Summer safety

Yesterday was the last day of school for my two girls. It's summer and we all know what that means for kids out of school. They want to go to the beach, to a friends pool party and here in a Florida the popular springs are a favorite summer fun spot. As any parent I want to keep my children safe and after a very difficult year with my daughter I am more cautious than ever about where I let them go and what I let them do.


Reading a recent news article about summer safety I was astounded at the statistics according to the CDC regarding water safety and annual drownings. It is reported that over 4,000 people die annually due to drownings. In fact for children ages 1-2 years, drowning is the number one cause of injury death. For those aged 5-44 drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death. With over 4,000 deaths annually that equates to 10 deaths everyday here in America.

I found these safety tips for water at the American Red Cross website. Have fun and be safe!

• Learn to swim if you don't know how, wear a personal flotation device.



• DO not mix water with drugs and alcohol



• Pay attention to the local weather forecast



• Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard



• Read and obey all posted signs/warnings



• Enter the water feet first unless clearly marked as an area for diving



• Learn CPR and how to respond to emergencies

To enroll in a CPR class or take a swim course contact your local American Red Cross Chapter here.I hope you have a funfilled and safe summer!

Money As Debt

Memorial Day Let Us Remember

No nursing homes.

Pregnant? Need a laugh?

While being a mom-to-be can be an exciting time filled with well wishers and plenty of phone calls and visits from friends, somedays you just feel like someone is stomping on your bladder, kicking you in the ribs and trying to push your lungs up into your chin. SO, when you're feeling a bit overwhelmed and tired visit LoLegag for a few laughs.

Teenage Drug Addiction - Part Two

Sharing my daughters story with you is my way of trying to educate anyone who wishes to know more. I now want to share with you some of what I have learned over the last 5 months.

Most importantly are the endless references available both on and offline. If there is anything at all you wish to know about a certain drug, statistics, what happens and why, a simple search is all you need do to find what you are looking for. I call it my "trusty Google finger". Using search engines is what got me thorough some very long, scary nights while I waited and wondered where I had failed as a parent.

Please use the following links to help educate yourself, your children and your family.

• Boystown


• Parents the Anti Drug


• Freevibe


• National Survey on Drug Use and Health


• Daily Strength


• Sober Sources


• Family Guide (from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)


• National Institute on Drug Abuse


• Sober Teens Online ( a forum)


• Media Campaign (from the office of the National Drug Control Policy
  

I want to help in any way I can. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment with your email address or you can write to me at LSC408@gmail.com.

Teenage Drug Abuse - Part One

Our teenagers are buying, selling, stealing and using drugs and as parents we have to step up and do whatever we possibly can to keep this from happening in our own homes. As a parent of two teenage daughters, one 15 the other 17, I speak from experience.

My own daughter who just turned 15 last month had been hiding her drug use from all of us for more than 2 years. I was completely beside myself when I received a call from the high school just days before this last Christmas break. The discipline office contacted me to let me know that I had to come pick my daughter up from school since she was being suspended for 5 days due to indecent exposure. The young lady that I thought I knew crushed my heart as I walked into the deans office and found her "high as a kite". Instead of any fear of being in trouble with her parents, she couldn't stop giggling. Once we brought her home, I immediately called the county police to report her for drug use. My first and most important act was to show her that this choice was not acceptable and I was going to take this very seriously.

The police officer stood in our dining room talking to our daughter about the horrific events he had seen take place over his years in service, when kids and alcohol/drugs mix. My daughter continued to giggle. He explained to my husband and I, with our still stunned and vacant expressions, the statistics in our county and how drug abuse has become such a major issue in high schools. I was so taken aback. Naive. I then became angry at myself for not knowing, for not seeing the signs, for not educating myself and for not being there for my daughter who obviously had a problem.

Over the next 4 months we would see our daughter through a series of hospitalizations, court ordered counselors and even court ordered group homes. Heart wrenching as it was, it was even more enlightening. I have become a very educated and proactive parent when it comes to teens and drug use. My daughter was released from her last hospitalization one month ago and has been doing exceedingly better. Throughout our 4 months of doctors, new medicines, counselors and plenty of tears I learned that my daughter was Bipolar and would need medicine for the rest of her life.

