Friday Fragments

Joining up with Mrs. 4444's Friday Fragments

***My youngest son is participating in a hockey clinic this weekend.  He is excited because he gets to teach younger hockey kids techniques and other related hockey stuff that he says I do not understand.  What do I know, right? I'm just a hockey mom.  ;-)

***Same son was at hockey lessons. He went to undress in the locker room.  To his dismay there was a mom in there putting on her very young son's hockey gear.  I was wondering what was taking my son so long to change.  He came out with the top gear off but bottoms still on.

I asked "What are you doing?"  

"There is this lady in there with kids and I can't change?"  

"Why?" I ask.

  "I have no underwear on."  

***Last weekend hubby made me two raised garden boxes.  I finally planted lettuce seeds.  About a month late than recommended.  When I do plant early the lettuce grows before the tomatoes and peppers.  So what the point if you can't enjoy a salad without other veggies?

***Anyone know how to get those pesky bugs off the front of the car?  I went to the car wash and used a high pressure sprayer.  It looks better, but still yucky.

***Have you seen Small Potatoes on the Disney Channel?  It's the cutest thing.


Happy Weekend!!!

Say it Ain't so, Pepsico!

So, did you hear the one about the fetal tissue in your soda?

I first heard about this issue when my niece Kari contacted me. She knows I drink Diet Pepsi and wanted me to stop because a known ingredient in pepsi (aborted fetus kidneys).

WOAH!  WHAT?????

I did a quick research.  There are many, many internet sites addressing this issue. The ones I chose to use in the post is The Children of God For Life and  Forbes.com.  Going forward - references for Children of God will be in GREEN and Forbes will be in RED.

This is what I understand:

Senomyx, who has a contract with Pepsico, has been using new technology to create food additives.  They use HEK cells along with other receptors to allow them to test different additives to see whether they taste sweet, sour, spicy etc…  

"The fetus-derived cell line we're talking about was also created around the time I was born.  This is a 35-year-old technology. And it is widely used in cell biology.  And there is no way you'll consume them or that the cells would cause any health problems."

We won't be drinking aborted fetus kidneys after all.  

"Whether a cell line is taken from an abortion done today, yesterday, a year ago or 30 years ago makes no difference. It is still a human cell line, fetal in character with complete DNA intact from the original aborted child. Anything less would render it useless for human applications. It is also not an embryonic stem cell. It is fetal age kidney cells, that is, it was derived from an aborted baby beyond 8 weeks gestation. Morally, it makes no difference whether or not an abortion was done 30 years ago or today either.  Time does not diminish the original act of evil, nor does it lessen the culpability those who knowingly and willingly utilize the remains of aborted children for profit."

GROSS, but they do have a point. 

"The cells, called HEK 293 cells (that stands for human embryonic kidney) were taken from an aborted fetus in the 1970s in the Netherlands. Bits of chopped up DNA from the adenovirus, a virus that causes a pretty severe cold. The kidney cells were forced to take up bits of DNA using a technique invented in 1973 that used a calcium solution. The resulting cells don’t act much like human cells at all, but they are very easy to work with and have become workhorses of cellular biology. That’s why they’re used in the development of drugs and vaccines. (Here’s the original paper on the creation of the HEK cells. ) No new fetal tissue has been used to keep the cell culture going; the use of this cell line isn’t leading to new abortions."

From what I have gathered, the HEK 293 cells have been used to help find vaccines for the chicken pox, rubella and hepatitis A.  Also drugs for cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis. 

"To non-scientists this may sound a bit strange, but the reality is that HEK 293 cells are widely used in pharmaceutical research, helping scientists create vaccines as well as drugs like those for rheumatoid arthritis. The difference here is that Senomyx’s work for Pepsi is one of the first times the cells have (potentially) been used to create a food or beverage. (And it’s important to note that no part of a human kidney cell are ever a part of Senomyx’s taste enhancers or any finished food products.)"

STOP!  The Children of God for Life just admitted "NO part of a human kidney cell are ever a part of taste enhancers or any finished food product".  

