Economic Stimulus Plan...(UPDATED)

Since I don't seem to be helped by the economic stimulus plan approved by government, I've put my own into place.

I am hosting a garage sale this weekend, and then selling a bunch of baby and toddler items at a consignment sale this week.

My economic stimulus plan!

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Emoticon Code

Let the money roll! ;)

UPDATE: The garage sale was a SUCCESS!! Now onto the consignment sale...

Great idea for food allergy sufferers!

I was chatting with a woman while JMonster was taking his swimming lessons yesterday. Her son was also taking his lessons and he also has food allergies. We had discussed this in the past and she had just gotten him a medical alert bracelet, mostly because she saw JMonster doing so well with his and thought it was a good idea.

During our discussion, she gave me a great idea. She is traveling to Europe with her family and plans on having some business type cards printed up in French to explain to cooks in restaurants about her son's allergies. No one in her family speaks French so she thought this would be a good way to get the information across in a friendly, stress free way.

What about having these cards printed in ENGLISH for using at restaurants here in the states? Sometimes the list of allergies gets lost in translation between us, the wait staff, and the cooking staff. A pre-printed card with JMonster's food limitations would take out the middleman. What a wonderful idea!

California Lawmaker Wants Online Map Images Blurred

A California lawmaker wants Google Earth, Google Maps, and Microsoft's Virtual earth to blur the images of certain "soft targets". These "soft targets" would be institutions such as schools, churches, hospitals...places where terrorists or people with untoward intentions might place their attentions.

I sincerely believe that the rationale behind this lawmaker's opinion is valid, but I disagree with the ultimate decision. There are many, many ways that an individual who wants to do harm to a person, group, or entity can get the information they are looking for. Limiting our access to these pictures online does not take away someone being able to take a picture of the building themselves, to get someone else to take a picture, or to find a picture on the institution's own website.

In my opinion, there are a myriad of issues with this line of thinking. These satellite images are not real time. They do not depict individuals as they enter or leave the sites. They don't tell you the layout of the structure inside. They are a picture of the exterior of the building or structure, taken at some time in the past. Limiting the internet, in whatever fashion (other than the typical limitation of pornography and human trafficking), is a slippery slope.

This is similar to the report I heard on the radio this morning about a West Virginia representative trying to make Barbies illegal. REALLY?!? I know that Barbie doesn't represent the typical female, but it is the role of the parent to help their child understand this issue...not government.

People will always find a way to use technology and innovation for their own purposes, and sometimes this means that bad people use good technology for bad things. Should we limit EVERYONE for the sake of a few? In my opinion, no.

What is YOUR opinion?

Come, Let's Dance!

My college roommate started an organization called Come, Let's Dance.

Come Let’s Dance is a non-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to empower African youth to initiate positive social and economic change in their own lives and communities. Orphans and street kids in Uganda are the future mothers, fathers, leaders, and role models of African society and our hope is to play our small part in breaking the poverty and orphan cycle.

Come Let’s Dance defines itself as a grassroots organization, thus we travel to Africa to use our minds, hands, and hearts to personally implement aid and follow every dollar of our financial support. Our programs are conceived and applied by the team members who live and work in the communities we empower.

We believe grassroots projects return the best results -- caring for one child, one community at a time.

Come Let’s Dance was established in 2006 by a group of friends from Colorado. Colorado native and filmmaker, Shane Gilbert, is the Come Let’s Dance Executive Director; and has the huge privilege of working with a highly dedicated team of volunteers who devote their talent and time to staff relief trips, administrate projects and programs, and raise financial support for Come Let’s Dance.

Love Hard. (Teaser) from Come, Let's Dance on Vimeo.

Watch the short video and see if YOU are called to be a part of this wonderful organization!

Foot frustrations

I had my follow-up appointment for my foot MRI this morning. I went into it knowing that it was a possibility that they wouldn't find anything, but hoping beyond hope that they would. "A cast. A boot. Four to six weeks, it'll be all better. Surgery. Minor, but necessary." These were the things I was hoping for, but what I heard was, "We still don't know what is wrong with your foot. The MRI didn't show any structural damage. It's possible it's nerve damage, but I don't know what sending you to a neurologist will do. I'll give you a script for a lidocaine patch, send you to physical therapy if you want, and well, I don't know what else to tell you."

It has been a YEAR, shy just a few weeks, since a chair fell over on top of my foot. An actual injury with a lovely bruise and much swelling. I still can't wear certain shoes. My foot aches at night if I use it too much. I can't stand on my tippy toes on that foot, or let it hang down with my toes pointing downward, or jump on one foot. Oh, and it hurts to drive.

