2010 February | Well-Read Reviews

You know you’re pregnant when..#Knitting

You have the insatiable hunger to “make” things. How old fashioned am I? I decided that after years of playing around with knitting – I am going to learn to do it and do it well. (Never too old to learn).

So I started sewing up this here soaker. Actually – I started making it for Kate but was having issues knitting in the round. The cord was just too long to stretch the stitches around. (Damn 29″ needles. Next time – I find 16″!) So I started making it for Carli instead. Size 29″ needles just barely work to fit a large. I think they are more appropriate for blankets.

To the left you’ll see my 5th attempt at knitting in the round (and a really bad job of Knit2Purl2). But I am happy that years later I finally figured out how to switch from knit to purl. (Thank you, YOU TUBE!)

My biggest issue is that I have to concentrate very hard on it – but can’t with a toddler and a husband who (dare I say it – likes being with me and talking to me) so I manage to lose track of what stitch I am on, frequently. So my stitches are uneven or.. somehow I’ve managed to create 3 holes in my piece so far.

Even though it’s not ideally pretty – I am determined to finish the project for experience alone. Plus it’ll still be fine for Carli to wear around the house over her cloth diaper. (Maybe).

The spawn at 17 weeks, 1 day.

I also joined Ravelry (username MomtoCarli if anyone wants to ‘befriend’ my sorry excuse for a knitting-self). Actually – I would like to meet more knitters and pick your minds a little.

Yesterday Forrest took me to Wal-Mart (ugh- I hate that store.. but it was closer than JoAnns) and I got a set of crochet needles. I have been ATTEMPTING to knit a granny square but you know – it doesn’t look like it does on the youtube video. So I have no idea if I am even doing it right. I think I will have to join some knitting/crochet groups.. or get some lessons. (I want to crochet!!! urrrgghhh!) But it’s hard, for some reason. I can’t get the tension right and it’s awkward!

On another note….

To the left is a picture of me a few days ago at 17 weeks, 1 day. I can’t believe how close I am to the half-way point. I went in for my doctor’s appointment on Tuesday and it took him a minute or two to get a reading on her heart because all you could hear was the “swoosh swoosh” of her moving around like she was dancing in my uterus.

He asked if I was feeling her “a lot” and when I said, “Well- occasionally but not usually.” He was like, “Really??! She is EXTREMELY active.. be prepared.” (Oh great!) Carli was little miss laid back and never had a single comment about her being overly active.. so I can only imagine just how much this 2nd kid of mine is going to redecorate my insides.

I also have quite a few friends (in real life) that are pregnant now and that makes me super duper excited! I love sharing this with people I know – and knowing that I am not going through this alone.

We’re having a little…

// GIRL!

Those who are on my facebook are already well-aware of the fact (as well as the pregnancy message boards I frequent). But for my blog readers who DON’T know.. there you have it.

In late July 2010 we shall be expecting little Katelyn Rain!

I liked this photo because you can see her cute little button nose (maybe she won’t be all nose when she is born, like her sister was – hehe). You can also see her legs pulled to her stomach and her feet in the air. The entire time we had the ultrasound, her hands were usually in front of her face as if she were sunbathing in my uterus.

SEE! Proof.. she is a little girl! :) I am so happy that my high-risk doctor knew it was a girl really early. Very few seemed to believe that he knew what he was talking about.. but I am glad that not only was I able to keep faith that what he told me was in fact true – but now I feel confidant in him as a doctor. It’s always nice to know your doctor knows what he is talking about!

We’re really really excited about having another little girl. I couldn’t ask for anything more! I have my ideal family — a husband who loves me, and two little daughters!

EcoStoreUSA is Cloth Diaper Friendly!

I was very fortunate to have the chance to try out and review some green products from EcoStoreUSA. These products used to only be available in New Zealand – but not anymore! These wonderful products are now available right here in the United States for our use!

Not only do they have many products to choose from for all your household needs — but they have cleaners available that are perfect for cloth diapering households! (And baby’s with sensitive skin!) Before I discuss with you the products – let me tell you a little bit about EcoStoreUSA.

