Benjamin has now been to Stanford twice and we are in the midst of paying for, scheduling and preparing for his next trip in two weeks. It’s a lot. I am overwhelmed and quite discouraged. His pain management team has been unable to truly help him. He is dislocating his ankles, knee, shoulder, and sometimes hips and others. His stomach issues have escalated to needing Zofran regularly to keep food down, and he is back to having migraines most days of the week. The Depakote helped for a while, and it is keeping him from passing out, but that means he probably is/was having seizures. They told us he was severely deconditioned and to avoid having to place him in a residential treatment program we have had to do a lot of exercises and walking. He has responded to that and is doing better in that area, but he still...
Continue reading »
*Ben and I were able to see a preview of this movie for free in exchange for our honest review. As always, the opinions are mine. The giveaway is all mine and not affiliated with any other entity. Video-game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and best friend Vanellope (voice of Sarah Silverman) leave the comforts of Litwak’s arcade in an attempt to save her game. Their quest takes them to the vast world of the internet, a world Vanellope wholeheartedly embraces—so much so that Ralph worries he may lose the only friend he’s ever had. I love how Pixar and Disney consistently offer movies that grow with us. Ralph Breaks the Internet is one that we enjoyed for different reasons because Ben and I are at different stages in life, and I can see it being a movie we can continue to enjoy throughout our...
Continue reading »
Two weeks ago Ben and I drove to Stanford with an amazing friend in her RV. It may not have been the best way to travel in retrospect, but with what I knew about Stanford (nothing), my anxiety and Ben’s, and our needs it was best at the time. First – my friend was absolutely amazing! She was the patient with a surly, sick teenager, and understanding of his autistic moments and needs. She drove us safely all around the area and was a great support for me as she has endured many of my same illnesses and has had surgery to correct Chiari Malformation. Her service dog, Moby, was calming and distracting for Ben at important times, and an example of how amazing service animals can be. Everyone loved him everywhere we went and his behavior was perfect. I don’t know how to thank her enough! Second – Stanford...
Continue reading »
Damon Here: I would just like to start by saying the new Wookie they have playing the young Chewie was spot on and I believed he was a younger version. I went in thinking that the movie would hinge on the actors playing younger version of iconic characters. I was right, and pleased with the results. You really can believe that they are the younger versions. You see how the characters developed into the people we know and love. We even see the evolution of the Millennium Falcon, which was one of my favorite parts. This movie was hard to make good because we know the main characters will survive. We know the end of the story so how do you make it feel like a new story? This whole movie from start to finish kept you guessing and had one twist after another. Who would show up next? What just...
Continue reading »
Damon First: Let’s start this off with I am a big fan of the comics and the infinity stones. I bought the Infinity Gauntlet Series when it first came out, I bought the Infinity Wars Series, and the Infinity Crusades when they came out and I wanted to see this . . . but I have to wait a whole year for this to end. Now to the movie. It was awesome, grandiose, dark, game-changing, and even fun every so often. You will love the interaction of characters in this movie. They are what I have waited for. No spoilers but here are few pairings I want you to think about. Tony Stark (Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist) and Doctor Strange (Alpha Male Surgeon, Sorcerer Supreme) are fantastic and should not be left alone together. Thor (“I don’t get that reference.”) and Star Lord (nothing but references) should have had more time...
Continue reading »
I have written this post in my head for weeks. This is so much harder than I can describe, but I am going to try, because we need help, and people need to know what this is like. I need to be able to find others who have had this experience. I need other mom’s who have walked this path and can help me walk it. I need to know that you can survive this as a parent. That my heart won’t break, and that if the worst happens, we can endure. Maybe I can be that person for someone else in the future. Please follow the link below to donate to my son’s GoFundMe Account if you can! Click to Donate Now! My son, Ben, is sick. He has autism, ADHD, anxiety, depression and asthma since he was born. This was hard enough. This was enough to make me...
