A not so happy anniversary

Honeymoon 1981

"The horror of it was only compounded by my having to tell my seven-year-old and five-year-old daughters that their daddy was never coming home."


Twenty-four years ago today, I lost my first husband. Rather than write about it yet again, I thought I'd just post the link for the story, written on the 20th anniversary of his death. If you want to know a little bit more about my life, I invite you to read it.


Tears in a bottle

Britax Pioneer 70 Car Seat Giveaway Event!

Welcome to the Britax Pioneer 70 

Car Seat Giveaway!

   

Thanks to Britax for sponsoring this wonderful giveaway and our host, Everything Mommyhood, as well as our fabulous co-hosts, Green Grandma, Mew Review, Military Wives Saving, Spit Up is the New Black, Faith Filled Footsteps, Downshifting PRO, and Coupon Spice, and a handful of other bloggers for helping promote.

If you've been following this blog for long, you know I am passionate about car seat safety. That's why I featured a weekly series written by Megan Arce, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. You can read the posts here.

I'm also a believer in keeping your child rear-facing for as long as possible. My own grandson, Lincoln, is still rear-facing at three, and he's quite comfortable doing so (not to mention safe). 

"A 2007 study in the journal Injury Prevention found that children under age two are 75 percent less likely to die or to be severely injured in a crash if they are rear-facing. Another study found riding rear-facing to be five times safer than forward-facing." -- Parenting.com

So, while the forward facing Britax Pioneer 70 has recommendations for ages two and up, I encourage you to wait a bit longer to forward face your little one. The great thing about this car seat is that it also is a booster, so it will serve you well for years.

Britax is a well know brand for making top of the line car seats with your child's safety in mind. Britax car seats are easy to install, a breeze to use and they offer great protection for your precious cargo. They have car seats that will keep your child safe from birth all the way up until a booster is no longer needed. If you are questioning what type of seat would be best for your little one, check out Everything Mommyhood's Car Seat Safety. Everything Mommyhood also reviewed this newly debuted, just in July 2013, car seat, check out her Britax Pioneer 70 Review.

As I mentioned, the Britax Pioneer 70 is a forward facing only car seat that is also a booster. The minimum requirements are two years, 25 lbs., 30 inches to be able to use this seat forward facing, and harnessed (Make sure your child is at least two before forward facing, as now recommended by the AAP). You can then use this seat as a seat belt positioning booster, as long as your child is 40 lbs. and 45 inches, all the way up until 59 inches tall and 110 lbs.

The Britax Pioneer 70 is available in seven different prints, six of which are pictured above. Not pictured is "Congo," which is a solid red print. The MSRP of the Britax Pioneer 70 is $229.99 and it is sold at mass retailers such as Target, Babies R Us, and Amazon.

Britax is generously awarding one lucky reader their very own Britax Pioneer 70 in their choice of print, valued at $229.99!

US Residents, 18 and up only. One entrant per household. All winning entries will be verified. Winner will be picked randomly through the entry form, and will be contacted via email. They will have 48 hours to respond, if they do not respond a new winner will be chosen. 

Giveaway begins 9/10/2013 at 12am EST and ends 10/1/2013 at 11:59pm EST. GOOD LUCK!

Entry-Form

Disclosure: This blog and Everything Mommyhood are not responsible for sponsored prize shipment. I have not been compensated for the posting of this giveaway. Everything Mommyhood received the above mentioned product to facilitate the review. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or any other social media are not affiliated with this giveaway. By participating, you hereby release Facebook from any and all liability associated with this promotion. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Everything Mommyhood.

Save the bees! Take action against stores that sell products that are killing our bees!

Our vegetable garden was a bit of a disaster the last couple of summers. Oh we had our share of peas and beans and the lettuce did okay, but the three varieties of squash? Nada. Not one single zucchini. Nor any of its cousins. Nope. Nothing. Oh, except big beautiful flowers. Lots of them as a matter of fact. The yellow beauties opened, showed off a bit, and then dropped without producing a thing. What's going on?

