@Influenster #SurfsUpVoxBox Love My First Aid Shot Therapy

I was so excited to receive my first @InfluensterVox Box, and even more thrilled to discover that it is the #SurfsUpVoxBox!  I live at the beach, and everything in this box was made for me!

The First Aid Shot Therapy Pain Relief liquid shot was new to me, and I couldn't wait to try it out.  I often get headaches from being out in the sun, and hate carrying around a bottle of pills and bottle of water.  But throwing a First Aid Shot Therapy Pain relief bottle into my beach bag was easy!

Ok, so I'm at the beach, trying to keep an eye on the kids, and next thing you know I have a headache from the sun glare.  I was so excited! (yeah, a bit crazy, right?) but this meant that I was ready to try my First Aid Shot Therapy Pain relief shot.  Pulled it out, opened it up (way easier to open than a bottle of pills, by the way!) and down the hatch!  Didn't have to balance a bottle of water on my lap.  Didn't even have to take the cap off of the bottle of water while holding two pills in my hand.  Just cap off, and drink.

It tasted great!  And, to my amazement, worked so fast!  I was thrilled that it didn't take forever (like pills usually do) and didn't irritate my stomach (like pills often do).  I was able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the day at the beach.

And did it last?  Yes!  It did!  I was afraid that it would wear off fast, but it actually outlasted my beach day.

The result?  I loved it!  I'm on a mission to buy more to stash around the house, in the car, in my purse, and definitely more in my beach bag.

Thanks to @Influenster and #SurfsUpVoxBox for providing me with this complimentary sample for testing purposes.

Some helpful links:
- @Influenster
- @firstaidshottherapy

#FASTrelief
#contest 
#SurfsUpVoxBox

Bzzing ... Coppertone CLEARLYSheer sunscreen

BzzAgent strikes again!  And with perfect timing ... The beginning of the summer is the right time to try a new sunscreen, and when I opened a box of Coppertone CLEARLYSheer sunscreen I couldn't wait to head to the beach and try it out!

The new Coppertone CLEARLYSheer sunscreen offers broad spectrum protection in two formulas:  CLEARLYSheer for Sunny Days and CLEARLYSheer for Beach & Pool.

CLEARLYSheer for Sunny Days is perfect for daily use.  My doctor has been recommending a daily application of sunscreen in the mornings as part of my routine, but I've never found a good one to use.  The ones I've tried are always greasy or heavy, clogged my pores or made me sweaty.  So I was skeptical that there was a sunscreen that I could use every day that wouldn't fail me.  But Coppertone did it ... their CLEARLYSheer for Sunny Days was light and smooth, not heavy and greasy.  My skin felt wonderful, and it actually has a fresh citrus scent, instead of smelling awful ... or like a coconut.  I'm not a big makeup wearer, but I think that you could easily apply makeup over it and it would smooth in perfectly.  And not only that, but it works wonderfully in protecting my skin from the sun.  I ended up at my son's baseball game after work that night, and there was no way to avoid sitting in the sun.  I wasn't sure if it would still be working after all the time that had passed since I applied it, but it worked great!  As a fair skinned blonde, I usually burn quickly but I amazingly made it through the hour long game with nary a pink spot.  I was very excited and satisfied.  I have a new daily use product that is easy to use, feels great and will protect me.

CLEARLYSheer for Beach & Pool is perfect for trips to the water.  We live near the lake, so spend a lot of time at the beach.  Too many times I have messed up the reapplication of sunscreen after dips in the lake and we've all ended up with strange sunburns in stripes and blotches.  Not terribly healthy.  Or in the reapply I end up rubbing sand into tender skin as I struggle to get sunscreen all over my wiggly beachy kids.  Bah.  So I was excited to try CLEARLYSheer Beach & Pool  on our next trip to the beach.  I applied at home, away from the sand.  It applied as nicely as the daily wear sunscreen did ... and so easy to get all over ... and easy to be sure to get every spot.  After several trips into the water, I was secure in the knowledge that we were protected for 80 minutes to stay protected regardless of how wet we got.  And a delight to not smell like coconuts ... a subtle tropical fruit  and flower scent was a pleasure to have on.  Our trip to the beach was a success, and CLEARLYSheer for Beach &Pool managed to keep up with my busy boys, and keep everyone safe.