About EcoStoreUSA

(Snippets taken from their website, as to not forget any vital information about this wonderful company.)

Ecostore NZ was founded more than 15 years ago by Melanie and Malcolm Rands from their home in an eco village in New Zealand.

All of the families that lived in the farm based eco village shared a commitment to organic growing and healthy living, making this an ideal environment in which a young, environmentally conscious business could thrive. Each household in the village was responsible for their own waste water, which quickly highlighted the problems caused by using regular supermarket cleaning products that relied heavily on cheap, petroleum-based, synthetic ingredients.

Faced with the challenge of protecting the pristine rural waterways of the eco village, Malcolm Rands began to research and seek expert help from scientists to develop household cleaning products using plant-based ingredients that would biodegrade safely and quickly. Achieving his goal, he eliminated the need to use toxic chemicals, leaving the eco villages water pure. His goal was more than accomplished as the product line of this home-based business began to grow, and an exciting future began to unfold.

Not only is EcoStoreUSA dedicated to high-quality products, but they are also dedicated to making sure that it is affordable for families across the nation.

Pure Oxygen Laundry Whitener ($12.00 – Purchase)

Sometimes cloth diapers get stains. Well – would you expect any less? But just because they get stains doesn’t mean you’re destined to live with diaper stains. The Pure Oxygen Laundry Whitener helps brighten and whiten your laundry naturally.

To prep my diapers – I pre-rinsed them twice to rid of any excess residue from the diaper pail and then filled the washer with warm (not hot, nor cold) water. I added 3 tablespoons of the Pure Oxygren Laundry Whitener and I let soak for an hour.

Upon the hour’s passing, I emptied the washer of it’s excess water and ran a spin-rinse.

Natural Non-Toxic Laundry Liquid ($11.00 – Purchase)

I then started my laundry as normal with the Natural Non-Toxic Laundry Liquid – which smells absolutely delightful. (It has a eucalyptus smell – so very fresh, in my opinion!) I added 5 tablespoons of the laundry liquid for my full-load, which I found to be the most ideal amount.

The garage smelled soooo wonderful with the scent this natural laundry detergent gave off. I just knew my diapers were getting clean. After the usual washing – I did a re-rinse to remove any suds and then I did the big smell test. Nothing. It smelled like nothing. (And how wonderful that was!)

The problems I have found with other detergents is that they often leave perfumes and other residue on the diapers themselves – which also  happens to trap in stink particles. The Laundry liquid from EcoStoreUSA washed completely clean.

In Conclusion:

Both products from EcoStoreUSA work very well – and I feel confident that when I am using them  I am not using any harsh chemicals or dyes against my baby’s skin. It effectively washed my daughter’s cloth diapers as well as kept them fresh-smelling, free from any harsh perfumes!

If you are looking for a natural cloth diaper cleaner, then I recommend trying out these products from EcoStoreUSA — definitely.

These two products aren’t the only cloth diaper friendly items they carry! Feel free to check out:

Disclaimer

Although I received these products without charge, it in no way altered my testing on the product and/or review.

5 Actresses that would make a better Stephanie Plum than Katherine Heigl

Yes, you heard right. One for the Money is being made into a feature film from TriStar (Columbia). They made a fabulous choice by making it into a movie. But their first mistake — casting Katherine Heigl as spunky Italian/Hungarian heroine, Stephanie Plum.

Hard core Evanovich fans are saying, “I think NOT!”

Just what was the casting director/agent thinking when they casted whiny-can’t-get-along-with-her-coworkers Katherine Heigl? (Oh that’s right, they weren’t thinking). More importantly, they probably haven’t even read the books.

Evanovich fans have been picturing a movie since the beginning. Not one person ever imagined Heigl to be a good fit. In fact, she is far, far, from it.

Casting is so important in this series, with the reader-count so high that the wrong choice could make an instant movie flop. Who is going to see a movie in which the main hero – our hero – is completely 100% the wrong choice?

Because TriStar (Columbia) is having such obvious issues in their casting decisions. I have decided to compile a list that they should take into consideration.