Continue reading »
This week, Damon and Ben got to preview Star Wars – The Last Jedi, and they loved it. A few months ago, Ben was diagnosed with Arnold Chiari Malformation with a 4mm tonsillar dissension. This means his brain is being pushed into his spinal cord by 4mm. At 5mm you are considered surgical by almost all neurosurgeons, especially if you are symptomatic. I have/had Chiari and had brain surgery or decompression surgery in 2013. Technically I had no tonsillar dissension because my Chiari was caused by a skull malformation called hypoplastic posterior fossa. It is genetic, and several family members have it, including my son. Surgery saved my life, but so much damage had been done, that I will never be healthy, and am considered to have traumatic brain injury from high pressure in my brain. My pituitary failed, and several nerves were damaged, including my vagus nerve, which...
Continue reading »
My blog has been the target of multiple issues, attacks and locked down for months. I finally figured out how to use it again! Hurray! It is an outlet for me. I need to write. I need to do weird giveaways, review movies and books and generally engage in life in a different way. I try to keep this blog positive, but I am struggling to find the positive in my life or to be a positive type of person. I have also been really sick all year. If I don’t have bronchitis, it is something else. In May I had a routine (for me) procedure on my neck that resulted in severe migraines, and unbearable pain. I tried everything, my doctors tried everything, and I ended up in the hospital for four days. The first night I was admitted I fell in the bathroom. I hit my head and...
Continue reading »
The BFG is a wonderful movie! We went for a date night, and had a great evening. My husband loves movies, and is an elementary school teacher. He uses Roald Dahl’s books with his students, and is very familiar with the story and artwork. We received two preview tickets for our honest review. I am a Disney lover, and it is difficult for me to find reasons not to like everything Disney. They can and are criticized for many things, but I am also an idealist and love looking at the best in others. For the BFG I was a bit bored with the idea of going and grateful that it was a date night, so at least we got to go out together. We do not get a lot of date nights. I have read the book, and it isn’t my favorite. I don’t dislike it, but it is...
Continue reading »
Dear Lovely Readers, I have failed. I agreed to promote and take part in this Zero Compression Back Brace campaign, and I didn’t. It started with my getting the first posting dates mixed up. Then I got a migraine, and couldn’t immediately get to fixing things, and then so much time had passed that the guilt mixed with my anxiety and though I would start this post many times, ultimately it never got posted. The saddest part is I was super excited to do this review and be part of this campaign. The back brace is something that I need, and have been looking for, and the money that I could have earned as part of this campaign would have been a huge help to my family. I do love the brace. It is comfortable, feminine and discreet. I do look a little wider around the middle, but that...
Continue reading »
We have partnered with Zero Compression Back Brace help relieve your back pain with an amazing prize package! Be sure to learn more at zerocompressionbackbrace.com on how you can relieve back pain and improve your quality of live with this new concept that no other brace can claim! This back brace, is meant to be worn under clothing, is comfortable, and washable. It places no pressure on the spine, and is extremely easy to adjust and wear. Check out a review of the miracle back brace, My review can be found here. Prize: 2 prize packages each including a $50 cash prize (paid via PayPal or Amazon Gift Card) and a Zero Compression back brace of your choice ($49.95 value) – Total giveaway value is $199.90 Giveaway is open to US only, ages 18 and older. Giveaway ends June 30, 2016 at 11:59 pm EST. Enter to win via...
Continue reading »
As we waited in line for the movie, my son talked about how this was going to be the best movie ever. He could not wait to see his favorite character, the Cheshire Cat, and has been reading the books at school. We got to preview this movie in exchange for our honest review. If you are familiar with Alice in Wonderland, or like Tim Burton movies, this is a great addition to the story. I like Alice and I was not disappointed. Alice had so much more “muchness” and action this time that you loved her from the start of the movie all the way until the end of the credits. The movie was made for the 3D effects and everything you watched had the depth and feel you would expect from Tim Burton’s Wonderland. The addition of Time to this movie reminded us of a Doctor Who episode...
Continue reading »
I took my son to the preview of Captain America – Civil War. He was so excited he was bouncing in his seat, and I couldn’t get him to stop until the movie started. He is 11 now, but he has watched superhero movies his whole life and loves them. We got to preview the movie in return for our honest review. This movie is PG-13 and earns that rating due to violent action scenes and mature themes. We have made the decision that when it comes to our child such movies are okay as long as they are set in a fictional world, and we always preview or watch the movies with him to make sure he understands what he saw and can put any scary or difficult situations in perspective. As there will be countless other children who see this film, I want other parents to understand that...
