behavioral issues, so understanding the child with autism and all the challenges that accompany them, helps in knowing what to do in certain particular situations. Time outs are not necessarily a good thing for discipline since kids with autism might even enjoy them since they don’t like to interact with others as much.   I wrote a little booklet called “How to Plan the Perfect Party for Children with Autism” which sheds a lot of light on things one can do when interacting with a child with autism and am more than happy to share it if you’d like. YES!!!!

4.       Do you find the school systems of today better at accommodating autistic children than the past? Or are they still out of date with the knowledge of the topics?

Of course the school systems have certainly come a long way since the days Jonny and Alex attended early school.  Though methodologies and teaching techniques differ a great deal from those days, what remains the same is the passion, love and attention the teachers have and feel for our children.  They are in this field for a reason and do their very best most times to help our kids to the best of their ability.  Jonny and Alex had early intervention of sorts back in the day and of course time passes on and everything changes.  If they were in school today they would certainly have more up to date behavioral and developmental interventions, though I am not sure how they would turn out as a result.  You just never know.

 

5.       I know Vancouver couldn’t possibly compare to your first conference location in Honolulu but what have you enjoyed about our city here in Vancouver? 

Are you kidding?  What’s not to absolutely love about Vancouver?  It’s one of my most favorite cities with your beautiful waterfront, wonderful climate and gorgeous mountains.  I wish I could have had more play time there and if we could do all of our conferences there it would be great but we need to get the resources to all the folks everywhere so we go where we can.  Honolulu is also nice and there are many families struggling for resources over there which is what we look for when choosing a city to go to.

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6.       For parents who may be unfamiliar with some of the warning signs of autism, to you, what would be some of the key ones?

Some of the early warning signs to really pay attention to are lack of eye contact, inappropriate social skills, spinning around and around, lining objects up, repeating the same thing over and over like an echo or watching a movie over and over again.  Loss of speech or being late in developing language is another sign.  The window to notice the above warning signs is around 2 -5 years old. Of course autism is being detected earlier and earlier in children so the signs of autism for particular age groups are different. 

7.        How has being a part of autism today changed your life and the life of your families?

I have been deeply involved with Autism Today since I first learned about my sons diagnosis.  By digging in and initially getting past my own denial about the diagnosis I have learned a tremendous amount about autism and have helped my family and others understand along the way.  If I had any regrets it would be that I have taken a lot of time away from my own family and devoted it to Autism Today and like any obsessive focus towards any particular career, there has been the resentment from my family members towards my dedication towards Autism Today.  You might say I have two families, my Autism Today family and my own family at home.  Balance is a lesson I am always struggling to learn within myself.

8.       What is the best way to help a husband and wife stay connected to one another when they have a child with autism in the family?

Never give up on the relationship and don’t play games.  It is tempting when issues around the games we play as human beings like the ego game, the blame game and the denial game.  Always try to be bigger than the autism and bring the love you have for each other as a couple into center focus.  Like the oxygen mask on the plane is there for the adult to put on first so the child can survive, you have to put the oxygen mask on your relationship first before the child and be on the same page as much as you possibly can for the child.

If you have any other questions or concerns I highly suggest you check out Autism Today it is an AMAZING place to go and find information to any and all your questions.

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