Book Review: Symphony On Sand

Symphony On Sand

 

by

 Katrina Jewett Hammons

"Three friends, one year, three events -- Reagan Hamilton is ateacher and a die-hard Democrat. Alexandria Giroud is an attorney and a staunch Republican. Taylor Rays is a corporate executive and an Independent. These women take on the highs and lows of life together until betrayal, deceit and tragedy strike in a heated election year. Suddenly, the friends must make tough choices. Can friendship triumph over the zero-sum game of politics? Only the journey tells..."

A couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to meet the author of this awesome book at a publication brunch tour that a mutual friend held for her. Katrina's writing is definitely the kind I enjoy, moderately suspenseful and descriptive with just enough details left out so that readers can use their imagination when visualizing the way the characters may look, dress and act as well as the sex scenes. (No 50 Shades here, which I am personally okay with.)

I like to think of this story as a mild political 'thriller.' Okay, well maybe it's not a thriller since there's no violence or killing. It's just a GREAT fictional political drama. The story revolves around the 2008 Presidential election and covers an example of health insurance corruption. The author, Katrina, had such a balanced delivery when discussing the political beliefs of each character throughout the book. I not only learned about the cracks in health insurance [premiums] but I also gained insight from her politically balanced approach.

I could NOT put this book down and was so upset when I had to ---> motherhood duty calls. I can't wait for the sequel to this book, which she is currently writing, and wish that it could be turned into a Lifetime movie!!!

This is Katrina's first book. She is a former healthcare attorney, but this book is not based on her life nor on the work she has done, just about what she learned can happen - within the fine print of health insurance.

You can buy her book by clicking the links: Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Buy it NOW and tell me how much you love it!!!

Our Ornament Collecting Tradition

Even though Christmas is over its still holiday season so a post about ornaments is still fitting.
Collecting ornaments is another little Christmas tradition of ours. Hallmark ornaments have consistently had the coolest character ornaments around.
Before we had kids, we just collected 2, one for each of us. This year we collected 3, two for the kids and just one for us---a family photo ornament. Ornaments can get expensive so it'll be interesting to see how we handle this in the future.
One way will include me making some of our family ornaments but that will be once I have full cooperation from my brood. I'm sure you can see how ornaments are seemingly fun 'balls' and 'toys' that have to be touched, tugged and just plain taken off of the tree.
Each ornament holds a 'special' meaning for us, whether it is a place that we visited or favorite hobbies (golf or shopping like Minnie Mouse).
After our first son arrived, on Chrismas nonetheless, we were given a couple ornaments as gifts.
The cookie ornament was given from our realtor that helped us find our first house. She wrote a handwritten note on that back so those 1st home memories will always be remembered on Christmas. Of course the cookie ornament is my youngest's favorite.
(And yes as of last night, he was still holding chewed-up food hostage in his mouth for 30+ minutes.)

I love this tradition and eventually our tree will be filled up with special ornaments and not just colorful bulbs. It makes putting up the tree just a bit more fun.
If you don't already collect ornaments, check out some of Hallmark's, you may find something you like.

Welcome to 30! (NaBloPoMo)

I've had 20/20 vision since......well birth I guess.
It could be due to 30 welcoming me with open arms in February or due to me looking at tiny engineering words, numbers, lines and maps.
Most of the men I worked with would take off their glasses and read the maps and drawings from about 4" away from their face. I always thought they were crazy to not use a magnifying glass but hey.
To their defense, drawings are done in black, gray, light gray and even lighter gray colors. This is to distinguish between the existing landscape (light gray and lighter gray colors) and proposed construction (dark lines) changes. The problem is that proposed construction has to be tied into existing thus causing MAJOR eye strain. The office magnifying glasses were always occupied!

Anyway, I had been straining my eyes when reading my phone and when using the computer. I got my eyes checked and the optometrist I went to said that I seem to have developed farsighted traits and recommended a lens prescription.

At least I got an extremely cute yet expensive new accessory......some cute Michael Stars frames.

What physical (yet not disappointing) changes has age brought you?

Friday Favorites: Aloe Vera Water

This cost me $1.08 at Kroger.

I found this water in the Asian food section of Kroger. I am kind of addicted to this water. It is sooooooo good! For those that have a sweet tooth, I'd say this is a nice and semi-healthy alternative for that fix.
I was never big on sweets until I had my second son and now my sweet tooth is ridiculous. I've entered my self into 'sweet tooth rehab.'

Ingredients:
Aloe Vera Gel Powder, Aloe Vera Crush, *Corn Syrup, Honey, Citric Acid, Calcium Lactate, Vitamin C, Water

*Since this picture, I've bought several more bottles and they brand changed. I don't remember seeing Corn Syrup on the list of ingredients of the brand in the picture but its on my current bottles. It could've been there but I can't be sure. Some online ingredients replaced the corn syrup ingredient with organic cane sugar.