Continue reading »
This review is two weeks late due to severe illness on my part. I am sorry. However, like all Disney classics, this is a movie that you will want to watch again and again. Whether in theaters or your own home. It is a fun show with lots of themes that we face in society. This addresses them in a kid friendly way and will hopefully spark many great conversations! My son and husband got to see this movie for free in exchange for their honest review. As always, any opinions expressed on this blog are our own. They also hope to see more of the Zootopia world, whether in sequels, or in a cartoon series, which means it must have been great! I am reminded of the movie “Bed Knobs and Broomsticks” where the cartoon animals lived in their own kingdom. Or the movie “Robinhood”, where the cartoon...
Continue reading »
My family is a bit on the nerdy side. My husband loves all things Star Wars and collects Boba Fett everything. My son had Star Wars toys before he was born, and his first real word was “Palpatine”. When we took him to Disneyland for the first time, he was in love with Darth Maul and tried to hug him. (He was 2, and Darth Maul was having a hard time keeping a straight face.) So when I got the opportunity to preview and review Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I was overjoyed. Never mind that I have been sick since Thanksgiving, I was there! The new Star Wars movie was awesome! I am trying really hard not to give away anything because my husband and son have not yet seen it. I am super excited to go with them to the theater and enjoy their joy! The movie was...
Continue reading »
After two doctors told me that my “condition” could not be helped by medication or other measures, and that I just needed to exercise, I went and joined a local gym. It is a cost that I cannot afford, but I needed access to a pool and something that was close. We have a new, really awesome gym that just opened nearby, so I took a tour, and signed up. I told my husband afterward, and he is all for it. In fact, he encourages me to go to the gym every day, which is nice. His support has made a huge difference. The actual workout is really good for me, and doesn’t tax my system to overload, like most workouts do. My pain management doctor advised me to walk in water that is chest high and just do that everyday for a month and then let him know how...
Continue reading »
Disclosure: We received two tickets to the Disney/Marvel Premier of Ant-Man in exchange for our honest review. As always, opinions expressed on this blog are my own, or that of my husband and kid. My wife brought me because I am a huge nerd that has read comics for a long time. I know what is going on and I get a lot of the references that she may miss. My wife is a good female presence and a bit of a nerd herself. Now we have a 10-year-old that has alternated attending with me or my wife to some of the movies and helped to review them. He is autistic, gifted, ADHD, and all sorts of a nerd himself. He tells us where the scary parts are and what parts are funny to a 10-year-old boy, which are weird spots. We love being able to attend and review movies...
Continue reading »
I was given two tickets to the preview of Inside Out in exchange for my honest evaluation. As always, the opinions expressed here are 100% my own. (or at least my families). My 10 year old son said he has the emotion crazy in his head. This sums up how Inside Out works. It opens up conversations about what kids are thinking. I loved the way Inside Out brought a difficult concept like emotions into a context that children could understand. My autistic son talks about his emotions,which are difficult for him to express. He looks at what emotions are in-charge in his heads and we work at keeping them calm. We talked about how his “Headquarters” is electrified and the medication he takes helps to bring the energy down so his emotions can work better. Inside Out helped to make this conversation possible. As a movie it was really...
Continue reading »
Check out this amazing No-Cost Future of Healing Online Conference! I am and Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. I love online Conferences, trainings and forums. There is a great conference starting today for that is sponsored by the Institute for the Psychology of Eating. I am an affiliate, and if you decide to purchase recordings of the conference I will make money. However, the conference is FREE. Please check it out here: Future of Health Conference The Future of Healing Online Conference goes live on June 22nd. It showcases the voices of 70+ top professionals and thought-leaders who’ll help us step into new possibilities and a healthier future. The conference explores cutting edge thinking in these diverse and fascinating realms: Nutrition, The Psychology of Eating, Functional Medicine, Cultural Transformation, Spiritual Awakening, The New Sexuality, Supplements Herbs and Medicinals, Planetary Health, Our Global Future, and much more… We’ll be expanding...