Oh yeah, there weren't any bees around. Or, at least, not many. Bee sightings around my house are scarce when, just a few years ago, they were plentiful. And that frightens me. What are we going to do if all the bees die off? Where will that leave our food supply?

Hey, maybe someone will have to come up with an artificial pollinator. Gardeners and farmers everywhere will be flocking to the stores to buy them. And, if my theory (which is only my theory, my opinion, and based on absolutely no known facts) holds any water, I'm guessing the company that started the problem will come up with a solution . . . all at a huge profit, of course. Perhaps it's just the cynic in me. The problem is there is a problem. Something is killing the bees and we have to do something about it.

So here's the deal: bees have enough troubles. We can't stand for Home Depot, Lowe's and other stores polluting our own backyards. These stores need to stop selling bee-killing plants and pesticides as stores in Europe have already done.  

Friends of the Earth-US and Pesticide Research Institute launched a first-of-its-kind pilot study and found 54% of common garden plants purchased at top retailers, including Lowes and Home Depot, contained neonicotinoid pesticides, which studies show can harm or kill bees and other pollinators. And they didn't warn us. Not a word. 

The fact of the matter is this: bees and other pollinators are essential for two-thirds of the food crops we eat everyday. Two-thirds! 

According to Friends of the Earth:

Pests, diseases, loss of forage and habitat and changing climate have all been identified as possible contributing factors to global bee losses. However, a growing body of science has implicated the world's most widely-used pesticides, neonicotinoids (neonics) made by giant chemical companies Bayer and Syngenta, as a key factor in recent global bee die-offs.

But neonics aren't just used in agriculture -- as our new pilot study shows, unbeknownst to consumers, many "bee friendly" garden plants sold at home garden centers have been pre-treated with these bee killing pesticides which can contaminate their gardens and keep harming bees and other pollinators for months to years.

I don't know about you, but I'm angry. So, so angry. And I'm not going to sit back and keep my mouth shut (imagine that!). While it is vital that the EPA and Congress take action to restrict the use of neonics, it is important that people stop contaminating their own gardens with plants containing neonicotinoid pesticides. Won't you join me and take action to tell Home Depot and Lowe's: We won't buy your poison plants!

Do it for the bees . . . and for the future of the food supply here in the US. Other countries are already wising up. It's time we followed suit.

I'd love for you to comment below to let me know you've taken action. I expect the GG community to raise a ruckus. Let's bring on change, folks. It's up to us!

A new, first-of-its-kind pilot study by Friends of the Earth-US and Pesticide Research Institute has found 54 percent of common garden plants purchased at top retailers including Lowes and Home Depot contained neonicotinoid pesticides, which studies show can harm or kill bees and other pollinators, with no warning to consumers. - See more at: http://www.foe.org/beeaction#sthash.envWzMdM.dpuf

A new, first-of-its-kind pilot study by Friends of the Earth-US and Pesticide Research Institute has found 54 percent of common garden plants purchased at top retailers including Lowes and Home Depot contained neonicotinoid pesticides, which studies show can harm or kill bees and other pollinators, with no warning to consumers. - See more at: http://www.foe.org/beeaction#sthash.envWzMdM.dpuf

A new, first-of-its-kind pilot study by Friends of the Earth-US and Pesticide Research Institute has found 54 percent of common garden plants purchased at top retailers including Lowes and Home Depot contained neonicotinoid pesticides, which studies show can harm or kill bees and other pollinators, with no warning to consumers. - See more at: http://www.foe.org/beeaction#sthash.FwjTYiSY.dpuf

For more info, visit the "Save the Bees" blog carnival here.

Please . . . don't grow up too fast

Photo by Bethany D. Schad  

May you grow up to serve Him

all of your days  

May He lead you and guide you  

in all of your ways.  

May His Hand bless your future 

with friendships that last. 

May you cherish your youth  

and not grow up too fast. 

~Hannah's Song

lyrics by Rachel Aldous

Vinegar and coconut . . . say what?!