Buy a bottle and tell me what you think!

I'm linking up with Julie at The Naptime Review.

Natural Solutions for Medicine (for Toddlers and Adults)

My current immune building solutions:

I add 1/2 a packet into my each boy's cup of gatorade every day.

Colloidal Silver-1 tbsp added to our oatmeal at the first onset of cold symptoms.

I bought this at Vitamin Shoppe for $30+. I went here to find out more about it before I decided to purchase it. Either its been a big help or we've been lucky enough with the additional vitamin C.
Go to your local farmers market or Vitamin Shoppe and see what is recommended for immune building health. And don't forget to share the info. when you do!

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I've never been the kind to research alternative solutions but becoming a stay at home mom has given me time to research a variety of concerns regarding my toddlers' health and development. Recently, I was provided a family chiropractor name in my area. My youngest has had far too many ear infections within the past year. Typically there is a suggested amount (by most pediatricians) and once that amount is reached or surpassed, ear tube surgery is highly recommended. This also means that he had been on and off anitbiotics, like amoxycillin, for the past year. I am not a big anitibiotic(s) fan.

The chiropractor and ENT doctor (Ear Nose Throat) gave me the same [flat ear canal] "shpeel" but the chiropractor gave an explanation of why and how to remedy it without surgery having similar successful cases. The ENT only gave ear tube surgery as a successful solution.

The chiropractor explained that there are several joints under his ears that are pulled tightly for whatever reason (possibly because of the twists and turns of birth), causing the ear canal to be flat. Most kids that have repeated ear infections have flat ear canals, along with always having fluid in their ear(s) sitting there waiting to get infected at the first sign of a cold.
No fun.

She then used a light and non-invasive instrument to loosen the joints under his ears. This has had to be done every other day so we spent a lot of time going to the chiropractor for this 5 min treatment last week. The earlier (age-wise) that this is done, the faster the joints will be corrected back into the correct alignment for proper fluid drainage in his ears.

She also recommended visiting her for any future ear infections, instead of going to the pediatrician and getting the subscribed antibiotics.

So far, her track record is that no child has ever needed ear tube surgery once she has worked on the joints under their ears.

If you have a similar problem, check out your local family chiropractor and find out some alternative solutions that satisfy any of your health concerns.

I've Been Slacking.....And Kicking It

I've totally been slacking on my posts.....purely by accident. I went to my sorority sister's 30th birthday party and have been recovering ever since. Not from the alcohol, but from my social life. :-) The party was actually in a different state and I hadn't planned on going, but last minute saw a good deal that American Airlines was offering, bought a ticket and skipped town! The hubs watched the boys all weekend, took them to a baseball game....lucky enough they were in a suite (office tickets) and the women held our youngest since he has the most adorable cheeks ever, and got a chance to have pure quality guy time.

I, on the other hand, finally got a chance to hang out with my friends that I see maybe once a year and had a ball.

I'm rocking a twistout in a safari-type romper.

Taking it to the flo'!

 These two pics were from the party when Beyonce's "Get Me Bodied" Remix/Extended Version. I don't know what woman can stay off the dance floor when that song is played!



My Awesome Find

 Since my postpartum workout has not been going as planned or at all for that matter, I still have my wrinkly stomach and extra flab. Most people are like, "you just had a baby 6 mos ago," but when you're as skinny as I am naturally, this extra flab doesn't know where to hide or what to hide under. :-) Sooooo, I really do start doing better with working out. I think I will just have to run...which is what I was dreading. The hubs and I will either go to 24 Hr Fitness or our local YMCA and exercise. We both used to be somewhat jocks in shape but have gradually lost motivation post-college. Not sure when this plan will began.....I'm just going to randomly say Augus 1st. Anywho, in the meantime I found the cutest one-piece swimsuit. I'll just have to suck in whenever I take my swim dress off.

 I got it from Old Navy. It was originally priced at $35, but I got it for $14! I'd say that was an awesome find. There was only one that happened to be in my size. It has underwire and ruffles on top! Totally cute. I was wanting to find a cheap vintage style and had been checking online, but I could never find one cheap enough. I'm so glad I found this because its cute and vintage-like enough.

Henna & Clutches

My Clutch Crush

While getting some items at Target last Friday, I came across a couple cute knick knacks and one included my new little clutch. I saw several clutches that I liked and will be going back for. I'm really into clutches now because when carrying two diaper bags around (or in the stroller), I just don't have the patience or desire to carry around my former cute fashionable purses. So for now, they're on hold and I'm turning up my love for clutches. The one I bought was $9.99, big enough for my wallet, keys, lip gloss, gum, cell phone and compact mirror....without making it bulky. What really got me though, is the silver circle that acts as a handle. I can slip my forearm through and carry it, while still holding my boys, their bags or even grocery bags without dealing with it sliding off of my shoulder. Don't you just hate when your purse slides off your shoulder while your carrying something heavy?!? I hate that!

