Getting Back On Track

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Life hit me pretty hard recently with the loss of my stepdad, Papa. Sunday will be four weeks since he passed and I'm still not sure which way is up. I know I'm still breathing. I know my kids and husband are still living, and I'm even able to laugh and enjoy life at times. And then there are times when I'm gripped with heart breaking pain, when the tears come, and I begin rocking back and forth trying to comfort myself from the realization of this loss. 
My Papa loved cycling. He took it up when my mom's health began to really suffer, probably 15 years or so ago. Riding was his way of releasing stress, of taking a break from the responsibilities of being a care taker, and simply being among friends. 
He would ride for hours and then he began entering different races. He never bragged too much about the sport but I always wanted to join him. Every time I'd think it was a good time to take up riding, life would pop up another adventure from my Master's degree, marriage, and/or pregnancies. But no matter what, Papa always found time in his schedule to ride.
I was always proud of him for taking up such a sport and for sticking with it for so many years. I began running about 5 years ago and even though I've taken some breaks here and there, I always return to the sport. I always wanted to run a race with Papa but we never got around to it. Yet my husband recently began training and he and I ran our first race together just last weekend. It was a 5K and he kicked my butt. :)
In the process of about 6 months my husband has removed 62 pounds from his body. He has lowered his cholesterol and is able to run 6 miles, pretty much non stop, at about a 9 to 10 min/mi pace. I'm not that fast. :) And even though, Sean had to run slower that day and even take a few walk breaks, he helped shave off almost a whole minute and a half from my previous race times. I finished at 37:16, he at 37:14. I'm happy to say we took the time to experience that moment together and will never have any regrets of not doing so.
And today, even though I'm still grieving and uncertain of many things, I know I must push forward and make my health a priority once again. Running has never been easy, and it seems a hell of a lot slower when the mind is stressed, but you just keep going, right? Sometimes, like these times, it doesn't matter so much the pace time as it does just simply keeping the routine going so that when I awake from this fog, I'll still be in a place that I worked towards when I first joined the Mamavation Campaign. 
This week's goals:

• 64 ounces of water a day
• tracking my food 
• 3 days of fitness (anything from yoga, weight training, to running)

What about You? How has Your week been? What are You striving for in the weeks to come?

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{Product Review} Kids Academy Educational Apps

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Kids Academy is a creator of educational children’s mobile apps. They received dozens of positive reviews and were top rated by Children’s Technology and Parent Reviews.
An amazing collection of apps designed to enhance and encourage your child's development, from shapes, numbers, and letter tracing, to songs, worksheets, and even story time. Kids Academy offers so many great educational avenues that your toddler to preschooler will be engaged as well as thrilled to learn new skills.
My toddler and I enjoyed the Shapes and Robots Face Tracing game which focused on: learning shapes, fine motor skills, as well as offering the ability to track my child's progress. 
A bit about the game:
Kids Academy • Bugs, shapes and robots is a fun educational game that is ideal for helping children aged 2-6 to learn their shapes. This is perfect for any young child getting ready to go to preschool! 

Toddlers are encouraged to learn about shapes through interactions with engaging animations and sounds. There are 10 shape that kids will have fun with guided with a professional voice over. Every time your toddlers complete an activity, they collect shiny fireflies that can be released in the end of the game. Lively music, full voice over and sound effects respond to the child’s efforts with positive encouragement and congratulations as appropriate. 

Knowledge of shapes forms the basis of all learning and is essential for preparing children for reading, writing and math. Tracing activities develop fine motor skills and improve hand/eye coordination. Learning shapes develops ability to make logical connections which is a precursor to both math and language arts. 

