Pterodactyl Show and Tell Book Review

Posted On: 02.26.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments


The Pterodactyl Show and Tell book has become a huge hit among grandmothers and mothers out there since its publication in October 2018. <3

 

What would be your first reaction if you found out that your grandchild/child brought a pterodactyl to school?? Even if it was for show and tell! lol

Keep that in mind as I carefully calculate some interesting facts while doing this review

The pterodactyl is simply a flying dinosaur, (aka) a flying reptile. Its proper name is pterosaurs, and something you’d see out of Jurassic Park! lol

Also, the pterodactylus originated back in 1784. The historian; Cosimo Alessandro Collini was the first to investigate the above Fossil/Pterodactyl.

I was delighted to get the invite from Allison Rosenblum (Editorial Assistant) to review this
adorable tale .

The meat of the review:


Pterodactyl Show and Tell was written with charming imagination for a child’s fantasy in mind, and fabricated with fun rhyming words. What Grandma wouldn’t LOVE to read this to her grandchildren!? Excellent read with a collection of fun, colorful illustrations!?

A third-grade school boy decides to bring a pet to school for show and tell. What the boy didn’t anticipate happening was that this pterodactyl would impart disarrayed turmoil with the entire class and teacher.

This flying dinosaur engaged in trying to eat a few students, deleted some needed information off of a computer, and succeeded in frightening the teacher so much that she hid from behind her desk.

So, as you might have envisioned, the events from that day resulted in fleeing classmates; so much that the little boy observed that most of his third-grade class has all but disappeared; then he finds that he was promoted to fourth grade! 🙂

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I will also, enjoy reading it to my grandchildren!! TWO THUMBS up for me!!!

Author: Thad Krasnesky is a writer of children’s books. He resides in Lansing, KS. This is his third picture book.

Illustration: Tanya Leonello has an MFA in medical and biological illustration. She has the needed inspiration to create art for children’s picture books. Tanya lives in Dexter, MI.

PUBLISHED BY FLASH LIGHT PRESS ~~ 10/2018

Category:animals, books, grandchildren, grandkids, grandmothers, moms, parenting, product reviews

Becoming Jesse – Celebrating The Everyday Magic Of Childhood Review

Posted On: 02.13.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments

Becoming Jesse As you know, I’m always delighted to have a fan of my blog get in touch with me about a review. This time, it was a (book review) about childhood, magic and grandmothers. Tom McCandless; (the author’s spouse), was kind enough to email me and invite me to do the review. At the end of his emails was a very small phrase that read, “Light On” that had me guessing <3

I’ll tell you about the author of this wonderful novel in just a bit. In the meantime, keep the phrase I told you about (above) in your mind as I begin to tell you about Becoming Jesse. 😉

I was so excited when I finally had the package and opened it. I love doing book reviews. Although, this was (sort of) a long book. (317 pages to be exact). I let myself go into a little bit of an overwhelm mode of how I was going to have the time to actually read it. Well, let me tell you that after I dove into it, I MADE TIME to read because I literally could not put it down. LOL

 

Becoming Jesse Was That Good!!

 

We've become a plugged world with our eyes and ears glued to our iPhones, tablets, or what have we; (me included). Why not take a refreshing day from it all and indulge in this delightful gem of a book?!

 

Patsie McCandless

Celebrating The Everyday Magic Of Childhood ~~ Becoming Jesse, was fictionally set in New York City in the 1950s. This charming story borders on five main characters; a six-year-old, orphaned, shiner boy named Jesse, his grandmother Dearie, Billy, Conor, and Jessica.

Early on, determined Jesse set out on a journey of questions. A journey with turns, and sometimes, disappointment. Charm, warmth, Light, thrill-digging imagination, love, kindness and hope takes place as this little boy embraces the unknown.

Becoming Jesse

Jesse follows his grandmother’s life lessons and (Rule Of Tongue) with a loving attitude as the story unfolds. Through sparklers, circles and spirals, mourning, and the spirit of Christmas; and (with) the help of Dearie, he surprises himself with a wonderful, childhood magic and a message-filled guiding light for him AND for everyone around him.

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This book of fiction is not ONLY for grandmothers; but for everyone that reads it. It is a true stepping stone on how to go about life positively and to deal with today’s hardships. All through a 6-year-old boy.
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Not long after production, Becoming Jesse was found on the best seller list and currently has a five-star rating on Amazon.

 

Becoming Jesse

About The Author: Patsie McCandless successfully wrote and self-published a beautiful, fictional storybook/novel at the age of 70. Patsie is also an award-winning artist and musical composer. In the media, she is featured in TEDx Talk, Saving The Magic of Childhood that focuses on cell phone addiction in children and provides tips on rising above it. Patsie McCandless has also been featured on Positive Talk Radio — Healthy Life.net. (where positive people and radio unite); among other media.

