The Next Survivor Series for DAD

I got this email from a friend and just had to share:

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

- Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.
- There is no fast food.
- Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do laundry, and pay a list of "pretend" bills with not enough money.
- In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week.
- Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.
- Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist appointment and a haircut appointment.
- He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the Urgent Care.
- He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.
- Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house, planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.
- The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.
- The men must shave their legs, wear makeup daily, adorn themselves with jewelry, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes, keep fingernails polished and eyebrows groomed.
- During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe abdominal cramps, back aches,and have extreme, unexplained mood swings but never once complain or slow down from other duties.
- They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.
- They will need to read one or more books to the kids each night and in the morning, feed them, dress them, brush their teeth and comb their hair by 7:00 am.
- A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information: each child's birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name. Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of labor, each child's favorite color, middle name,favorite snack, favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right to be called Mother!

After you get done laughing, send this to as many females as you think will get a kick out of it and as many men as you think can handle it. Just don't send it back to me.... I'm going to bed.

Frugal Friday

I just started a new hobby, shopping for clothes to see how much money I can save. It's actually kind of fun. For instance, I have started shopping at area resale shops for summer clothes (these shops are mostly in DFW area but some of them have stores nation wide). I found some Great Buys at Plato's Closet, even though it claims to specialize in clothes for teens and twenty somethings" I found some great deals on t-shirts and tops there. The carry GAP, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and more. I got 4 tops for under $20. I did have try on a lot of clothes, but in the end it was well worth it. Then I went next door to Once Upon a Child. I picked up 3 shirts for Ryan for less than $12. These shirts were all name brands like Oshkosh, Polo, and GAP. Next I went to Feminine Fashion Consignment in Fort Worth and picked up a Harold's top (that was originally $68) for under $15. This is one store that always has lots of nice designer items for cheap prices. If you check out the link they even have special sales each month where you can get everything for 30% - 50% off. I went to there sister store in Arlington, ReRun Resale Boutique , and picked up two pairs of JCrew Shorts for $10 each! These are the same shorts I tried on at the JCrew Outlet (that cost $42) but decided to wait until they went on sale before I bought them. These two stores also have lots of great designer shoes. I am still kicking myself for not grabbing a pair of Cole Hahn sandals for $18 when I had the chance! What can I say, it was a rookie mistake. By the experience I learned that if you really like something you better get it before someone else snaps it up.


Here are a few more deals I recently discovered:

This just arrived in my inbox: Take 15% off your order of $75 or more at The Children's Place with code MSAT78. Good through July 5 only. The Monster Sale (i.e. summer clearance) sale, with deals starting at $7.99. $5 flat-rate shipping.

If it wasn't on sale last week it is now! OldNavy.com has cut prices again on many of their summer items. Save up to 50% and more. Lots of baby girls and boys' stuff for under $6. Plenty of tops under $5. Maternity tops and tanks start at $5.99. $7 flat-rate shipping.


Plus according to the Real Simple blog: This Saturday only (June 28th), Old Navy's nation wide will be selling their fabulously comfortable and colorful flip flops for $1 each! You can grab a pair in every color and remain guilt and debt free. Now that's priceless!

Auntie Anne's Pretzel has a new offer for a B1G1 coupon for an Auntie Anne's pretzel here. (Some people are saying that this coupon gives you a completely free Auntie Anne's pretzel.

Sign up to receive the Home Made Simple coupon booklet with over $31 in money-saving coupons. (Last time this booklet was available, there was a coupon for a completely free product!).

Sign up for The Home Depot Garden Club and receive valuable coupons, savings, and gardening advice.

Get a $5/$25 Party City coupon (expires 06/29/08).

I just love getting clothes that look good for dirt cheap! I hope you find some great deals out there as well. Please feel free to share any great places, deals, etc. that you have found with us. While it is tempting to keep these things a secret, most people just love finding great deals on things. Why not share?

Wordless Wednesday

Please Help!

