$4.95 All-U-Can Ship

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

20% Off momAgenda Planners

Fabulous sale alert! momAgenda is offering 20% off Desktops and Mini-Daily Planners with promo code 20DMvalid through 8/5. The momAgenda Desktop is a must-have for back to school and helps you manage multiple calendars. You’ll find it’s infinitely easier to keep your schedule together and organized. Don't let the word mini fool you! The Mini-Daily planner gives you enough space for every hour of the day. You’ll have every minute of the day visible, so you never have to worry about losing another moment. Get organized with momAgenda today! 

Top Pins of the Week

*Sorry guys...this was in the draft folder marked blue, like it had been posted. My mistake!!
I did a lot of pinning this week...here are some of the best...



















Follow me on Pinterest and leave me your Pinterest link and I will follow you back.

3 Great Promo's from Tiny Prints

TINY PRINTS SITEWIDE 20% OFF SALE 

Time: Wednesday August 1 - Tuesday August 7 at11:59amPT
Deal: 20% Off Sitewide
Promo Code: AUGSW


http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=103143&m=12808&u=592577

TREAT BUY CARD ONE, GET ONE CARD FREE SALE 

Time: Now through tomorrow, August 1 at 11:59pm PT
Deal: Buy One Card, Get One Card Free
Category: All cards, unlimited use. New and repeat customers.
Promo Code: TREATBOGO

Greeting Cards by Treat
http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=103142&m=12808&u=592577

WEDDING PAPER DIVAS DEAL OF THE DAY
Here are the details on the Wedding Paper Divas Deal of the Day this week.

Time: Thursday 8/2 9:00am PT - Friday 8/3 8:00am PT
Deal: 40% Off Wall Decor and Gifts
Promo Code: DOD0802

Wedding Paper Divas Save the Date Card Sale
http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=103010&m=12808&u=592577

Blogger Opp-Dinner's On Me!

Join me and get a free link...this could be a HUGE event!

The August 2012 Event!



This event is Hosted by ATD Surviving Mommy Hood.

Event will run from August 5th - August 30th 2012

Event will be open to US residents.



Dinner's on Me!

$300 worth of Restaurant Gift Cards Giveaway

The Prize(s)



1 Grand Prize Winner will get: $150 worth of Gift Cards

(1) Olive Garden $30 GC, (1) Chili's$30 GC, (1) Pf Changs $30GC, (1) Red Robin $30 GC, (1) AppleBee's $30 GC

10 additional Winners will get:

(1) $15 Subway Gift Card


Links

FREE link: In order to get a free facebook or twitter link. You must promote the"Dinner's on Me! event" through a blog post. The html to do this quick and easy can be found here.


  • If you choose NOT to post about this event you may pay $2 for the 1st link.

Additional links up to 3 fb, twitter, pinterest, email subscription {} $3 for each additional link



Sponsor A Page


  • Have an entry page linked to your blog. You will have a fb, twitter or pinterest page. The Rafflecopter will link to your blog page. $7 for each page you sponsor



Co-Host Spot


  • There are 2 spots available to co-host. As a co-host you will get your blog name and link on each participating blog. $10 for the co-host spot



Sign Up For this Event HERE

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Olympics with Autism

People/kids on the spectrum are not usually known for being very athletic. Since the Olympics have started, I wondered if there were any athletes that were on the spectrum.
When you are high-functioning, you can become hyper-focused on something, and that would work to your advantage if it is a specific sport, or your training, or your need to succeed or be the best. So I've researched until my eyes are bleeding and I'll tell you, either their disorders are not their or they're a tightly kept secret! There are some, however, that I have uncovered...