You can find Patsie’s exquisite art on her YouTube Channel and subscribe HERE

You can also find out more about Patsie HERE

Quoted Content From The Book

A snow fall, much like your life, is made up of billions upon billions of glitters

Love and hope often take pleasure in each other

Mad unplugs your energy, your light

Humor and Fun lift the corners of your mouth as they lift the corners of your heart

A bend in a road is never the end of the road, unless you don’t make the turn

You will surely come to know what the above (5) sentences mean if you read the book. <3

 

A Thanksgiving Reading From Patsie

I’ll leave you with one final thought today…

Before You Speak, Let Your Words Pass Through Three Remarkable Gates:

Is it kind? ~~ Is it true? ~~ Is it necessary? (K-T-N)

 

Thank you for reading! =)

Category:books, children, communication, Education, encouragement, faith, family, grandchildren, grandmothers, grandparent bonding, grandparenting duties, grandparenting tips, inspiration, joys, love, parenting, patience, product reviews, reviews, six-year-old boys, tips for grandma, well being

You’ve Still Got It: A Grandparents Dating Guide

Posted On: 02.6.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments

Dating, at any age, whether you are widowed or a grandma, is a big deal. You are finally ready to go on a few dates and give love another chance. The following guide is meant to help you get ready for those dates you are thinking of going on.

Jitters Cannot be Outgrown

One thing you might want to keep in mind is that dates are nerve-wrecking, and that is okay. You are not alone because most people feel on edge when they are on a date. This means you should do your best to stay present, even if you are nervous, Try to pay attention to answers so that you can answer accordingly. Knowing that this is natural should help keep you humble because many people of a certain age think they are above these feelings.

Know What You Want

This is no time to beat around the bush. You know what you want, and it is okay to make those truths known. Be honest about the kind of relationships you are looking for or any other little detail you think is important. This makes it easier for you to stick with a particular love interest or move on to the next person. It might sound harsh, but maturity is served in a glass of bitter honesty.

Personal Grooming

As much as you should work on being honest and ready to conquer the jitters, you should also worry about your personal hygiene. You probably say the same thing to your grandchildren. Much of the success of your first date rests upon the first impression you make, and your personal hygiene plays a role in that. It may sound simple, but remember the ritual of getting ready for a date.

This is not just about them finding you attractive, but you finding the confidence in yourself to be desired. Do your hair, take a shower and make sure your clothes are wrinkle free.

Oral Care

A smile is often your biggest asset. A genuine laugh can be the first spark of romance felt. =) Some people feel self conscious about their breath or teeth so they avoid smiling and laughing. That is not only sad, but can get in the way of genuine relationships. Remember to brush your teeth, and take care of your oral hygiene. We tell grandchildren to get braces both for cosmetic reasons and for oral and jaw health. Adults forget that implants can help your jawbone and boost your confidence. So, be sure to visit a cosmetic dentist if you need your teeth whitened or if you need some other work done.

Get Digitally Acquainted

There is no way around it, much of the dating world has moved from the real world into the digital world. It is okay to be a little apprehensive towards the idea of meeting potential love interest online, but many people are really connecting online. This isn’t about new VS old fashioned ways to meet people. Online dating can be great because you don’t go on a first date as a blank canvas. Instead of feeling like you’re in a job interview you can chat about the shared interest you already know you have. There are sites for Christian singles, for farmers, and everything in between.

Asking a loving grandchild to help you navigate online dating will be a bonding experience for the both of you. Do your best to learn how to do this effectively because it opens you up to all the opportunities out there.

Lean on Faith and Family

Dating as a grandparent usually means you’re healing from heartache. Whether its divorce or widowing it is never easy to make yourself vulnerable again. Dating is always uncomfortable and uneasy at first. Remember, it’s not hard because you’re not a catch. It’s hard because that comes with dating. Remember, if you choose to open yourself to love again you’re not being disrespectful to your loved one that has passed on or to your family. You are worthy of love. If your grandchildren and children are going through an emotional hard time you’d want them to turn to you for support.

Make sure you lean on them and bond over this experience. Those who love you will want you to be happy and share this beautiful life with someone. <3 Hopefully, some of these tips help you get into this world as seemingly as possible. Sure, you are probably going to make a few missteps from time to time, but that is dating. That part has not changed at all. Whether you’re looking for forever, or till time do you apart on earth, you are worthy of love and companionship.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max

Category:advice for grandmothers, dating, encouragement, fun, grandchildren, grandmothers, love, relationships, seniors, well being

Family Organization Task Tips For Mothers and Grandmothers For 2019

Posted On: 02.6.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments

organization tips I’ve been trying to organize my life, work, home, office, etc…for (let’s just say) awhile! 😉

I keep telling myself that I’m just like my mom <3 ~~ My Sis agrees with me. 🙂 Mom always had (small) piles of paper everywhere in the house; as far back as I can remember.

