The Real Moms Club

Facebook "Project Reconnect”

2012-02-23T20:43:00.000-08:00

With just over 400 friends on Facebook, it’s almost impossible to keep in touch with everyone. Not everyone posts Status Updates and not everyone goes on Facebook all the time. This makes keeping in constant contact, with friends, almost impossible. Most of the time people only post and reply to Status Updates and “Like” pictures. Life is too busy; we have our own lives, kids, relationships that need our attention as well. It just seems to be easier to only be in contact with those who’s Status Updates we see on a regular basis. Nothing personal to the next guy but it just seems to be easier.

After signing up with Facebook years ago my intentions were to contact old classmates and friends from my past and with such excitement I was able to do that. Old pictures helped bring back some of my childhood memories I thought I would never get back. I was so happy to see all these people again. I felt good again. Unfortunately as time goes by you tend to lose touch again, while still having your friend’s right at your fingertips. I was sad to see this happened and felt as though the whole purpose of Facebook, for me, was lost.

Feeling as though personal relationships, I have redeveloped were starting to fade again, I felt it was important to show my friends they meant something to me. You are not just an “update” or a casual “Like” or just a number on my friends list! I made it my mission to stop by all my “friends” profile pages, one at a time, to see what it was they were up to and to show them I care. I think that we all deserve that from time to time. So “Project Reconnect” began.

As I started with the A’s I realized I hadn't seen a post from a lot of my friends, nor did I ever hear from most of them. As I am going through my friends pages I got a chance to see things they were posting, that weren't showing up on my timeline. I had no idea what was going on in some of their lives. I browsed around their pages and I looked at pictures. I even stumbled across a friend that had passed away last year. I took a moment to reflect and look at his pictures and reflect on some fun times. With each person I took a moment to send them a personal hello to their profile. Although this process was very time consuming, it felt so good.

Days went by, major arm pain was setting in, but I wasn't going to quit. To be honest it was quite sad to see that no one was posting on people’s profile pages anymore. Had Facebook become, what I feared, just another social media site that meant nothing. Were we really just numbers? I don’t want to be a number and I don’t think anyone else does. After the flood of wonderful responses I received I can say that all my “friends” are more than a number. I care about each and every person. I know that it’s not realistic to keep doing this all the time but I have reached out and this is what matters to me. “Project Reconnect” was a success.

Bullying

2011-10-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior, which may manifest as abusive treatment, the use of force or coercion to affect others,[2] particularly when habitual and involving an imbalance of power. It may involve verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed persistently towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability.[3][4] The "imbalance of power" may be social power and/or physical power. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a "target." (Wikipedia.com)

Just wanted to clear that up so everyone could understand that there are many different types of bullying and in any form it's just wrong.

I have been reading a lot online about the senseless suicides of young kids and adults because someone may be gay, because someone may not be pretty enough, because they don't have a lot of money, because they dress different, because they may be over weight or just because someone doesn't fit in. The thing that I don't get is why people don't understand that we are all different. Not one of us is the same. We all have different traits that set us apart from one another. Can't we all just be different without being bullied? Isn't that the great thing about being individuals? Being different should be a good thing not a bad thing.

Where does all this anger come from? Where do kids learn such hate? When do people go from good to bad? When will this end? The fact is it won't end until people change and this change can only come from education. It's up to us as parents to reach out to our children, to start at a young age teaching these kids that being different is not scary. Being different makes us unique. In fact it makes the world more interesting. I for one don't want to live in a track house where every house in a row is the same. What fun is that. I would put out something different just to separate myself from the norm. Being different is cool.

As a parent of two children I make it a point to talk to them all the time about being kind to others and always remember you may just be that one person that saves another from taking their life. You hear it all the time. Someone gets bullied at school and goes home and kills themselves. What if you were the last person to talk to them before they went home and you showed them kindness that no one else showed them. You might just save their life. You might be that one person to change their minds without you even knowing. Teach your kids this, make them more compassionate to others. Think about others, not only themselves. It all starts with parenting. Kids don't learn hatred on the own.

