Category Archives: New posts

A Million Thoughts Going Through My Head, One Week From Surgery

Health, New posts, Personal,
The kids and I at Callaway Gardens
The kids and I at Callaway Gardens

 

 

Beware.. this post is pretty choppy.  

Like the title says, I have a million thoughts going through my head and this is a written snapshot of a few of them.

It’s late and I’m still working.  I’m working at my kitchen table typing snippets of blog posts, checking emails, checking Facebook, and making sure my websites are all up to date.

I’ve been very busy the past week, with family in from out of town.  We stayed at a cottage for a few nights at Callaway Gardens in west Georgia, and have been visiting local attractions like Georgia Aquarium.

While walking through the aquarium today, it hit me that tomorrow (Friday July 27th) marks one week before my surgery.  I’m scared about the surgery.  I’m having my tonsils removed after struggling with all sorts of illnesses since I was a child.  Tonsillitis, Mononucleosis, and possibly some other illnesses that end in itis or osis as well as chronic throat pain.

I know that having my tonsils removed is a good thing and will improve my quality of life but the actual act of having them removed and the two or three weeks that follow is what scares the daylights out of me.  I don’t like that I am going to be on general anesthesia and that I’m going to be in pain for some time after the surgery.  I don’t like that someone will have to take care of me and my kids for at least a week.  My ENT made sure to tell me how painful having tonsils taken out is for adults.  Our tonsils are much larger than a child’s which is why recovery time is longer for adults than for children.

So in a nutshell, I have been scared, nervous, anxious, and stressed for the past couple of weeks which is wearing my mind and body out.

I think I’ve been working and doing more lately just to keep my mind off of the surgery.  All subconsciously of course.  I would never work more just for the fun of it.

On a more positive note, I was lucky enough to go to Santa Fe, New Mexico a couple of weeks ago, with a couple of friends Desiree and Stacie, which helped keep my mind off of the upcoming surgery and I am very happy that some of my family is visiting from out of town now.  I don’t know what I’d do if I hadn’t been so busy the past few weeks preparing for their visit and for being out of commission for a couple of weeks after surgery.

I’ll be missing the popular blogger conference, BlogHer ’12, this year which I’m pretty bummed about but I’ll enjoy keeping up with BlogHer via posts on my friend’s Facebook pages and blogs during the conference.  That’s if I’m not sleeping or too drugged up on pain meds to read after the surgery.

How will I not freak out the day before surgery? I keep asking myself, is it worth it to have my tonsils taken out or should I just deal with the health issues? I worry that if something happens to me, I’m leaving my kids and that I’m making a conscious decision to have the surgery so it would be my fault.  I’m just worried.

First Impression Of The New Mercedes Benz 2013 GL-Class SUV

Car Reviews, New posts, Technology, Travel, , ,

I am in Santa Fe, NM to test drive the 2013 GL-Class SUV from Mercedes-Benz.  Much like the two Mercedes-Benz models I have test-driven in the past, the S550 sedan and the 2012 M-Class SUV, the GL-Class is beautiful to look at and an absolute dream to drive.

Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class SUV front grill
The front grill is gorgeously designed

Regardless if one is Roger Federer or the ordinary head of a family with a few children, the all-new, second generation Mercedes 2013 GL-Class luxury SUV is a great choice for a new vehicle. Both comfortable and well-built, the sleek new design will be sure to draw appreciative glances from onlookers. In addition to the unrivaled quality and design inherent to all Mercedes-Benz products, the GL offers a wide array of the most modern automobile technologies sure to interest the discerning buyer. In addition to the new anything but standard 4.7 liter V-8 sporting a beefy 362 HP, buyers can opt for the powerful but efficient BlueTec diesel and its 455 lb-ft of torque, or the truly vigorous performance of the GL 550’s biturbo V-8. Standard equipment on all 2013 GL350 and GL450 models includes heated front power seats, Bluetooth phone pairing, a power tailgate, and rain-sensing wipers.  I was lucky enough to drive the GL550 for a few hours today and had the option of trying out the front seats with massage but saved that feature for tomorrow when I’ll be driving the vehicle for a while longer.

The all-new standard features of the GL-Class SUV include the Command infotainment system, and Crosswind Stabilization. Many more cutting edge options such as the Surround View Camera and the amazing Collision Prevention Assist can be added to an already impressive checklist of standard features.

Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class
Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class {Photo source: mbusa.com}

Whether sitting in front or back, the Mercedes-Benz 2013 GL-Class offers a truly luxurious cabin that can be customized to the driver and passenger’s content. Class-leading ergonomics and pinpoint control provide a safe and invigorating driver experience. All occupants will delight in the quiet smooth ride until now unseen in SUV’s. Features like voice control, harman/kardon audio, and available rear-seat entertainment ensure passengers will be more than content even on long family road trips. But amenities aside, the new GL is built first and foremost for usability and practicality. Easy third-row seating access, 94 cubit feet of interior cargo space, generous seating, a 7,500 lb tow capacity, and the all-weather, off-road capability of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class’s 4MATIC all-wheel drive all add up to a vehicle ready and eager to get to work.