That’s certainly WAS NOT a (bad) reflection on Mom’s character!
She was a beautiful, pleasant, (and the most patient) lady I’ve ever met, with so many other good qualities.

I miss her every day! 🙁

So, what’s my point??

My point is: I’m NOT an organized lady. However, that’s not to say I can’t offer YOU tips and advice on becoming organized, grandparenting tips, frugal living tips, OR, anything else I put my mind to. 😉 I’m a writer by trade. I made a portion of my income by doing just that…writing. Notice I said, “Made.” 😉 lol

I’m also kind, pleasant to be around, funny at times, an awesome grandmother, proud of my grands, a little shy at times, married to the best, learning more and more about live streaming on Facebook, AND…having a blast with My Avon Business while doing it!

So, maybe organization and making lists/task sheets are labeled as overrated?? Well, maybe so. Although, I DO happen to think the information offered in this blog post is valuable.

So, back to The Topic at hand. Organization Tips For Mothers and Grandmothers

Grandmothers: There are quite a few grandmas that provide childcare, and actually have their grandkids living with them permanently. There are also some that have them staying with them a (portion) of the time; over a year, month, or week. Well, the same goes for grandmothers. This organization task list works for and applies to them as well.

 

Organize Tasks/Chores List For Each of Your Children/Grandchildren

 

What Is Required?

There are a few ways to organize family tasks that can be adjusted and readjusted. If you’re not a mom or grandma that does spreadsheets, you can delegate with simple, large, desktop or hanging calendars. Another idea would be magnetic erase boards that could be displayed on the fridge or just a simple one to hang on a wall. Actually, there are all kinds of ways to organize your life, home, and family.

It's your choice, and how important (you think) organization is to you. 😉

 

For tech and app-friendly mothers and grandmothers, there are all types of apps and excellent programs available. It’s really a matter of preference and ease, and whatever method that you feel most comfortable.

 

Work Up a Points Journal or Spreadsheet For Each Child

 

You could virtually do the same with a points system for your kids. A calendar, journal, spreadsheet, or erase board would also be ideal for calculating points. Really, you could use a simple, (large or small) notebook to do this.

Although, it is best to display a point system for behavior-challenged or young children. 😉 There is something about them seeing actual points tallied for THEM! It helps with a sense of accomplishment and also, helps to establish a feeling of “usefulness” and well being.

For Starters – Delegate For Basic Clutter – Have each child put away their toys, clothing, computers, tablets, and other personal things at the end of the day. After the kids are all tucked in for the night and asleep, inspect the house and their rooms for belongings that are not in their designated places. Reward with points accordingly. For things that are left out by one of your children, take those items away for a week or so, and make them work for getting them back. Don’t make this too hard on them; however, just enough to get the message across.

For the younger kiddos, encourage help, and always go through a nightly routine (with them). They need to be guided and praised for their self-esteem and learning capabilities.

 

Delegate For a Hand With Food and Meal Preparation

Healthy Snacks in Baggies – The awesome thing about this idea is that they are all “self serve foods.”

Small Pretzel Twists – Purchase a large bag of pretzels and divide them up in plastic bags. This snack choice is easy, healthy, and doesn’t include extra sugar.

Grapes: They are an awesome fruit that is also a healthy choice. Do the same with these.

Trail Mix: Trail mixes are a top pick for deciding what is good for you and your family. This snack is loaded with vitamins and minerals our bodies need. Divide them out in the baggies for quick access.

Encourage Eating Veggies With Baby Carrots and Cherry Tomatoes

Fresh Carrots – Your local grocery store usually provides packaged, baby carrots, so no need for cutting.

Cherry Tomatoes – These are tiny tomatoes that are excellent for portioning out.

Choose between your children to help fill these goody bags. 😉 This will also encourage healthy eating habits.

Have Your Kids Take Turns With Setting The Table – Choose between your little ones that are best suited for this task.

 

Older Kid’s Chores

 

Large Ingredient Meals…Such as Vegetable Soup, or Big Salads – Select older children to help cut up ingredients for these type of meals. A good idea is to let the younger ones observe to help teach them.

* Doing Dishes – This is also a task for the older ones; however, an ideal chore to delegate.

* Neat and Tidy Bedrooms – To encourage your children to keep their rooms clean, you can maybe pick the weekends to help each child to get into the habit of doing just that; clean and tidy (their own) rooms. For example: Have them empty all trash, pick up all dirty clothing, make sure all toys and tech-type items are in their appropriate places.

* Dusting – This isn’t too hard of a task, so all the kids can get into this cleaning chore, with careful supervision. Choose for them specific rooms to dust.

* Cleaning The Basement and Garage – This job could also be a weekend event. Sweeping needs to be done, and, tools and supplies need to be organized. Hand out those jobs according to age and level.