Continue reading »
So, I am having a panic attack. It is just one in many that I have had over the years, and this last week. I couldn’t go to an autism Lego event because I was panicking. Stupid, but true. I love events like that with my son. I love talking to other mom’s, sharing experiences, and playing with the kids. Anxiety sucks! I was supposed to write about Inside Out, but cannot write it. I have a health blog I am afraid to get wrong. I think nobody will read this or anything else I have to write because, well anxiety. I am not the mother I want to be due to chronic illness, and cannot accept it. I am a horrible housekeeper, in fact, my husband does almost all of it, and makes the meals. I am not the best writer. I am sick I sleep too much I...
Continue reading »
Disclosure: News Wahl received the opportunity to preview this movie in return for a fair and honest review. As always, the opinions expressed here are our own. Thanks When I started teaching 7th grade science in the 3rd largest school district in the country the students would tell me that the councilor had told them that they did not need to pass science, just math and English. Standardized tests don’t teach you science and we lost the drive to teach science as a major subject in school. NASA is loosing ground and private companies have to pick up the slack, but who will work for them? We need a new space race to inspire this generation forward into the future. We need a new way to teach these kids how to think like an innovator. The makers movement can help create an atmosphere where tomorrow can flourish. makezine.com The makers...
Continue reading »
Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to review this movie in exchange for two tickets to the premier showing of Avengers: Age of Ultron. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising. Regardless of the compensation I always offer my opinion on this blog and will only recommend products and services that I actually use. Thanks – Natalie Wahl – Author of Newswahl I have not blogged in a while because perfectionism has struck and made it so everything I start to write ends up sounding silly, but this is an easy article! If you have not seen the preview, it is a great movie, and you can check it out here! I took my 10-year-old son to this movie. He and his father both wanted to go, but in the end he won, because Dad...
Continue reading »
Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to preview the new Disney Cinderella for free in return for my honest opinion and review. Newswahl is an affiliate for one or more of the products, links, and banners on the site. Which means that we may receive compensation when you click on the links. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising. You can trust that I blog with integrity and only recommend products that I would use. Disney Cinderella This movie follows the classic tale of Cinderella, and adds much more richness and detail to the character and life of a little girl named Ella who later becomes Cinderella. As the story goes, she endures much tragedy and hardship in her life, and is later rewarded for her character and...
Continue reading »
I am super excited to be participating in another Fahionista Event! They are always amazing, the prizes are wonderful, and it is the one time I get to be super girly and shop for great purses, bags, dresses, or whatever strikes my fancy. As always, this giveaway is brought to you by these amazing bloggers who work very hard and are ultimately much more fashionable than I! I am learning from them, and hopefully will improve. 🙂 Amazing Hosts The Spring Fashionista Giveaway Event is hosted by The Chief Blonde at Still Blonde After All These Years http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com and Katy from ModlyChic http://www.modlychic.com/. All Fashion! Only FASHION event! Largest Fashion Giveaway event on the internet with $26,000+ in prizes, 100+ participating blogs and 3/4 million entries. Each individual blog has a minimum of $125 prize! Grand Prize Monroe and Main is one of my favorite places to purchase unique and well-made clothing...
Continue reading »
My husband is a school teacher and has taught many diverse populations. There is a lot in the news about how we are failing our students, and that it is the teacher’s fault. I hate this notion. I know some people are terrible teachers, and that union make hiring and firing difficult, but not all teachers should share the blame for what the minority do. Another major problem we have witnessed in education is families that do not support their child’s education. It is so important for parents to help with homework, attend school events, and read with their kids. However, many families are struggling just to eat, and the notion of owning books, much less reading them, is foreign and difficult. We have donated food, books, school supplies and so much more to families in trying to further education in the home. If the parents support their child’s education,...
Continue reading »
Hello Friends! I am entering/participating in a Beach Body 21 Day Fix® EXTREME. I am an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Personal Trainer, and Beach Body Coach. As a disclaimer, I do receive affiliate commissions if you choose to buy anything linked through this post, and I am directly selling you my personal services as well! To sign-up visit http://www.beachbodycoach.com/NatalieWahl I think I have been through every stage of diet and exercise except the healthy part. As a child and teen I was underweight and struggled with Asthma. Then I grew-up, and was still underweight, but had severe problems with pain, low-blood pressure and chronic illness that resulted in brain surgery for an Arnold-Chiari Malformation. This February is 2 years since my brain surgery. I am happy to report that the surgery was a success! However, there were and always will be side-effects. Prior to brain surgery my pituitary gland...
