Take Care Of Your Gut and Your Gut Will Take Care Of You

Many of my readers know that I had some severe intestinal issues four years ago that landed me in the hospital for 2 weeks and two surgeries later I am still very careful with my digestive system as well as my family and friends.

Taking care of the plumbing has become something I think about daily. Did I eat enough natural fiber? Was my diet balanced today? Will I have any digestive problems later? It is something I am quite serious about. I hope to be around for a long time and taking care of my digestive tract is important to me. I don't want to pop a pill every day so over the past few years I have researched different methods to aid my digestive tract.

1. Eat lots of fiber! I eat more greens than anyone I know. They are delicious and good for you.

2. Drink loads of water! It is my absolute favorite drink and I drink about 10 glasses a day.

3. Get adequate sleep! It never happens but I do try to go to bed earlier if I stay later the night before.

4. Limit my intake of meat and when I do eat it, I drink plenty of water while eating and eat tiny bites. I gave up my beloved lunch meats. Too many additives and they have given me way too many problems.

5. Probiotics! Probiotics! Probiotics. I take them, the kids take them and I can't say enough about them.  I get them in my yogurt and also take TruBiotics when necessary.

6. Use a digestive aid when necessary. I prefer low potency homeopathic medicine and have taken so many over the years but I am dying to try the Digestion Aid Drops from Puraforce Remedies which  are coming to the states very soon!  My Aussie girlfriend Lyn has told me about this company back when my Goddess was a baby and suffering from colic. She swore by this company and said their baby colic drops were the best. I was unable to get them but I am so excited that they are making their way to the states over the next year.

7. Be happy. The brain and the gut are truly connected and I can tell you I wear all my stress in my belly. If I am unhappy so is my belly.

Flowers In The Attic Continue With CHRISTOPHER’S DIARY: SECRETS OF FOXWORTH - I Can't Wait For Part 2!

The 411:

My sisters and I loved the Dollanganger series which began with Flowers In The Attic. Christopher's Diary is based on a teenager named Kristin finding the diary which was kept by Christopher of his experience in the attic.  Kristin's father is a property inspector and when they visit the house she finds the diary. Her father is apprehensive about her reading it. Kristin's deceased mother has a blood tie to the family and dad is worried that the diary of the doomed children will be too much for her.

As Kristin become more and more absorbed in the story she feels a connection to the children of the manor and the Kane who has her heart fluttering.

The best part was knowing the story and now knowing what was going on in Christopher's mind as he and his siblings were dropped off and spent time in the attic.

The ending was awesome and I can't wait for part 2. Let's read the diary in the attic indeed!

Have You Seen Legends Of Oz Dorothy's Return Yet?

The 411 by Maria

I thought the colorful animation was amazing. This is the perfect movie to introduce your younger kids to your favorite childhood movie. I remember the first time I tried to get Handsome and Goddess to watch The Wizard of Oz when they were 3 or 4 and it was all lost on them. They just weren't into it. Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return is funny, colorful, witty and musical. 

The movie opens with a dark Emerald City.  Oz has been taken over by a mean Jester who is the brother of the Wicked Witch. He isn't as mean but does have the assistance of those flying monkeys.The Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion (just lion because he is no longer a coward) decide they need Dorothy return to help them.  Scarecrow has created an invention called the Rainbow Mover and try to get a message to Dorothy. 

Meanwhile Dorothy is waking up in her bed. She heads outside and finds her aunt and uncle assessing the damage from the tornado.  The damage is beyond repair and the town is being forced to give up their homes to a government appraiser who is condemning every house.

Another storm comes and Dorothy and Toto are swept up into a rainbow where she receives messages from her friends. 

Back at the Emerald City, the Jester has captured Glinda along with many other of Oz's people and is making them into marionettes.

Dorothy must rescue her friends and help defeat the Jester. 

Pros:
Wonderful computer animation 
Available in 3D (I have not seen it yet but can't wait to check it out)
Our favorite characters from the original movie are back
There are a slew of new, helpful characters
New songs to love
Lea Michele as Dorothy
Adorable Toto
Good messages about helping others, being yourself and standing up for yourself

Cons:
Not enough Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion

Perfect movie for the whole family.  I am unsure as to why the movie didn't do better, it was funny and entertaining. 