I need your help in getting the cancer drug Avastin (a form of chemo) covered by Medicare. This is the same drug, Avastin, Senator Kennedy's doctor prescribed for his brain tumor. However Medicare will not approve it as a 1st tier treatment. It is very expensive, but also very effective. If you get cancer after age 65 you don't have access to the best treatments. If Medicare doesn't approve a treatment your supplemental insurance won't approve it either. That is scary!!! It is over $30,000 per "dose" and so the doctors don't prescribe it even if it might help since Medicare won't cover. And, the secondary insurance won't pay for it when Medicare doesn't. If you are poor, you can get it on a special program thru the drug companies, but if you are regular working folks, you make too much money to get it covered.

Please write your representative regarding this matter. you can even cut and paste the message above. Here is the info to send to the congress persons from your district. The link that is provided gives the list of your representatives and hooks you into their e-mail addresses.


The website : http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Send to everyone you know who might be interested. Please help me with this matter.

Thanks!

George Carlin Dead at 71

I was shocked today when I heard that George Carlin, the much-honored American stand-up comedian whose long career was distinguished by pointed social commentary that placed him on the cultural cutting edge, died Sunday in Santa Monica, Calif.



The above clip is from one of his most memorable shows (beware, it's rated R at best). I think I watched every HBO special he ever made. I really liked his sense of humor and truth in his comedy. Even when he made points about religion that I didn't agree with, he had a way of making me see things from his point of view. Not to mention that his voice was used as the narrator for many Thomas videos. I am glad that we have recordings to remember him with. He bought me great joy and I will personally miss him greatly.

New House Bill Would Ban BPA in Food/Beverage Packaging

Since I didn't get a chance to post something this week for "Thankful Thursday" I thought I would share this:

I am thankful that I found the site www.enviroblog.org. I just have to share an article I found there about a house bill would ban BPA in food, beverage packaging:

"It seems like everyone and their mother knows about the risks associated with bisphenol A in baby bottles and hard plastic water bottles. Okay, so maybe they don't know the specifics. Recently, while trying to explain what I do to a new acquaintance, I got a blank look until I said "that chemical in water bottles" -- then the lightbulb went off. "Oh, the Nalgene thing! Yeah, I tossed mine and got a metal one."

Anyway, all the media attention to plastic reusable drink containers has been a little perplexing for those of us at Enviroblog HQ. It's not that the risk of BPA in baby bottles is negligible, but it's minor compared to the potential exposure from canned infant formula. Like all other food cans, formula cans are lined with a BPA-based epoxy resin that leaches into formula, under normal use, at considerably higher levels than BPA from baby bottles. And what's really important is the combined dosage, day in and day out as infants develop.

But a new bill, brought to the House yesterday by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA), would ban BPA from food and drink containers, including canned infant formula. The ban would affect all canned foods, including prepared foods like soup and pasta which EWG tests found to contain some of the highest levels of BPA. FDA estimates that 17 percent of the US diet is comprised of canned food.

A bill addressing BPA in the Senate would ban the chemical from children's products -- another important step, considering potential exposures from toys, pacifiers and teething instruments that young children put in their mouths. The Senate bill, however, doesn't address food and drink containers. Since many babies are fed canned vegetables starting from 6 months to a year of age, it hardly makes sense to address one and not the other.

Of course, given that there are literally no safety standards for BPA, any legislation at all regulating its use is a significant step forward."

I don't have the time to research all the scary things I hear about in regards to the environment (nor do most of the people I know). I am thankful that there are people out there that are dedicated to sharing information so the rest of us can make more informed decisions. Thanks to everyone who contributes to the Enviroblog site!

Wordless Wednesday

No this is not Ryan! But, this is one event that I need to set a scene for:

Today, Scott went to a condo we own to clean it up and get it ready to rent. He took Ryan with him in order to give me a chance to study for an exam. We just had new carpet installed yesterday. Apparently there was a 5 gallon container of paint in the back bedroom and Scott was under the assumption that the lid was attached securely.