Continue reading »
This year is off to a rocky start. New and enduring health issues are not allowing me to do the things I want, and money is an issue as always. I had a huge fight with family, and now I am stuck and don’t know what to do. It’s hard when everyone is right in their own mind, and yet no agreement can be found. Today is my husband’s birthday, and we will probably do very little. I have been up most of the night, unable to sleep. Hopefully in a few minutes I will go try again and will finally be able to drift off. So, problems aside, I am restarting 2015! I have tons of goals. I am a goal, and list person. I love setting and achieving goals and I love crossing them off of my list. Here are a few that I will be logging on...
Continue reading »
ESSIO Aromatherapy Shower ESSIO Shower Blogger Giveaway ESSIO is the greatest thing to happen to showers since running water itself. It clips onto any shower and diffuses 100% organic essential oils into the shower water at the perfect rate, rejuvenating the mind and body. I Can’t Wait To Try it for FREE! ESSIO is looking for awesome bloggers to review its aromatherapy shower kit for an upcoming giveaway. Simply click here to request your kit. The first 100 bloggers to sign up and also promote this announcement on their blog will be sent a free sample!
Continue reading »
Last Thursday my Grandpa on my Mother’s side passed away. He had been very sick for over a year, had faced many medical issues in the past 10 years, and had a stroke the week before where they were sure he would die. However, he held on until he could talk to all of his kids and then slipped away quietly surrounded by the people he loved. My grandfather was a good man. He served in the Army during World War II, and was honorably discharged. He served a mission for his Church in Texas, and had a Master’s degree and worked to help farmers through the Department of Agriculture. He was a framer himself, and had a huge, beautiful garden that I remember well. He had six kids, a lot of grandkids, and even more great-grandchildren. He was married to my Grandma for 61 years, and they served two...
Continue reading »
I am super excited to take part in this Fall’s Fashionista Event!! Brought to you by the amazing . . . The Fall Fashionista Giveaway Event is hosted by The Chief Blonde at Still Blonde After All These Years http://stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com and Katy from ModlyChic http://www.modlychic.com/. All Fashion! Only FASHION event! Largest Fashion Giveaway event on the internet with $26,000+ in prizes, 100+ participating blogs and 3/4 million entries. Each individual blog has a minimum of $125 prize! The FALL Fashionista Events Grand Prize is $500 PayPal (worldwide where allowed by law). For every giveaway in the Fall Fashionista Event that you enter, you gain one entry toward the Fall Fashionista Grand Prize. 1 Grand Prize winner will receive $500 PayPal cash. 1 first prize winner will receive $300 gift certificate to Midnight Velvet Clothing. Isn’t that stunning? In addition to these fabulous grand prizes, I am excited to offer a $125 Giftcard to Sorella Bella...
Continue reading »
I tell my husband that I need to blog everyday, but I cannot do it everyday. There are apparently rules for effective blogging, and I follow none of them. Here are some things I learned on Pinterest about blogging that I totally fail at. 1. Blog consistently. – I have a chronic illness. I never know what the day will bring, and I suffer from anxiety, meaning some days I cannot put myself out there. It’s too hard. I’m too worried about what people will think or say. Recent newsworthy events show me I am not alone in my struggles with anxiety and depression, but there are many that think I should keep it to myself. 2. Use visuals. – I suck at drawing and have no clue how to create graphics. It is something I am learning, but I don’t even know how to use my camera well. I...
Continue reading »
Products mentioned on NewsWahl Blog posts may have been received for evaluation purposes for free and/or we received compensation. NewsWahl is an affiliate for one or more of the products, links, and banners on the site. Which means we may receive compensation when you click on the links. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. You can trust I blog with integrity, and I only recommend products I would use. Thanks – Natalie Life around here is high in stress and low on finances. We don’t travel much, and usually have interesting disaster stories to tell afterwards. I recently subscribed to a subscription box service called Escape Monthly. Each month they send you a blue box full of wonderful products from different destinations around the world....