My Art Gallery Is The Perfect Way To Display Kids Artwork

Goddess LOVES drawing, coloring and creating and we have used everything from a binder with inserts to a portfolio to keep all her art work in but space is a real big problem. My refrigerator always looks messy and eventually the papers fall off in a flutter as we open and close the fridge door so when we heard about My Art Gallery we were very interested. 

As you can see from the moment she opened the shipping box, she was excited. 

She draws A LOT! I mean there is nothing she would rather do and we have some true masterpieces in her portfolio so we were really excited to see how we could easily change out the pictures while still keeping things tidy and organized.

My Art Gallery is definitely something I would recommend. Whether it is a gift for you or for a grandparent (I think my Grandparents would love this as a way to display all the art work Goddess sends their way).

Heaven Hill Farm And Goddess, Perfect Together

It's Football season which means my daughter and I leave the house on Sunday's to try to enjoy the beautiful weather and escape the noise of the game or the wraith of the sore loser. We are not football fans and as long as I have tried to get into it, I simply cannot.

I remember spending my Sundays at the age of 18 sitting in a bar for hours with whatever boyfriend I had at the time and his friends and suffering through very looooonnnng games.

These days it would be easier because we have Smartphones but back then, you just sat there trying hard to smile and pretend you weren't seething inside. Now, that I have an allie who also loves to head out, Sunday's are bearable.

Yesterday my girl and I headed out with no destination in mind. I had Googled to see if there was anything happening in the area but couldn't find anything close enough that was worth heading to.

About five minutes into the ride I thought, Heaven Hill Farms. We have been going there for years but not in a long time.

Goddess at 2 years old

Goddess yesterday at 9 years old

She found two gourds that she loved

Mommy please take my picture in front of this humungous blow up

It looks like her wand is super powerful but it was the sun that was overpowering

The sun made my muse close her eyes for almost every photo.

She thought she was in the ghost and was bummed that it was just a....what scarecrow I guess. Is that scary? Maybe they should have put a clown.

My Girl In Action

Goddess is like most kids and constantly in motion so she was the perfect muse for this challenge.

I love photos that showcase movement. Here is Goddess last April dancing at the shore line. The water and sand was freezing but it was a beautiful day so those shoes came off and in she went.

This is a shot of my little filly running during last year's field day at school. She looks so tiny here.She took those hurdles like a boss.

Ahhhh my kids love the snow and last year we had quite a bit. It never went away. I believe this year will be the same. UGH..Snow pants this year for myself.

My Sister's New Kitten Hurts My Heart

Meet Pepper!

Truly the cutest kitty I have ever seen. My sister posted last week asking if anyone had kitten formula and a bottle. She wasn't keeping it when she first took it in but hello????? Look at that face!

How could she not!?  I would have had problems fostering this little guy too.


 Pepper's first litter box is a container that Chinese food came in.

Pepper's first plate is a demitasse saucer

If not sleeping on a shoulder; Pepper's bed is a Nike box

And he nuzzles between two stuffed animals

Little sleepy eyed kitty!

Pepper looks like a mouse in front of 18 pound Salem

BUT my favorite picture so far is this one

Photos courtesy of my sister Gabrielle

I Found The Stairway To Heaven

This week I was walking from my car to work and spotted this odd cloud formation. Interesting no?!

If it was spotted on September 11th I would have broken down and cried right there but it was the day before.

Looks like Mother Nature needs to re-take her art class.

My husband thought it was bad Photoshop but I promise you is real. Took a photo and discussed it with others walking into work.

What do you think?

Enough With The Sneezing Already!

My allergies are out of control. Claritin not helping, Allegra not helping.

My throat itches, my sinuses feel full, the sneezing is killing my back, stomach and throat. My eyes are itchy. What the heck? Isn't it early this year?

After searching it seems like weeds are the culprit at this time of year and today is only moderate.

Any suggestions?

My job as a lunch and recess aid keeps me outdoors for 4 hours during the day.

What I Currently Do:

Hot shower to break up mucus and help my cough (it is short lived)
Tea and honey (haven't been doing this enough)

The weeds I am around during the day include sagebrush, ragweed, sagebrush, and cocklebur

A Haunted House 2 Was Exactly What I Needed After A Long Stressful Day!

