December, 2010 | The Angel Forever

Monthly Archives December 2010

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Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

Posted on December 7, 2010 10:00 am by TheAngelForever

The holidays are here again and people near and far will be going to and from parties. At many of these festivities, individuals will be drinking and then trying to get behind the wheel. Now is the time to make sure that everyone understands that you need to plan ahead, have a designated driver, and keep the roads safe.

To help and get the word out, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Ad Council are working to remind everyone to stay safe, plan ahead, and designate a sober driver for any upcoming parties you will be attending.

Here are some resources from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that you may find helpful:

Join the Twitter Q&A on Thursday, December 9^th at 2 PM ET. Follow the hashtag #BuzzedDriving to get safety tips and prevention advice from NHTSA experts. You can follow the chat here: http://tweetchat.com/room/buzzeddriving
Designated Driver Drink List – One of the most important things you can do before going out is designate a sober driver. If you’re throwing a party, make sure to offer non-alcoholic drinks for the sober drivers. We’ve compiled a Facebook tab with 50 non-alcoholic party drink recipes.
Alternative Ride Locator – We’ve created a Facebook tab with a list of nationwide alternative ride programs that can help keep you safe.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving website — Your can sign a pledge not to drink and drive; play “Spot the Difference,” an interactive game that simulates the effects of buzzed driving; and watch a real-life video about how buzzed driving changed one woman’s life.

Remember to share this information with your family and friends. If we work together we can try to stop buzzed driving. Together, we can made a difference and lower the number of alcohol-impaired accidents and even deaths in 2011 and beyond.

Disclosure: I am posting this information as a public service because I feel it is important to get it to my readers. Global Influence is helping spread the word about this public service campaign.

Categories:
PSA real world news

The joys of a camera that works

Posted on December 6, 2010 8:55 am by TheAngelForever

Just after JSL was born, I decided that I wanted to get a small digital camera that I could easily transport with me while out and about with the kids. As an early birthday present, TechyDad bought me a Canon PowerShot A570. I have written about my adventures with this camera before, including here and here. To make a long story short, the camera stopped being able to recognize fully charged batteries in less than a year. Many web sites show reviews and similar complaints from other people, but Canon would not acknowledge it. A local camera store gave me a fix that worked for a short time.

Once again, my camera stopped working and was never charged even with new batteries in it. I was frustrated and upset. The timing was perfect with Chanukah and my birthday this week, so I asked to get a new digital camera. TechyDad and I finally narrowed it down to Panasonic DMC-FH20. Unfortunately, each time a Canon was suggested I could not think about it after my recent experience. Sad, since I know Canon cameras are good. TechyDad’s digital imaging friends said the Panasonic was great.

On Friday, my camera arrived and I have not looked back. Although I am still getting used to the menu options and settings, I am in love. My little red powerhouse (seen above in a bad photo taken by my cell phone) takes amazing shots and is easy to toss right into my purse for on the go moments. Below are a few photos from the weekend via my new camera.

The boys sat and were cooperative letting me take photos of their new Agent P pajamas that they picked out for Chanukah.

TechyDad trying to figure out his new camera. I can’t wait for him to share the photos from his DSLR, they are unreal!

Front and back of the new Mickey and Minnie pieces that my parents gave us for Chanukah. Later I will share some of the macro shots of these, they were pretty amazing for a tiny point-and-shoot camera.

The boys concentrating on their games. Note the dimples on both of them! Please excuse the hat hair. All three of the boys had just gotten their hair cut and it was being a bit defiant.

A macro shot of my Chanukah earrings. TechyDad and I were both using them to test our cameras last night. It only took us a few minutes to realize what the Hebrew on them said (we then realized we both need sleep).

While knitting a little, I had to pull out my camera. I have not been able to get a decent photo of the yarn I am currently using. I think this did it. You can see the swirls of purples and other colors within it. Now I just need to finish the scarf so I can use it.

Just thought I would share a few items from the weekend via my new handy dandy Panasonic camera that TechyDad and my parents bought for me. Thank you again everyone, I love it!

Categories:
holidays jsl looking back me moments nhl photos TechyDad

Living with Epilepsy

Posted on December 5, 2010 9:40 am by TheAngelForever

Seizures scare me. There are no other words for how I feel about watching someone seize. As a mother, I have seen it many times. Both of my boys have had febrile seizures. NHL (7) had one at 11 months old. At three and a half, JSL has already had four and is susceptible to more because of his young age and tendency toward them.