It has been a painful, terrifying roller coaster ride. For my husband, my daughter and her sister, as well as myself. We have all learned so much and come so far. We know that this is an ongoing story and that Bipolar disorder will not go away over night and that her addictions to drugs and alcohol will continue to be a battle for her. She still meets with an addictions counselor once a week and takes her medicine daily.

I still remind myself everyday that I must be ever ready and watchful. I am her protector. I am responsible for her safety. She is learning to take responsibility for her own actions and how to control the impulses that started this journey of hardship.

To learn more about teenage drug abuse please visit my blog here. There are other countless websites dedicated to serving the community of parents, teens, educators and the general public who wish to learn more about the drugs our children are choosing to use, how they get them and what effects they are wrecking in these young lives.

Please feel free to share your story, if you know a teen who has been or is using drugs and alcohol.

Energy conservation is more important than ever.

We are all feeling this crunch a little more each day. Here in Florida we are paying $4.19 a gallon as of this morning in Gainesville. This is up from $3.79 only 2 weeks ago. My husband and I have been learning a bit more about how to conserve our gas and make our dollar stretch.

If you visit the U.S. Department of Energy, you can find many ideas on how to save energy in your home as well as your car. The Weatherization Assistance Program is provided for low income families. Here you can contact your states office to see if you qualify. You can download the complete fact sheet published by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) titled 'Weatherization Works!'

Of course we all drive different types of vehicles and need to find alternative ways to save. Your mpg will also depend on the condition and maintenance of your car, the type of gas and other fuel variations, and most importantly how you drive, as well as where you are driving. Here you can read about diesel, hybrid, and flex fuel vehicles. The best way to keep your gas in the tank a bit longer is to change your driving habits. Find tips here, along with how to keep your car in shape and how to choose your next vehicle if you wish to choose an alternative fuel vehicle or are just shopping around for a vehicle that has better mpg.

Florida cactus

On a recent walk through the woods in our back yard I found this cactus. It's not the first time I've ever seen it, in fact there are plenty of them growing around here. I decided to take a few pictures to "Google" it and see what type of cactus it is so I could tell my Mom. She lives up in New Jersy and loves cacti of all types. As a girl growing up I remember her having many of them around the house and often trying to pick those nasty little thorns out of her fingers. The bigger ones are no big deal. You can see them and they are able to be pulled out without a hitch. It's those little tiny ones, that look almost like fur. You can barely see them and you get dozens of them in your skin. Try holding a magnifying glass in one hand and picking them out with tweezers in the other.

Animal Friendly Sites

Today I ran across two animal friendly sites that I wanted to share. First of all I have to say that I am an animal lover myself. My kitty Oliver as I posted about earlier is such a warm and welcome friend in our home. I cannot imagine life without his long hair shedding all over my clothes and furniture. Joking aside, animals and their proper treatment are a constant worry for me. When I find sites such as these with website owners who take their time and spend their money to help spread the word, I hope that I can help in some small way. This is the small way today that I will help by showing you how to find these sites.

First, go to Uncle Jacks Cats a simple site without a ton a bluff and blunder. They only ask that you become educated, be aware, get involved and help if you can. What is simpler than that? Take a look around and if you wish to learn more or donate you may contact them here.


Next is Furry Friend Freelance. This is a blog written by an animal lover about her own life experiences and her pets. She shares her passion with us no kill shelters, our need as a community to come together and care for our four legged friends and the need to help facilities such as Uncle Jacks Cats.

Budget crunch

I don't know about you but I am fed up with paying $3.79 a gallon to drive my kids to school or for my husband to drive to work. Our gas bill last month was over $400.00! We have a 2001 Hyundai Elantra that is on it;s last leg. With over 200,000 miles on it and repairs badly needed to the brakes, transmission and new tires, I sure as heck would rather be spending that $400.00 on a new car! My husband has been driving a 1988 Ford F-150. Talk about a gas guzzler. Our solution was to buy a used motorcycle. We can bet that it isn't going to cost $20.00 a day to get back and forth to work like that truck did. This Yamaha Roadstar gets about 40mpg's!! while the Hyundai gets 25 and the truck 16.