Step 1: Fire Heigl. (See, it’s even fun to say). Say it with me.. “Fire Heigl. Fire Heigl. Fire Heigl.”

5 Actresses that would make a better Stephanie Plum than Katherine Heigl

Sandra Bullock

I don’t care that she’s in her mid 40s. She’s gorgeous. She has spunk. She’s funny. She’s talented. She’s hard core fan’s #1 choice for Stephanie Plum. Sandra Bullock is at her peak after winning a Golden Globe and with Oscar talk for The Blind Side. Take advantage of her  success now, and cast her as Stephanie Plum. No questions. Just do it.

Fans will be happy – and no, no one cares that she’s not 30. I’d rather see her roll around on the floor with Morelli than Katherine Heigl (shudder). Plus, I’d probably pay to see the movie more than once. Just sayin’.

Anne Hathaway

You want a younger brunette, right? One who is cute, funny, and has a sort of innocent, yet spunky quality about her?

The first time I ever saw Hathaway was in The Princess Diaries, of course. She was funny then, and she is funny now. Plus, having dated a felon (right?) – she’s no stranger to bad choices in love. (oh Stephanie.. Stephanie..)

D’accord?

JoAnna Garcia

JoAnna always had me chuckling during Reba as a ditzy blonde teen mother. In privledged, she proved she could be taken seriously, while still maintaining a somewhat comedic role.

She’s young (bonus #1), brunette (bonus #2), adorable (bonus #3), and of course – NOT Katherine Heigl (this seals the deal).

Plus, on top of that – I don’t think Garcia has done many feature films. Has she? This would be a good opportunity for her to step out of the TV circuit and into the big screen.

Zooey Deschanel

She’s pretty much every girl’s #1 girl crush in 2009-2010. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t absolutely adore her. At the same time, she’s not over-kill when it comes to the media and many people still do not know who she is. This would be a great fit for Stephanie Plum, as some movies do better when the actresses haven’t already been type-casted into certain roles.

Plus, becoming Stephanie Plum might just make her a household name. I think TriStar (Columbia) might want to re-think their original choice.

Kate Beckinsale

Okay – sure she is another “older actress” along with Sandra Bullock. But isn’t  Hollywood’s “40″ the real world’s  “30″? Plus being not only incredibly hot – but she’s also very talented. She has proven herself to be capable of action-packed scenes (Hello Underworld).

It shouldn’t be about the age of the actress – but how about the talent, the fit, the like-ability factor? Who doesn’t like Kate Beckinsale?

Listen, Tristar (Columbia) – Your choice for Katherine Heigl as Stephanie Plum has upset many Evanovich fans – and those are exactly who you should be trying to impress. Choosing someone who is so absolutely opposite of everything Stephanie Plum is not only shows us that you have not only not read the books – but you really don’t care about profit. (And if that’s the case – why the movie?) Heigl as Plum will only ensure one thing – the movie is a flop.

I encourage you to rethink your choices. If not any of the above, that’s fine. Just about anyone would make a better Plum than Katherine. Guaranteed.

Do you disagree with TriStar (Columbia’s) choice for Stephanie Plum? If so, sign below on Mr. Linky!

Sponsored by:
Our complete set of 156-915.71 test questions and 000-037 study guides you in exact way so you will pass your real 70-620 exam & HP0-M38 with flying colors of 1Y0-A15.

Wordless Wednesday: Winter in Florida #Meme

To participate in this meme, visit: http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/.

Yes, this was taken this past week. We live in FLORIDA. What do you expect? :)

If you’ve participated in Wordless Wednesday, and have commented on my entry – make sure to add your WW post to Mr. Linky below! :)

A Dream for Analysis (ones that haunt)

Since August I have had recurring dreams involving an old high school friend of mine (we’ll call her ‘T’)- a friendship that meant a considerable amount to me but has gone off the deep end and we are no longer on speaking terms. Since August I’ve had dreams (usually weekly) that revolve around my attempting to communicate with her, talk to her – or even dreams in which we are just laughing like old times.