Another thing I feel important is to talk to your kids all the time. Know what they are doing, who they are talking and hanging out with, do they have problems at school, do they get along with others, do they ever witness bullying? Also look for warning signs:

Being Bullied

Comes home with damaged or missing clothing or other belongings
Reports losing items such as books, electronics, clothing, or jewelry
Has unexplained injuries
Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or feeling sick
Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams
Has changes in eating habits
Hurts themselves
Are very hungry after school from not eating their lunch
Runs away from home
Loses interest in visiting or talking with friends
Is afraid of going to school or other activities with peers
Loses interest in school work or begins to do poorly in school
Appears sad, moody, angry, anxious or depressed when they come home
Talks about suicide
Feels helpless
Often feels like they are not good enough
Blames themselves for their problems
Suddenly has fewer friends
Avoids certain places
Acts differently than usual

Bullying Others

Becomes violent with others
Gets into physical or verbal fights with others
Gets sent to the principal’s office or detention a lot
Has extra money or new belongings that cannot be explained
Is quick to blame others
Will not accept responsibility for their actions
Has friends who bully others
Needs to win or be best at everything
(http://www.stopbullying.gov/topics/warning_signs/)

Social Media

Do they blog, do they have a social media account? If so are you monitoring it? Do you know what your child/friend/family member is writing about?

If you are a child and see a friend suffering or you are suffering don't be afraid to tell someone. We all suffer from time to time and that is only natural but it's how you deal with it that in the end leaves the most traumatic result. Speak up, be heard, be kind and be compassionate to others.

I am not religious at all but I though this quote was fitting!

As quoted in 1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

This is what we should all do, don't judge from what's on the outside. It's what's on the inside that matters.

Thanks for reading. I hope I didn't ramble too much I just wanted to get this off my chest. Sick of hearing about kids killing themselves and each other.

Thanks!

DETOX skin intervention

2011-06-14T20:53:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day. My 11 year old daughter, who once told me my hands were looking old,took my hands and kept on touching them saying how soft they were. Literally after one use of DETOX skin intervention scrub you will notice. You don't have to wait a week or a month to see an improvement. It's instant. All my life I have been dealing with dry hands, even went to a dermatologist for eczema but using the dead sea salt has been a far more drastic improvement. Check into it for yourself. The Dead Sea is an amazing thing!

ead Sea is an amazing thing!

If you are interested in trying my line of DETOX skin intervention you can check out a few of my items on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gibsigrl

DETOX Skin Intervention hydrating lotion with frankincense and myrrh essential... on Twitpic

2011-06-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

My new hydrating lotion with frankincense and myrrh essential... on Twitpic

Yummy soap on Twitpic

2011-06-02T20:56:00.000-07:00

Goat's milk, one with fresh mint and the other with coffee.

Like me on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Detox-Your-Skin/201580976540509

DETOX YOUR SKIN

2011-05-27T19:50:00.000-07:00

So here is the back story....................

Months ago I was getting really frustrated with the fact that my skin didn't seem to be aging gracefully as I would have hoped. I just turned 40 and noticed that my face was always breaking out. Not with your average pimple but a huge undergrounder that would take forever to come up, then I would pick, then I would scab. These scabs were staying for months. I would have one zit for 6 months and I was getting so frustrated. At work one day I looked in this gawd awful mirror that made my face look magnified and I was horrified at what I saw. I looked older and I had zits. GREAT!!!!!!

So I was researching, scouring the internet to learn of ways I can change my skin. How can I get rid of the acne, make my face look like the movie stars, and get rid of the alligator skin on my hands and body. This was going to cost me a fortune. So in my hunt for the miracle product I learned about the benefits of Dead Sea Salt and the mixture of different oils; such as grape seed oil. I started to play around and low and behold I stumbled across a wonderful mixture that I can use not only on my face but my entire body. In my kitchen I developed what I now call DETOX.