Features 
-All major shapes patterns (circle, crescent, heart, hexahedron, oval, rectangle, rhombus, square, star, triangle etc.) 
- Game improves concentration, memory and fine motor skills 
- Game builds foundation for mathematics, geometry, reading and writing 
- Delightful animations and interactive surprises throughout the game 
- Entertaining game to practice shapes and patterns 
- Create multiple child profiles 
- Track the success of your kids with progress chart 
- Colorful high resolution artwork and fun music keeps children engaged 
- Aligned to school standards 
- Developed with teachers 
- Child-friendly gameplay
As a preschool teacher and mom, I can assure you that these apps definitely bring enjoyment to learning. With so much emphasis on meshing education with technology, Kids Academy makes bridging that gap, easier for us all. 

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When To Hire A Workers' Compensation Attorney

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Should I Hire a Workers’ Compensation Attorney ?

When you become injured on the job, you may be confused about the entire workers’ comp process. And who really wants to negative through the stack of medical bills and try to collect lost wages when your body is trying to recover from the injury. An attorney that specializes in workers’ compensation can help ensure your injury claim is accepted, you receive adequate medical treatment and get all the benefits you are entitled too.

Injured workers trying to get the compensation they deserve often experience the following roadblocks:

• If your employer contends that you were not injured or that the injury didn’t occur on the job, you should consider hiring an attorney. Sometimes, employees are afraid that if they report their injury they will lose their job. This fear causes them to wait days or even weeks after the incident to report the injury. Most states have a timeframe in which you can report the injury. A worker’s comp attorney can investigate the incident and prove it occurred at your work.

• If you had a pre-existing disability, they may try to place the blame of your injury on your disability.

• Many states require the injured employee be treated by a physician that is approved by your employer. This physician may have a conflict of interest and request that you return to work before you are fully healed. An attorney will help find an alternative physician who has your best interest at heart. 

• If you worker’s comp benefits are delayed, your attorney can find out why and help accelerate the process. Furthermore, you should never accept a denial of certain benefits without contacting an attorney who specializes in workers’ compensation claims. 

• Employees cannot be punished or fired for filing a worker’s comp claim. In fact, it is against the law. An attorney can find the real reasons for your demotion or dismissal, and file the necessary claims against your employer if needed.

• For injuries occurred due to the negligence of a third party -- such as a defective product --, your workers’ comp attorney will bring a claim against the third party to recover any additional compensation allowed.


A workers’ compensation attorney will overcome those roadblocks and help your claim be accepted. They also ensure you receive all the benefits you’re entitled too. Learn more here to help you decide whether an attorney is the right decision for your specific situation.

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Baby Cribs: Which Is Right For You?

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Things to Consider When Choosing a Baby Crib

Generally, parents who are expecting a new baby make time to shop for a crib a few months before the little one arrives. They want to allow themselves enough time to find a crib in the style and color that they want for the nursery. Here are some of the things that parents consider as they look at traditional baby cribs. 

Color

Sometimes parents want a crib that goes with the color theme of their baby's nursery. For example, if they paint the walls in a pastel color and purchase artwork that features bright colors, they will probably go with a crib that is light in color. This may be a white crib or perhaps one with light-colored wood. They want every piece in the entire nursery to go with their color theme. This adds a pleasant tone to the décor.

Style

Many parents want to choose a crib in a style that matches the rest of the furniture in the nursery. If they have a changing table, bookshelves and chairs in a traditional design, they will likely choose a crib in that same design. This is another way to bring harmony to the décor of a nursery. In addition, a crib in a traditional design is a classic that never goes out of style!

Size of the Crib

This is something that many parents must consider before looking at their first crib. In short, they know that the size of the crib must suit the dimensions of the nursery. If parents have a smaller nursery with a single window, they'll want to choose a crib that is appropriate for that space. A crib that is too large for its nursery can actually make the room look smaller. Not only does this rule apply for the baby's crib, it also goes for the tables, chairs and even the bookshelf in the nursery.

Cost

Finally, parents consider the cost of the crib. Usually, parents have a budget for the things they need to get for their new baby. Oftentimes, a crib takes up a large part of that budget because it is a basic item. A lot of parents begin furnishing the nursery by purchasing a crib. Then, they decorate the nursery according to the appearance and style of the crib. This is an easy way to make sure that everything flows together in the space.

