On Vacation

I'm heading out for vacation at the beach and this tiny little itty bitty event called BlogHer.  I doubt you've heard of it.  But that's where I'll be.  I'll be posting if I can (from the beach or the conference, whenever the mood strikes me).


If your going to be at BlogHer leave me a message.  I'd love to meet up!

Enjoy the week!  See you on the ninth.

Allergy Advice

Thor recently underwent allergy testing for help with his Aspergers.  I felt bad when they pulled out twenty different scratch test capsules.  When he reacted really badly to those after only ten minutes (time is supposed to be twenty minutes), they pulled out the needles.

Then, I felt really, really bad.

Good news is he handled it like a champ (and only conned me out of twenty bucks of merchandise at Hobby Lobby and an ice cream at UDF).  Bad news is he's allergic to EveryThing.  The doctors "avoid" list looks something like this:

Environmental: Grass, trees, weeds/ragweed
Food: Casein (milk), soy, peanuts

Do you have any idea how much cr@p is made with milk?  Or soy (especially soy)?

His favorite foods are: Peanut butter sandwiches, milk, macaroni and cheese and peanut butter cups. FanBloodyTastic.

I've been cramming my brain with information from FoodAllergy.org and while it is helpful, they don't really have what I'm looking for.  Which is to say, I want someone to figure this stuff out and just tell me what he can eat.  He loves milk.  LoVes It.  He usually has two glasses with dinner.  I've gone basically dye free since we lived in West Chester five months ago for his benefit (which is hard as heck in and of itself).  But while health stores are plentiful in Philadelphia, not so much around here.

As I tweeted yesterday we drove to Jungle Jims because it was recommend as the mecca of international foods (the German aisle was fantastic - they even had Kinderbars!, Leibniz and my favorite Zitronenkuchen!)  They have an incredible amount of gluten free foods and health/organic foods but it's a forty-five minute drive.  Not fun on the best of days but especially less fun when it's ninety-four degrees out.  We bought two Kinderbars for the kids and they literally melted on the three minute walk from the store to the car.

What I am hoping all of you might have, are suggestions of foods that are casein free (or calcium-rich, milk-like, non-soy substitutes).  Thor is the ultimate champion of picky.  He makes me as a kid look like the most adventurous eater ever.  If you are dealing with food allergies what sites, recipes and products can you suggest?  I'll be forever grateful!

*Huge thanks to Mama Kat @ Mamakatslosinit.com for sending me to her Allergies Shmallergies website for suggestions.

It's official, I'd die a happy woman

I got to sit next HIM at dinner Sunday night.  I love me some Joey Votto (who is quite possibly the nicest guy around).



And a photo op with Mr Harang as well



The Reds Hall of Fame Gala was excellent.  I'm too tired to blog more than that, so I guess you just get pictures.

Super Keely's Cape

You may or may not know about Super Keely, but she's my Polly Pocket doll I bought at the drugstore in Germany.  She's a super hero.  With a cape.  She also bears a very odd resemblance to this Keely's blog button.  So she was renamed from Lena to Super Keely.

Well, normally I don't let Chick mess with her.  Super Keely rests on my desk (incidentally next to my Storm Trooper that Santa Claus gave me).  The other day in a fit of "Please give me five minutes to finish what I'm working on" I gave Chick Super Keely to play with.  And here are the result so of said play:

Super Keely's cape has been destroyed while Super Keely was being shoved into a VW Beetle dressed up like a Chicago Police Car (don't ask).  I need that repair guy from Toy Story 2.  Anyone have his number?

I still love Chick but I'm sure not going to let her touch the Storm Trooper.  She might tear his head off.

When you make that personal misstep

I am afraid I might have made a big misstep recently.  I'm definitely in need of advice in this situation.  What happened was this...

Not long ago I was messing around on Twitter (my newest downfall, because really, I don't even like it, yet I use it).  If you know me at all, I like to spar with people on occasion.  It's all in fun and I enjoy going back and forth, making that 'personal' connection.  I was sparring on Twitter with someone.  This Twitter sparring then moved on to email sparring.

Then, in my infinite wisdom, I wanted to ask this person something on a professional level several days later.  And I sent the request to their personal email, the one we were chatting through.  Primarily this happened because

1. It was the only email I had at the time I was making my request because I was doing so from my blackberry while at Chick's speech session. (Total time saver - look at me multi-task.  We'll discuss later why multi-tasking has never been, nor will ever be my friend.  It usually results in messes like this.)
2. I thought maybe the more personal approach would make it easier to speak (for the record the email was nothing but professional and was similar to one I sent to several other people I questioned in my research.)

I'm starting to wonder if I should have waited until I was at home and found out this person's professional email.  Then I could have sent off my request that way.  I am the type of person who hates to offend anybody and often worries I have (when maybe I haven't.  Who knows, this person could be on vacation and not be an obsessive email checker like myself.)

What do you think?  Would you be offended by someone (whom you don't know other than an email or two) if they emailed your personal address and asked you about work, something you hadn't previously talked about?  Or am I doing my usual and overreacting?