Remember, you are teaching your children and grandchildren to be responsible, clean, and organized adults. <3

Put Yourself on The Task List – This actually shows your little ones what all YOU do to keep an organized house and home. It displays and teaches what all is involved with organized, clean living. It is important to list EVERYTHING that you do, it may take a little time to get it all posted; however, it is worth it for your kids to see. <3

And Finally…

Realize that your children/grandchildren will need some time to learn and adapt to any type of family organization program or schedule, especially if they are young. Also, assigning a task that is too difficult for them will only be burdensome for both you and them. Start small on delegating tasks for each child. As they get older, you can always adjust for various levels and ages.

I certainly hope these tips were helpful! Chime in with your thoughts. 😉

Thank you for reading. <3

Category:children, cleaning tips, clutter, communication, discipline, encouragement, family, food, fruits and veggies, grandchildren, grandkids, grandma, grandmothers, grandparenting duties, grandparenting tips, grandparents, home environment, home office, house and home, inspiration, kids, meal planning, menu planning, motivations, organization, parenting, patience, technology, tips for grandma, well being, wisdom

Hoarders Anonymous: Take The Step Towards A Decluttered Home

Posted On: 01.24.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments

We’ve all been there. It could be a particular room in your house, or maybe your hoarding habit has taken over your whole home.

You may not think of yourself as a hoarder, but has that ever become a topic of contention between you and your adult children or grandkids? Do you have a box you’ve been keeping in case you need to use it, but haven’t opened it years? You’re not alone, we’ve all faced the daunting task of decluttering our house.

Staring at a pile of junk, knowing you have to throw away, organize, or otherwise clean the contents of said junk pile can be downright overwhelming. With anything in life, the best way to join ‘Hoarders Anonymous’ and declutter your life is strategically. You’re not insulting old memories by organizing your life. Think of it as making more room to have your grandchildren spend time with you.

Start Slow

Take a deep breath, you don’t have to get everything done in one day. Giving yourself enough time to take things slow, do it right, and little by little get it done will help you stay calm and focused on the task at hand. If you try to declutter a house or even just a room in a matter of a day you will likely end up feeling overwhelmed and you may not even finish. So start slow and move steadily to keep your momentum.

Stock Up

You’re going to need a few things in order to effectively declutter your life. A few of the essentials are: garbage bags (lots of them), cardboard boxes (to hold donation items), and cleaning supplies (decluttering can reveal some pretty gross things), a music playlist (for motivation), and a list. The list is to help keep you on track.

Plan, plan, plan

It may sound weird, but plan out how you’re going to attack the clutter. If you step in knowing exactly what you’re going to do, all that’s left is to do it. If you try to clean house and declutter with no plan of attack you can end up getting sidetracked or worse, not finishing at all. So before you start, make sure you write down which room you will start with. You can even get as detailed as to write down where in that room you’re going to start. Plan a day to go to a thrift store or donation box to get rid of the things you don’t want, or plan a garage sale. If you are getting rid of old appliances you can contact scrap metal buyers, who will buy and pick up items from your house. Planning really is the first step toward a decluttered life.

Get to It

Now you can get down to the nitty gritty. Start in one corner of the room and work in the same direction so you make sure you cover every inch that needs decluttering. Don’t leave a single drawer unopened.
If you don’t even know what you have stored, or where to find it then it’s not of any service to you.

Soon you’ll be able to open up your home so your grandchildren want to be in your living space. They’ll have more room to play and you may even open up space to set up a guest bed for them that didn’t fit before. These memories you can create now can be more rewarding than finding use for that 40 year old toaster oven. If you’re like the rest of us and you’ve let your life get cluttered beyond repair, don’t worry. If you start slow and move steadily, nothing is impossible to declutter.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.

Category:cleaning tips, clutter, home environment, house and home

Healthy Grandma Status – Goals and My 15 Tailored Tips For 2019

Posted On: 01.23.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments

This grandma has read and followed, (at least she thought), all the weight loss tips and tricks to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

Wait! Let’s back up a bit…

There are NO TRICKS to losing weight and keeping it off, however, rather (doable, researched, and realistic tips to place in your daily plan, and tweak accordingly.

 

 

 

I’ve decided to revisit those tips, and find out if they have been particularly updated, or any new and fun things that I can incorporate into my daily life and routine. While I’ve been extremely motivated these past couple of weeks; I’ve joined my local YMCA. Yeah!! Lol <3 PLUS, I’m doing an aerobic dance routine, first thing in the morning.

 

So now, I’m doing the research, asking questions, and working on tailoring a plan that I can realistically stay with and follow up with.

So, no! I have NOT read/researched/found and followed all tips and advice needed to lose weight and (keep it off; a future/new plan entirely). LOL

I’m so very tired of being on this Yo-Yo, roller coaster (DIET)!!!!!!! And, I know now, that a HEALTHY weight loss program is NEVER called a “diet.”

I’ve been on Weight Watchers, (however, not followed properly, and not categorized with crazy plans), Nutrisystem, and all types of “fad diets,” including the scarsdale and grapefuit diet LOL…only to gain all my weight back. Now the Scarsdale and grapefruit DIET was long, long ago!

