photo credit: iwona_kellie

No, not that kind of a bar! MommyBar is a toolbar and it’s free!

Since I added my blogs to the MommyBar my traffic from this exposure has increased. I’ve also found other blogs that are not only fun reads but tons of contests (I’ve got to win something out of all the contests I’ve entered, right?), shopping sites, coupon sites, social networks for mom bloggers and even online games for me to waste spend some time playing.

If you want to show off your mom blog then why not join? Get in on the fun and meet some other bloggers you can relate to. Please let Lauren know that I referred you. Hope to see you there.

Peanut has written a book and it got published! While in third grade this past school year, her teacher focused a great deal on writing. Of course because of the state standardized test, the FCAT this was a requirement. But Peanut’s teacher had a way to make things fun for her students.

She allowed them to use their imagination even though they had to follow a formula when writing. She read all of their work and wrote comments about little details that I didn’t even catch sometimes. She encouraged them. And she promised them a big surprise at the end of the year.

Each student was able to write their own book, in their own words, with their own illustrations. Every child got a free book and if you wanted an extra one or more, there was a nominal fee for it.

Of course, being the proud momma that I am, I purchased 4 extra books. We kept the free one, gave one to her Gee-Gee (my Mom), one to Grandma and Pa (Hubby’s parents), one to Lady Ali and one to our church.

We just picked them up about a week ago. They are hardcover and just made her so proud of her accomplishments. We are too!

I’m not affiliated with this company in any way, but this is who my dd’s teacher used, Studentreasures.com.

They offer programs for schools and individuals. So if you’re a homeschooler this would work for you too. I think it’s an excellent way to increase their self-esteem about their ability to write and draw.

Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. When I worked as a Home Health Social Worker, I’ve seen how intelligent, vibrant people change so drastically. Some became unable to feed themselves. Some became combative. Some would wander by getting out of their own homes and then get lost. Some would seem fine until you tried to have a conversation with them.

Families were devastated by this disease too. Seeing a family member change before your eyes and having to make decisions about caring for that person is difficult to say the least.

There have been a lot of advances in research concerning Alzheimer’s but nothing close to a cure. The Alzheimer’s Association is working toward that goal in many ways. This group holds a fundraising event called the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk. It is a yearly event held throughout the US. There is always a need for walkers and team captains. Taking part in something like this makes you feel that you are doing more than just helping to raise money. You get to talk with others as you walk, form friendships and be proactive in the fight against this disease.

After my rant yesterday some of you may be wondering why 2 doctors appointments and not eating lunch would tick me off so much. Things like that are pretty common in my life. Doctors appointments go longer than expected and I can do pretty well with missing a meal or too.

The thing that added to this was what my doctor told me. I knew I was going to get a diagnosis concerning my kidney but I didn’t expect all of the extra work involved with this diagnosis. For someone with no other medical problems it wouldn’t be too bad, not that I’d wish this on anyone. But for someone like me who has too much medical stuff to handle already and is overwhelmed with doctors, medicines and labs this news set me off.

I now have to go for blood tests once a week for a month, monthly tests for I don’t know how long, change my meds for the next few days and then change them as my labs come in, if they show my Potassium levels to be higher or lower and see the doctor every three months unless there’s problems with my labs.

OK so more things to remember, keep track of, drive to the lab for, get stuck for and just do, do, do. And it all centers on my health. I’d like to forget about my health for a bit and focus on me, my family, friends, just doing fun stuff. I wanted to go to BlogHer but how could I, if I have to nap and worry about getting sick or needing a scooter to get around?

Pity Party over and on to better stuff. But I just feel pissy and I want to for a while.