The 2013 GL-Class fits the bill for the discriminating buyer looking for a full-time family vehicle with its total package of comfort, reliability, generous room for seven, and voluminous cargo capacity. Be it toting twins in car seats, shuttling a crowd of teenage footballers, or towing the family boat up to the lake, the new GL-Class has it all in hand.

What impresses me most, however, is the dazzling array of high-tech safety features that make this vehicle potentially on of the safest ever both on and off the road. The radar-based Collision Prevention Assist provides a revolutionary ability to avoid collisions due to driver distraction or drowsiness, and can be augmented by the Available Driver Assistance Package featuring DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control with PRE-SAFE® Brake, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist. If all this doesn’t suffice, the complement of 13 airbags are always waiting.  I can’t leave out a bit of detail about the Surround View Camera.  This is a fabulous safety feature that all parents can appreciate.  Much like a standard backup camera, the Surround View Camera actually activates and pops up as soon as you put the vehicle in reverse.   In addition to see what is behind the vehicle as you are backing up, you also see an aerial view of the vehicle and the surroundings.

For the buyer that craves the S-Class experience, but must bow to the practical realities (and joys) of life with children, the GL-Class is a great choice.

Read more 2013 GL-Class reviews from other bloggers:


 

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclosure: Mercedez-Benz invited me to Santa Fe, NM to test drive the 2013 GL-Class.  All expenses were paid but I was not compensated financially in any way and all opinions are 100% my own.   

Two Ways Skype Helps My Family During Summer Travel

Brand Ambassador, New posts, Summer Time Fun, Technology, Travel, , , , ,

Our summer has been go, go, go!  Non stop planning, packing, having fun at our destination, unpacking, then planning the next trip.  We started the kid’s summer break off with a 4 day stay Callaway Gardens in East Georgia, then we stayed at a beautiful beach house in Gulf Shores, Alabama for a week, now we’re preparing for a 5 day stay at The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia this Saturday and then I’m going to New Mexico for a business trip for 3 days, then we’re going to Callaway Gardens again for 4 days again.  A week after that trip I am scheduled to have surgery so I guess you could say that I’ve been trying to squeeze a lot of fun into a short summer break because my surgery is recovery time is cutting two weeks off of potential travel and fun time with the kids.

While my husband is not able to travel with the kids and I on all of these trips this summer and thus can’t read to her every night, which he and my daughter both love, I came up with the fabulous idea of using Skype to allow him to be right there with her in bed and read to her at night even though he’s hundreds of miles away.

Skype gives my kids the ability to see and talk to their dad while we’re away without him.  Seriously, Skype is a life changer for me.  Having my husband help put the kids to bed even though he’s hundreds of miles away is great and couldn’t be done without Skype.

Bedtime stories using Skype

Skype Tip #1: How to put a child to bed via Skype

  1. I get my daughter all ready for bed.  She brushes her teeth, flosses, rinses, goes to the bathroom and washes her hands and face.
  2. Then I tuck her in bed.
  3. Next, I put my laptop in the bed next to my 6 year old and connect to Skype.
  4. After that we call her Daddy on Skype.
  5. He picks up from wherever he is, via his iPhone or laptop.
  6. He talks to her about her day then he asks her to pick three stories from her pile of books by the bed.
  7. He reads the three books to her and then he SINGS to her like he always does at home.
This is just one way that Skype allows my daughter and husband to have a normal bedtime routine even during summer travel!
Skype’s new anti-shake video feature for iPhone makes video chats even more pleasant than they were before!

Skype Tip #2: Have a Skype group chat to help plan your summer vacation

Because our summer vacation trips often involve family members in other states, it is helpful to have a group ‘meeting’ before we arrive at our destination so everyone is on the same page regarding where we are going to go while we’re there, where we want to eat, etc.  It’s a great idea to set up a time when all of the adults involved in the vacation can chat via Skype and go over the details of the trip.  Skype Group Video Chat is available with a Premium subscription.
Here is a fun infographic that illustrates how 1,200 Moms think technology brings them closer to friends and family.
Skype Summer Travel
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Alicia Hagan, Editor
Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Skype. I received Skype credits to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

How #Skype Can Make Your Life Easier – and – A Moms and Technology Infographic

Brand Ambassador, Gadgets, New posts, Technology, , ,

[simple_series title=”All posts in the Skype Series”]

Skype Brand Ambassador - Mother's Day

Technology has changed the world we live in. Especially when it comes to being able to communicate and maintain relationships where geographical proximity is an issue. One of the leading tools in the evolution of technology is Skype.   I live hundreds of miles away from my Dad and sister but they see my kids regularly on the computer or iPhone.
In case you don’t already know what Skype is, it is a program that you download onto your computer, laptop, or mobile device, which gives you the ability to talk to, video chat with, and text chat with others who have  Skype.