To make it better, it comes in a lotion or spray!

All in all, I am thrilled with Coppertone CLEARLYSheer sunscreens for so many reasons, but, as we've come to expect from Coppertone, it works great ... more than great! ... and smells good, too ;)


Some references:

• Coppertone CLEARLYSheer Sunscreen (get a coupon!)
• Want to be a BzzAgent? Join here! 

It's important to share the fact that I received my Coppertone CLEARLYSheer Sunscreen products free from Coppertone and BzzAgent as participation in this BzzCampaign.

Bzzing ... Pennington Fertilizer Smart Feed Sprayer System

I love being a BzzAgent! It's a fantastic company that invites Agents to test new products and talk about them! Over the years, I have discovered many products that have become essential to my family and our lives. My latest Bzz Campaign has been for the Pennington Smart Feed Sprayer System.   I have a pretty green thumb, but hate the work that goes into it.  I was SO excited when the Pennington Smart Feed Sprayer System BzzKit arrived on my doorstep.  I cracked it open and went into action - my garden had been waiting almost as impatiently as I had been!

The first thing I noticed was the fantastic instructions that came with the sprayer.  They had the perfect balance of clarity and simplicity.  Sounds weird, but I can't tell you how many times I've read bad instructions and you definitely don't want mess up fertilizing.  Part of the genius of this system is that it's really hard to mess it up.  Pop in a fertilizer disc (or two or three, depending on how much area you need to cover), pop it on the hose and away you go.  The sprayer even has a multitude of different spray options to choose from!  The luxury!

I immediately realized that I would never have to measure, mix, and spill fertilizer ever again!  Gone were the days of feeding one watering can at a time.  Slopping back and forth from the spigot to the plants ... and back ... and forth ... and back ... ugh.

All one needs to do it walk around the hose and aim.  Easy!!  No drips, no slopping, no walking the yard time and time again lugging the watering can.

And the plants are happy!!  Pennington has the exact right fertilizer types ... a general one for my grass, a balanced one for my flowers, and a special one for my fruit and vegetables.  Just pop in a new disc and move on!

A few pictures to share ... using the Pennington Smart Feed Sprayer System and a few "before" plant and flower pictures.  More to come!

I make sure everyone knows all about BzzAgent, how I got the product for free, and how fantastic Pennington Fertilizer is to have come up with Smart Feed Sprayer System!

Some references:

• Pennington Fertilizer Facebook Page
• Want to be a BzzAgent? Join here! 

It's important to share the fact that I received my Pennington Fertilizer Smart Feed Sprayer free from Pennington Fertilizer and BzzAgent as participation in this BzzCampaign.

Bzzing ... Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Handwash

I love being a BzzAgent! It's a fantastic company that invites Agents to test new products and talk about them! Over the years, I have discovered many products that have become essential to my family and our lives. My latest Bzz Campaign has been for Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Handwash.   I have two young boys who get in to no ends of trouble, so keeping everyone clean (and I mean clean!) is not easy.  I hate to use harsh chemicals to get the job done, so I was so excited when I was offered this campaign.

We've tried different antibacterial soaps before, but they usually have a funky smell.  The first thing I noticed was the great scent on the Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Handwash.  Creamy Vanilla Orchid is exactly that - it doesn't overpower, but it does smell great!  I've never used a foam handwash before, and I was thrilled at this one - the lather is non-drip, so it stays on your hands and gives full coverage.  Not to mention how great it feels!  They call it "moisturizer-enriched micro-bubbles" that leave your hands feeling soft and comfy ... I call it very well thought out.  I am so tired of my hands being hard and chapped after repeated washing, but with the Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Handwash, I can wash all day and my hands are still soft and crack-free.  That's important to me!