Detox has been my Saviour. Not only has my acne cleared, my face is smoother, lines smoother but my hands, elbows, legs, feet, arms are all thanking me. The best part is I only need one product for my whole body instead of grabbing something for each of my 1000 parts.

The goal I set out to achieve was to make a product I can use, my husband can use and to not have to buy a bunch or products and fill up my medicine cabinet. I think I have achieved this goal. The funny thing is I never thought my husband would love it just as much as me. He is probably one of my biggest fans. He comes out of the shower smelling so good and feeling so smooth. He loves it and I love it.

The benefits of the Dead Sea are amazing.....

Dead Sea salts have been reported to have the following benefits:

*Balneotherapy of Rheumatoid Arthritis
*Psoriatic Arthritis, and Osteoarthritis.
*The minerals are absorbed while soaking, stimulating blood circulation.
*Skin disorders such as acne and psoriasis are relieved by regular soaking in water with added Dead Sea salt.
*The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends Dead Sea and he high concentration of magnesium in Dead Sea salt was instrumental in improving skin hydration and reducing inflammation.
*The high concentration of bromide and magnesium in the Dead Sea salt can relieve allergic reactions by cleansing and detoxifying.
*40% reduction in the depth of wrinkling.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Sea_salt)

So I think you get the picture, fewer products, less packaging, organic products such as Dead Sea Salt, Oils, and natural products such as coffee and mint. Yes I said coffee and mint; Coffee grinds, used in many spa scrubs, works great to exfoliate the skin. The caffeine in the grinds helps to renew skin and makes you feel and smell so yummy. The Mint is soothing and cooling and has added benefits such as helping clear up blemishes.

It's a win win for me....DETOX your skin and it will be a win win for you too!

Thanks for listening and please note I am not a doctor I am just a mom!!!!!!

Olive Oil for the FACE??? Oh Yeah!!!!

2011-02-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

I have been reading a lot on the different types of home remedies one can use for the face. Interesting to see how many there are out there. From salt, sugar, cucumbers, strawberries, coffee, oil, mint, grapefruit...if you can find it or name it I am sure you can use it.

So as I was saying I have been playing around with different home remedies and I have been using some dead sea salt for a face scrub and it's been amazing. Helps a lot with the skin texture and acne. Yes, at age 40 I still get my fair share. So in using the dead sea salt I wanted to see if there was anything else out there I could use to help bring back a more youthful, healthier glow to my face. You know that glow you see on the faces of the movie stars after they spend tons of money on facials......hehehehehe I want to do it for free..

Any who.....I was reading about the use of Olive Oil and I was so surprised to learn that it is great for the skin and can be used in replacement of a lot of your store bought beauty products. In reading more about the use of oil on the face I learned that oil dissolves oil. Interesting!!!! How can this be????? Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your skin so that it may function and oil alone will not bring out those zits. Interesting isn't it??? In fact using Olive Oil will replenish the skin from damages such as hormones, dead skin, and of course bacteria.

So tonight I went and did it. Instead of taking soap to my face I grabbed for the Olive Oil. I warmed up the water to a nice hot, bearable temperature, applied some oil to my hands and rubbed it together in the palms of my hands as if to warm it. I rubbed it all over my face. In the process I was thinking is this crazy? OMG what is going to happen. Well, a smooth face is what happened. After rubbing the oil all around my face I took a warm/hot wash cloth and wiped it all off. It was perfect for taking off eye makeup as well. I rinsed my face then used a toner. My face feels fantastic. Still feel a little weird knowing I just rubbed Olive Oil all over my face but oh well I look fab and that is all that matters. Even got the glow.

So reach for that oil and get that dirt from your pores and feel 100% better about the way you look and feel.