Do any of you remember those?
Weight Watchers deserves another look, maybe? 😉

That’s not to say I’m NOT going to try a meal replacement drink or two. I happen to believe they are good choices (as long as you don’t drink them, and only them). Slim fast is one that comes to mind. In fact, I have a few in my fridge I intend on trying. I know they have a lot of good vitamins and minerals in them, and, so many nutrients that I don’t even know about! In addition, most meal replacement drinks have a ton of fiber; which we ALL need for weight loss, and weight loss maintenance.

Important Note: I have to keep in mind an awesome reason and huge motivator that I have for transpiring into healthy; and that is, my grandchildren. =)

Now those precious little ones are not my only motivators; although, they are high up there! <3 <3 😉 I have my other family members, and also, my friends. In addition…I have MYSELF!!

Losing weight is not all that I’m striving for, however; an overall, healthy and active status so that I can be more comfortable and actively thriving as and when I get older.

You know those golden years?

Well, if I am able to achieve my goals here, get to a healthy weight, and not have to be on tons of medicines, I’ll be able to live out those golden years…hopefully. So, going back to the golden years; my goal is; I want to be active and be centered in my grandkids’ lives. Period! <3

Short Version…2019 is the year this grandma is gonna get skinny!! Lol

15 of Tammy’s Tailored Goals and Tips — At Least My Take On Them

Eat Slowly —

I sometimes eat kind of slow; however, there are times I do eat fast, (if I’m real hungry). Remembering to eat slower is a good tip. If you eat fast, you tend to consume more calories because you might (think) you haven’t had enough or that you’re still hungry. Make sense? Another nice tip is if you eat more slowly, you digest your food better, therefore, making your system work more efficient.

Drink Tons of Water —

I think this speaks for itself. Although, there are many tips to point out. Drinking a lot of water is good for metabolism, it helps with hunger, and helps your system work faster. Water also helps with staying hydrated; especially for muscles while working out.

Switch to Dark Chocolate —

Dark chocolate is very good for your heart; that is a given, along with providing essential antioxidants to your body. It also, (helps) control hunger. Through the past couple of years, I’ve learned to like dark chocolate. It’s not better than the milk type, (my opinion), but it’s good that I at least like the type that’s good for you.

Eat Sorbet (in moderation) Instead of Ice Cream —

I love ice cream, LOL…Who doesn’t!? Actually, there are more people than you think that don’t like it. I certainly wish I were one of them. 😉 I’ve been eating sorbet (moderately). I’ve been told that it’s better for you than ice cream. Sorbet doesn’t have any fat. However, it has lots of sugar; and so, it turns to fat. I’ve researched it a bit, and, there are various opinions about it. Anyway, it makes me feel better to eat sorbet. Lol….so, if YOU have an opinion, or you have done extensive research on the topic; I’d sure like it if you shared your thoughts. I eat it every other evening. The other nights, I usually have a moderate sized bowl of sea salt popcorn.

So…if you DON’T like ice cream, you don’t have to worry, right?? lol 😉

Whole Wheat Bread Instead of White —

White bread has lots and lots of starch; which means it is high in sugar as well. Not a good choice when trying to lose or maintain weight. Also, with white bread; most of the good nutrients are lost due to the refined flour, and processing.

You are much better off eating whole wheat or whole grain due to its fiber content which aids with weight loss. It also has loads of vitamins and minerals that our bodies desperately need. Through studies, it is found that just by switching to whole wheat bread (alone) can ward off heart attacks, diabetes, high cholesterol, and, a host of other chronic illness.

Eat More Protein —

First off, fueling with protein gives you energy. That’s why it’s important to increase its levels while walking, running, cycling, and strength training…especially strength training!

Nuts, eggs, peanut butter, beans, lean turkey, beef, and chicken are all healthy protein choices. Fish is also a good source. High protein also helps with muscle loss and speeds up metabolism.

According to Health Line DOT COM, In one study of 19 overweight individuals, increasing protein intake to 30% of calories caused a massive drop in calorie intake.

Eat Veggies and Leafy Greens —

I need to step up my game in eating more veggies than I do. However, I do like eating fresh cucumber, fresh green pepper, fresh baby carrots, fresh/frozen broccoli, fresh/frozen/canned green beans, (if they are cooked right), beets, and potatoes. Ahh, that last vegetable can considerably slow you from losing weight; just like that white bread. A baked, (sweet) potato is a much healthier choice. I have one in my fridge. I’ll probably bake it this week sometime. A baked sweet potato is a first for me, so I’ll let you know how I like it.

Leafy greens are very good for you; especially fresh spinach and kale. They are extremely low in calories; but high in antioxidants, good-for-you vitamins, and also, calcium. In some studies, leafy greens fight off certain kinds of cancer. The two weight loss user-friendly features I like the most are; they are low in calories and are extremely filling.