Never have I been so haunted by a single person in my dreams. I just can’t seem to make sense of it, or make sense of why they keep happening and how I can get them to stop. I thought that by my reaching out to her (through emails, Facebook messages, texts, and even sending her a gift for her baby in the mail) that it would get her to speak to me. But it hasn’t. All attempts (probably at least 6) have gone unanswered.

I thought by apologizing for the spiteful things I spewed at her, over the hurt that she never showed up to Carli’s 1st birthday party (or acknowledged it at ALL — being the one who was supposed to be her Godmother) would help release some of the pent up emotions — maybe ridding myself of these dreams for good. But I was wrong.

They just keep happening and it’s emotionally exhausting.

If Iara (a very dear friend of mine) was nearby – I would be sitting in front of her asking for her to help me analyze my dream, hoping there was some clue within my subconscious I needed to know to finally move on and away from this situation that has haunted me for (more than just a few months, but about 2 years).

Because she’s not – I am going to have to do this myself. I am telling my dream in detail, trying to remember each detail I can. Any important symbols, I will make bold.

I was sitting within a few feet away from T, who was speaking to a guy at a table. I knew she knew I was there, but she was choosing to ignore me. Suddenly a young woman I knew came up to me and handed me an old notebook. In it were letters T and I had written back and forth to each other in high school. After I received the notebook, I held it up – getting T’s attention. She took one look at me, rolled her eyes and went back to talking to this man in front of her.

I felt defeated and hurt.

As I am sitting there, reading through the letters she comes up to me and sits down next to me. I feel my chest start to heave and tears want to come through but I won’t let them.

“I am TRYING.” I tell her. With those few words I know she knew that I was trying all I could to get her to talk to me. She no longer seemed angry and placed her hand upon my arm.

“I know.” she said.

Then suddenly I started having mouth/teeth issues. I looked in a mirror and saw that I had a bunch of finger nails(from biting my nails) all in my teeth. I tried to spit them out but there were so many. It was overwhelming. I started spitting and then spewed blood, but told the person next to me that it wasn’t vomit – just the blood from my teeth.

I was trying to pick things out of my teeth but they began rotting away and falling out as well. It suddenly became hard to talk. I looked in my throat and saw that I had hangers lodged in my throat. I took some scissors and cut pieces free – but it was still a struggle.

One phrase comes to mind, “What the hell?!” I am not surprised I almost cried in this dream, as I tend to cry in almost every single dream that T is in – usually tears of happiness that she’s finally speaking to me. Because some of these dream symbols seem a little odd, I wanted to find out what they symbolize and wonder if they’re even remotely related to the situation or make sense in the realm of things.

To help figure out the symbolism of these dreams, I am using online dream dictionary – Dream Moods.