Keurig Single Serve Gourmet Coffee & Tea Brewing System

2010-02-04T17:56:00.000-08:00

http://astore.amazon.com/seasonsstory-20/detail/B001TK538O

If I can just say this is the best coffee maker in the world. I love it so much and I am addicted to all the different coffees you can drink. If you can get this and also buy some Donut House coffee because it's the bomb. But I was amazed at how much you get with this brewer. You get the coffee maker, the reusable my k-cup and 72 variety pack of coffee and and extra bonus pack of coffee (18 count) great deal!

Product Features:

Single-serve brewing reduces waste and yields a greater selection of flavors
Blue backlit LCD and water reservoir are easy to view
Automatic on/off programmable design for safer brewing
Showerhead needle designed to maximize coffee flavor
Choice of 4-, 6-, 8- or 10-oz. pouring size for just the right amount
Includes iced beverage setting; simply add ice after brewing your favorite K-Cup variety
Brews a fresh cup of coffee in 30 sec.
Bonus 72 K-Cups offer assorted flavors
Dimensions: 13.3"l x 10"w x 13"h
Weight: 12 lb.
(Model 00779)

Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #10588 in Kitchen & Housewares
Brand: Keurig
Model: Keurig Ultra B66
Features
The gourmet Keurig Ultra B66 single serve coffee system offers easy one-touch brewing with two brewing sizes, an advanced programmable LCD control center, 24-hour digital clock and removable drip tray. Includes a bonus pack of 72 K-Cups variety pack plus one My K-Cup reuseable filters.
Each K-Cup is sealed air-tight for freshness and is available in over 150 varieties of name brand gourmet coffee and teas to meet the most demanding taste profiles. All coffees available are 100% Arabaca beans.
Includes Variety Bonus Pack: 18 K-Cup Variety Pack
Color: Silver/Black
Programmable LCD control center w/ blue backlight

BUY IT NOW.....

MEN

2010-01-05T16:09:00.000-08:00

Have you ever just sat there and looked at your husband and said, GET UP... DO SOMETHING...... just checking, because this is how I feel right now. I love my husband to death but man.... sometimes I just want to hang him from a tree by his ankles. Sorry I just had to rant for a minute.

Simple Pizza Tricks

2009-08-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

So you are low on food and don't want to go to the store, or you are at the store and you want to make a real light and tastey pizza well it is so simple and you only need a few things.

1. Tortillas
2. Feta Cheese
3. Tomatoes (thinly sliced)
4. and some motzarella cheese.

Pre-heat the oven to 450 and place your tortilla on a cookie sheet, lay your tomatoes down, slice up some of that motzarella and lay it on top of the tomatoes, then add a little fetta (I used the garlice and herb fetta). If you have some chicken you can shred a little on and you got yourself a very yummy and easy meal!

BIG BROTHER TONIGHT!!!!!!

2009-07-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

OMG I am so excited I can barley stand it. Tonight Big Brother 11 starts and I cannot wait to see who is the mysterious 13th houseguest. All I can say is I hope it is not Jessie. I couldn't stand him last year so I don't think I would enjoy him this year, although he would create a lot of drama in the house. Personally I hope it's Eric or Brian but NOT JESSIE!!!!! I am most excited to watch Big Brother After Dark on Showtime, my husband is going to be sad that he is going to miss out on his video game play but SORRY you had your fun, now it's about me and my time, LOL! So excited!

Peace out!

The Lottery

2009-07-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I bought my Mega Millions ticket for this evening and went to check my numbers thinking today was the day, guess what? Today was not my day! The winning numbers for today 7/7/09 are 25 27 35 38 39 and 28. I know that winning the lotto is a very far fetched idea but isn't it okay to dream. I think about all the good I would do if I won, just waiting for the opportunity that's all. It also pisses me off to think about when the lottery first started out the money was to be used for the schools, what happened to that idea. The lottery takes 1/2 from the winnings so how is it that California is broke and we are losing teachers and extra classes such as art, music, the librarian??????? Makes no sense at all. I think someone needs to do an audit of all the funds don't you?

Just my two cents!!!!