So, what's causing all this mess anyway? The war in Iraq or maybe more likely the strike at PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A.) Maybe it's President Bush trying to leave the country in the worst state possible for when Hillary or Obama take over. (I have a feeling McCain doesn't stand a chance, but that's another story for another day).



This week in May of 2007 the price for one gallon of crude oil was 58.90, this year it is 116.36. An incredible 50% increase. The last big jump like this was in 1978 when the per gallon price was 8.71, then '79 - 9.46, '80 - 17.86, '81 - 28.81, '82 - 30.80. In 4 years the price went from 8.71 to 30.80. This all in the wake of the Iranian Revolution.














So, I ask, how are you faring in this gas crisis? Are you driving less? Are you having to change
your plans? Maybe not taking a vacation that you wanted to take?

I know that we are having to cut corners in every aspect of our lives, to make room in our budget for gas. The kids ask for money to go to the movies, we say no. We may want to go out to eat on Saturday night and we can't. We have even had to cut back on groceries and prescriptions. It is hard. I remind myself that even though times are tough, things could be much worse. There are so many out there who have no home, who are dying, children who are being abused. We will get by and we will pray for others who need our prayers.

New addition to the family

My hubby has been wanting to buy a motorcycle for as long as I have known him. Many years ago he had a Kawasaki that he loved but eventually had to sell as his family grew and it was more practical to have a family vehicle. Of course the boy never leaves the man and we all know how men love their toys.

With the rising cost of gas we discussed buying a motorcycle for the savings it would provided. His truck ( a Ford truck ) has been costing $20.00 a day to drive back and forth to work. Imagine spending $400.00 a month in gas! I was spending $0.72 a gallon my first year driving. Times don't always change for the better, that's for sure!

So, on to the good news! He finally found a great deal. The granfather of a buddy at work was looking to sell his Yamaha Roadstar a 2005 with only 3,000 miles on it!! We went out to meet this gentlemen and found out he was 80 years yong and still taking it for a spin now and then. His wife wasn't very happy about him selling it and sure let him know about it!

Rodney went out their today with a cashiers check and now is the proud owner of the 2 wheel machine that leaves this wife worried sick. I know in time I will get used to it but just him driving it home today had my stomach in knots!

It's a beauty though! Take a look!

Mother's Day

Although I found this poem at Poems For Free ,it fit so much just how I feel about my own Mother. We may not have gotten along very well when I was growing up. I was such a troublesome child. Lord knows I gave her enough headaches to last her a liftime. Even after all of that, as the Mother who loves me unconditionally, she loves me still. I am thankful for her love and steadfast support.

I love you Mom!!




If I could give my mom the world
Or anything she wanted,
I'd give her my own heart and soul
And leave my own heart haunted.

I'd take upon myself her life
With all its strife and pain,
And let her ease into some space
Where she could live again.
The pain for me would not be pain,
At least not for a while;
For I'd be doing it for her,
And I would see her smile.

I wish that I could take her heart
And cleanse it with my tears,
And make her sorrow go away,
And answer all her fears.

I wish, I wish,
but then I can't,
As I watch helplessly,
And take her in my arms
and sayI wish that it were me.
But loving is a hard, hard way,
With all the pain it brings.
And yet there is no other way
To touch the heart of things.

Teenagers and cellphones

Last week was my 15 year old daughters birthday. She received cash as she requested from both of her grandparents, an aunt and myself. She knew exactly what she wanted to buy and had me drive her to the store yesterday to buy it. She wanted her own cell phone.

My husband and I had agreed that we wouldn't pay for any of the kids to have their own cell phone plan, that they would have to pay for and get their own. So she saved up all of her money and bought an Alltel phone and a bunch of minutes. She got a decent deal. Unlimited texting and free nights and weekends. It costs her $0.75 a day. Not too bad.