  1. Table - To see a table in your dream, represents social unity and the potential for a meeting or gathering. It refers to your social and family connections.  If the table is broken, wobbly or not functional, then it suggests some dissension in a group or sense of insecurity. Perhaps there is something you cannot hold inside any longer and need to bring it out in the open. (See on Dream Moods)
  2. Notebook - To see a notebook in your dream, represents things that you need to keep track of and stay on top of. It may indicate emotions and issues that you have overlooked in your waking hours. Consider the contents of the notebook. (See on Dream Moods)
  3. Letters/Notes – To read or write a note in your dream, suggests that there is an important message that you need to convey. There is something that you need to let others know. (See on Dream Moods)
  4. Tears (holding back) - To dream that you are in tears, signifies that a healing of some sort is taking place in your life. The tears symbolize compassion, emotional healing and spiritual cleansing. Alternatively, tears may indicate pain. (See on Dream Moods).
  5. Hand - Represents your connection with that person. Your dream may also reflect anxieties about losing touch with him/her or that you are drifting apart. (See on Dream Moods).
  6. Arm (to dream of someone touching) – To see your arms as the emphasis in your dream, indicate your nurturance side and your ability to reach out and care for people. Alternatively, it may represent the struggles and challenges in your life. Consider the pun “arm yourself” which implies that you need to protect yourself, be more aggressive and take a firmer stance on things or the pun “up in arms”, representing anger and your readiness to argue. (See on Dream Moods).
  7. Fingernails –  To dream that you are chewing your nails, indicates that a problem is too tough to handle. You are not sure how to go about resolving a situation in your waking life. (See on Dream Moods).
  8. Teeth – You may have uttered some false or foul words and those words are coming back to haunt you. (See on Dream Moods).
  9. Throat - To see your throat in your dream, symbolizes the ability to express yourself and communicate your thoughts/ideas. To dream that you have a sore throat or have throat problems, suggests that you are having problems saying what you really think. You are having difficulties saying how you feel and conveying your thoughts. You may feel threatened when you express yourself. Alternatively, your dream may be telling you that you need to swallow your pride. (See on Dream Mood).
  10. Hangers – To see a hanger in your dream, suggests that you are getting the hang of some situation or some task.  Or it may mean that you are just hanging in there. You need more motivation and encouragement. (See on Dream Mood).
  11. Blood – To see blood in your dream, represents life, love, and passion as well as disappointments.To dream that you are bleeding or losing blood, signifies that you are suffering from exhaustion or that you are feeling emotionally drained. It may also denote bitter confrontations between you and your friends.  Your past actions has come back to haunt you. (See on Dream Moods)
  12. Scissors (to use to cut something free) – To dream that you are using scissors, denotes decisiveness and control in your waking life. Alternatively, it may suggests that you need to get rid of something in your life. It also represents your ability to cut things or people out of your life. Perhaps you are being snippy about some situation. (See on Dream Moods)

Reading all the symbols, I realize that they all pretty much are right on with the situation. I have said things that I regret and the words are haunting me. I am trying to communicate but am left hanging. The situation needs to be brought to the table and discussed – but how do you do that with someone who refuses to talk to you?

The scissors though – not quite sure entirely how to take that symbol. If the hangers mean I am  just hanging there and I use scissors to cut them free .. does that mean I just need to cut all ties from her? To cut my losses (and hers) and move on? She’s left me hanging after all the times I have tried to communicate. Should I just cut myself free?

Like I said earlier in my dream, “I am TRYING!” but it’s hard letting go of a 12 year friendship.

Teaser Tuesdays: Once a Witch #Meme

teasertuesdays31

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read.
  • Open to a random page.
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page * BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser: Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough (ISBN: 978-0-547-22399-5)

Synopsis: (Taken From Amazon)

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin’s magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Teaser:

I blow on my tea to cool it, watching the stray tea leaves coalesce into a  vague question mark shape before dissipating. Wouldn’t it be nice if that were my Talent – to read the future so I could see exactly how to proceed out of this situation? – pg. 58

Note:

If you’ve also participated in Teaser Tuesdays, feel free to add your link (AFTER you have commented) to Mr. Linky. When you comment, click the box that says “participant” and it should include your link in Mr. Linky below:

Mamas, Use Coupons to Save $$ on Feeding Your Infant!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

Although I plan on 100% breastfeeding Bug, I have experience with formula feeding as Carli was formula fed full time after she was 4 months of age. I can sympathize with other formula feeding mothers the expenses that build up quickly when choosing to go the formula route.

To save instant money, it is recommended to steer clear of huge brand names and use more generic, store-brand formulas (who are made to the same standards as it’s competitors).

Though to save even MORE money, Baby Formula Quiz (a website) gives you an instant store-brand formula coupon. You can save as much as $3 on your formula choices!

All you have to do is answer seven random questions about baby formula. You can also get a coupon for your store brand infant formula but filling out the name and address at StoreBrandFormula.com.

Even though formula feeding seems to be the easier option, it definitely can be pricey.  There is a considerable amount of price difference in huge brand names vs. store-brand including Enfamil Gentlease ($24.99) and store-brand Babies ‘R Us Gentle Formula at 15.99! That is a 9$ difference. You can almost get two 24oz containers of store-brand for the price of one brand name!