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The 411:

The humor is crass, inappropriate, racist, and sexual but if you are looking for a movie that makes you laugh, smile, and say to yourself "oh no they didn't!" then this is for you.

Come on people it's a Wayans brother at his best so expect some laughs but even more the second time because they are so detailed with their humor you miss some things the first time around.

 In the sequel, we start out with Malcolm and his possessed girlfriend in a taxi. There is a crash and we fast forward to Malcolm living with his new girlfriend and her two kids in a dream home. Once again he has to deal with supernatural phenomenon of the worst kind including his girlfriend's son's punk, invisible friend and possessed daughter. 

What I find the most entertaining is how Marlon will go anywhere for a laugh, I mean anywhere. Watching Marlon have sex with a strange, evil doll was funny because of how shocking it was.  This is NOT a film for any under 18 years of age so don't even think it is just crude humor. Malcolm HAS SEX every which way including and limited to squirting and salad tossing (look it up I am not about to explain it).

Some movies make us think, some make us feel, this movie made me gasp. The jokes are colorful, don't bother watching if you are easily offended by sexual or racist humor but if you are into that kind of thing get ready to be entertained.

Renaissance Faire Finds!

This weekend my Goddess and I took some friends to the Renaissance Faire and spotted some adorably blue "pets" we would love.

Aren't they adorable?

Goddess really wanted that dragon and eventually settled on a red one she would have killed for but it turned out to be $500.00. WOW! There is no way that is in our budget. Maybe one day. 

School Has Started And We Are Fine

The first day of school leaves me with so many emotions. I love being around my kids. I truly do and sending them to school is not something I look forward to.

Ever since Handsome was born I wanted to homeschool. The thought of sending my kids to the "wolves" and all the bureaucratic BS that goes with a public school or even a private school doesn't sit well with me.

When we have children we build a life around them, introduce them to things we like, agree on and enjoy, then they get into a school system you are turning them over to whomever they come in contact with during the day. They good and the bad! Sometimes the bad far outweighs the good.

Since my life isn't conducive to this happening, I got myself a job in the school. I want to be as close as possible while still making a paycheck. A small one but a paycheck.

I got into the elementary school and now that they are both in the middle school; so am I and if I can follow them to high school I will.

Walking into to school with my kids on the first day meant a lot to me. I know a lot of parents are nervous leaving them at the door but thankfully I get to walk in and sit with them until it is time to go to class.

As they start 4th and 5th grade I am excited about their future this year and what they will learn, how they will grow and who they will become but I am still sad that their younger years are behind them.

Handsome had a fantastic first day especially after saying that he was going to have the worst year ever. He saw me at lunch, only 3 hours after starting and told me that it was going to be the best year. He loves his teacher, the classroom and is so excited.

Goddess looked shell shocked but so did most 4th graders walking into the middle school for the first time look. Wide eye'd blank stare but at lunch I heard from a co-worker that she has a lot of friends and was talking a mile a minute.

Praying for this school year to be AMAZING!

Breakfast By The Roadside

Summer vacation is drawing to a close.Spending all day with my kids is difficult at time but something I wouldn't change for anything.

Growing up, both my parents worked and I spent the days taking care of my kids and getting the house ready for when mommy and daddy came home. I didn't see my parents all day. It made for an interesting Summer. I took care of my younger sisters while both parents worked. Breakfast and lunch was prepared by me and my parents took care of dinner. Eating is a family event and you would think my kids would love me cooking of them. Hell, I've been cooking since I was 8 years old but they love going out even if that only means a slice of pizza.

We did a lot of pizza this year and we ate out at least once a week and sometimes that was a simple hot dog or fries or even once we went to Red Lobster but money being the way it is usually I sit and watch them eat just happy to be able to be with them.

Summer vacations will probably be ending sooner rather than later but I am grateful to have had the past 11 years with my kids to enjoy summer and making sure they had no schedule to keep. The rest of the year is all scheduled so taking the time to do sometimes nothing was great.

Breakfast before heading to the park was awesome. Bagel and coffee and eventually friends stopped by to hang with us also as they passed by noticed us and stopped to chat. This is probably the best part about living in a small town. You never know who your breakfast guests will be.