Jul 12, 2010
Posted in Getting to know me | View Comments
This week’s question is: What are some of the stranger remedies you’ve learned from your family elders? Either for curing ailments, or cleaning silver or stains, or just whatever? I know I have some strange ones that work! Share your tips.
Well, let me tell you. My grandpa was full of “old indian tricks,” as he liked to call them, but my favorite and least favorite is hot brandy to cure just about anything. Now, hot brandy is HORRIBLY tasting, but add some honey, and well, drink it quick. Oddly enough it does help one to feel better, but I think more than anything, the alcohol helps certain family members to sleep through their cold, etc a little better, so they rest more and the body heals. But um…yeah, drink up! I even remember my uncle, Roger, trying to mix it with coffee and sip it once in an attempt to make it more palatable, but I cannot say that it worked. LOL!
Now my grandma…she’s a bit humorous too. She always had us put an ice chip in our ears when we had an ear infection to cool the area. We also used garlic-mullin drops before I had any idea that it was really helpful! She was ahead of her time with me!
I know there are more, but for the life of me, I do not think any of them are strange.
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Jul 9, 2010
Posted in Friday Feature | View Comments
I once sent a link to a friend about Badger Balm. She travels a lot and a balm that serves multiple purposes seemed appropriate. Yes, I am always on the lookout for things my friends might like. Badger is a very green small town American company that uses natural and mostly organic ingredients. They are committed to the environment and sustainability, as well as fostering a healthy and caring work environment.
As summer neared and I was looking for a sunscreen for TB (and me), EWG’s sunscreen guide came out and Badger’s sunscreen was rated very favorably, so I gave it a whirl. (All of Badger products are rated between 0-3 on the EWG’s Skin Deep Database.) We also got some of the anti-bug balm, which has been working wonderfully. Overall, we have enjoyed their products and find them reasonably priced. Below are my thoughts on their products we are now using.
Anti-Bug Balm: I like the twist up stick of this product, because it is easy to apply to exposed skin without getting my hands messy and is very effective at keeping the bugs off of me and TB. The tin is also ok, though I find applying it to be a bit messy. Kevin is a mosquito magnet, and due to his larger surface area (hey! At 6-7, he has more surface area!), he has balked at trying it, but I think he’s tired of getting bitten. If he does budge, I will post an update of how it fared on him. If you dislike the smell of lemongrass and citronella, this product might not be for you, but I did not find the scent to be dis-favorably strong at all, and I definitely will be ordering it again!
Bali Balm: I really like this balm. It feels light when I apply it, yet it is very moisturizing. I use it after I am outdoors for a while (i.e. I have gotten some sun), and really any time I feel like I need a little moisture, because I do not keep lotions around. It was soothing on my birthday sunburn, and this is definitely another “keep it around” product for our home. I don’t keep many products around, especially specialty moisturizers, so that’s saying something. 
SPF 
30 Unscented Natural Sunscreen: I love this sunscreen. It works very well, and it does not sweat off like some sunscreens do. It has no scent, especially not a chemical smell, so that was nice. On the downside, if you are worried about nanoparticles (zinc oxide) or really dislike thick sunscreens, you might not like this product.
SPF 30 Sunscreen & Bug Repellent: Yes, all in one. I bought this one specifically for TB, because his school will not reapply bug repellent at school, but they will apply sunscreen and sunscreen plus repellent in one. (The school is surrounded by forests and though they try to control bugs, it’s impossible to keep up!) This one is a bit easier to apply (i.e. less thick) than the unscented version, but the scent is not overpowering to me. It definitely smells no stronger than the anti-bug balm.
SPF 15 Lip Balm: I’ve only used this a couple of times, because I forget I own it! Both times though, my lips have thanked me (i.e. they were less dry after being outdoors in the sun all day). It definitely had a slight whitening effect, but not so much that I thought I looked super strange. It doesn’t feel real heavy or sticky to me either, so that was a plus.