She can't get off of the thing now! I never knew her little fingers could fly so fast doing all of that texting. It's so cute, but annoying too. That phone is constantly going off with new messages or someone calling.

They grow up so fast. It seems like just yesterday I was putting her in the cart at the grocery store. 15 years old! Oh boy am I feeling old today!

Laser Engraving

A few months ago my mother and father in law added a new dimension to their home business. Since 2000 they have been working in their own wood shop creating jewelry boxes and other wood art. Then they got the idea of creating portraits on wood or metal by using a laser engraver. Their jewelry boxes has always been a big hit but these laser engravings have been flying off their shelves like crazy.

So last week they purchased a domain and asked me to throw together a website for them. Now, believe me, I am no HTML or CSS guru. I know how to use a WYSIWYG editor and web site builders. I can take a template and adjust it enough to get the effect I want. So this is what I have been working on this past week. We went with InMotion hosting after spending over a week reviewing many hosting programs out there. With great reviews in customer support, little to no downtime, pricing, user friendliness and quality all being 4 or more out of 5 stars, we purchased their business plan and were up and running that night.

I have spent a day or two looking over all the tutorials and reading "How To" guides. I have scoured the net for information on FTP, web site builders, WYSIWYG editors, and free templates. I am still learning and playing around but I am actually having a lot of fun. It is exciting creating something new and helping family makes it even more satisfying.

After I get it up and running I will post a link to show you what I have accomplished, Meanwhile take a look at a few jewelry boxes, bowls and what laser engraving looks like.











My hubby does the laser engraving with his Mom and step-father. I am waiting for them to email me some more of these pictures of thier work. So more to come later!

Finding freebies

I am just like any other Mom always looking for ways to save money. Keeping two teenage daughters in clothing, jewelry, makeup, toiletries and clothes can get pretty expensive. I recently heard about a new site called Freebie Force, that helps you to find freebies and coupons that companies are giving away during advertising. It seems that many companies spend much more on advertising than I even would have thought possible. One of the ways they get their customers interested in their products is by giving away free samples or coupons. Even better for me. Before I buy I can try the product out. So I went ahead and signed up. It costs $9.95 a month and that bothered me at first. I thought why should I have to pay if the companies are doing this for free? I soon realized though that it isn't always that easy to find all the advertisers that are giving away free items. This program works with the advertisers and compiles all the coupons and freebies into one place for you to look through and find something that interests you.
I signed up just last week and I have already made back the money I spent and saved more. Along with tons of samples of shampoo, deodorant, and other such things, I was able to find these, all free.

• Hannah Montana CD for my daughter.
• 31 piece road side emergency kit.
• Kids activity book
• Bra and panty set
• Dog treats
• Organic fertilizer for my garden
• 3 year magazine subscription
• Gift card to Ann Taylor
• Gift card to Lonestar restaurant

I could go on, but there was plenty more. All of this just in my first week. I thought I would share the wealth and let everyone else know what a deal I found. Go here to take a look at the video explaining how it works.

Cat health-UTIs

My beautiful Oliver, who I brought home from the shelter almost 4 years ago, has a bladder infection. I began to notice that he was dribbling just outside his litter box and it became more and more frequent. I changed the litter, moved the box, even bought a bigger box, until one day I realized what was wrong. I saw blood on the floor.

My heart broke and I called our local University where they have a student program where the Veterinarian students treat pets at the universities clinic. It is also much cheaper this way. Along with antibiotics I received tons of great advice.

This is what I learned:

• Water! Water! Water! Is a must. Keep fresh water down at all times. Buy filtered or spring water especially if you have chemically treated water. Add water or chicken broth to dry food or buy moist food.


• Home cooked food without preservatives and all the artificial colorings and additives is helpful or buy manufactured cat food that is natural without the additives and preservatives. Such as these recommended at About.com.


• Cranberry juice stops bacteria from sticking to the wall of the bladder. You have to make sure it is pure cranberry juice though.