My heart breaks for people that have epilepsy and must battle seizures within their everyday lives. I can not even imagine having epileptic seizures or caring for someone that does. It is because of this that I signed up for a blog tour from Mom Central to show my support of the new HealthyWomen.org “Women Succeeding with Epilepsy” campaign.

HealthyWomen.org knows that many people are living with epilepsy and/or caring for someone (possibly a child) that has it. Thanks to this, they have created an area on their web site that highlights a video series about Women Succeeding With Epilepsy.

Navigating life with epilepsy can present many challenges, particularly for women. Whether a woman has epilepsy or cares for a loved one, she often has to balance epilepsy with her responsibilities as a mother, wife and healthcare decision maker for the family.

The "Women Succeeding with Epilepsy" video series highlights the stories of two women who are living well with epilepsy. Their stories will both educate and inspire you.

The website has a tip sheet that you can print called 10 Tips for Supporting Someone Living With Epilepsy. The tip sheet also points people to Epilepsy Advocate web site.The videos of women living with epilepsy in their lives are powerful. The one with Amy W about how her son Spencer and his diagnosis at three hit hard. It reminded me of how I felt when my little one had his first seizure and how the time after can often be worse to watch. Amy W does two other videos about helping your child to succeed with epilepsy, along with living beyond epilepsy. Spencer is now 11 and Amy shares her experience as an advocate for a child with epilepsy.

If you know someone with Epilepsy, I highly recommend looking over some of the resource within the HealthyWomen web site. This website is also a great place for people that are newly diagnosed to seek support and information.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of HealthyWomen’s “Women Succeeding with Epilepsy” sponsored by UCB, Inc. and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Categories:
Blog Tour health awareness

Chanukah 2010 with family

Posted on December 4, 2010 9:25 pm by TheAngelForever

Dear NHL and JSL,

Tonight we went to Nana and Papa’s house. We decided to have Chanukah dinner there over the weekend so we did not have to worry about school or work the next day. The two of you were so excited because you knew that Mimi and Aunt T were going to be there.

As soon as Mimi and Aunt T arrived, the two of you were busy showing them your Chanukah presents from last night. The photo of the two of you was priceless. Of course, the timing of the gift was rather magical given the news that we received earlier in the day. Yes, we are going to see Mickey and friends thanks to the Disney Social Media Moms Conference.

Dinner was delicious. Nana made pierogies (favorite for both of you), along with latkes, veggies, tilapia, sour cream, and apple sauce. When dinner was over, both of you played. Then it was time to light the candles and exchange some presents. The two of you made out quite well. Toy Story 3 DVD, Bed Bugs game (UGH – Nana was trying to be funny with that one), a new Mario DS game, and Handy Manny game for the iXL.

Once we were finished with dessert, we all went into the living room to watch Shalom Sesame. This DVD was all about Chanukah and being in Israel. When it was over, it was time to head home since you were both exhausted. Here are a few photos from the evening on my new camera.

It truly was a fun evening with our extended family (of course I wish more family had been here). I hope the two of you cherish these times as much as I do.

Love,

Mommy

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If you want to participate in Dear Kid Saturday, head on over to Cutest Kid Ever by clicking on the button below.

Categories:
Dear Kid Saturday family food glorious food fun holidays jsl nhl weekend yummy

Put on your yarmulke. . .

Posted on December 3, 2010 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

it’s time to celebrate Chanukah! Why yes, Adam Sandler’s song is one of many that we play during the Festival of Lights at our house. For the first night on Wednesday, we put on the Pandora Hanukkah Station to see what new songs were there. I was surprised that a lot of the songs were all in Hebrew – yikes!

After we lit the candles, the boys received a gift. I will spare you with the comments that we received after handing them their presents. Suffice to say the little guy was not pleased with clothing and said it was not a Chanukah gift – oy!

Thursday evening we lit the candles for night two. TechyDad and I did not buy a lot of items for the boys this year. They receive plenty during the year and from family. I wanted to give them something that would keep them busy. So we pulled out a shared gift and some Chanukah coloring books. The little guy cried again – although I think it was over needing a tissue. The big kid was happy to watch the DVD and color in his book.

So my question to you this week:

What was your least favorite holiday gift that you ever received and why?

P.S. – Please stop by and check out my guest post on Chopper Shopper Chatter about Creating Chanukah Traditions. Oh and don’t forget to enter my two giveaways. #1 for an Aurora stuffed gift (ends 12/5) and the other a gift pack from Loveable Labels (ends 12/12)

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the linky there if you are participating.