  • Sir Roger Bannister was a British runner...in fact, the first to run a mile in under 4 minutes. He was also a noted neurologist and Master of Pembroke College, England. During the Helsinki Olympics in 1952, he came in 4th, setting a British record. In his autiobiography, "The Four Minute Mile," he reveals several things about himself that could lead one to believe that he may have had Asperger's Syndrome.  He had a fascination with things that moved; he had a desire to run rather than walk, feeling like he had "springs in his knees;" he lived very much in his own world; was prone to being the "absent minded professor" type, was untidy, and had the messiest room with his friends in the Olympic village in 1952.
  • Paavo Nurmi was another runner, but from Finland. He started his Olympic in 1920 during the Antwerp, Belgium Olympics. After competing in 4 events, he won 3 medals. In 1924, Nurmi competed in the Paris Olympics...winning 5 gold medals in 5 events. He ended his Olympic career in 1928 at the Amsterdam, Netherlands Olympics. There, he won 2 silver medals. He was disqualified for the next Olympics because he had accepted money for travel and training expenses. After this he became bitter. His running cost him his marriage and his attitude of he is right and they are wrong, cost him his running career. Although he was never officially diagnosed, it is highly suspected that he had Asperger's and that heped him have the determination needed to win all those medals.
  • There are also parents of autistic children who just happen to by Olympic athletes. I found a great article on Bloom (a blog about parenting kids with special needs) about Canadian Olympian Silken Laumann, who is step-parent to daughter, Kilee, 16, who has autism. Silken is one of Canada's greatest Olympians, winning 2 silvers and a bronze medal for rowing. In 2010, she became a special needs parent. Although Silken was already a parent to 2 children, she was not prepared for what it was going to be like. She believed that anything could be achieved with hard work, and when Kilee would have outburts, she would get mad at her husband, wanting him to set more boundaries and discipline more. Through time, patience and understanding, she now realizes that they are in this together and they have the strength to make it through. She has discovered that life is more than just achieving, it is about being present. It is not just about control, just about being opening up every day to the wonders that life present to you. This is a very inspirational post/interview and I encourage you to check it out.
Most people with Asperger's or Autism or more likely to be found in a creative field like art, music, or behind a computer screen...but it is possible to focus that hyper-focus that they sometimes experience into a sport. Of course, it would most likely be in an individual event...biking, running, swimming, etc. If your child has an interest, by all means, encourage them. Just because they have a diagnosis it doesn't mean they have to stop doing something they are interested in and it certainly doesn't mean they can't succeed! 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Stella & Dot Fall Collection



Stella & Dot Launches Fall Collection
We are thrilled to introduce the Stella & Dot Fall Line! View the entire Fall Collection here:http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_ca/featured-shops/fall-2012-collection.html






Get a jump start on your fall wardrobe and grab these fall accessories before your friends do! Check them out here!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Pottery Wednesday

Recently, we went and painted pottery. On the left is the pottery before it was fired. On the right is the pottery is the pottery after is was fired. We were very happy with the results.



Have you ever taken your kids to paint pottery?


Etsy Under the Sea

I've been on Etsy once again, marrying two of my favorites...the beach and crafting. I made a treasury list called Under the Sea and tagged tons of Etsy goodies. There are just so many great things to look at and so many creative minds. These are just a few that I found...
Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Meredith on Pinterest






If you are on Etsy, let me know and I'll add you or your store to my circle. I would also love to see any treasury circles you might have!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Allergy & Asthma Symptoms

Allergies and Asthma entered our house when our youngest, Jonah, was born. From the beginning, he suffered from allergies, both food and environmental, as well as asthma. He has been on medication for both since he was born. We are now in a pretty good place with his asthma, but not with his allergies. The two can be related, but just because someone has one, it doesn't mean they will have the other.

Allergies are basically an over-reaction of your immune system to certain allergens. These can be inhaled (such as pollen, dust mites, etc.), things that are eaten (peanuts, shellfish, etc.), an injection of substances (bee stings, medications, etc.), or something touched (poison ivy, latex, etc.)

Here are some of the symptoms for allergies:

  • sneezing
  • runny nose (clear discharge)
  • itchy nose and throat
  • coughing
  • skin rashes or hives
When my son is having an allergic reaction, I look for his skin to flare up, coughing, and sneezing. This usually happens as soon as he is exposed to the allergen, but it can also happen a day later.

Asthma can occur when your breathing airways become blocked temporarily because of exposure to allergens (also can be called allergic asthma), irritants, strenuous exercise, anxiety, or other triggers. If the asthma attack is severe, emergency treatment should be sought, and if there are life-threatening allergies, an epi-pen should be carried at all times.
Some of the symptoms of asthma can include:
  • sudden shortness of breath
  • difficulty breathing
  • tight chest
  • wheezing and/or coughing
When my son is having an asthma attack, he will start coughing and usually we can hear him wheeze. He is still young, so it's hard to him to verbalize that he is having trouble breathing or that his chest feels tight. It is important to always have his emergency inhaler with us, just in case.
Over 60 million people in the United States suffer from allergies and asthma. Both conditions can be fatal. With proper management, people can lead healthy and productive lives...but it is important to pay close attention to symptoms so you can stop trouble before it starts.