It also kills 99.9% of germs on contact - fantastic for those times when you have just worked with raw chicken, or taking out the garbage.  And, to partner with that, the pump top is made out of Microban, which keeps germs and bacteria from growing on it!  Clean and safe inside and out.

Overall, I love this stuff.  Yes, I got one for free from Lysol and BzzAgent, but I have picked up several since trying it ... one for the kids' classrooms - school is the place they really need to be kept safe!  - one for work, a few for friends and family ... and everyone has had the same things to say.  Thanks!  I Love it!  It smells great!

And the proof is in the pudding ... we have had many fewer colds and sick kids in the house since we've started using Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Handwash.  And that's what matters.

I make sure everyone knows all about BzzAgent, how I got the product for free, and how fantastic Lysol is to have come up with Touch of Foam Antibacterial Handwash!

Some references:

• Healthy Hands and more:   lysol.com/mission-for-health
• Lysol Facebook Page 
• Want to be a BzzAgent? Join here! 

It's important to share the fact that I received my Lysol Touch of Foam Antibacterial Handwas free from Lysol and BzzAgent as participation in this BzzCampaign.

Bzzing ... Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser review

I love being a BzzAgent!  It's a fantastic company that invites Agents to test new products and talk about them!  Over the years, I have discovered many products that have become essential to my family and our lives.

My latest Bzz Campain has been for Glade Expressions.  I had never tried an oil diffuser, so that's what I decided to try.  I picked the Lavender & Juniper Berry because I wanted to try it in my bathroom and thought that the lavender would be relaxing.  And how I was right!

So easy to put together - just pop the insert into the oil bottle, and onto the counter.  The holder is attractive, and yet so discreet.  Amazingly, it both blends in and stands out at the same time!  And the scent is perfect - not overpowering, but strong enough that you definitely notice it.  I hate it when the scent is so faint it might as well not be there.  Not only that, but it's good for 30 days ... it's been in there for 2 weeks so far and the scent is just as good today as it was the day I installed it. 

The diffuser is perfect for my family - no electricity needed so I don't have to sacrifice an outlet or waste electricity on it, and it doesn't spill even when tipped over - which, with 2 kids under the age of 6 happens often. And our bathroom has been tricky to keep fresh ... we rent our house and live at the beach ... as a result, we inherited some odd scents that just won't go away ... and after trying all of the usual tricks to no success, I had given up hope ... until now!  Glade has me covered.

I absolutely love my Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser, and almost can't wait for day 30 to come along so I can try another scent.  I think that Cotton & Italian Mandarin is up next!  I would absolutely recommend these Oil Diffusers to anyone, but especially for those tricky areas.

Some references:
Glade Expressions webpage
Want to be a BzzAgent?  Join here!

It's important to share the fact that I received my Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser free from Glade and BzzAgent as participation in this BzzCampaign.

Finding my 'Thing'

I have spent a lot of time over the years trying to decide what 'my thing' is.

This may sound odd ... but it is something that has taken up a lot of my time (and money!) trying to figure out.

I am a creative person.  This much I know.  My entire family is creative - my mom has a group of 'Crafty Ladies' that has met every Monday for the past 20 years.  My father is a woodworker complete with a shop that has every tool a woodworker needs, plus a few more.  My father's father was also a woodworker (ah, the memories of playing in the sawdust from the table saw in the garage shop).  Both of my grandmothers were knitters.  And then my Great-Aunt - she, I have come to realize, was my role model more that I could say.  She was a beautiful seamstress (saying 'sew-er' just sounds wrong), but her true talent was that she could do anything.  Every time we visited, she had a new 'thing'.  One time it was painting, another knitting, another it was felt crafting,  needlepointing, beadwork ... you name it, she did it.