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Dear Papa: Life Goes On

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Dear Papa,

Your body was finally laid to rest today in the National Cemetery with Mom. I don't know why your life had to be so short. My heart hurts because this world wont stop moving forward no matter how badly I'd like to just take a moment and freeze it so that I can catch my breath. 
I don't know what I'll do now. I'm sure I'll get up every morning, go to work, workout, laugh, eat, sleep, be a mother, be a wife...all of these things will continue on but there will always be a piece of me that doesn't move, that I left outside the night I heard of your passing and could only mutter, "why."
Why had my Papa left? Why? I repeated it a hundred times, expecting an answer, never hearing anything back, only thinking of Job and the answer the good Lord gave him. Who am I to question God?
But is it God or life that plays out here? Could things have been different? Was this the result of our American diet coupled with the demand of riding, that you loved so much? But in the end, my heart doesn't care what the answer is, it only knows of the countless opportunities and memories lost. So many memories never to be made.
You were put in the ground today and I'm expected to go on living. I think you got the easier of the two options.

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Lunches That Pack in 5 Minutes (or Less)

Lunches That Pack in 5 Minutes (or Less)

As a defiant response to  Sad Desk Lunches , the Food52 team works to keep our midday meals both interesting and pretty. Each week, we'll be sharing our happiest desk lunches -- and we want to see yours, too. Today: Think you don't have time to plan ahead? Here are 10 lunches you can pack in less than five minutes. This one goes out to all you busy bees  who claim you don't have time to pack yourselves lunch. So you turn to delivery, or the deli across the...Read More

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Dear Papa: My Loss

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When I was around 11, this man arrived into my life and remained there for the next 26 years. He and my mom were married about 5 years when I became pregnant and he became "Papa". My pregnancy was a shock to say the least but the day he held my baby for the first time, I knew everything would be ok, I knew I would be ok. This past Sunday I received the news that my Papa had enjoyed a 4 hour bicycle ride, returned home, and suffered a massive heart attack. My world was crushed. You see seven years ago my mom passed away and Papa was there to pick up the pieces of my broken heart, but who would be here now? Over this past week I've learned so many new things about Steven from friends and coworkers, I've gotten to know a man that I wish I had had a little more time with. I also realized that Papa taught me to trust again, trust in life and in people. He was always there to talk or comfort me, and he was always there to simply let me know that he wanted to be a part of my life. He called weekly, he always asked questions, and he rarely argued with me. :) He truly showed me the simple act of being present in my life, the same way I try, but feel as if I fail most times, to be present with my own children. I have many emotions right now. I have too many tears and not enough answers. I wish life was different, but it's not, and this is all I have at the moment. In the past I've turned to this blog to write out my thoughts but over time that hobby has dwindled. I'd like to take this time and really work through my thoughts and feelings, sharing them here, to help heal my pain and recall found memories of times past.  

{Giveaway} American Dream Builders

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The American Dream Home is something everyone fantasizes about. Whether it’s a new closet, a larger family room, or simply a place to put all your stuff, there’s always something we want to change about where we live!

What if you could make your home into your Dream Home?

AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS – a new show on NBC airing on Sunday at 8/7c – and Lowe’s want to make your dream a reality.

Hosted by famed interior designer and best-selling author, Nate Berkus, AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS follows the nation’s top 12 designers and home builders as they compete to be crowned the Ultimate Dream Builder and take home a $250,000 cash prize. It’s the home competition that will change everything!

From the producers of Survivor and The Bachelor, don’t miss AMERICAN DREAM BUILDERS, Sundays at 8/7c, only on NBC.

You can enter for a chance to win $100,000 in products and services from Lowe’s and a consultation with the winner of American Dream Builders!

Enter for a chance to win your dream renovation at www.nbc.com/lowes.

You will have the opportunity to earn 5 bonus entries when you “Dream It Yourself”! Upload a photo and description of a home project you are working on and EARN 5 BONUS SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES.

Finally, follow the show on Facebook and Twitter for a chance to win more prizes from American Dream Builders and Lowe’s!