Continue reading »
Products and activities mentioned on News Wahl posts have been received for evaluation purposes for free and/or we received compensation. News Wahl is and affiliate for one or more of the products, links, & banners on the site. Which means we may receive compensation when you click on the links. All opinions are 100% our own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. I only recommend products I love and use! Thanks – Natalie It is monsoon season in Las Vegas. I love the rain. It is beautiful, and smells great. My son hates the thunder and lightning, but I could live in a place where it rains every day, except for the fact that barometric pressure changes cause mega migraines in my brain. They are the awful, don’t talk to me, touch me, or...
Continue reading »
I love to review products, but am slowly catching up on technology. It seems like every time I have figured out what is new and great another product enters the market. I follow a lot of other bloggers and websites to gather information and get ideas for my blog. Dragon Blogger is one of my favorites. They have great technology reviews, and fun giveaways. I also enjoy their game and software reviews. So whether your looking for information on the latest technology, or want to enter a great giveaway, or find a new game, check out http://www.dragonblogger.com
Continue reading »
Disclaimer: This is my blog and all opinions in it are mine. I am a distributor with Young Living, but unless you buy from me, I get no financial or other gain from this post. These are not the views of anyone but myself, and should be used as such. I just came back from Young Living’s 20th Anniversary Convention. I have many medical conditions, and was actually forced to come home early because I reacted to medications that doctor’s were trying on me. I did get to meet the people involved in Young Living. I learned where and how the oils are made, the stringent testing required and a lot of other wonderful and amazing things. Top of my list are they have some NEW oil blends for people with PTSD, Depression and Autism, and I can’t wait to share and use them. Because of my medical conditions, I...
Continue reading »
Welcome to the Jewelry Organizer Giveaway Hosted by: SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways Sponsored by: Longstem This door/wall organizer is attractive enough to hang on a bedroom wall, inside a closet or hang over any door. This organizer includes two over door brackets and two wall mounts and a removable plastic tray with six compartments. I love being organized, and my jewelry is currently in need of a new home. Enter this giveaway!! You can connect with Longstem Organizers, Inc. on Facebook and Pinterest Now for the giveaway: One lucky person will win a Over door/Wall Jewelry Organizer. This is open to US and ends 6/15/14 @ 11:59 pm est. To enter, Simply do the tasks on the Giveaway Tools widget below and you’re set to have a chance to win! Remember you can’t win if you don’t enter. It only takes one entry to win! Good Luck, SaraLee’s Deals...
Continue reading »
My son has started playing video games in his head. He can tell you the statistics, the layout, and all the attack and other information in great detail, to a game that he invented and plays in his mind when we won’t let him play on a gaming device. It is a little like having an imaginary friend. It is a lot compulsive, and really annoying to listen to all the details of a game that only he can see. It was a problem when we had to start setting times when he could play/collect at school so it didn’t interrupt his schooling. I often wonder how he’ll get through adulthood. 🙂 I love that his creativity is growing, and that he has developed this in his mind. Often, Asperger’s kids can’t think up new things and are stuck repeating only what they have seen or heard. His imaginative skills...
Continue reading »
The current bundle of the week is a Gluten Free Bundle. I love the books included, and unfortunately am late posting this, so there is a link below, but no cool graphics. My family has eaten gluten-free for over 10 years. When my son was born we were counseled to keep him off all gluten until he was 2. We did, but it didn’t prevent him from developing a gluten intolerance. We noted it first in his behavior. When we started to let him eat gluten, his crazy ADHD type behavior became more like bouncing off of walls and spinning until he made me sick. We took him off almost immediately and saw vast improvement. I believe that is one of the reasons we were able to keep him off of ADHD meds until now. We recently had blood work confirm that he is indeed gluten intolerant, and may develop...