Always Eat Breakfast —

I enjoy my coffee in the morning; especially since I have my keurig. <3

I usually go until like…(sometimes) 11:00-12:00 to eat, what breakfast/brunch?! At least, I used to. 😉 That’s not good at all!! Since I’ve started working out, all that has changed. Exercising has literally forced me to eat breakfast quite early; as I’m out the door 8:00 – 8:30 for the gym.

We all know; at least most of us, that we have to eat BEFORE and AFTER strenuous activity. Right??

If you’re not aware of this, please, look it up. Going without eating (often), when you workout can lead to a huge drop in blood sugar, more fatigued muscles, feeling light headed, and so many other harmful things that will NOT be good for your health and will surely slow your weight loss considerably. Eat a healthy breakfast, and not a light one. Consume enough calories so that you can workout efficiently and your body can burn fat, and not store it.

Don’t Starve Yourself —

This is a biggie for me. I’ve had to learn from this one WAY too many times. When you starve, you’re not only starving your body; as you are also starving your hair, muscles, heart, brain, relatively ALL your organs. For me, I have to workout in order to lose weight. So, the muscle starving gets my attention big time. When you deprive your body of food and good nutrients, you ALWAYS make up for it when you start to eat again; and end up consuming a ton of calories.

Besides,…depriving yourself makes you store fat!

Don’t Leave Out Fat Altogether —

Not all fats are bad! There are good fats that will actually help you lose weight. Yes, that’s correct. The good fats are like dark chocolate, olive oil, flaxseed, some fish choices, and more. Maybe it stands to reason; if you want to trim down, don’t eat any fats. lol

If you load up on enough lean protein and skip the bad carbs and (bad fat, such as: potato chips, pastries, cookies, donuts…huh?? I LOVE donuts!) lol, and eat healthy fats, you will surely slim down faster. I’m actually still learning with this one. 😉

Weigh Yourself Daily, or NOT? —

I’m so bad on this. I HAVE to see my weight on a daily basis. Some think that it’s unhealthy to do so. For me, it just helps keep me on track when I’m being strict with myself. For a lot of people, (mainly women, of course) get discouraged when they find out they haven’t dropped so many pounds by a certain date. Well, the shedding of pounds depend on many factors. You may be holding water for some reason, or perhaps, a certain food had too many bad carbs, or contained a lot of sodium.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this one. 😉

Workout Daily —

This is definitely a preference. Or, it could be that you simply can’t workout due to disability, or some other reason. If you do take part in regular exercise, you will lose much faster. However, correct form and endurance will make all the difference. If you are doing everything in your power to slim down and get healthy, (the right way), you should add some type of activity to your daily routine.

Strength Train —

Now, this is definitely a preference. Although, strength training is great for toning up your muscles and helps with getting rid of extra skin. IF…done correctly. I’ve heard so many times that if you do the training moves right, drink tons of water, eat enough calories, especially protein, you should be able to tighten up.

Be Around Others —

This is huge for me. Most of you know that I’m a shy person. I’ve gotten better over the years. A few social butterflies are still there. So, it’s important for me to be around people; especially people that need to (not only get thin), however, get to an over-all state of healthy. It’s good for the soul and motivation!

Fast Food In Moderation —

I love a good burger and pizza take out/delivery! I usually allow myself some form of fast food and/or (eating out) once per week. Once in awhile, twice per week. However, I try and plan for these days and maybe, workout more that day, moderately limit calorie intake, eat more protein that day, OR, all the above. The important thing here…(I’ve learned the hard way), DON’T starve on a particular day that you plan to eat out, or when eating foods not so healthy. That only makes you consume extra calories.

I hope you enjoyed a little bit of my journey; and also was able to benefit from my tips. <3

The Thing Is…

I refuse to HAVE to have knee replacements, hip replacements; or any replacements that are due to being over-weight. I also refuse to end up with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol. This grandmother is going to be there for her grandchildren. In addition, I personally want those (golden years) GOLDEN! I sure hope that’s possible. 😉 lol

Thank you for reading! ~~ Share your thoughts please =)

Category:advice for grandmothers, breakfast, chocolate, coffee, discipline, encouragement, exercise, fitness, grandchildren, grandkids, grandma, grandparent bonding, grandparenting duties, health management, healthy lifestyle, indoor activities, inspiration, living outloud, motivations, tips for grandma, walking, weight loss, weight loss challenge, Weight Watchers, well being, wellness, workout, workout challenge

Sick Grandparents? How To Make Your Hospital Stay More Comfortable

Posted On: 01.15.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments

 Hospital stays are a nightmare. We all know this. However, there are new advances being made every day to make out experience better.
 
If you’re a lucky grandparent, you may have a child or adult grandchild in town that can help navigate your hospital stay. In fact, they may bring many of the items listed below can make your entire life better, not just your time spent in the hospital.