To add to my distress, I may actually be at the same function with this person on Sunday.  Hello, awkward.  I'm your new BFF.

I want to plug in the iPod and disconnect from reality

Do you know how cool it is that Scott Rolen's walkout music is by Coldplay?  I mean that just made my year when I heard it.  None of that rap nonsense like some players have.  Or heavy metal.  Ick.

Lately for me, I'm all about Coldplay (some of you hate them, I know, you don't need to repeat yourself).  I'm loving One Republic.  Or the soundtrack from the movie Last Kiss (which I haven't seen but it's a Zach Braff movie so...I think I'll pass).  It has songs by both Coldplay and One Republic. 

Coincidence?  I think not.

I've felt rather mellow in the music of late.  A little Black Eyed Peas never hurts, nor a bit of Muse, but I find myself drifting into a mix of things I used to love.  Erin McCarley, Dave Matthews, Sara Barielles (whose new album comes out in September if you're interested).  I recently heard a song from my high school days, Insane in the Membrane.  I have no idea who that's by but that song and Smells Like Teen Spirit were frequently played on the radio while driving to and from school.

Maybe it's the thought of school that is making me feel nostalgic for the old days.  I could attend regular classes versus sticking to online ones if I wanted to. 

Heck no. 

I don't want to be muddled up with a bunch of 18 year old's who have nothing more to worry about that the next frat party.

If only life were that simple again.

Would you go back to the simpler days of youth if you could?  What music symbolizes your youth?*

Frequently heard in my past:

Blind Melon
Cranberries
Counting Crows
Bush
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Madonna
Blues Traveler

PS. I do realize this post makes the most of rambling and nonsense (my two favorite things).  Pftt, oh well.

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

*There's a distinct possibility I've asked this before.  But you'll have to excuse me. I've had one of the more challenging days of summer with Thor.  This is about as complicated as I'm going to get today.

Let's go shopping!

I started searching Overstock.com the other day and I found some things that would make life so much easier.

If I had these chairs (Boss Caressoft Reception Box Arm Chair) in my office maybe it would inspire me.  I could sit there and plot.  Or read.  Or stare out the window.  You know, whatever it is I do when I’m in my office. (Hint probably nothing productive.)

Or maybe I would vacuum with this (Dyson DC24 All Floors Vacuum) because seriously, it can do all floors.  I really need something that can do all floors.  The kids just aren’t cutting it these days.  They keep missing the corners.

I was also admittedly drooling over this spectacular piece I’d love for my kitchen.  The Kraus Stainless Steel Single Lever Pull-out Sprayer Kitchen Faucet .  Hello!  That’s pretty.  That would look great with the granite countertops I also am dreaming about.  I could look out the kitchen window while operating my faucet and see my family playing in the pool.  (The one that doesn’t actually exist.)

Now if I could just hire a nanny through Oversock.com, I’d be all set.

Why I love Baseball

As some of you might have noticed, I've become a HUGE baseball fan of late.  Actually it started when we still lived in Germany.  Last year before and including the run-up to the World Series (when yes, I not only was living in Philly but considered myself a #1 Phillies fan) I started loving baseball.

Citizens Bank Ballpark, Philadelphia

Now that I live outside Cincinnati, I was content to watch Reds games and still be a Phillies fan.  I even wore my Phillies hat to not only the Phillies/Reds game June 30 but to a regular Reds game (they were playing the lowly Pirates.)

Last week things changed.  As CP and Thor have commented

I've gone to the dark side.

That is, I rooted against the Phillies for the Reds/Phillies series in Philadelphia last Friday-Sunday.  The Reds admittedly got swept four games to none.  That was seriously hard to take as I sat (as the only member) on the Reds side of the couch with my hat while my family all sat on the other side of the couch, the Phillies side.

Thor did not let me live down a single second of the Phillies four wins. In fact, the kid needs a little lesson on sportsmanship if you want my opinion about the whole thing.

Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati

I like baseball.  Even though I never watched a single game on TV that I can remember growing up (my dad liked football - which I despise.)  I went to a few minor league Spokane Indians games as a child.  But baseball was neither here nor there for me.  I had a take it or leave it attitude.  Until a few years ago.

I started enjoying going to a few games when we visited the US.  I got wrapped up in the excitement of the crowd (there is no crowd like a Phillies crowd).  Then I started looking online for the update on the score and listened via the Ramstein Air Base radio station in Germany.  When we moved back to Philly last July, I actually started watching games.  And not just watching games but actually enjoying them.  I even went so far as to be superstitious about the playoffs believing that if they won one night, I would have to do the exact same thing the next night to ensure that they won again.

Baseball is insane that way.

Joey Votto

Since we moved to Cincinnati, Great American Ballpark is twenty minutes away.  Tickets are cheap compared to Philly because for whatever reason, no one here cares about the first place Reds.  I have no idea why.  They have a great team (did I mention they're in first place in their division?)  They have four players headed to the All-Star Game Tuesday (Rolen, Phillips, Rhodes, Votto).  They have an amazing pitching bullpen (Hello? Did anyone see Wood's almost perfect game the other night?)