And don't miss a great opportunity to win a $50 Lowe's Gift Card! Fill out the Rafflecopter and good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Each household is only eligible to win One (1) $50 Lowe's Gift Card via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

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Firearm Safety and Storage

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Have you inherited one of your granddad's guns? Or, perhaps are you into the hobby of collecting guns? No matter your reason for having a firearm, it should always be protected. The best way to go about doing this is to store it in a gun safe. 
Protecting Your Investment

Your firearm is probably worth a lot of money. Because of this, you don't want any damage to occur to it. If you leave the gun lying on a table in your home, even if it's unloaded, there is a good chance it will get knocked off; thus, resulting in damage. You don't' want this to happen. You need to protect your investment, as well as the value of the gun, by keeping it tucked away in gun safe. 

Safe From Thieves

Every year, thousands of guns get stolen from people's homes. You can protect yourself from this. By storing the guns in a safe, you can rest assured your guns won't be touched by thieves. 

Keeping Your Family Safe

Anyone, any age can get hurt by a gun. Worse yet, they can get killed by a gun. To protect your family from guns and to ensure gun safety, keep your firearms in a safe, such as one from Gun Safes Now. Whether it be a key lock, digital lock or fingerprint lock, make sure you and your spouse are the only ones who have access to the safe. Don't ever give access to your children unless you are absolutely certain they are mature enough to handle guns in a safe manner. 

Protecting Other Assets

In addition to guns, you can store other valuable items in your gun safe, making it ultra-functional. From jewelry to personal items to important documentation, anything that can fit into your safe can be safely stored in it. 


You have probably heard your whole life that guns are not something to play with, and there is no doubt that you understand why. Now, it's time for you to understand the importance of having a gun safe. Even if you don't have children in your home, keep your guns protected by storing them in a safe.

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Spice Up Your Kitchen!

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Fixing Up Your Kitchen

When it comes to keeping your home in good shape, one of the rooms you should focus on first is the kitchen. Broken appliances or an unkempt appearance make the room unpleasant, while an up-to-date kitchen can greatly increase your home's value, not to mention saving energy and making your time fixing meals much more enjoyable. If you're looking to redo your kitchen but aren't sure where to start, here are a few of the things you could consider.

1. Upgrade the Refrigerator

Maybe your refrigerator is already a good one and just needs a tune-up to bring it up to speed. Refrigerator replacement parts are easy to order and easy to install if you know what you're doing. Check the thermostat to make sure it's working correctly. If there's a temperature problem, that fridge will turn into an energy hog trying to keep itself cold!


2. Spruce Up Your Cabinets

Working in a kitchen that looks attractive is much more fun than working in a kitchen where everything seems a little dingy. Refinishing or repainting your cabinet doors is an easy, inexpensive way to make everything look brighter. If your kitchen is full of darker colors, consider painting your cabinets a shade lighter to make the room seem bigger and more cheerful.



3. Swap Out the Light Bulbs

Another inexpensive way to brighten your kitchen is by switching out the lights in your kitchen with energy-efficient LED or CFL lights. You'll save on electricity, which means, if you want, you can afford to install more lights for a brighter room. Consider putting a row of lights underneath your cabinets to illuminate your countertops as you cook, or even replacing your refigerator's light bulbs with something more efficient.

4. Replace the Faucet

An old, broken faucet not only brings down the look of an otherwise-attractive kitchen, but it's also more prone to leaks and drips. Pick up a new faucet with a design you love and install it in your kitchen to keep your sink looking modern! Not sure where to find one? Look in the same store where you bought replacement parts for your fridge.



5. Add More Shelving

There just never seems to be enough room in the kitchen for everything you need. Adding shelving directly into the wall is a chic way to solve that problem. Don't be afraid to use your wall space creatively to create a distinctly trendy look. For example, consider slimmer shelves that fit on the wall between your newly-repaired fridge and the sink or a single shelf above the stove to hold oven-cleaning supplies.

What other things have You done to add a bit of spice to your kitchen?

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