I have now decided that I don't have a thing.  I want a thing - but the problem is that I want every thing.  I want to quilt.  I want to paint.  I want to create altered books. I want to knit.  I want to sew.  I want to be the ultimate homeschooling mommy.  I want to do ICAD.

But here's what it comes down to - time and money.

In high school, I worked at a craft store.  Big problem :)  I wanted to do every new 'thing' that came in.  And I tried most of them, and could do them.  But didn't stick with them.  I can't subscribe to Martha Stewart because I want to do everything.

I have always been a cross-stitcher.  I have completed a few beautiful pieces that have never been framed.  And I have a few unfinished pieces that one day I will complete.  And, in my constant need to have a complete supply for each 'thing', I have a great stash of embroidery floss.

I can sew.  Mostly things other than clothing - I can't deal with the fitting.  I love having this skill, even thought it's not perfect, because I can pull it out when I need it.  Like to make Dew1's sensory weighted blanket.  But more about that soon.  One Christmas I made stockings for everyone.  I love having them.

I was going to make a quiet book for the boys.  I made 3 pages.  I was going to make felt food for the boys.  I made Valentine's cookies and a lunch bag set.  But I have a collection of felt that would rival Jo-Anne's.

When I was single and carefree, my thing was scrapbooking.  I lived alone in New York City and had several friends who were Creative Memories Consultants.  I scrapbooked once a month (sometimes more!) and loved every minute of it.  For 6 or 7 years.  Then I made the decision to dabble into Stampin Up! and while I loved it, that was a mistake.

The mistake?  I go 'all in' when I find a new hobby.  So I have amassed a supply of scrapbooking supplies that is near shameful, and then now a similar supply of rubber stamping supplies.

But I blather.

Here's the deal.  I am currently inspired by ICAD, altered art, and the like ... I have done 4 ICADs and love each and every one of them.  But only 4.

But I started with something new that, the more I think about it, has been a part of me since my childhood.  And it is, at the moment, functional for my kids, which makes me feel good about it.

There is a common thread that will lead me back to my other 'things', but for now, this is it.

But I can't tell you now ... soon ... I promise :)

ICAD2 Week 9 (9) Maze

Sources:
Worldwide Circle of Labyrinths - How to draw a Labyrinth.
Myth and History of Labyrinths

I was going to stick to the prompts specifically, but the collage one stumped me for a few days, so I decided to just jump around for a bit until I got over the sticking point.  I say stumped not because I couldn't do it, but stumped because collage takes a lot more space and supplies than just a few drawing utensils and a table.  My prompt hopping led me to Maze, and maze made me think labyrinth.  A quick google search on how to design a laybrinth and here we are.  I am very happy with it.  Kind of fits into the rainbow one too ...

What I'm Reading: Wonder

Wonder by R.J. Palacio was a delightful surprise.  August is a boy in grade 5 that has had over 25 surgeries in his life so far.  His against-the-odds combination of birth defects has left him looking like no other.  In August's words,

I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. 

And yet, this is a warm tale of love, friendship and family.  When August's parents decide that it's time for him to go to a regular school instead of being home-schooled, August embarks on a journey from being the one alone in the crowd to being the glue that holds the entire school together.

In chapters of rotating narrative voice, we get to hear about everything from everyone - his sister and her BFF, to name a few - readers are given an view of August's situation.  Tolerance, friendship, self-respect and individuality are all powerful themes that August embodies with ease and grace.

I Loved this book.  I can see why it's a NYT Best Seller.  I can't wait to see what's next on the list.

 

What I'm Reading

It's been a long while since having the opportunity to read what I love to read most ... Children's and Teen books.  So, I was faced with the quandry of where to start.

The New York Times Best Sellers list was where I started.

Interestingly enough, the books that turned into my first choices were the ones available in digital form.  Yes, I have become an eBook reader.

So I balanced the list versus available eBooks, added them all to my GoodReads account, and was off and reading.

And now, without further ado, on to what I'm reading ...