I've been to the doc 3 times, had an MRI, and shed many a tear. I've wasted countless dollars, and to no avail. I'm not a wimp. Truly. I've actually been pretty tough through all of this. But I'm ready to get better! I'm ready to run, workout, and play rough with my son!


(This is NOT my foot...just a random MRI image of a foot!)

I'm looking for a new doctor and a radiologist to read my MRI. If you have any suggestions...

Snow in Atlanta!

It snowed here in Atlanta yesterday. For us, it was lots of snow! For someone from up North, well, not so much. We waited until early afternoon to head outside with some friends, and made up for lost time with our family of snow people.



In our house, we say, "Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it snow!"

Hints for parents and caregivers of kids with food allergies

Finding out your child has a food allergy, especially a severe one with life threatening implications, can be overwhelming! Since JMonster was diagnosed, we have learned quite a bit about food allergies and ways to keep your child safer.

1. READ LABELS!! Make sure you look for the specific allergen in the list of ingredients. Also look for the MANUFACTURED in a plant that also processes...

2. Know the ways your child's allergen can be listed. Dairy may not always be listed as MILK. It may be

Ammonium/calcium/magnesium/potassium/sodium caseinate, casein/caseinate/rennet casein, Curds, Delactosed/demineralized whey, Dry milk/milk/sour cream/sour milk solids, Hydrolyzed casein, hydrolyzed milk protein, Lactalbumin/lactalbumin phosphate, Lactate/lactose, Lactoferrin, Lactoglobulin, Milk derivative/fat/protein, Modified milk ingredients, Opta™, Simplesse® (fat replacers), Whey, whey protein concentrate

Every allergen has its own list. Know yours!

3. Read the label EVERY time! Do not get complacent because you've used a product before. Manufacturing processes change all the time. We used Ghiradelli chocolate chips for years. I was making chocolate chip cookies for JMonster one afternoon, finished one bag, opened my second bag (which I purchased AT THE SAME TIME FROM THE SAME STORE) poured in the rest of the chips and finished the cookies. I then saw the label on the second bag: Manufactured in a plant that also processes peanuts. WHAT?!? I looked at the first bag. Nothing on the label. I then contacted the company and asked if they had just changed their labeling, or if they had changed their manufacturing processes. Sure enough, they had made the decision to add a peanut line to their plant. Double drat! But that proved to me that I have to read the label EVERY TIME.

4. Carry Benadryl and 2 epi-pens EVERYWHERE you go. Even if you don't think they will be eating. We went to a local jumping room for a birthday party. They served food in the party room, but there were no nuts involved. JMonster ended up having a huge reaction and we got Benadryl in him quickly. Come to find out the jumping company doesn't let you bring your own food to your parties, but you can choose from 3 options...one of which is uncrustable pb&j sandwiches. Peanut protein is SO hard to clean up! That room was one peanut HELL for our son.

5. Get your child a medic alert bracelet. You can find them easily at many websites online. I purchased 3 at the same time and got a discount...I now have him covered until he's 6 or 7. Be sure to engrave their name and allergies on the back, just in case they are ever unable to speak for themselves. Having the bracelet has caused many a person to ask why he's wearing it, and then we can share about his allergies in a non-threatening way. It's also a good reminder for family members that aren't around our kids all of the time.

6. Teach your child what their allergy is and to ask you before they eat anything someone other than you offer them. Teach them what their bracelet stands for. JMonster has been able to tell you "No peanuts! No tree nuts!" since he was about 19 months.

7. Make sure your child's school, sports teams, camps, friends' parents, etc...know about the allergy. If necessary, send your child's food or snack if there is a doubt about them fully understanding.

8. Do not keep the food allergen in your home. It may be tempting to feed your other kids peanut butter, but it is much better to be safe than sorry. I used to eat nuts and peanut butter every day...I now find alternatives for my snacking needs. Soy nuts, anyone? :)

9. Don't let the allergy run or ruin your family life! Find alternatives for the foods they can't have. They are out there! Instead of peanut butter, JMonster eats SunButter, a product made from sunflower seeds and manufactured in a peanut and tree nut free environment. I've had people tell me their allergist said to never go out to eat. Hogwash! Just be careful, ask questions, and be prepared in case a reaction does happen.

10. Remember, you are your child's advocate. If you need to be a Mama or Papa bear to keep your child safe...do it!

GOOD LUCK!!! If you have any questions or additions, please let me know in the comments section. I'm willing to help, as well as want to continue to learn.

UPDATE: A good idea is to sign up for The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network emails on allergy recalls. They happen frequently and it's good to know. You can check out their website, also...it's a great resource!