There are many options available that will allow you to get the most for your buck. To help save your family money, use the following two very simple rules:

  • Shop store-brand.
  • Use coupons (yes, even for store-brand items!)

I wish I would have known about these websites while I formula fed Carli. We used store brand from Sam’s Club- and it would have been even more rewarding to have been able to use coupons! I can only imagine the hundreds of dollars I would have saved!

Visit my sponsor: Found: Store-brand infant formula coupons

Showing off Bug’s Cloth Diaper Stash!

Have been working hard on pulling this stash together. I want it to be completed (XS &  Newborn all the way to Large) by the time this kiddo arrives in late July.

So far I have quite a few Cloth Couture’s, a few Dillon & Claires, and some WAHM diapers. I have more WAHM diapers coming from some lovely ladies over on the Diaper Sewing Divas board that I frequent daily.

Granted I am not officially sure what I am having (I find out officially on February 17th if Bug is allowing for this) so I am trying to make them as gender neutral as possible. (Well.. for the most part.)

To be honest, I have no idea how many diapers I have in my stash. I know I have quite a few on their way (maybe close to 10 smalls from various people) but I will make sure to count it when I get there. ;) (Finished, that is!)

Here are some pictures of the stash in the making! This first picture is of preemie diapers & newborn diapers. (a few small Trimsies that are virtually newborn size).

The second drawer is stuffed full of Cloth Couture prefolds and EZDiapers as well as some WAHM diapers i.e. the Tie Dye one!) The solid diapers in the middle are daddy-approved AIO (all-in-ones) that require no pinning or stuffing. Just put on and voila!

Here are the smalls – 1 WAHM bears flannel fattycake, some Cloth Couture Rainy Days Step 1 diapers (size NB/S), and some small Cloth Couture prefolds!

This is just the beginning, mind you as I have a bunch of smalls coming in from various friends and companies. :) Here are some of the Cloth Couture small embroidered trimsies I have and LOVE:

Kind of cute, huh? I haven’t snapped up all of them, as I am awaiting a snap order but I have snapped up a few and I can NOT wait until I have my little baby to put them in! They are also AIO (All-in-ones) so involve no difficult prep work to use them!

I am so excited to be using cloth from the start, this time around – as I did not get to start with Carli until she was about 6 months old! :( Newborn fluff is the CUTEST!

Babies ‘R Us to Add a Variety of Products for the Cost-Concious!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

When the economy isn’t doing so well – and parents are losing their steady income, more thought has to be placed in spending wisely. A father stands in front of an extensive variety of formula at his local grocery store and cringing at the prices that seem well beyond realistic in today’s economy. A tub of formula that will only last half a week, $20? Beads of sweat roll down his brow and he selects the cheapest variety possible and hopes that he hasn’t sacrificed quality for the price.

Now with Babies ‘R Us new children’s line of infant care products, we don’t have to sacrifice quality for its more forgiving pricing. It is reassuring that companies such as Babies ‘R Us are giving struggling families alternative choices with products available to help care for their children. Supposedly the new Babies ‘R Us products available such as formula are as much as 50% cheaper than it’s leading competitors and other brand names!

Children are incredibly expensive and Babies ‘R Us is now supplying a full infant care line such as diapers, bath wash, wipes, (and more) in their own brand name to help alleviate the worry to cost-concious families. “The Babies R Us line of essentials provides our value-conscious shoppers with a lower-priced alternative that matches the quality of the other trusted brands in our stores.” says Jerry Storch, Toys ‘R Us Inc. chairman and CEO.

You may wipe your brow, now.

Visit my sponsor: TRU Adds Babies R Us Branded Infant Care Line

It’s Monday! What are YOU Reading?

on_mondays

J.Kaye created a Meme for Mondays where you list the books you have recently completed this week, books you are currently reading, and books you hope to read this week. This is one of my favorite memes (and favorite bloggers) so make sure you check it out and participate, if you can! :)

The books I have read in the past week:

  • N/A

Books I am currently reading:

  • Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Books I plan on reading this week:

  • N/A

What are YOU reading?

