Artsy Chaos

Facing a debilitating illness or surgery, or having a family member doing the same, can be frightening and a bit like you're leaping into an unknown abyss.  I recently read Back to Life:  A Journey of Transformation Through Back Surgery and found it to be an interesting and informative read.   One month ago, my mother had heart surgery for the second time.  The first time was 17 years ago for a triple bypass after two heart attacks.  She was 45.  This time she needed a valve replacement and they performed another bypass during the nearly 10 hour surgery.  Back to Life by Pamela Douglas chronicles her experience with major spine surgery through first-person and family journal entries in categories of before, during and after surgery.  I found the similarities between Pam's experiences, thought and feelings to be remarkably like what my mother just went through with major heart surgery.  To me, what is most extraordinary is the way t...

My 15 year old son had a brilliant idea last week while at the local roller skating arena. Let me rewind just a bit, first, however. My son does not roller skate, roller blade, ice skate or really skate in any fashion. Although he's pretty good on the long board and does wear skater shoes, these two things do not a skater make.  He insisted that he was going to just "hang out" with his friends, sit and talk.  $5 later, he was safely in the skating arena talking and having fun with friends..... or so I thought. It just so happens that my daughter-in-law's sister, who is the same age as my son, was there also.  Since she can skate well, here is where my son's brilliant idea entered the picture.  "She can teach me to skate!"  And it went downhill from there.  As soon as he stepped foot on the rink, he fell backwards, twisting his wrist and falling on the bent arm.  I, however, didn't know all of this until later on in the night when I arrive to pic...

Let's face it, we all get sweaty at some point or another.  If you workout, garden, play outside or you just do a lot of mom running around, our bodies don't always feel just-showered clean.  Recently, we were given the opportunity to try a sample of Playtex Sport Body Wipes and let me just say... these ain't your ordinary "baby body wipes". We just love the scent.  It's almost like you're using a body wipe spiked with a fragrance counter perfume.  Plus, they're alcohol free!  These wipes are for your entire body.  Perfect for carrying around in your purse or gym bag.  We also have to admit that we LOVE the colors of the packaging. ;)   We received this exclusive complimentary sampling opportunity of Playtex Sport Body Wipes, available to members only, as a result of our membership at Crowdtap.com .