"For Debi Vinnedge, who runs the anti-abortion group Children of God for Life, that doesn’t matter. “It’s the eeew factor. It strikes a really strong reaction in people,” she said in an interview. She points to the fact that one of Senomyx’s patents (not one for a product Pepsi would be using) refers to the way company scientists used mifepristone to get unstable HEK cells to respond — mifepristone being more commonly known as RU-486, the abortion pill."

After reading that The Children of God for Life admitted that human (aborted fetus' are considered human by this group) I feel as if I was being lead astray.  

Debi did get one thing right. It is the "eeew factor" that gets people to react.  In fact  when it comes down to it, this is basically a marketing scheme created by groups to scare people into passing a bill banning stem cell research.


 Nobody is putting "aborted fetuses" in soda.  "Synomix has isolated receptors found on cells that detect taste, and added them to the HEK cells. This allows them to test thousands of potential taste additives to see whether they might taste sweet or savory with a speed that would be impossible with human taste testers." That's all. They're not even IN the soda.

More information pertaining to The Children of God for Life click here. 

More information pertaining to Forbes and Biotech, you can read here.

My opinion pertaining to this post does not reflect my views on

 abortion or the right to choose.

 We all have different opinions.  I will respect yours if you kindly respect mine.

Derogatory comments will be deleted.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

How about a little Hodgepodge to start your Wednesday off on the right note?  If you'd like to play along, just click here to link up and you're all set!

1. What's the last job you did that required elbow grease?

Have you ever smelled hockey gear after a game?? It smells like rotten eggs mixed with death!  "Mother of the Year" awards should be given to the Moms who have to wash that gear!!

2. March Madness, aka the men's Division I basketball championship, is nearing an end. What sort of 'madness' has your house seen this month?

2 teenage boys and an older brother who torments them…. need I say more?

3. What's your favorite shop for browsing?

Target. Target. Target!

4. Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?

When I argue with my eldest son. He is almost 23 and doesn't want advice from Mom & Dad. 

5. What's a song you love that contains the name of a city, state or country in its title?

Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) by Toby Keith

6. When did you first begin using a computer?

1990. An ancient IBM computer with a dark screen and flashing green cursor.

7. Did you buy girl scout cookies this year? What's your favorite?

Yes, ALL OF THEM!

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Last night, my kids stopped by and were sitting in the living room when I said to them, 'I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug.'
They got up, unplugged the Computer, and threw out my wine.
They are SO on my shit list …

Summer Vacation Woes

My family and another family want to take a vacation together. Perhaps to an island or resort.  I've been looking at the Sandals resort in Negril Jamaica. It looks gorgeous and promises the world at your feet.

Photo Credit

 When I checked out the reviews for this resort, it was astounding how many people complained about bugs in their rooms, bad service, alcoholic drinks that taste like water, bad food and down right horrible vacations!!

 I am afraid to book a trip because of these negative reviews.  

We don't have tons of money and this trip to Jamaica would be stretching our budget. I don't want to spend that kind of money only to have a dream vacation turn into a nightmare.

So if I nix the Jamaica trip, where do we go??

The travel channel has a list of 10 Top Vacation Spots.
Paris, France
New York, NY
Rome, Italy
Cancun, Mexico
London, England
Orlando, Florida
Miami, Florida
San Francisco, California
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Branson, Missouri

When I read the list, I thought - HMMM, Rome. I like wine, I like Italian food. It's a win win for me!


Relais 6 Hotel Rome
had fabulous reviews, but the prices are in Euros. UGH!  

This photo of Relais 6 is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This is where I need HELP!

Where is your favorite vacation spot?

Why?

Does it have things for teenage boys to do?

Care.com

 This coming September some of the children I have nurtured since they were babies (who are now four years old) are headed out to the big world of preschool.  I am excited for them and yet my heart breaks because I will miss them so much! After loving them, holding them, laughing with them and drying their tears… it will be so hard to say goodbye.