Of course there is no replacement for the proper care of a professional. Take your cat to the vet if you notice any sign of a problem.

Eragon isn't the only one with a Dragon

Just before Christmas a co-worker of my husbands was telling us about a hobby of hers raising Dragons and asked us to come over and take a look for ourselves. "Dragons?", I chuckled. "Sure and do you have a few gnomes too. I'd love to have a real garden gnome." She led us into her living room where 3 large terrariums were on stands with bright heat bulbs shining on these curious looking creatures that looked similar to a lizard. The youngest of her dragons was a 5 month old female. A red desert bearded dragon. I had never even heard of bearded dragons before let alone seen one. I was in for quite a shock when the older male puffed up his beard at me when I put my face in front of his cage to look at him more closely. I jumped back with a squeal as my husband and our friend laughed at me. She explained all about "beardies" as devoted owners call them. They are a gentle and mostly docile pet who prefer to bask in the hot sun and survey their hunting grounds. Indigenous to Australia there are many varieties and come in a vast array of colors. As you can see here. (What a great photo gallery they have!)

That week we purchased our little "Lucy" as we have come to call her. That was over 5 months ago now. At first I didn't want to touch her or handle any of her things since I learned that they carry a light coating of salmonella as a protection from predators. There was no way I was going to be handling her and then cooking meals for my family! But, I have learned so much since then and now I can barely go a few hours without having to go pick her up and let her hang out on my shoulder while I go about the house during my daily routines.


Here are a few pictures of Lucy.
















Lucy munching on her breakfast of greens.





Taking in a little sun with Mom.



Her favorite rock.



I set her in the window sill when I am standing there washing dishes. She loves to listen to the birds.

Cosmetics for $1.00 each?

Our wishes are as different as we are. Billions of us all over the world lead different lives with different cultures, faiths, ancestries, communties, families and needs. Although many wishes are what we need, such as we wish for a new car when the one we have now keeps breaking down, many more wishes are what we desire, what we yearn for. Those little everday things that make our life easier or more fulfilling.

My 15 year old daughter's wish for her birthday last week was makeup. I found this incredible site called E.L.F. where all the cosmetics from mascara to blush are $1.00 each. Not bad huh? They have plenty of vibrant colors for lips, eyes and nails along with all the shades for your skin tone. There is a makeup profile you can create that helps you to choose which products are best for you, along with pages upon pages of tips and tricks.

I think the best part of E.L.F. is the refer a friend program. You get one credit for each friend you refer and for each credit it's one dollar of free makeup, up to 100 credits which earns you free makeup for life ( 100 products a year for up to 20 years). Great makeup at great prices!

Teenage girls wishes are easy to make come true!

Jujitzu

My husband and 15 year old daughter sign up for a Jujitzu class about a month ago. Brazilian Jujitsu also called BJJ by those in the trade is a form of martial arts that is fun to watch. I began my interest in mixed martial arts or MMA around 2 years ago when I began watching UFC and quickly became a fan of the talented Matt Hughes. You may have heard of cage fighting? Well thats what this is. If you have never watched UFC and you are a fan of wrestling, boxing or and type of martial arts you will want to take a look.


Since the owner of the dojo and the instructor, works with my husband he gave us a discount on the pricing and allows them to come 3x a week for the same price and going once a week. We needed to purchase a few items to have them ready for their first class. First is the Gi or the uniform they wear while fighting. Over on the left you can see what a Gi looks like. Theirs is white but they come in many other colors as well. They are made out of 100% cotton fibers and can only be hung out to drip dry. I learned the hard way not to put them in the dryer when my husbands shrunk so much that the sleeves didn't reach his wrist anymore.These Gi's are heavy and have very thick reinforced collars and knee pads. I have learned that the opponent uses the Gi against you by grasping these collars and sleeves and holding on tight while they roll you around on the ground. Doesn't sound fun to me but my husband and daughter are bursting at the seams to get out the door when it is class time. Besides these Gi's my husband has to wear what they call compression shorts. I think these speak for themselves. Inside the compression shorts they also have a pocket to place the cup that is worn in a jock strap. Now my daughter on the other hand has to wear a sports bra and a high neck close fitting t-shirt. I have been told that we need to get both of them what they call under armor t-shirts. So I went looking for them online. This one I found a Nordstrom's is a close fitting one that has moisture wicking. Not bad for only $34.00. The point in wearing an under armour t-shirt is so that when your opponent is grabbing at your collar they will not be able to easily grab your t-shirt underneath which will only stretch it out and ruin it.