RIP MJ

2009-07-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

I know that everyone is talking about Michael Jackson right now and after watching most of the memorial I am sure we all know why. MJ was a the KING of Pop and he was the biggest star in the world. Michael has been accused of many things throughout his life but I would just like to say that it's time just to remember him for what he was, a true talent that influenced almost every single artist out there. I see people posting jokes about him, and I know at one time they might have even been funny but now is not the time. I think the time has come for people just to leave him alone and let him rest in peace, Lord knows he probably needs some peace. Could you imagine living your life not even being able to cross the street without a crowd around you. No wonder he created his own little world in which he lived. I remember being a young girl with his posters on my wall, his albums on my turntable and this is how I want to remember him. MJ will always be remembered because his music will live on in every single one of us and ever generation to follow, just like the King himself. It's a shame MJ had to die so young but in the end it was himself that controlled his own destiny and not someone else!

Putting Everything in Perspective

2009-07-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

At the end of the day there is nothing like the love and imagination of your child so tonight I leave you with a picture my son drew for me; he calls it "mom in a cage fighting a bunch of bees" I guess thats what I do on a daily basis, fight bees. I love my kids!

Getting the Kids to Bed

2009-07-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Just wondering if I am the only one in the world where every night we have a ritual; we put the kids to bed and they come out with some ailment. What is it with bed time? Don't get me wrong, my kids do not cause a fuss, they don't cry at all; they are totally the opposite of that but every night I hear about something that hurts. When one one gets an ice pack or any sympathy at all the other comes out with a pain of their own. I pay attention to my kids and show them a lot of love. At our house we believe in the "throw some dirt on it and you will be fine method" but geeze it's almost every night and it's driving me nuts. I have explained to my kids over and over about crying wolf but they seriously feel as though they have a pain somewhere on their bodies. I wonder if it's just growing pains? Who know but I am going to get an ice pack for a child that says they have a headache. I told them I didn't have medicine (which I do) but don't believe it calls for it at this time. If they fall asleep fast I know there wasn't a problem, if they come out an hour later still complaining then I feel there may be a legitimate pain.

About Me

2009-07-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

Well first things first, my friend has been telling me I should start a Blog so here I am starting a blog! My name is Heather and I am 38 going on 21 (because I want to still be young enough yet old enough to be able to by alcohol, LOL). I have been married since 2001 and I have two wonderful children. I have been a stay at home mom for about 5 years but recently went back to work part-time just so I can get out of the house. My husband, we can call him Jdub, is in transportation for TV and Film. As a mother I have learned so much about myself, some good and bad, but one thing I know for certain is that everything I do is for and because of them. I feel as a mom I have done a pretty good job so far. My daughter, potty trained at 21 months is now entering the 4th grade, my son, potty trained at 20 months is entering 1st grade. Wow from diapers to school how time flies. I believe that as a mother we all have things and tips to share with one another; hence the desire for starting this Blog. I am not sure how many people will read this but I believe we can all benifit from one another! I have a friend I talk to every night and I cannot tell you what a lifesaver that is. My friend has heard me talk, and talk, and talk, from any number of topics on a given night. I only hope I am there for her as much as she is there for me.

Here is a little about the club I have started with this Blog!!!!!!!

The Real Mom’s Club is a place where you can feel right at home. I am a real mom with real joys and real problems. I am married to a wonderful but sometimes lazy husband and I have two wonderful and talented kids, who are kids after all and do present frustrations from time to time; like right now when I am trying to write this they won’t stop talking to me! I love my family, I love my friends, I love to cook, I don't like to clean, I am a writer, and I love to come up with new ideas about everything from product to TV shows, anything really! I do cuss from time to time so if you cannot handle it you may want to check out another blog. I just want us all to get real for a change and start telling it as it is. I like when people are honest, don't sugar coat it for me. We are not doing anyone any favors by pretending everything is glorious all the time. So let’s start getting real over here!
I look forward to getting to know you, if I don't already! Please feel free to comment or make suggestions!