Although this (thankfully) isn't a picture of Ryan and our condo was basically empty, Ryan enjoyed some time playing in the paint. Scott has assured me that the carpet isn't a total loss and can be fixed with some remnants and/or cleaned. The same can't be said of Ryan's clothes as they are completely ruined! On the bright side, I think Scott has learned not to underestimate the abilities of a curious, fun-loving toddler like Ryan and we don't think Ryan ate any paint :-)

The Escalator "Ride"

Since having my son almost 2 years ago I have been reminded what it's like to be a kid. Ryan is constantly showing me how much fun it can be to do the most mundane things.

Take today for example, Scott and I took Ryan to the mall. We thought Ryan might like to ride on the carousel. He usually loves it. Today, Ryan literally started crying and hanging on to me for dear life as soon as I put him on it. Due to the trauma we thought might be inflicted on our poor son, we did not make him go on the ride. Instead, we decided to take the escalator down to the kids play area. Ryan loved it! He giggled the whole way down. After we got off he ran to play. When he was finished playing he went to the escalator to go on another "ride". Once again, Ryan laughed with delight.

Ryan has a way of making the world look simple and fun! I just love the way he reminds me what it's like to be a little kid!

I am Cinderella!

Okay, my friend's daughter sent me this quiz to find out "Which Disney Princess Are You?" Apparently, I am Cinderella! Does this mean that my husband is really Prince Charming? If so why don't we have a maid?? Hmmm, maybe if I let him know he's Prince Charming we'll get one. I may have to try that one, it just might work. Kinda like the ole Jedi Mind Trick!

You Are Cinderella!

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Happy Father's Day!

Make a Smilebox free ecard

Friday's Headlines

WASHINGTON - Tim Russert, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief and the moderator of “Meet the Press,” died Friday after suffering a heart attack at the bureau. He was 58.

JERUSALEM, June 12 (Reuters) - Israeli researchers who grew a sapling from a date seed found at the ancient fortress Masada said on Thursday the seed was about 2,000 years old and may help restore a species of biblical trees.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. life expectancy hit a record high of 78.1 years in 2006.

NEW YORK - The percentage of underweight babies born in the U.S. has increased to its highest rate in 40 years, according to a new report that also documents a recent rise in the number of children living in poverty.

Thankful Thursday (take 2)

As many of you know, I have a friend whose daughter (whose is 8 years old) was just diagnosed with cancer. Today, I received this email and thought I should share it with you:

Dear Advocates,

Below you will find the Curesearch press release announcing passage of the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008. This success has been the result of many things but the more than 20,000 letters sent by advocates to members of Congress about childhood cancer and this bill have been a key factor. This brings us all one step closer to enacting a law that will make a critical difference to children with cancer.

Thank you for your letters. Please take a moment to thank your Representatives and continue to contact your Senators to urge passage in the Senate.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CureSearch Praises Passage of the
"Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act"
in U.S. House of Representatives

Children with Cancer and their Families to Benefit from Landmark Legislation

June 12, 2008 (Bethesda, MD) - CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation salutes the United States House of Representatives for passage of H.R. 1553, the "Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act," which promises to significantly increase federal investment into childhood cancer research.

During markup of the legislation, the bill was renamed the Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act of 2008, in memory of Caroline Pryce Walker, daughter of Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH), who succumbed to neuroblastoma in 1999 at age nine.

The bill authorizes $30 million annually over five years, providing funding for collaborative pediatric cancer clinical trials research, to create a population-based national childhood cancer database, and to further improve public awareness and communication regarding available treatments and research for children with cancer and their families.

"For far too long, children suffering from pediatric cancer have gotten short shrift on federal resources," said Pryce, original author of this groundbreaking legislation.

"The bill we passed today dramatically expands federal investment into childhood cancer research and education, and will make an historic difference in the lives of the more than 12,000 children who will be diagnosed with cancer each year. A nation with our resources, our scientists, our committed doctors and oncologists, and our inherent and insuppressible fighting spirit can and should do more to put an end to so much suffering."

Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), one of the original co-sponsors of the Carolyn Walker Pryce Conquer Childhood Cancer Act, stated that conquering childhood cancer has transcended partisan politics, and addresses a critical national issue that is finally receiving the attention it deserves.