Now that they have gone to class for a month and practiced around 12 times ro so they are beginning to get the hang of it I got them to get geared up at home so I could take a

few pictures of them.

Have you heard of Yearblook?

I just found this site today called Yearblook that I believe is a very new and exciting concept. Especially since I have just begun blogging myself.

Yearblook is finding the "best post of the day" through a contest then after a full year of these posts will create and print a book exhibiting the winning posts from the whole year.

Great idea huh? I love it. I went an signed up and plan on telling my friends who blog to do the same. Not only does it inspire me to write more and to be more creative in my writing but it makes me want to login everyday and see what others are writing and what types of posts are winning. I love to read and where else can you find such an eclectic group of stories from every imaginable blog?

I was reading through the most popular posts and ran across one that had a lot of votes so I decided to stop and read it. This author went on to discuss how blogger's like us can make money writing. I have heard this before but never believed it was true. After the author explained how it worked and gave the names of companies that have actually payed, I was pretty much convinced that it is for real. You just have to be careful which company you write for.

So my point here being, just on my first day joining Yearblook I learned some very valuable information that can eventually put money in my pocket. Yep I like Yearblook.

Give it a try. Go over and check them out. Here you can read the FAQs.

Oleno State Park-Mother's Day special event

In north central Florida, where fresh water springs abound, we live in the small town of High Springs and right next door to Oleno State Park. One of Florida's first State Parks, Oleno has all the activities an outdoors man can wish for. Whether camping, fishing, hiking, canoing or kayaking, we have enjoyed coming here for over 10 years now.


The trails available for hiking, are my favorite. The River Trail follows along the Sante Fe river to the "river sink" where the river dips underground for over three miles before it rises again to become part of the Suwanee River.





This Mother's Day, Oleno has a special event.
OLD TIME DANCE
Date: Sunday, May 11, 2008. 2pm to 5pm.

Learn the steps to Circles, Squares and Contra dances that were all a rage in the mid 1800's when the town of Leno thrived! Dance to live music by the Flying Turtles String Band in the 1930's recreation hall.

Fees: Regular park admission plus Tickets: $5.00/adults, $3.00/child.
Contact: For more information call 386-454-1853

Directions to Oleno State Park
OLD TIME DANCEDate: Sunday, May 11, 2008. 2pm to 5pm.Description:
Come out and join the fun!Learn the steps to Circles, Squares and Contra dances that were all a rage in the mid 1800's when the town of Leno thrived! Dance to live music by the Flying Turtles String Band in the 1930's recreation hall on the banks of the Santa Fe River in O'Leno State Park.

Located 6 miles north of High Springs on Hwy. 441. Fees: Regular park admission plus Tickets: $5.00/adults, $3.00/child.Contact: For more information call 386-454-1853


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May Day

May has arrived and I am feeling that burst of energy and joy that I only experience in the Spring. Waking up in the morning to birds singing and that beautiful fresh air spilling in through my bedroom window. It is part of my routine to brush my teeth standing at the bathroom window looking out into the yard and woods beyond. As the squirrels bark at each other from trees deep and lush, a woodpecker performs her ratta-tat-tat on a nearby dying tree, destined for my husband's chainsaw. The smell of fresh flowers spills through the window as I watch the butterflies dance upon petals.





The breathtaking view at Callaway Gardens just a few hours north of us in Pine Mountain, GA. The azalea's are in full bloom. A stunning example of spring breathing life into our world.

Take advantage of the sunshine. Get up, get out, and get moving.