TGIVF!

Over the past several months, I've tried various toners and moisturizers for my face. The results have been the same. Fine sandpapery skin along my jawline and cheeks. Yuck. Nothing seemed to be working on this aging skin of mine.

So, a few nights ago, I decided to go back to basics. After washing my face, I applied undiluted apple cider vinegar to my face, followed by a luxurious coating of coconut oil. Then I went to bed. In the morning, guess what I discovered. Baby soft, or nearly baby soft skin. No sandpaper. 

I've been doing it every night and I must say I'm quite happy with the results.

That's my vinegar tip for you today -- if you want to save money and your skin, all you need is a little of ACV and some coconut oil and you'll be relishing your touchable skin in no time!

Keeping it green with vinegar,

For more vinegar tips, check out my book, VINEGAR FRIDAYS.

Grandparents Day -- Hype or . . .

Sunday is Grandparents Day. Big deal, right? Just another excuse for the card companies and florists to make some money.

Yeah, that's the way I used to see it, too. But lately, I've been thinking about what a gift a grandparent truly is. My maternal grandparents died before I was born and my paternal grandfather died when I was a baby. The only grandparent I knew lived in Finnish Harlem in NYC, which was about a three-hour drive from our house. We spent weekends there, so it's not like I never saw her, but I never really felt as if I knew her. Her name was Johanna Wayrenen Haatainen and even though she immigrated to America when she was just 13, she never really mastered the English language. She spent her time with other Finns, so I guess she didn't feel a real need to do so. It made communicating with her a challenge. Although she could understand me, I often couldn't understand her. Even her parakeet, Pikkulintu (Little Bird), was bi-lingual. 

I never remember feeling loved by my grandmother. 

My children, on the other hand, had grandparents who adored them, especially my mother, who spent a lot of time crossing the Pennsylvania turnpike just to see them. She took them on vacations, to Hershey Park, on walks . . . she made them feel important to her. My father died exactly one month before my daughter, Bethany, was born. When my mother remarried, my girls were 14 and 12 and their "new" grandpa doted on them and made up for their lack of a grandfather during their younger years. 

After my husband died in 1989, I married Bill, whose mother had 13 grandchildren of her own. Yet, without hesitation, she embraced my children as if she'd been part of their life all along.

My children were blessed. Grandparents Day? Yeah, it was worthy of noting. Sadly, my mother was the last surviving grandparent for them. When she died in January, she left a void in their lives that few can understand. They were that close to her.

Bill and I were talking about grandparents the other day and I mentioned how blessed our own grandchildren are to have us. I don't mean to sound boastful with that statement. It's just that we adore our grandbabies, and they know it. It's a mutual admiration society, which is evident every time Laura or Lincoln hug us, or a smile breaks out across baby Marley's face. We not only love our grandchildren, but we genuinely like them. We worship together every Sunday. We go out to eat. Bill takes them down into his train room and entertains them with his display. I read to them and cook with them. I teach them things. We explore together. Heck, I even feature them in my Lincoln and Laura series of books for Marvel's iStorybooks line. 

 Yeah, our grandkids are blessed and I have to admit, I'm a bit envious. I wonder what it would have been like to grow up with grandparents who were also my friends. I wonder how different my life would have been.

Grandparents Day. It's worthy of a celebration.

What about you? What's your grandparenting story? I'd love to hear it.

Promoting your business responsibly

When it comes to passing out promotional stuff, I struggle with the environmental factor. I'll be at the Allegheny Green and Innovation Festival on Sept. 28, 2013 and thought it might be a good idea to have some promos printed up with my logo to pass out. But again, the eco-conscious side of me said no. 

Then CustomEarthPromos.com contacted me and asked me to review some of their products. I agreed to do so, but was disappointed I couldn't have anything sent to me with my own logo, rather than someone else's. Still, I received some pretty nice stuff that, for the most part was useful. 