Blast Off! (A book by Allison Maslan)

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Allison Maslan, author of “Blast Off!”. All opinions are 100% mine.

Blast Off! is a book written by author/life coach Allison Maslan in her efforts to show people just how successful their lives can be. It’s about bringing your dreams and the life you crave into frutation; a reality.

I have to admit I am particularly interested in how this book can affect my life. I’ve had bad luck keeping jobs over the past few years due in part to my adult attention deficient disorder which cripples me with forgetfulness and disorganization. Forget that I was a great teacher and the students loved me and learned what they needed to and plus some — when you lack in organization (even if from a disability) it can really get your bosses on your back. (Oh how I wish I would have contacted the ADA on them). But – anyway — the past is the past and this book is about the future. How can this book, Blast Off!,  help me create a life that is job opportunity stable (and organized to boot?)

I also love being a stay at home Mom – but I feel stuck in a rut. How can Allison’s book, Blast Off!, help me succeed in bringing myself the success I want — and deserve?

Blast Off! is available for $24 but is available on Amazon for even less (as low as $16.47!) I think that at this price, it is a book worth checking out. If you visit her website, MyBlastOff.com you’ll notice that there are even workbooks available, as well as other supplemental resources.

The launch date for Blast Off! was scheduled for January 19th 2010, so it’s already out! No need to wait to check it out. Blast Off! is available on Amazon.com, Borders.com, as well as BarnesandNoble.com so there are plenty of websites to choose from in regards to purchasing Allison’s new book, Blast Off! But if you’re a brick and mortar type person who enjoys the physical aspect of shopping, the book will most likely be there too!

Visit my sponsor: Blast Off!

When Reading Affects Your Dreams

Sometimes when you watch a scary movie – it haunts you in your dream. But who would have thought a book could have such power? (And weeks after you’ve read it!)

I had a dream that I was Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games/Catching Fire. I mean – I was Katniss, but I was also myself. Even so – I had a dream I was being sent back into the ring, the games. I was absolutely horrified/terrified/[enter matching adjective]. This time the games were set in a large jail-like cage (maybe the size of a football field) surrounded by razor topped fences.

Suddenly we were in, scoping out the area. I notice that part of the fence has something hanging over it. I figured I could climb it and jump over the fence. I tell my alliance member (whose face was blank but I can only imagine that it was Peeta). As the moments passed before the games started — I was growing more and more anxious. There was no place to hide. I was going to be struck down at the moment the bell blew.

When the games began, we developed alliances almost immediately. Someone else on my team? Get this – Toby from The Office. He wasn’t an immediate alliance but soon paired up with us as he had an uncanny ability to survive regardless of how weak he appeared. He shadowed others and that is how he stayed alive.

Suddenly my group had escaped the large football field sized cage – but it’s not over. A lady and a young girl approaches us and says she is here to help us. We don’t immediately trust her so I tell her to bring my mother and sister back with her and if they are unharmed and happy, then I will know. Until then, we are on our way.

Hiding out in a house, one of my team members turns on me and tries to stab me with (something? a pencil perhaps?) so I shoot her in the neck and then back with an arrow. My brutal attack on an alliance member (when the others didn’t see her initial attack) developed fences (metaphorically speaking) and suddenly, half of us were on opposing teams.

My half escape into a room and out the window. Down the street, we climb high into a tree (way out of view). One member from the other alliance finds us, but climbs up the tree with us and doesn’t say a thing. I told her that I knocked her out to save her and suddenly everything was alright again and she was on our team once more.

We watched from a distance as the opposing team finally escape through the same window and are walking down the street in efforts to try to find us and kill us.  Suddenly they are sucked up by some unforseen forces and turn into large (??) something or others. Not entirely sure what it was.. bears maybe? But electronic bears? Chocolate bears? I can’t quite remember what they turned into. But we watched as they stood below the tree. They mentioned having some sort of acid indigestion issue and that is when Peeta motioned us to climb down and give them antacids (which there was a box full of liquid antacids and cups –  maybe from our sponsors?)