Texture Manipulation???  

I hate to say this but....I think I will be henna'ing more often, solely for the purpose of [slightly] loosening up the texture in the middle of my head. I've tried all kinds of methods suggested for avoiding tangles and knots and I just don't know how to handle the tighter coils of my crown. The front of my head is so loose in texture, that its wavy and the crown/back is so extra tight. I hate snipping random knots out. I may be hopeful to the extent of naive, but I'm hoping a little loosening of the texture will help me minimize, and.......dare I say it, prevent these little knots from continuing to form. My only dilemma is how the heck do I continue my curl loosening when I have new growth without the previously loosened part ending up curl-less? Sigh.....I give up. Back to the drawing board? No....I'm definitely going to try this henna thing.

Henna is an ALL NATURAL great conditioning/strengthening treatment for ALL hair types and is a nice red rinse (color effect) that can really only be seen in the sunlight, if your hair is naturally black.....any other colors like blond or gray then your head is turning coppery-red. And I love the color red. :-) To see how henna changes the color of a natural blond, go here. For women with ethnic hair, the color change isn't as vibrant, but if you're coloring gray you end up with copper highlights in black hair which is totally cute. My mom loves it now!

I have tried henna once as an overnight and another time as a gloss - meaning mixed with a conditioner and left on for only 3-4 hours. Both times, it was right after I had cut off my relaxed ends. I've only done it twice in the past year, mainly because I didn't want it to loosen my coils (not because of the crazy need to prove ethnic hair is beautiful and blah blah blah, only because I liked my coily texture). I know my change of heart is crazy, right? Not to mention, I just don't have that kind of time to devote to my hair since I'm a mommy of two adorably demanding boys! I really like my curls (but have seen henna's curl loosening powers when used on a very regular basis), but as it gets longer, its becomes more difficult to keep these knots at bay! I plan to place my order and hopefully receive the henna next week. My plan and challenge is to do a henna gloss once a month, starting next week or so. I may have to push this start date back to the beginning of July. I will be ordering my BAQ, body art quality - foil pouch only henna from here. Its on sale for $5.50 from $6.99, so I'll be ordering today!

Right after my BC, I did a henna gloss and check out the curls I had popping and bouncing everywhere! My tighter coily curls afre the diameter of a Bic pen.

Picture taken immediately upon rinsing.

FAB FIND FRIDAY

My fab find is my NOOK-COLOR!!!  I freaking love this thing! I am a huge reader but oddly enough, I was apprehensive about this purchase. Why? Well, to me there is nothing like turning the pages of a book to me. I can read 200+ page books in a week, when I'm not tending to babies or catching up on my 'ridiculous' shows during naptime.....ridiculous shows being The Real Housewives of everywhere and my guilty pleasure, One Life To Live - so upset its going off the air. Anyway, I also love the feeling of accomplishment I feel when the stack of pages in my left hand go from a thin stack to a thick stack. I don't know why but it is just cool to me. It may have to do something with starting and finishing something, because procrastination is typically something I'm good at.

Well, with the Nook-Color, you don't get to have that feeling of accomplishment being able to see the stack of pages in your left hand increase, but it is still awesome! You can highlight however many pages you like and make notes. And best of all, you can start reading multiple books all at once! Okay okay, that definitely isn't good with 'procrastination' problems but the option is cool. Although I love being able to keep a small bookcase of my books, I'll probably never dedicate a room in my house for a library, so its not too big of a deal that I don't own the actual book instead of my electronically downloaded copy. The Nook-Color also gives the option of being able to download a free sample (meaning a previously selected # of pages) of the book you are thinking about purchasing, which is just as good as going to the bookstore or library and reading a few pages before buying it. So, yes you do have to purchase books but you do so at a discounted price which is nice. Some books even have a "sharing/lending" option where you can let another Nook-Color owner borrow one of your downloads for free for a certain amount of time. I haven't tried this yet, but I'm sure I will eventually.

Okay, enough with the books! What about games? Email? Internet browsing? The Nook-Color does all of it. The code has even been cracked so that you can make it an Android tablet. I haven't done that and probably never will. I'll just use my android phone. The games that I play are crossword puzzles, Sudoku and chess. Oh amd I have Pandora on there too! So, the last great thing about the Nook-Color is that you can take it on the plane and still have a ton of books and magazines, games and music all stored in one place!
If you're a reader, I say damn the iPad....go get you a Nook-Color! Its even half the price. :-)

Happy Friday!