 

Below are just a few pieces of tech that can make your hospital stay less of a pain.

Vein Finder

Nobody likes to have their blood taken. This is especially the case when you’re sick. Many people are hard pokes. This can leave you and the phlebotomist frustrated. If you have veins that easily roll, collapse, are deep or are dehydrated then ask for a Vein Finder. Vein Finders are a new tool that shines infrared light illuminating your veins to the nurse. This helps avoid guesswork. They are equipped in most hospitals, but won’t be taken out unless you ask or once the nurse if frustrated.

Light Control

Patients are in the hospital for a variety of reasons. Some people will be sensitive to light; some will not. However, it is important that every hospital is equipped with adequate light control. It’s hard enough to get a good night’s sleep in the hospital even before considering that the hospital’s bright lights will be shining down on your face. If you want to have a truly comfortable experience in the hospital, you need some form of light control. Certain hospital beds will even feature light control right there on the control panel of the bed. Often times there lighting can be turned off to let you rest, but it has to be done by a nurse. Don’t hesitate to ask about lighting changes to ensure your rest.

Communication Devices

The first item on the list is something that you won’t be able to bring with you. It should be installed in most hospitals already. In fact, most hospital beds have the button right there on the control panel. Being able to directly communicate with the nursing staff is important in maintaining some level of comfort in the hospital. Some hospitals merely have pagers – pagers that let the staff know you need attention. However, many hospitals are making use of two-way radio systems to ensure that the nursing staff can connect to each other and to those radios attached to your bed. Two-way radio installations in NYC, or in a city near you, are going above and beyond to ensure that patients in the hospital are treated properly and swiftly.

If you are having a hard time reaching a nurse when they are out of the room, don’t think twice about asking if they have a radio device that will let you communicate with them. Your voice should always be heard.

If you want to have a comfortable time in the hospital, you need to be able to communicate with your nursing staff directly and quickly.

Air Your Concerns

When one is hospitalized it is a very humbling experience. Not only is one basically unclothed, but you’re in a scary situation and at the mercy of medical professionals. While they are professionals, they are also human. Meaning, they also err. Shifts are long and they are often overworked. If you aren’t being heard by a nurse, or if you have a negative experience you should speak up.

If you are not feeling up to that confrontation, ask an adult grandchild or a child to speak on your behalf

 

It is much better to talk to a supervisor and have a nurse be changed than to feel uncomfortable during your stay and have that affect your healing. Communication is important and you should feel heard. If you have a legitimate complaint with the lack of attention or mistreatment from a staff member know you’re not over reacting. Ask for the nurse change. Chances are the nurse will appreciate it too.

Comfort From Home

Obvious examples of technology that make your hospital stay more pleasant are your cellphone and perhaps a pair of earbuds. Kindles can also be useful in the hospital, but the above items are much more necessary than even your cellphone and Kindle so you can read as many books as you want. You can download audiobooks on your cellphone and listen as you rest. You’ll never know how important adequate lighting control is until you’ve had it then forced to go without.

Bring your own pillow from home, or have someone bring it to you. Asking someone to bring you an electric blanket may help you stay warm in the cold hospital. Unless they are controlling your temperature, you don’t want to end up getting sick from the AC. This is something that will greatly increase your rest and result in better healing.

Family Time

A grandma is warm hugs and sweet memories. She remembers all of your accomplishments and forgets all of your mistakes.

 

Hopefully, you will have adult grandchildren and your children that can take turns visiting you. If your grandkids are small ask your children to have them bring pictures. You can even buy a box of colored pencils and a notebook at the gift shop so when grandkids visit they can leave you encouraging messages.

A gloomy hospital room can be lit up with children’s cards and drawings cheering up your spirit during a hard time. If you don’t have grandchildren nearby you can FaceTime with them. Hearing their voices, optimism, and get-well wishes will be a nice comfort during your stay.

Don’t be afraid to ask your family to send you videos and clips to cheer your spirits. Knowing you have a team of cheerleaders will help you fight through your infirmity.

Nobody likes to go to the hospital, but I hope these tips will help your next stay become more comfortable.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.

Category:advice for grandmothers, children, communication, family, grandchildren, grandparent bonding, grandparenting tips, grandparents, health management, healthy lifestyle, illness, technology, tips for grandma

A Grandma’s Tips for Starting Life on Your Own for the First Time

Posted On: 01.11.2019 By: Tammy | No Comments

My entire life, my grandmother told me I could do whatever I set my mind to. Tori Bowie ~~ Via Brainy Quotes

Those of you who are young and about to begin the process of building your own life might be experiencing a wide array of emotions right now. In some ways, there is nothing more thrilling than carving your own path through life; in other ways, it’s one of the most terrifying processes you’ll ever take part in. In trying to find your footing, it’s normal to find yourself feeling lost, confused, or discouraged.

 

 

To help you make your way, here are some tips from folks who have had a few decades’ experience with living independent lives as adults.