I have been lucky over the years to get many referrals from family and friends.  I haven't had to advertise for child care since 2009.  A few days ago I put my profile on Care.com.  If you haven't heard of it, Care.com is an online community that connect families to babysitters, nannies or child care (like me).  They also have links for tutors, senior care, pet sitters and housekeepers.

My Care.com Profile page

I think Care.com does a decent job for parents and job seekers to find people of interest.  There are those who could be shady. Parents need to interview carefully and have a good idea of what they are looking for.  

I am hoping potential parents call me and I will have a house full of little ones to love.

Crack Me Up - Sundays in my City

Thank you Unknown Mami for hosting Sunday In My City.

Check her blog to take a peek through her window and other bloggers too.

Enjoy the view from my city. 

It 'cracked' me up!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

How about a little Hodgepodge to start your Wednesday off on the right note?  If you'd like to play along, just click here to link up and you're all set!

1. The first day of spring is here...do you enjoy working in the yard? Weeding, raking, mowing, planting-your favorite springtime garden chore? How about your least favorite?

I can't rake leaves, because I get a sinus infection. However - WEEDING is what I hate the most.  I love to garden and being outdoors, but weeds are the enemy!

2. What puts a spring in your step?

The sun shinning and warming me.

3. Describe a time when you had to spring into action?

The first thing that comes to my mind is a time I dropped the part of the camper that connects to the truck onto my finger, which caused a deep gash.  My son and his friend were there when it happened.  They were around 11 at the time.  So even though it hurt like a son-of-a-bitch, I remained calm.  I ran to the kitchen sink to run water over it, and almost passed out from the pain.  My husband wasn't home, so I told Brandon to go get the neighbor to take me to the emergency room. I wrapped my finger in paper towels.  Brandon was back quickly and I told him to call my husband.  So like a good son, he did and said "Dad, Mom just severed her finger."  My husband was on the golf course and rushed to the emergency room to find out I needed stitches on the tip of my finger.  I kept it together, I really did.  Todd turned white as a ghost almost passed out watching the doctor put the stitches in!!

4. We're having carrots for dinner...would you prefer yours raw or cooked?

Raw, with ranch dressing or in a salad.

5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out?

I take them with me.  My hair is so long and thick I need more than what the hotel provides.

6. What's the most enjoyable team or club you've belonged to and what was it that made it so?

Last year my friend Heather and I were team mom's for our sons hockey team.  It was a lot of fun coordinating off-ice activities for the boys.  Bowling and Swim parties were the hit!

7. Is cloning a sign of progress?

I personally think it's creepy.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Four high school boys afflicted with spring fever skipped morning classes. After lunch they reported to the teacher that they had a flat tire.

Much to their relief she smiled and said, "Well, you missed a test today so take seats apart from one another and take out a piece of paper."

Still smiling, she waited for them to sit down. Then she said: "First Question: Which tire was flat?"

Mama's gone Gray!

Last weekend was CRAZY busy.
Brandon had FIVE hockey games.

One Friday night, three Saturday and one on Sunday for a Shamrock Tournament.

 He came home Saturday evening and CRASHED!

Slept in on Sunday until it was time to go to the next game.

Refreshed and ready to go!

  I was exhausted ecstatic driving place to place and watching the games.

I don't know how he does it.

~~

Zachary went on a job interview at a new ice cream store.

  It is located right out of our development, so very convenient for us Zach.
We have begged asked Zach to find a job for a few years now.

There are a lot of people interviewing, so cross your fingers for him.

~~

Ahren accumulated a large debt within one weekend.

  Four citations!

Turning left on a red light.

Driving without valid insurance.

Expired Inspection.

Expired Registration.

Whopping $600.00!

When he did get his car inspected it cost him an additional $350.00

Seriously son?? 

 He is almost 23 years old!!  

We paid his insurance until he turned 21.  He did well keeping up with his payments until recently.

I am frustrated!

I don't think I'd be a good parent if I paid his fines for him.

 He needs to learn a hard lesson.

~~

After this weekend, it's no wonder I am turing gray!

