A new kind of New Year's resolution

As we close the chapter on 2013 and say goodbye to another year; I wanted to share my advice for an awesome 2014. This is a once in a year chance to start over. Forget about the resolutions to lose weight and make more money. How about this year we do something for everyone? Let's make next year the year of doing better, by being a better person. The old saying "It doesn't cost anything to smile at a stranger" is so true. Did you know this can actually make a person’s day? Think about it, if they were having a terrible day and you were the first person to smile at them, how would that affect them? It would make their day better. Just being kind to one another can cause a great happiness effect. Another great idea is to compliment a stranger. Yes a simple "I like your sweater” or “Nice hat” can change a negative mindset. It's true; YOU have the power to change someone’s day.  

While you are in a kind mood, think about donating to a local charity. This helps the people in need right in your neighborhood. It’s great to see your money at work with a new park, landscaping or murals. You can even donate gently used shoes and clothing to homeless shelters. Plus, you can take the tax break at the end of the year. It’s a win-win situation. So as you get ready to close out this year and bring in the New Year, remember to think of others. Make a resolution that will help everyone. I promise you will feel great about it.  

 

Have a fantastic New Year, 2014 is going to be amazing for all of us!

FREEBIE Alert, Children's Best selling book "Suzy Snowflake" for Kindle

We found an excellent FREEBIE today. Its a FREE book download from Amazon called "Suzy Snowflake". It's for ages 0-6 and can be downloaded immediately. If you would like to download this FREE book please click the link below. 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ACQIVLW

The importance of helmets.

I was recently reading a magazine cover while waiting in line at the grocery store. It had a picture of two celebrities riding bikes with their children. The children all had bicycle helmets on but the celebrity Mom and Dad did not. I started thinking, what would happen if the Mom was to fall off her bike and hit her head? What if the fall was really bad and she ended up in the hospital? I see this everyday in my own neighborhood. Parents who insist that their children wear helmets but refuse to wear one themselves. I always make my children wear a helmet while riding bike and I always wear one too. I think it's important to lead by example. Wearing a helmet while riding a bike is like wearing your seat belt while riding in a car. It's meant to protect you. Most importantly, it's protecting your brain from injury in the event that you fell and hit your head. I guess we have to ask ourselves, who will take care of my family if I am seriously injured? Is it worth the risk to not wear a helmet? I don't think so. 

Do you think it's important to wear a helmet while bike riding with your children?

This helmet can be purchased at  www.bikerumor.com/

If you would like more information on bike safety please visit KidsHealth.org

Eczema relief

My children get what I call "Winter Eczema" every year. I've had several parents ask me about Eczema and what I use to control it. My answer is simple and cheap, I use olive oil. It's a wonder oil for many reasons. It works excellent on moisturizing the skin. This is the only product I apply on my children's skin at night after their shower. It's all natural of course and it works great. It's safe for babies, toddlers and children. I highly suggest it. 

They have several brands available at your local supermarket. I use the Wal-Mart brand and it runs about $5.38 each. I've found that olive oil is olive oil so you don't have to spend alot to get a quality product. 

For more information on Eczema please visit 

NationalEczema.org

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Help Make-A-Wish

Please join Macy's in supporting Make-A-Wish this holiday season by writing a letter to Santa and dropping it in the special Santa letterbox at your local Macy’s store. For every letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish, up to 1 million dollars -

That is alot of money that will go towards helping sick children. www.macys.com/believe. 

Please click here for more 

information about Make-A-Wish

Why you should stop texting and driving.

Texting and Driving, The truth and why it's BAD! 

Question: How many seconds are your eyes off the road while texting?

Answer: The average time is 5 seconds. If you were traveling at 55 mph that is enough time to cover the length of a football field.  

Think you have mad driving skills and can text and drive? Try the simulator and see now http://www.itcanwaitsimulator.org/

Did you know, a texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into an accident than a non-texting driver? 

Over 100,000 accidents per year are caused by people texting. 

