A Passing, And A Much Needed Update

Hey guys. It's been a couple days, I think, since I updated. I'm sitting here enjoying a peaceful meal, my little one is fast asleep.

Well, a friend of mine, not a close friend, but a friend, was killed early thursday morning. She was trying to cross the road at 2 am, and for some reason, whether she was drunk or who else knows, she stepped in front of a speeding pickup truck, and was killed. The person driving the truck didn't even stop, he fled the scene. I feel so bad because we were just hanging out with her like 10 minutes before she died! It's so sad the way things happen.

On a little brighter note, my pregnancy is progressing nicely, I'm 19 weeks, so I'm almost halfway done! I went to the doctor a few days ago for a check-up, and everything was great. Heart beat was 150. I am supposed to find out what I'm having in about 4 weeks. So, that's quite exciting.

I went through all my daughter's toys tonight, and ended up with 3 big storage bins full of toys that are going in my garage sale tomorrow morning. Plus I have an abundance of clothes, books, and knick knacks that are going too. I'm just hoping to make a little extra money, since money is so tight these days.

My boyfriend and I usually do re-selling. Meaning, we go out on trash nights around our city, and collect things out of people's trash. We only get things that are in decent shape, not broken, etc We usually end up with things like children's toys, clothing of all sizes, furniture, electronics, etc. We then take the things and sell them in a garage sale. We usually have a couple sales every month. We end up making anywhere from 60-150 bucks. It depends on the weather, day, etc. It ends up being well worth the time and effort of collecting the stuff. We have been thinking about using a little extra money to rent a booth at the flea market,and selling our stuff there too. We went to the flea market not that long ago, and we saw so many people selling yard-sale items there. They were doing such good business.

Well anyway, it's getting late, and I'm off to bed. I will update tomorrow after the yard sale!!

Addiction

Well this isn't a typicaly easy post, but, I think that if it reaches at least one person who has a problem, then maybe it isn't that bad!
My addiction problem started over a year ago. I'm clean today, but it's still a never ending battle.
Addiction, no matter what shape or form you have, is a disease, the Devil in it's most evil state, a fiery infection of your body that can roar out of control if you don't get help NOW.
Many people have addictions. A person can be addicted to Drugs,Alcohol,Food,Sex,Gambling, and many other things. Addiction is not prejudice, it can happen to anyone, no matter what race, sex, or age. It not only hurts the person who is addicted, but the people who care the most about that person as well.
Most people think that addicts are choosing to be that way, so absorbed in their poison that they can't function in normal life. But most of the time, it's not the case. I did not choose to get as bad as I did, I did not chose to keep using, I wanted to stop a long time ago. With addiction comes certain terms that you may or may not have heard.
We have co-dependants, and enablers. They are the feeding ground for most addictions. It's the family members who can't stand to see their loved ones hurting, so they give them money or transportation, or a way to get their addiction fulfilled...
Co dependents rely on eachother wether they are addicted as well or they are depending on one another for the love they think they share...
It's a never ending cycle, and many people cannot overcome it without help.
I got clean through family, particularly my daughter, and the baby I am now carrying. They helped me see that life is greater, more enjoyable, when you are not using. The little angels that I love the most, who know nothing about addiction or the evil in this world, helped me realize that THEY are what's most important to me, not my addiction. It made it that much more easier to overcome the disease. Of course a recovering addict, even if they are clean for years, are never fully rid of their disease. It can fester up at any moment, like a wound that's healing, it can explode within the smallest second. It can rear it's ugly head when you least expect, or want it to. It's not something you ever get rid of for good, it just gets easier to cope with.
So, if you have a problem, and you need help, I suggest you keep reaching out, someone will eventually answer your calls. There's always someone out there willing to help. And those people may not even know they are helping, but they are...
If anyone ever needs someone to talk to, Im here. Ive been through it all. Just ask, I'll be there to listen!

Let Sleeping Babies Sleep!

Well here it is again, 10:57 pm, and my little girl is wired up, ready to jump out of her crib at any minute. Most nights she cries until someone gives in and puts in a tape of Barney for her to fall asleep to. I don't condone it, and don't like it, but hey...she is satisfied long enough for mommy to get something done. Eventually she goes to sleep, but it's usually late, like tonight.

I have, however, found some interesting tips that I started using, and much to my suprise, they have started showing results. If you have a toddler like I do, these things could really come in handy! So, of course you know that I'm going to post these tips on here for the fellow mom's and pop's!

• One thing that can be done, which is VERY effective I have found, is giving your toddler a warm bath with lavender enfused bubbles. Lavender helps soothe and promotes a good night's sleep. Try to keep the bath enjoyable, but not to the point of where your toddler is hyped up from excitement and toys.
• Read a bed-time story. Read something that is not too long, and not too short. Try to pick something that will catch your baby's attention, but will also relax them. (I have personaly found that "Goodnight Moon" is a good choice for my little girl).
• If possible, spend a minute saying good night, tucking in, and singing a gentle tune to your little one. This relaxes and prepares them for falling asleep.
• Don't use complete silence as a tool for getting them to fall asleep. If they hear you rustling around in another room, they feel safer knowing you are near, and are less likely to cry and fuss.
• Give your little one an item of security. (My daughter has a blanket that she LOVES). Make sure this item does not venture outside of the bed, though, as that will be associated with a toy, or your child may become too attached to it outside of the bedroom.
• Warm milk before bed will help just about anyone, including adults, fall asleep more comfortably. So try giving a little to your baby before bedtime.

Of course there are more tips out there, but I found these to be the most influential. Enjoy, and good luck!