Little Leprechaun's

Yesterday I had a St. Patrick's Day party for my Little Leprechauns. I taught them a little Irish Jig while we sang a Leprechaun song.  To see more about the party click HERE.  Enjoy!

Questions for the Hodgepodge- Vol 70

Thank you Joyce for being the hostess of the Fabulous Wednesday Hodgepodge! Click HERE if you would like to participate.  I highly encourage it!

1. St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated this coming Saturday...what's a favorite article of clothing you own that contains a touch o' the green?

I have a T-shirt from Pig N Whistle. It is an Irish Pub that my family ate at when we visited New York City.

Photo Credit

2. What's a favorite 'green space' in the town, state, or province where you live?

I am surrounded green where I live. We live in Berks County farm country.  

3. Do you wish you were taller, shorter, or think you're just about right in the height department?

I am 5'2" and think I am just right in the height department. Now I could use a few inches in the boob department.

4. What's the surest way for someone to pick a fight with you?

 Youth hockey games are so easy to pick a fight with the opposing team. All I have to do is say "Are you kidding me Ref?! That kid should be in the penalty box!" Parents from the other team go BERSERK! HAHA!

5. Broccoli-Spinach-String Beans-Peas...of the four, your favorite green veg? (Or the one you dislike the least if that first option's too hard. I just know there's some veggie haters out there.)

I love them ALL. Grow them in my garden too.

6. March is National Women's History Month...besides friends, neighbors and the women you're related to, who's a woman in history you admire and why?

Eleanor Roosevelt. She spent a lifetime fighting for human rights.  

7. Keep Calm and ____________on.

You fill in the blank.

Considering it IS St Patrick's Day... I'd say DRINK ON!!! Pass the whisky please!

8. Insert your own random thought here.
When you think of March 17, you almost surely will think of beer, and when you think of someone Irish, you probably think of beer and pubs as well. But, in the history of Ireland, beer wasn’t always a given on this widely-celebrated day. in 1903, a member of the Irish parliament, James O’Mara introduced a new bill that called to recognize St. Patrick’s Day as a religious observation in Ireland. However, because this was made a law, this meant that all of the local pubs had to close; therefore, no beer was readily available. So for 67 years, the Irish suffered through a total shut down of all pubs until 1970 when the law was overturned and the holiday was no longer a religious observance, but a national holiday.

Read more: http://www.toptenz.net/10-interesting-facts-about-st-patricks-day.php#ixzz1p83Z5ZgK

Sick Day

Working with children in my home does not always allow for me to take sick days.  When I have a common cold or allergies, I have to suck it up and use whatever energy I have to take care of the precious ones.

I must have been exposed to pollen or weeds. For the last 5 days I have had problems with hayfever.  Splitting headache, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, sinus pressure, ears clogged, soar throat and just down right miserable.   Forgive me for not blogging recently.  Thinking a little bit is hard to do right now.

Photo Credi

I have tried different allergy medicines along with a nasal spray.  A friend also recommended taking Airborne.  I have tried most of the over-the-counter medications.  I don't have an infection (yet) so a doctor wont give me any medication.  UGH!

 
What do you do when your allergies flare up?  I am desperate and will try anything!

Spanx

Have you heard about this product called Spanx?  

It's anamazing invention by Sara Blakely that has turned her into an overnight sensation when Oprah Winfrey announced this product as one of her favorite items.  Recently Sara was listed as the youngest woman to join the Forbes list of Billionares.

What makes this product a sensation?

Most undergarments are uncomfortable and bulky, show panty-lines, are too thick, stop at the thigh and show bulges through clothing.

 According to Spanx's website, it is a body shaping undergarment unlike most undergarments.

They have body shapers, bras, under garmets, bathing suits and more that give you the perfect amount of support in a comfortable way.  So comfortable that you will forget you are wearing it.

It is pricy.

I wonder, is the cost is worth looking slimmer?

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To see more products visit the SPANX BLOG or the SPANX WEBSITE .

Stop Discrimination

YOU CAN PLAY
GREAT words by GREAT people!