Continue reading »
This email contains affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase, I earn a small commission. I’m only an affiliate for companies I trust and/or purchase from myself. While this does not cost you anything, it does garner my heartfelt thanks. By popular demand, 100+ homemaking bloggers are bringing back The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle, and it’s better than ever! The Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is a complete library of great eBooks on homemaking—a truly valuable knowledge base you’ll use for many years to come. Unlike a library, though, you don’t have to spend years building it up. The Ultimate Bundles team has done the hard work for you, searching the web to find the very best eBooks from top homemaking authors and combining them into one essential collection that you can buy in one simple purchase. Act now to get the ultimate eBook collection on homemaking at a once-in-a-lifetime price....
Continue reading »
Nature’s Sleep is having a promotion! Use the code BEARS50 to get 50% off the entire site as well as free shipping. I am saving up for one of their fabulous mattresses. Hopefully it won’t take too much longer as our mattress is getting old. My son could really use a new mattress too. So, I bring up mattresses cause I think they’re cool and because fatigue is a huge part of my life. Sometimes there are nights and days where I cannot sleep because the pain is overwhelming and/or I am just to wound up. I have tried several types of sleeping medications, and techniques. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. It just so happens that I have all kinds of sleep issues. I have trouble falling asleep. I wake up every morning between 2-4 and have a hard time going back to sleep, and then once I’m asleep...
Continue reading »
I suffer from Chronic Major Depressive Disorder. It isn’t fun, happy or good. Everything I try to blog about is contrary to how I feel and live. It has made me feel like a fake, so I will be blogging about my depression too, because somehow it has to fit in with the happy, fun and good. Somehow, I have to live. Lately I don’t want to. I also struggle with pituitary failure, and Arnold Chiari Syndrome. I have chronic migraines, am allergic to gluten, and struggle with asthma. Because of my pituitary failure I have no immunity, no stress response, and I have to take a LOT of steroids. These have made me gain weight. So basically I am overweight, bedridden, sick all the time, in intolerable pain, and depressed. It isn’t a pretty picture. Last month it got so bad that I wasn’t able to sleep for days...
Continue reading »
News Wahl received one or more of the products mentioned in the post below free for evaluation purposes, received compensation, and/or is an affiliate of one or more of the products, links and banners you will see on this site. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% genuine. This is disclosed in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. Thanks for reading Natalie. I was supposed to host a party for Disney, and then post beautiful pictures of the fun we had. Instead I’ve had month after month of medical emergencies and lingering illnesses. It isn’t fun. Our parties have had to be canceled, and even ideas of going from person to person celebrating in little moments have fallen through as my son broke his arm, and I got bronchitis, again. I will eventually use the party supplies and...
Continue reading »
News Wahl received one or more of the products mentioned in the post below free for evaluation purposes, received compensation, and/or is an affiliate of one or more of the products, links and banners you will see on this site. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% genuine. This is disclosed in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. Thanks for reading Natalie. My family was able to go to the 3D preview of Disney’s Frozen right before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately life happened, and I was unable to share with you all how amazing it is. Now it’s won a Golden Globe and is up for an Academy Award, everyone knows, but I still feel like sharing. I absolutely loved Anna and Elsa, the two princesses were adorable as children, and grew up into princesses that if I had a...
Continue reading »
This is a terrible picture. It is one day after brain surgery, the cape is for my son. You don’t see the bruises from the many tubes, or the back of my head, which has a 4-inch incision. I was lucky the surgery was perfect, and I went home the next day to recover for 6 weeks. So this was me last February. I found out I had an Arnold-Chiari malformation, and within a month had surgery to correct it. In so many ways life is 100% better now, but it is far from perfect. I still have a failed pituitary gland, due to the high pressure in my brain that the surgery corrected, and I seem to have damaged nerves all through my body that are starting to heal, and that is painful. Now I have chronic migraines. Separate issue from the brain thing, but still brain related, and...
Continue reading »
Welcome to the iCaughtSanta.com Photo Giveaway Hosted by: SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways Sponsored by: iCaughtSanta.com This week I was a Grinch. I was doing good before, but money is tight, which means my birthday and Christmas will be tiny. My son will always get what he wants, but I was feeling deprived. My pain levels are high for no known reason, and I am generally just not feeling the Joy of Christmas. Since my name literally means Christmas child it is rare for me not to be full-on Christmas celebrating by now. I’m usually baking, singing and preparing for quality family time by now. Instead I find myself in bed depressed and ready for it to all be over with. So NOT how I wanted to celebrate this year. This giveaway caught my funny bone, and makes me laugh. My son still believes in Santa, although we’re pretty sure...