"I am pleased that the House passed this important legislation, which will bring us one step closer to eradicating pediatric cancer," said Van Hollen. "This bill will enhance and expand pediatric cancer research activities at the National Institutes of Health, establish a pediatric cancer registry, and increase informational and educational outreach efforts to patients and families affected by pediatric cancer. No child should have to experience and suffer the effects of cancer, and no parent should have to see their child suffer."
CureSearch supports the life-saving research of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's premier cancer research collaborative. Treating 90% of children with cancer, the Children's Oncology Group includes more than 5,000 experts in childhood cancer research and treatment, located at more than 200 leading children's and university hospitals across North America.
"The Caroline Pryce Walker Conquer Childhood Cancer Act allows for translation of the very best research discoveries into clinical evaluation and practice, in order to improve the cure rates for all children with cancer," noted Gregory Reaman, MD, Chair of the Children's Oncology Group. "Only research cures childhood cancer. On behalf of my colleagues in the Children's Oncology Group and the children with cancer and their families who are our partners in clinical research, we thank our Congressional leaders."
"On behalf of CureSearch, we applaud the steadfast leadership of Representatives Chris Van Hollen and Deborah Pryce and their colleagues in the House who through the passage of this bill have made finding the cure for childhood cancer an urgent national priority," said Stacy Pagos Haller, Executive Director, CureSearch.

Companion legislation in the United States Senate (S.911), sponsored by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), cleared the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee unanimously in November, 2007. The Senate version of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act currently has 63 co-sponsors; a full Senate floor vote on the bill is expected this summer.

# # #

About CureSearch

CureSearch seeks to conquer childhood cancer, conquer it sooner, conquer it fully and for all time. Through public education, advocacy and fundraising, the National Childhood Cancer Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) (3), supports the work of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), the world's premier pediatric cancer research collaborative. This network of more than 5,000 healthcare professionals dedicates their lives to finding answers and sharing results. More than 12,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year, and more than 40,000 children and adolescents are currently in treatment. Only research cures cancer. For more information, visit www.CureSearch.org.

Thankful Thursday

Today I found myself thankful that I did not feel like throwing up! I have had a stomach bug for the past couple of days and have barely been able to keep anything down. However, today when I woke up I felt much better. Just goes to show that even when you pray at the porcelain alter God really does hear you!!

Wordless Wednesday

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Your secrets are safe with us
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http://www.anonymousmom.com/

Wordless Wednesday

Help our Nation's K-12 Schools Go Green!!

I found this information at earthday.net and thought I should share it with everyone.

It isn't often that we have the opportunity to pass a truly great piece of legislation, but this week the House of Representatives will vote on a measure that will provide almost $7 billion in grants to help our nations' K-12 schools go green. Called the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act (H.R. 3021), this bill, sponsored by Ben Chandler, will help schools to become more energy efficient and healthier. There is a special emphasis on low-income schools where children are most at risk from unhealthy facilities and on schools that still suffer from the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.

Why Green Schools? Close to 60 million students spend up to 40 hours a week in facilities that are often unhealthy and a hindrance to their ability to learn. Green schools reduce sick days, significantly improve the health of students with asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and improve student morale and confidence. If this bill passes, we will be taking a huge leap forward toward our goal to make every school in America a green and healthy place to learn, while we save energy and create new green jobs!

Our Representatives need to hear that their vote will improve the lives of millions of our school children. Take action now and send a letter to your Member of Congress.

For more information on green schools, visit Earthday.net.

What a Day!

"No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting (or in my case teaching) will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I'm not talking about the kids. Their behavior is always normal."
Bill Cosby

This quote pretty much sums up my day of subbing a class of five 5-year old boys. On an typical day I will get the occasional crying, whining, etc. that comes from your average 5 year old. Today was not a typical day. It started off with one bot literally crying "I want my Mommy" as soon as he got to class! My day subbing pretty much went down hill from there.

But, once I got home and was able to see Ryan's cute little happy face things improved significantly! However, right now is Ryan is asleep, I am mentally and physically exhausted, and I am about to pour a glass of wine and relax!