Legit Paid Survey Sites??

Well folks...I have sat at the computer hours and hours researching on legitimate paid survey sites. To tell you the truth- there aren't many at all. Yeah, you can search to find a paid survey site, but most of them will ask for a "small" one time fee, or a hefty monthly fee. If they are asking YOU for money, chances are you won't MAKE any money. It's just a scam!!!

However, there is one in particular that I have come across that IS legit. And the reason why I can safely say this is because I have tried it out and have received payment from the website. If you have the patience like I do, then it's worth a try to earn some extra spending money.

My top survey site, the one I frequent the most, is Cashcrate.com
You have an option of completing surveys that are 100% free, or one's that require a little extra change out of your pocket. Of course, if you choose to do a survey where you have to sign up for something and use your credit card, you are going to be paid more. But they usually update their site with quite a few FREE surveys, and you earn the amount stated. I probably spent about a week out of the month doing free surveys, and I made about 30 bucks. You can of course make more or less depending on how much time you spend doing these surveys! There is a minimum amount that you have to earn before you can "cashout". That amount is $20.00. You can then choose your payment method. I chose to just receive mine in the form of a check in the mail.

So, happy survey-ing! And remember, I'm always finding new things to post on here, so if I come across any other survey sites, you will hear about it!

2009 Product Recalls

Obviously I'm posting this because I am a mother, and a shopaholic. I like to be well educated about the products I buy. I do not like the idea of unsafe products falling into the hand's of consumers.

Recalls-2009-Infant and Children's Toys

January 27, 2009 ~ Lip Gloss Keychains Recalled By Markwins Beauty Products Due to Risk of Lead Exposure: Markwins Beauty Products, of City of Industry, Calif. is recalling about 75,000 Lip Gloss Keychains. This recall involves lip gloss with a metal clasp keychain attached to the cap by a chain. Markings on the lip gloss container read, “Lip Gloss,” “Brillant á lèvres,” “Fantasy Makers®” and “from the creators of Wet n Wild.” The metal clasp attached to the keychain contains high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 27, 2009 ~ High School Musical Manicure Kits Recalled by Fantas-Eyes Due to Risk of Lead Exposure: Fantas-Eyes Inc., of New York, N.Y. is recalling about 15,000 High School Musical Manicure Kits. The lettering “HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL” with glitter on the pouch used with the manicure kit contains excess levels of lead. Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and cause adverse health effects. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 15, 2009 ~ Infantino Expands Recall of Infant Rattles Due to Choking Hazard: Infantino LLC, of San Diego, Calif. is recalling about 131,000 (20,000 units were previously recalled in March 2008) Infantino Lion and Lamb Grabby Rattles™. The tail-piece on the rattles can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 15, 2009 ~ Fisher-Price Recalls Simplicity’s Rainforest™ Portable Play Yards Due to Fall and Entrapment Hazards: Fisher-Price is recalling about 200,000 Rainforest™ Portable Play Yards manufactured by Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. Simplicity Inc. and SFCA Inc. have not responded to CPSC’s request to recall these products nor have they been responsive to consumer complaints recently received. The recalled play yards are portable and were sold with a bassinet, changing table, and mobile features and were sold at retailers and specialty children's stores nationwide from January 2007 through January 2009 for about $100. One or more rails can collapse unexpectedly, posing a fall or entrapment hazard to young children. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 15, 2009 ~ Children’s Sunglasses Recalled by Axiom Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard: Axiom International Inc., of Billings, Mont. is recalling 5300 Children’s Sunglasses. The two tone sunglasses come in Spiderweb Blue and Spiderweb Red with a spider web etched in between the eyes and “Made in China” engraved on the right-hand side of the frame. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 15, 2009 ~ Children’s Sunglasses Recalled by Axiom Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard: Axiom International Inc., of Billings, Mont. is recalling 5300 Children’s Sunglasses. The two tone sunglasses come in Spiderweb Blue and Spiderweb Red with a spider web etched in between the eyes and “Made in China” engraved on the right-hand side of the frame. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 14, 2009 ~ Toy Xylophones Recalled by The Land of Nod Due to Choking Hazard: The Land of Nod Northbrook, Ill. is recalling about 500 Rolling Toy Xylophones. These were sold through The Land of Nod catalogue, Web site (www.landofnod.com), and retail stores nationwide from October 2007 through March 2008 for about $45. The pegs on the xylophone can break, posing a choking hazard to children. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 13, 2009 ~ TDI International Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard: TDI International, of Los Angeles, Calif. is recalling about 150 “High Speed” Pull Back Toy Cars. The recalled pull back toy car is yellow with “PROWL” printed on the side, “VICTOR” printed on the hood, and a blue and red police warning light on the top. Surface paint on the toy cars contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.

January 13, 2009 ~ Top Goods Trading Recalls Flashing Pacifiers Due to Choking and Strangulation Hazard: Top Goods Trading, of Temple City, Calif. is recalling about 38000 Flashing Pacifiers. The recalled flashing pacifier has a yellow heart-shaped mouth guard and handle. There is a 15-inch cord attached to the handle. LED lights are activated by pushing the heart-shaped handle into the base of the pacifier. The flashing pacifiers do not comply with federal safety standards for pacifiers. Although the pacifiers are marketed to older children and adults, they could be given to babies and cause serious injury or death. The pieces of the pacifier can separate, posing a choking hazard. The necklaces pose a strangulation hazard. Click here for more details from the CPSC's press release.


All information gathered from StorkNet. Here's the link: Safety Recalls 2009