Here are some pictures of cars after the accident.

 http://teensagainstdistracteddriving.com

http://www.examiner.com

As of 2012 drivers are subject to a fine of $100.00 or more if caught texting and driving. This amount varies state to state. If it can be shown that texting while driving was the cause of an accident the fines go up considerably. As of today they start at $250.00 per each incident.

The police use technology in our cars and cell phones to accurately gauge the precise time you were texting. You can' t just say "I wasn't texting". 

If you were to cause an accident that ended in death, you will be charged with vehicular manslaughter. 

You can be pulled over if you appear to be texting, even if you have not broken any other laws.

If you cause an accident while texting, you WILL be sued for not only negligence, but for punitive damages as well. Texting while driving constitutes a course of conduct which creates a substantial risk of significant harm to others. 

Research has been done that shows texting while driving has the same effect as driving while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. 

Please take that time to pledge not to text and drive >>>> Pledge Now

#itcanwait 

Make money from your blog or website now, It's FREE and Easy!

Would you like to make extra money with very little effort? Lots of companies want to pay to be part of your blog or website. It's free and easy to sign up. You can add as many advertisers as you would like and you can use Facebook, Twitter, email or your blog to create endless amounts of money. It's all up to you. Click the link below to get more information.

FREE haircuts at ULTA on 10/13/13 100% of proceeds go 2 Breast Cancer Research

Come out and get a FREE service of your choice. You can choose from Shampoo & Haircut, MicroZone Skin Treatment (sorta like a facial),  or A Pink Hair Extension?

Stop by THE SALON at ULTA on October 13th from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for their annual CUT-A-THON.

 

Just a minimum $10.00 donation you can pick a FREE Shampoo & Haircut, a MicroZone Skin Treatment or a Pink Hair Extension. You can donate $30.00 and get all three services. They will also be collection hair for Locks of Love.

 

100% of the proceeds go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation ! No appointments accepted. Walk-ins only. 

 

To find the location closest to you go to http://www.ulta.com/salon/

A must read, feel good story.

My daughter has tutored in the special education 
class called the "Dream Team" in her high school for two years now. A few weeks ago she came home and said someone started a hashtag on Twitter for a senior in the class named Kevin to be nominated Homecoming King. She was so excited when she explained the whole story to me. I couldn't help but feel excited too. I headed over to Twitter and checked out the hashtag myself.

You can find it here https://twitter.com/search?q=kevinforhomecoming2013&src=typd 

Below is a picture of the amazing young lady who started the hashtag #kevinforhomecoming2013 her little brother also has down syndrome. I wanted to hug her the first time we met. She's fantastic!   

Photo credit to https://twitter.com/Niki_Stitches

The kids started spreading #Kevinforhomecoming2013 and it took off. On the day of nominations all the kids were reminding one another to VOTE 4 KEVIN. 

I thought this would be a great story for our local news. I typed up a quick status update and asked all my friends and family to share it. We took to Twitter and Facebook to spread the word about #Kevinforhomecoming2013 The story took off. Within only a few hours I received a phone call from a reporter. She was touched by the story and wanted to know more. The next day she was at the school interviewing Kevin and some of his friends.   

A few days later all the votes were in and guess what.......

KEVIN WON!      

Photo credit www.tucsonnewsnow.com

I am so proud of the kids at Canyon Del Oro High school. This is kindness at the fullest.

After trying to get just one news station to pick up the story we got three, yes three stations wanted to cover this great story.

Please click the links below to watch now. 

~Remember Be Kind and Pay It Forward~

KVOA channel 4

http://www.kvoa.com/videoplayer/?video_id=16061&categories=15

KGUN channel 9

http://www.kgun9.com/news/local/227338591.html

KOLD channel 13

https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=434049600035055

Good news story ~Please Share~

I wanted to tell you about something amazing I've witnessed recently at CDO high school. They have a senior special education student named Kevin who has Down syndrome. The whole student body recently rallied to make him homecoming king. They used social media to spread this news. They came up with #kevinforhomecoming2013 on Twitter and the news grew fast. On Friday October, 11th he will be crowned homecoming king. I think this would make an excellent story for our local news. It's a feel good story that shows our children in a wonderful light.

 Please share this so we can get this awesome story on the local news.