 

ICAD2 Week 1 (5) Fish

Sources:
inspired by the Blackfish Cafe Coloring Sheet @ MadeByJoel.com

I was going to colour them after drawing them, but right now I like them the way they are.

ICAD2 Week 1 (4) Doodle Your Name

Sources:
Zentangle "Woven" @ http://blog.suzannemcneill.com

The Zentangle® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted. Zentangle® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc.  and is used with permission. Learn more at  zentangle.com

Index Card a Day is the original idea of Daisy Yellow Art

ICAD2 Week 1 (3) Yellow

Sources:
Dandelion pattern:  Art Projects for Kids:   How to Draw a Dandelion

Index Card a Day is the original idea of Daisy Yellow Art

 

ICAD2 Week 1 (2) Dictionary

 

Sources:

Lake Superior State University 2012 Banished Words ListCambridge Dictionaries Online

Index Card a Day is the original idea of Daisy Yellow Art

Dewdrop's New Beginning

Life has a way of surprising you.

This blog is the exact proof of that.  When I started, it was going to be a mommy blog for those mommies who are dealing with things that I was dealing with ... 2 near-Irish twins who both had developmental delays - one speech and one on the spectrum, and so on ...

And then I unexpectedly ended up returning to work.
And then we moved to another country.
And just when I was ready to get back to blogging, we unexpectedly moved again.
And then when I was ready to get back to blogging, I unexpectedly found myself reorganized out of work.
Four months later, another move later, a new job later, I am ready to get back to blogging.

So, keeping with the theme of new beginnings, I have given this blog a new look and feel also.

Let the fun begin!

ICAD 2, Week 1, 1- Map

I have been admiring Daisy Yellow's Index Card A Day (ICAD) for over a year now.  I have had every intention of taking part since first discovering it last summer.  But I let life get in the way, and spent all of my time debating the hows instead of just doing it.

Wow ... has it really been 1 year?

For several reasons, the least of which being that it's a New Year, I decided to visit tonight.

And then discovered that my last post was December 18 2010!  Wow!  Really?  Can't be?  But is ...

I know that I've commented several times about how this blog intention has changed so much since I first started ... life kind of got in the way.  Really kind of.  And the past 12 months hasn't been much different.

A Letter for the Holidays

I found this through the Daily Autism Freebies Blog that I love.

This letter really helped ME understand what Dew1 goes through on a moment-to-moment, day-to-day basis, let alone during the holidays.  I had to share.

The original source is HERE:  My Beautiful Child Griffin & Autism

A Letter to Family and Friends for Holiday Gatherings

Some Truths Revealed

It has come time to face a few truths about my life.

- I am not going to be able to HomeSchool or even Pseudo HomeSchool my kids.  No matter how much I really want to, and how much I am really inspired by it, it is not going to happen.  I continually see inspiring ideas online ... Tot School, Montessori, Letter of the Week ... you name it and I am inspired by it.  I clip ideas to Evernote, I download file after file, I print things out, I even have a laminator, but they never get organized and implemented.

Sensory: Pillow Pal fun

My SIL gave the Dews Pillow Pals for Dew1's birthday.  A Puppy for Dew1 and a Tiger for Dew2.  They love them, needless to say, and they are in bed every night.  Dew1 sleeps on top of it, like an actual pillow, and Dew2 rolls around with it.

Disclaimer:  I sneak in every night after they fall asleep and take them away as they are super soft and have rather deepish plush.  I don't want either of them to end up face down in one, or have it entirely cover their heads / faces.  I know that they are old enough to turn away from it to breathe, but why tempt fate?

But here's the interesting thing.  I never considered the Pillow Pal to be a great Sensory tool.  But Dew1 loves his Pillow Pal, and last night I realized what the deal was.  He's soft.  He's squishy,  and He's very sensory.  I never expected this!  He is a wonderfully soft and furry that he's a sensory activity on the go - and not terribly expensive, either.