Opening the box was fun, as I discovered each new item. First there were the bags:

The recycled grocery bag designed for Yellowstone National Park is lovely. I really liked the sides of the bag where info about conservation and about the park is printed.

The extra large Urban Organics bag is going to be especially useful for large grocery orders, as it is sturdy and has a solid bottom. I just wish it had the GG logo on it instead of Urban Organics. 


There were three BPA-free plastic bottles in the mix. The two Earth Bottles had sleek designs and were as attractive as they were functional. They'd be a great product to display a business logo. The flat red plastic bag/bottle is interesting and would be convenient to clip on to a purse, backpack, or belt loop, but it's not something I can see me using.

The one item I received that I really have no use for is the lanyard, made of recycled water bottles. Again, if my own logo and website address was printed it on, I'd be eager to use it. But it's covered in CustomEarthPromos.com info. It is, however, sturdy and I love that it's made from the water bottles.




Of all the items I reviewed, I liked the seeded paper cards the best. They seemed the most practical for someone advertising a green business. I'm looking forward to planting the cards and enjoying the resulting blossoms. They are made from 100% recycled paper, soy-based inks (no, I didn't check if they were from GMO soy) water-based inks, and organic pigments. Each component of every product, and all aspects of their unique manufacturing process, enables the company to operate at the forefront of environmental responsibility. I guess that's why I like the company. Quality products that are eco-friendly. Of course, seeded paper leaves a lasting impression on recipients as it speaks loudly about your own commitment to being good to the Earth.

Bottom line -- if you have your own business, or you work for a company that uses promotional products, consider CustomEarthPromos.com for your next purchase. It's a great way to build your brand in an earth-friendly way.

Reviewing it for you and keeping it green,

Breastfeeding Mom Offering Breast Milkshakes to Neighborhood Kids

Last month, the assignment for the two writing groups I lead was to write an article in the style of the satirical news site TheOnion.com. The following story was my take on the assignment. It is totally fiction, so please do not quote me, thinking this actually happened. It's satire, folks, but fun to imagine! Enjoy.

Breastfeeding Mom Offering Breast Milkshakes to Neighborhood Kids

In what is yet another assault on decency, a mother in the western suburbs of Pittsburgh is offering milkshakes made from her own breast milk to neighborhood kids. Mendy Colebrook is concerned about the nutritional needs of children being raised on sugary drinks full of artificial food coloring and ingredients she claims she can’t even pronounce. 

“Between the Kool-Aid and soda pop, these kids are suffering from nutritional child abuse,” she states. “Naturally, they’re not going to want a glass of milk, so I’m offering the breast milk in the form of healthy milkshakes, which they love.”

Colebrook has a four-year-old son and a nearly three-year-old daughter who is still being breastfed.

“I think it’s sick,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous. “She sits on her porch with that little girl sucking on her t-i-t-s in front of the whole world. If that’s not bad enough, then she uses some kind of contraption to pump milk out of her . . . you know whats . . . and serves it to the neighbors’ kids, like she’s a cow or something. That is sick, let me tell you. Sick. Sick. Sick. She ought to be in jail.”

When asked what charges should be filed, the buxom neighbor, clad in a low-cut, clingy halter top, said, “Indecent exposure, of course. And corruption of minors. I mean, really. She allows her four-year-old son to watch as his sister—“

With this comment, the woman cringed, and then added, “I’m worried about that boy. There’s no doubt in my mind that he’s going to grow up to be a real pervert. Or a homosexual. In any case, he won’t be normal.”

The issue is hotly debated in this quiet suburban neighborhood. Some of the parents seem fine with their kids getting free milkshakes.

“Hey, it’s better than having to pay for ice cream when the truck comes around,” said one happy mom. “I just tell the kids they already had their treat for the day. It puts a couple a extra bucks in my pocket for cigarettes, you know?”

A meeting of the community council is planned for August 22, 2013 where the matters will be voted upon. Will the free milkshakes keep flowing and will Colebrook be allowed to breastfeed her own child outside of her home? Colebrook’s fate remains in the hands of the council.

©2013