They are winning.  And yet no one here seems to care.  But I do.

GABP

I love baseball.  I love watching baseball.  It's true you can see better on tv, food and drink is free and the seats are more comfortable but there's just something about going to the ballpark that doesn't top that.  Nope, I'll take sitting in a hard plastic seat, under the glare of a hot sun, surrounded by people hawking concessions for everything from beer to cotton candy to ices.

Gratuitous shot of Votto's butt

Give me the ballpark.  The crowd.  The sound of the crack against the bat.  The chance to stand up and scream as Votto hits another impressive home run.  Baseball is where it's at for me.

Where do you like to spend your time?  Do you have something you're passionate about?

The strike of the dreaded Summer Cold

It could happen anytime and anywhere.  The dreaded Summer Cold.  Usually it happens to us on vacation (so in a few weeks then we'll be breaking out the Children's Advil!)  I thought I would share some summer cold tips with all of you in the hopes that we might break the cycle of cranky kids and melted popsicles.

Preschool and elementary school children may get up to 12 colds per year, and while colds are more common in the fall and winter, summer colds occur more frequently than you might think.  Exposure to  air conditioning, airplane travel and summer camp playmates may put your child at risk.  And most parents agree that summer colds are particularly annoying as the symptoms – fever, sore throat, and other aches and pains – often disrupt the very activities your child most looks forward to in summer.

This year, however, treating a summer cold may be a source of confusion to parents because of a recent recall of many over-the-counter products for children.  The good news is that, Children’s Advil®, manufactured by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, is not part of the recent recall and is currently available nationwide.

Here are answers to some common questions about treating your child’s summer cold. 

How can I treat my child’s cold?

Symptoms of a cold can include runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, fever, and loss of appetite:

  

Runny nose: There’s not much you can do for a runny nose, except for periodically clearing it for easier breathing.  It’s best to have your child sniff and swallow the secretions, rather than blow them out, which could cause the virus to spread to the ears and sinuses.

Stuffy nose: You can help clear you child’s nose by instilling three drops of warm tap water into the nasal passages and using cotton swabs to wipe out loosened mucus.   

Sore Throat: Help relieve your child’s sore throat by giving your child warm salt water to gargle with. 

Fever:  Reduce your child’s fever fast with Children’s Advil®. 

   

Loss of Appetite: When your child has a cold, it’s important that he or she doesn’t become dehydrated.  Encourage your child to consume lots of fluids, like chicken soup, even if he or she doesn’t feel like eating or drinking.

What product(s) are available to treat my child’s cold this summer? 

Children’s Advil® is NOT part of the recent recall and is safe and effective when used as directed in children 2 to 11 years of age.  

For more information please visit ChildrensAdvil.com or contact a customer service representative toll-free at:      800-88-ADVIL or 800-882-3845, Monday-Friday; 9:00AM-5:00PM EST or write to Product Quality, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, P.O. Box 26609, Richmond, VA 23261-6609.

What if my child has a fever?

Encourage your child to drink lots of fluids when he or she has a fever.  A fever can cause your child to lose fluids and may lead to dehydration. Water, soup, ice pops or flavored gelatin are all helpful.

What is the difference between a summer cold and allergy symptoms?

Both colds and allergies can cause nasal congestion -- that's what can make them difficult to tell apart. However, a key difference is itching of the eyes that is commonly seen with allergies.

What’s the best way to prevent future colds?

There are preventative measures parents and children can take to reduce their risk for colds, including:

Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and maintain body fluid levels

Get plenty of rest

Spend time outdoors because it is more common to catch a cold indoors rather than outdoors.  

Brands herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Excuse me, I think Chick just sneezed!  Time to bust out the tissues!

*I was provided with this information by a Advil representative. Always follow label directions properly!

All I'm gonna say is this...

All-Star Final Spot voting ends 4pm eastern Thursday.

Happy Fourth of July!

AMERICA FOR ME

Henry Van Dyke

Tis fine to see the Old World, and travel up and down 

Among the famous places and cities of renown, 

To admire the crumbly castles and the statues of their kings,

- But now I think I’ve had enough of antiquated things. 

So it’s home again, and home again, America for me! 

My heart is turning home again, and there I long to be, 

In the land of youth and freedom beyond the ocean bars 

Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

Oh, London is a man’s town, there’s power in the air; 

And Paris is a woman’s town, with flowers in the hair; 

And it’s sweet to dream in Venice, and it’s great to study Rome; 

But when it comes to living ... there is no place like home. 

I like the German fir-woods, in green battalions drilled; 

I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled; 

But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day 

In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her way! 

I know that Europe’s wonderful, yet something seems to lack: 

The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back. 

But the glory of the Present is to make our Future free, 

We love our land for what she is and what she is to be. 

Oh, it’s home again, and home again, America for me! 

I want a ship that’s westward bound to plough the rolling sea 

To the blessed Land of Room Enough beyond the ocean bars 

Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.