A painful separation that often occurs for various life circumstances is the distance between grandparents and grandkids.  Often grandparent, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends don’t live as close to their loved ones as they would like, thus missing out on milestones such as a baby’s first step or a first homerun. But with technology the way it is today a connection is just one click away, and grandparents can be right there with their family at the ball park or in their grandchild’s home via a Skype video chat. Grandparents don’t have to miss their grandchild’s ball game because of proximity.  Skype video chat allow grandparents to cheer on a loved one.
I’ve been using Skype quite a bit the last couple of weeks and have learned how Skype can make life easier and help me reconnect with people in my life like never before.

Here are some unique ways Skype can make life easier (and more fun!):

Have a virtual tutor for your child via Skype during summer break

Earphones with Skype
Use earphones for a more private Skype conversation
Among the unique ways to use Skype also includes the ability to have a tutoring session or study time with someone who would otherwise not be around.
If your child needs to study math or has homework you just can’t help with, Skype with someone who can, for one on one attention. These tutoring sessions can be done from the comfort of your own home and you can save time and money while getting your child homework help or summer tutoring.

Use Skype while shopping – get advice on that fabulous dress or shoes while you’re at the mall

Take a best friend with you as you go shopping.  I have been known to send my sister a photo or two while I’m in the dressing room at the mall. She lives hundreds of miles away but I almost always get her advice on the dress I’m trying on or a pair of shoes I adore, before buying.

Here’s a tip: Have your child use earphones during the tutoring session so she can better concentrate on the conversation.  Earphones are also great to use while you’re at the mall trying on clothes for your sister via Skype and you don’t want the lady in the next dressing room to hear everything your sister is saying about your choice of clothes. 🙂

Skype is available to on many devices

Another wonderful feature of Skype is it’s accessibility.  Skype is able to run on PCs, mobile phones, android devices, iOS devices, iPhones and Mac computers. This means that wherever you are and whatever you want to share with a loved one, you can do it on your mobile phone.

Do you have important timely information that is best communicated face to face? Don’t regret not living close to your family, it’s a fact of life, just make sure you bring your iPhone and your family can be right their with you when you need them most.

There is no comparison to actually seeing the person you are talking to be it your grand parent or your parent. Skype brings someone who may be a world away into your living room via your Mac, PC, iPhone or Android device.

Skype allows users to catch up with mom who  you might not haven’t seen since the holidays. Skype makes all these things possible where they never were before, and it can help you connect with the world in a brand new way.

Here are some very interesting research findings around Moms and technology

Skype Moms and Technology
Skype Moms and Technology Infographic


[simple_series title=”All posts in the Skype Series”]

More about Skype:

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Skype. I received Skype credits to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

Fieldcrest Luxury Down Alternative Pillow filled with DACRON® Memory Fiber = Better Night’s Sleep

Father's Day Gift Guide, New posts, Relaxation, , , ,

A down pillow is something luxurious to sleep on. Unfortunately, I’ve learned over the years that down pillows can be a bit expensive and some people have allergies to down. DACRON®, and Fieldcrest have come up with the answer. It is a down alternative pillow that is filled with a special DACRON® memory fiber fill. This pillow is affordable for any budget, is as soft as down and has an added benefit..you do not have to fluff this pillow every night! The memory fiber expands to its original size every time. Pretty great, right?  There are also no pinfeathers to poke through the fabric in the middle of the night.

The Target Fieldcrest Luxury Pillow w/Dacron Memory Fiber down alternative pillow is covered with 300 thread count cotton sateen fabric. That means the fabric has 300 threads to every inch. Most cotton pillowcases will have 150 thread count, which feels like a typical cotton fabric. A 200 thread count sateen feels smooth and luxurious. The 300 thread count cotton sateen will feel like superior luxury without the extravagant price tag. The pillows cost less than half the price of regular down pillows.

Fieldcrest Luxury pillow filled with DACRON® Memory Fiber.
Fieldcrest Luxury pillow filled with DACRON® Memory Fiber

If you suffer from pain in your shoulders, upper back or neck, this new pillow is large and wide enough to offer full support while you sleep. Quality rest does not just come from the mattress alone. The most comfortable mattress cannot help if the pillow is not comfortable.

This hypo-allergenic product has a decided advantage to natural down. While natural down must be taken to a dry cleaners experienced in handling natural products, these pillows are machine-washable. They can be cleaned and hung to dry at home. This saves money for the customer while providing the ultimate in comfort.

Comfortable pillow for children too!
Children love down alternative pillows too!

These pillows will make a wonderful addition to any bed. They will make great gifts for friends or family members who are having trouble getting enough rest every night. Use these in a house, dorm room, RV, boat or anywhere rest and comfort are needed. A good night’s rest is a sound investment.

DACRON memory fiber down alternative pillowThe global business director for INVISTA’S Dacron® Fiberfill business stated, “Compared to other super-soft down alternative fiberfills, DACRON® Memory Fiber fiberfill offers a full hand and resilience.”

My husband and I have really enjoyed resting our heads on our new Fieldcrest Luxury Down Alternative Pillows, available exclusively at Target stores and Target.com around June 17th, the last couple of weeks.  They look fabulous on our bed.. so much better than the flimsy, fluff filled pillows we had on our bed before.

This down alternative pillow is available at Target and bears the DACRON® fiber quality seal.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclosure:  I was not compensated for this post.  I received two pillows for review purposes.