So the two of us climb down and start offering them liquid antacids. They all sat down and enjoyed feeling better and started talking about the movie Steel Magnolias. None of the monster-people-bears understood why Shelby died and I had to explain it to them. The little girl on our team and I offered to give them back massages, where they had a button on their necks to turn them off – and we slowly made our way around them, turning them off.

.. and that was the dream. How weird was that? And all because of a few books..

REVIEW: #59 YOU – Having a Baby

Title: You – Having a Baby. The  Owner’s Manual to a Healthy and Happy Pregnancy
Author: Michael F. Roizen & Mehmet C. Oz
ISBN: 1416572368
Pages: 464
[Rating:3.5]

Synopsis: (Taken from Amazon.com)

Can I get a cavity filled while pregnant? Will avoiding spicy foods make my kid a picky eater? Can I really increase my baby’s IQ while she’s in utero?

Whether you’re pregnant for the first time, are trying to start your family, or already have enough children to start your own basketball team, you’re bound to have questions about what it means to be pregnant — and how you can increase your odds of having a healthy and happy pregnancy. But no matter how much you’ve read, watched, studied, or talked about this amazing biological journey, you have never read anything like this.

In this groundbreaking book, Dr. Michael Roizen and Dr. Mehmet Oz act as mythbusters for the hundreds of questions surrounding pregnancy in the same scientific, informative, and entertaining ways that have made them America’s Doctors. In these pages, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the miracles of fetal development, your health throughout the pregnancy, and providing the best possible environment for your growing child.

Pregnancy is a complicated balancing act, but it doesn’t have to be frightening. The doctors will help you de-stress as they describe accurately and rationally what happens during a thrilling nine months of life. While every pregnant body is different, odds are you’ll experience some of the cravings, crying, and discomfort that almost all women go through. Your best tactic? Learn why these things are happening — and what you should do about them. YOU: Having a Baby will teach you everything you need to know about what to eat (should I be eating for two?), how much to exercise, and what guilty pleasures will actually make pregnancy easier on you (and the loved ones who get to be around you for the whole thing). Each phase of pregnancy has different challenges, but the right information will prepare you for what’s ahead. The interactive week-by-week calendar inside provides an even more detailed guideline for how and what you should feel through every step of the process.

Exciting, cutting-edge scientific research in the fi eld of epigenetics has changed the way the medical profession looks at pregnancy, and now it can change your perspective, too. Epigenetics explores what makes us develop in certain ways — why some people thrive at math while others are prone to chronic diseases. It turns out that there are easy things you can do that will not just help your baby’s development in utero but will actually improve his or her chances of living a healthy, fulfi lling adult life.

Filled with recipes for nutritious, satisfying snacks and meals even Pop can cook (yes, he can!), safe exercises for staying fit, and tons of YOU tips that will help you stay comfortable, YOU: Having a Baby is the ultimate guidebook for what to do from the moment of conception to the weeks after your child has arrived home. From morning sickness and food cravings to choosing a doctor and changing a diaper, YOU: Having a Baby will give you the real scoop about what’s in store for you during this amazing time in your life.

Review:

This book was a humorous way of looking at pregnancy. Even though I’ve read pretty much every pregnancy book out there, I have to say this was the most entertaining. It surely didn’t feel like 400 pages of non-fictional informational text! The pictures included also added a sense of ease when reading new concepts. I am not very science minded so I appreciated the visual aids.

A new concept was introduced which is really interesting and makes me wonder what I did while I was pregnant to turn on the “sweet & friendly” gene of my 19 month old. They theorize through a new medical finding/study that certain traits are turned off or on during pregnancy dependent on what the mother does/eats, etc. Now that I am pregnant again, I wonder daily what genes I am turning off and on.

I also got to understand morning sickness a little better. With my last pregnancy, I did not have any real big food aversions. With this one – I had quite a few. INCLUDING Soda! So for the most part, I’m drinking water ALL day. (Can’t complain!) :)

Overall – if you have to read a book on pregnancy, I recommend this one above all others. It’s informational, entertaining, and a fast read!