Products we have yet to try but own or will be delivered soon– Anti-Bug Shake and Spray and Sore Muscle Rub- Extra Strength (Kevin’s all over this one)!
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Jul 8, 2010
Posted in Basketball, Charity | View Comments
Way back in April, a woman I would call a great friend (though we’ve never met…thank you Facebook and the basketball wives group!) , Kearstin, and her husband-to-be, Adam, suffered a great loss. Adam’s sister, Jill, died shortly after her son’s birth. As if that were not tragic enough, the baby, Chase, also died.*
This is a tragedy that would knock most people flat, yet Adam has come out fighting! Amidst his grief, he is working hard to get a fund in his sister’s name rolling. The mission of the fund is:
To provide the stepping stones for young people to chase and achieve their dreams. We aim to provide aid through financial assistance, encouragement, guidance and emotional support.
The Fund is a living legacy to the attributes Jill exhibited daily with the way she lived her life. Her zest for living, drive to achieve her aspirations and enthusiasm were contagious to everyone she met. Jill forever changed the lives of everyone around her. This Fund is a celebration of that love, guidance, support and the realization of her desire to keep dreaming and CHASE YOUR DREAMS!
Adam and Kearstin continue to rely on God and His promises during this incredibly difficult time. The joy they find in Jesus is a great encouragement to many people, including myself. Please, if you feel compelled, look further in to the fund and consider a donation, and even if you do not donate, please pray for their continued strength and success in this endeavor.
*You can read more about Jill here.
More information on the JEHH Memorial Golf Tournament (to be held in Vermont) can be found here.
Erin also wrote about the fund (in a more timely fashion than I) here.
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Jun 18, 2010
Posted in Friday Feature, Travel | View Comments
It is summer, which means travel time in our home. In the past, we have flown with our car seat and go-go-kidz, which I still love and lend out to my friends quite frequently. Now that The Boy (TB) is getting bigger, however, I decided to invest in acar seat cover and CARES system. I use the cover and check the car seat, which is usually free.
Early on, I held off because I thought the curve of the seat would be uncomfortable for TB, but I have to admit, I love the CARES system, and so does my son.
When we boarded, I quickly slipped the main portion around the seat, and then looped the harness through his seatbelt. It took very little time, and we were able to board as a family instead of separately. (We normally tried to have one parent board with the car seat and the second board later with TB.) The harness and strap were easy to adjust.
CARES fits kids 22 to 44 pounds, which makes it a great addition for children on the airplane. It is also nice during layovers, because the system folds back up in to his six inch sack. At a meer one pound, it is a great travel companion.
The picture I am posting is slightly misleading. I snapped this picture prior to take-off, and when I looked at my son in it, I realized that the portion that attaches to the seat back was not low enough. We also further tightened the harness to fit his slight frame. According to the installation instructions, the red strap should be just above a child’s shoulders.
The CARES system is available for purchase in the US ($74.95) and UK.
(This post is cross-posted at Mamasworldwide.com.)
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Jun 14, 2010
Posted in Getting to know me | View Comments
This Week’s Question: How did you meet your spouse? Tell us about your first date!
Well, this is a fun question. I always wonder just how much I should tell…or not tell. Basically, we met in the training room. I was rehabbing my knee after my second surgery, and he was (usually) getting tape or ice. The training room is a social focal point at our university for athletes, so it makes sense. I, being social, talked to a lot of people, including Kevin only he rarely said much. I knew he was shy, but come on. Right? Anyway, so one day I got on him for not talking to me and a few days laster, he palmed a ball in my peripheral vision directly at my head. Oh yeah, he slapped it first, so I ducked and looked a bit stupid. LOL!
Our first date…um…well…we hung out in an apartment, and then later that day he showed up almost everywhere I went. I’m going to call it a date. Usually I call it stalking me. He doesn’t like that much though.
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