H1N1 Flu Combat Kit

Our family is dealing with the nasty H1N1 flu personally this week as our daughter's class experienced a nasty outbreak! Out of her class of 20 5th graders, at least 5 have been diagnosed as confirmed cases by their medical professional with an additonal 5 or more also sick! That 50% of the class out of the classroom with all the symptoms including high fever, aches, sore throat, upset tummies, etc! YUCK!

I'm putting together a kit for our home filled with hand sanitizer, losenges, digital thermometer, pain reliever, etc...I'm also exploring alternatives to enhance our quality of care at home

Have you ever tried homeopathic medicines? Homeopathy is a theraputic method used to help the body rebalance and heal itself using natural substances in micro-doses.

Whether or not you use homeopathic medicines for yourself or your family, I wanted to make you aware that Boiron is introducing three new homeopathic medicines for kids: Children's Oscillococcinum®, Children's Coldcalm Pellets®, Children's Chestal®. Check out their website for great resource info as well as a discount coupon offer:

http://children.boironusa.com/

Best wishes to you and your family for lots of healthful blessings as we all work together to help keep our children and families well during this difficult cold and flu season!

REMEMBER: WASH THOSE HANDS COMPLETELY AND THOROUGHLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY!!!

Listerine Oral Care Challenge

Is your family ready for the onslaught of the "cavity bugs" with all the treat-filled festivities approaching? Halloween, Fall Festivals, and the like are quickly followed by Thanksgiving pies, chocolate turkeys, and lots of candy in stockings!

Our family has accepted the Listerine Oral Care Challenge to help us in the fight for great oral hygiene! I have always the embraced the "show 'em, don't just tell 'em" philosophy regarding good brushing and flossing. The Listerine Challenge also helps arm us with interactive tools and resources for the children on

www.listerinekids.com AND

www.listerine.com

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE LINKS AND REQUEST A GREAT $1 OFF COUPON THROUGH OCTOBER!

Tips from Dr. Kanetta Lott, a leading pediatric dentist, includes such insights as well as rewarding healthy behavior! Awesome...we started a monthly calendar with stickers for daily floss, brush, rinse routine accomplishment and I'm very pleased with all our participation - all four of us are taking responsibility for a beautiful, healthy smile!

Our friends at Mom Central and Listerine provided our family with a wonderful assortment of oral care products including the new Listerine Total Care anticavity mouthwash, Listerine Agent Cool Blue tinting rinses, Reach kids brushes, and Reach Access Flosser and disposable heads! These products help motivate and inspire with great tastes and interactive technologies to keep everyone on track for at least twice daily inpsiration! I really LOVE the Listerine Total Care mouthwash...I can sometimes slack off with rinses, but the flavors are good without burn. I can sincerely feel a significant improvement in my plaque along the gumline, too!

The calendar challenge will result in positive dentist visits for everyone, and the added rewards for daily brushing, flossing rinsing goal achievement will inspire the kids...we'll enjoy a day together at Hunsader Farm's Fall Festival as a special treat!

I received assorted products to sample and review from MomCentral and Listerine brand. I have also received a gift certificate to GlobalGiving.org for my review coutesy of Listerine and MomCentral.

"Your Songs" Are Definitely MY SONGS

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’m just in the mood for something mellow and refined….something groovy and easy on the eyes….

I’m enjoying the latest CD release from Harry Connick, Jr. “Your Songs”, and he transports me to another place and time with many of these wonderful American standards! I enjoy an “me time” to wind down from a hectic day at the office combined with kids, housework, and civic activities – and HCJ’s take on the great ones like “Just the Way You Are”, “Besame Mucho”, and “The Way You Look Tonight” really helps me chill-lax and unwind….

The CD is filled with fun ditties deftly performed by Harry in his iconic smoothness. He’s soooo dreamy….

Other links:
Behind the Scene look at ‘Making of’ the album: http://bit.ly/HCJrVideo
Harry’s website: http://www.harryconnickjr.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/harryconnickjr


Album Tracklisting (Originally performed by):
All The Way (Frank Sinatra)
Just The Way You Are (Billy Joel)
Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis Presley)
And I Love Her (The Beatles)
(They Long To Be) Close To You (The Carpenters)
Besame Mucho
The Way You Look Tonight
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Roberta Flack)
Your Song (Elton John)
Some Enchanted Evening
And I Love You So (Don McLean)
Who Can I Turn To? (Tony Bennett)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
Mona Lisa (Nat King Cole)

I would certainly recommend this as a great gift paired with a favorite bottle or box of chocolates – something special and decadent to be a little naughty and nice!

I received a complimentary advance copy of the "Your Songs" CD by Harry Connick, Jr. courtesy of One2One Network for review.

Disney Bliss and Snow White: Premieres October 6th

Wow - daughter Kristen and I received a special treat this weekend when the USPS mailman delivered a preview copy of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition Combo Pack courtesy of One2One Network! The classic story of a beautiful princess and her haunting struggle of good and evil never grows weary - the 1937 animation remains a treasure as the audience sings, cheers, wishes and dreams for their own "happily ever after"!

For the first time in seven years, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment has reopened their vaults to release "The One That Started It All" and this edition features high-definition Blu-ray as well as the DVD in one package. This premieres tomorrow - Tuesday, October 6th, 2009. This launches their all-new product line, Disney's Diamond Collection with the highest quality and immersive experience to day with lots of extras including a music video, Disneyview expanded viewing experience, Disney Family Plan games for everyone to enjoy, Backstage Disney behind the scenes fun of this legendary tale, and Classic Bonus Features including Dopey's Wild Mine Ride Game, Karoke Sing A Long, Hyperion Studios, Magic Mirror hosting, and more!!! The standard definition version will be released on November 24, 2009.

We had a really special time together cuddled up last night watching the DVD in her room. It was a cozy and genuine mom-daughter time as we laughed and thrilled throughout the movie. We had it on video, but this is far superior.

I highly recommend this new package for every family - a true treasure to add to your collection for years to come! The Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition is priced at $39.99 SRP. For more information visit:

www.disney.com

I received a complimentary DVD package from One2One Network in appreciation of my reviews.

2009 Community Days at Practically Pikasso Benefits YMCA

I just received the news that my submission was selected to benefit the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg during the 2009 Community Days Program at Practically Pikasso Ceramic Studio in St. Petersburg! Please support our community's YMCA by visiting and shopping during the 10/4-10/09 event - I'll be coordinating an evening for a group next week...more details to follow!

COMMUNITY DAYS 2009!
Below is the list of the organizations we will be supporting for our 2nd annual 2009 Community Days Program!
The below organizations will be a part of our 2009 Community Days. From October 4th-October 10th, the below organizations will be selected from for a donation of 10-20% of all Pikasso sales!

Please visit us between October 4th and 10th to support your favorite organization. When you visit, you will designate where you'd like your donation to go. Share this information with all your friends, and support the local community!

2009 Community Days Organizations:
* K-Life of St. Petersburg
* SPCA of Tampa Bay
* All Children's Hospital Guild Evening Branch
* The American Cancer Society
* YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg

Community Days
1912 4th Street North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704
October 4-10, 2009