Continue reading »
http://cmp.ly/2/QDaloQ Jamba Juice has a flurry of holiday specials coming up! I would love to take advantage of all of them. They have a great new flavor Eggnog Jubilee. They are also offering 25% off of their catering services, which are awesome and have some great items for your Teacher appreciation, or other Holiday events. A few other fun offers in case you’re interested. As always sign-up for their e-mails to get the latest news on freebies and more! Visit Us Online Find A Store Menu + Nutrition Jambacards Jamba Kids™ Live Fruitfully™ More Jamba Update Your Information Unsubscribe You are receiving this email at lmiller@daymon.com because you subscribed to the Jamba Juice Insider list. Your email address will not be shared with anyone. Please refer to our Privacy Policy for complete details. You can remove your email from the Insider list at...
Continue reading »
Who is ready for another Cash Bash? It’s officially Christmas season and shopping is in full swing! Winning $420 can help you purchase some of those gifts on your list or maybe even something fun for yourself! However you’d like to spend this money is up to you! This giveaway is brought to you by Kara’s Deals and Steals and dozens of amazing bloggers who make such an awesome prize possible. You can see the list of all bloggers who sponsored this event here. One lucky winner will get the choice of $420 Paypal cash or $420 in Amazon gift codes. This giveaway will run from 12/2-12/30 and is open WORLDWIDE. Please enter on the Rafflecopter below. All entries will be verified and anyone with false entries will be disqualified. Good luck to all! a Rafflecopter giveaway This blog is not responsible for providing the reward.
Continue reading »
Welcome to the Collapsible Deluxe Salad Bowl Giveaway Hosted by: SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways Sponsored by: Smart Planet Smart Planet carries Household Items with an Eco-friendly twist. Founded in 1995, for more than 15 years, it has been Smart Planet’s mission to help you live in our planet earth with our Eco-friendly household items. Smart Planet is an internationally renowned source of innovative and Eco-friendly products that make life more enjoyable. If it’s good for the environment and it’s good for business, then it’s good for Smart Planet and our partners. We need new BPA free containers and I am shopping around. These look great! About the Collapsible Deluxe Salad Bowl: •Silicone Base is Microwave and Dishwasher Safe. Lid is not Microwave or Dishwasher Safe. •Expands to Double the size, push down to collapse and store at half the size. •Has 2 inner compartments. •Includes a dressing container,...
Continue reading »
Welcome to the SmartSilk Pillows Giveaway Hosted by: SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways Sponsored by: SmartSilk The SmartSilk™ Pillow offers you a delightful sleeping experience with our luxurious blend of all natural and luxurious material. We begin with the cozy silk-filled liner that smoothly borders the entire pillow. The all-natural soft cotton outer shell then encases our unique polyester micro gel fiber filling providing you with a very comfy combination for a relaxing night’s sleep. About the pillow: – Polyester micro gel fiber filling – All natural silk fill liner – All natural cotton outer shell – Moisture wicking properties help to reduce effects of night sweats – Keeps your skin moisturized – Water repellent non-woven material – Breathable materials: no longer need to flip the pillow around looking for a cool spot We buy pillows every year for Christmas. I am still looking for that perfect pillow, but...
Continue reading »
Follow my blog with Bloglovin So there are a LOT of giveaways and very few posts or updates. It’s because my life sucks in many ways, and writing about it just doesn’t seem to fit what I want for this blog, but life is life, so I will share. My health has been quite tenuous lately, as has my weight and psychological well-being. I have been extremely depressed, anxious and unable to blog or even leave the house some days. I hate this person. It is not who I was or am or want to be, but it is my current reality. To illustrate some of the struggle, I have included pictures of my physical changes over the past 8 years. Most of them have occurred in the last 3 years. I started extremely underweight, even emaciated, but that has been fixed, and now I am two wardrobes bigger, and...
Continue reading »