You Can Play is supported by athletes of all levels and fans in the fight for respect in sports.

In this video: Patrick Burke (Philadelphia), Brian Burke (Toronto), Rick Nash (Columbus), Duncan Keith (Chicago), Brian Boyle (New York), Matt Moulson (New York Islanders), Joffrey Lupul (Toronto), Claude Giroux (Philadelphia), Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa), Scott Hartnell (Philadelphia), Corey Perry (Anaheim), Andy Greene (New Jersey), Dion Phaneuf (Toronto), Henrik Lundqvist (New York).

If you don't see your favorite player or team represented here, just wait. visit youcanplayproject.org over the next few weeks as new players and teams join the You Can Play team.

I am very proud to be a hockey fan.

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Vol 69

Thank you Joyce for being the hostess of the Fabulous Wednesday Hodgepodge! Click HERE if you would like to participate.  I highly encourage it!

1. Did March come in like a lion or was it something less ferocious in your neck of the woods?

It came in like a kitty cat.  Only two snow storms falls, that melted almost the same day.

2. Speaking of lions, which one's your film favorite...The Cowardly Lion(Wizard of Oz), Mufasa (The Lion King), Elsa (Born Free), or Alex(Madagascar)? You may notice I left Aslan off the list. Including him would have made this question way too easy for many of you.

Mufasa - Oh I can't wait to be King!!!

3. What's your favorite spot from which to view the sunrise or sunset?

Sunrise - the beginning of a new day, the warm sun on your face, peace.

4. To what extent is knowledge power and to what extent is truthpower? What's the difference?

This can turn into a long winded response, but I will try to put it as simply as I understand it.
Knowledge can change through out time.  Example (Long ago man though the world was flat. They didn't have the knowledge the know the Earth was round).
Truth cannot change.  Truth is a fact.  Example (The American Colonies won their independence from Great Britain. This is a true fact and cannot change).

5. What's something peculiar you've seen recently?

AP Press reported that a woman in California died after a homemade cannon was fired.  Homemade cannon? REALLY?

Video Credit

6. Bottled water...your thoughts?

Bottled water is great for my boys while playing sports, they take one to school, etc..  As for the environment, as long as we can recycle I see no harm.  I am not an expert on the matter, so I could be way off. I suppose I will learn by reading other bloggers responses.

7. What's your strongest sense?

Not my ears, I am partially deaf.  Not my eyes, vision has gone bad after I hit 40.  Egads, what is left?  Well I can still smell kitty litter and dirty diapers, so I guess SMELL would be my strongest sense.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Where does the toetag go on a dead person if they don't have toes?

BFF turns 40!

Chad & Heather, Tami & Todd

Limo has arrived for the birthday girl.

We rode in a white stretch limousine.  It had a bar with wine glasses and ice.

We picked up another couple, Colleen and Scott.

There was more than enough room for the six of us.

Opening birthday gifts.

Heather received two pandora charms: frog (for leap year birthday) and a star (for celebrating her birthday).

Pouring the bubbly!

Arriving in Philadelphia.

The building in the picture is City Hall with at statue of the founder, William Penn at the top.

SURPRISE!

 We ate at a 5 Star restaurant called Butcher and Singer Steakhouse.

"Butcher and Singer is not your ordinary run-of-the-mill steakhouse. An homage to old Hollywood, low lights and dark woods evoke a feeling reminiscent of a bygone era when women donned full red lips, men wore a suite and tie and post-Prohibition liquor flowed freely."  -Butcher and Singer website

All of us were in awe once we entered the restaurant.  There were huge chandeliers hanging, bull decor everywhere and wait staff that saw to your every need.

The funniest thing we saw was the bathroom doors.  The women's room had Little Red Riding hood on the door and the men's room had the Big Bad Wolf.  Out of character for a 5 Star Restaurant, but put a smile on your face.

I ordered a Pomegranate Martini.  

Holy Schmoly, it was wickedly strong!  

I haven't drank something that strong since I was a teenager  turned 21.  

We had a great time!
Happy Birthday Heather!