Build Lifelong Skills to Properly Take Care of Yourself

While you may have built some of these skills (like doing your laundry and cooking basic meals) before moving out of your family home, it’s important that you dedicate some of your time to building other skills that you’ll use for the rest of your adult life. Make it a priority to become good at budgeting; learn how to alter or fix your torn or ill-fitting clothing; teach yourself how to do basic repairs around your home so you don’t have to call your landlord or shell out money for a professional every time something goes wrong. Reach out to people in your life who have skills you don’t, and ask them to teach you. You may not need all of these skills every day while living on your own, but you’ll be immensely grateful for the knowledge if and when problems should arise.

Take Your Finances Seriously

When you get your first full-time job, it might seem like you have more money than you know what to do with. It can feel all too easy to throw a little more cash toward buying new clothes, decorations for your apartment, meals out at restaurants, or tickets to the movies. But if you aren’t careful, and if you don’t allocate your funds properly, those little purchases can add up quickly, and you might find yourself surrounded by all of fun new things you bought as well as a small mountain of debt.

Make sure you’re taking care of your financial necessities first, like contributing to your savings, paying your monthly bills, and purchasing the things you actually need before any of your paycheck goes toward those fun purchases. You should also put a portion of your income each month toward reducing any outstanding debt, like credit card payments, paying off your student loans and, if necessary, refinancing those loans to lower the monthly cost.

Sure, building a financial cushion and consolidating your debt is a bit less exciting than buying Taylor Swift tickets, but practicing responsibility with your money is an essential part of being an adult and building a sustainable future for yourself.

Have Patience

When you’re young, it’s normal to want your life as an adult to begin immediately, to feel as though everything ought to fall into place perfectly and all at once. Unfortunately, as nice as that would be,
that is rarely how life works. It might take more time than you would like to get the apartment you want, to gain momentum in your career, or to meet the person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life, and that’s okay. While the world we’re living in now is an expectant one, and while people often demand instant gratification, real life doesn’t always meet our expectations or demands.

Life is often chaotic, unpredictable, and unfair, but there is always an opportunity to learn a lesson from your experiences, and every experience brings you one step closer to where you’re ultimately meant to be.

Believe in Yourself

As the Liberace quote goes, “Nobody will believe in you unless you believe in yourself.” And it’s true! You are your own best cheerleader and your own best advocate– to build yourself up in the eyes of others, you need to build confidence from within and make others see the talented, intelligent, self-assured individual that you are.

You have skills and knowledge to offer, and you need to carry yourself in a way that, without arrogance, relays that information to the people you interact with both personally and professionally. You deserve to take up space in this world, and you deserve to succeed in that space. Internalize those facts, and own them.

With hard work, determination, and persistence, you can do whatever you set your mind to!

Do What Makes YOU Happy

This, along with believing in yourself, is arguably the most important thing to keep in mind as you venture into the world on your own. You are your only true lifelong companion, so it’s essential that you
make your own happiness a priority, especially while you’re first starting to build your life.

Having the skills and the self-reliance to keep yourself alive is important, but so is making sure you’re actually living. Pursue your passions, whether as a hobby or a career; sing and dance as often as possible; take a road trip with your favorite people; eat chocolate every day, — do whatever you can, whenever you can, to cultivate joy. You’re young, so make the most of your youth, but don’t ever fully grow up (after all, you’re only as old as you behave).

Leave plenty of room in your world for silliness and laughter– the world is often a dark and serious place, and you must never allow that to consume your view.

Good luck starting out, and enjoy the ride!

Category:children, Education, encouragement, family, grandchildren, grandma, grandmothers, grandparenting duties, grandparenting tips, inspiration, jobs, motivations, patience, well being

Personalized Ornaments For You Review

Posted On: 11.8.2018 By: Tammy | No Comments

I simply LOVE this time of year!!! The holidays are so much fun with my grandchildren. <3

Even though I have plenty of ornaments and decorations, I always find myself in the Christmas department in whatever store I happen to be at. I’m always shopping for new decor for my tree/s. lol =)

This year – 2018, I was overjoyed to get a special email about a collaboration from PersonalizedOrnamentsForYou.com. Stephanie was so kind to offer me a $50 Gift Certificate to shop on their site for a return review about the personalized ornaments and their website.

Let me tell you…I had some fun shopping for those ornaments! <3

The website has a wide variety to choose from. I personally like their dog and cat ornaments. I especially like how they’ll add a paw print on the product for FREE! Those are adorable.

I promptly received the ornaments of my choosing. Speedy turn around for what I had ordered.

 

And hey…about the products themselves —

Excellent quality! When you hold these products in your hands, you can feel how sturdy they are.

They are also, larger than what I expected. That’s always a plus.

In addition, you can definitely tell that a lot of detail went into creating these adorable ornaments.

I WILL gladly be a return shopper!

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The website is very well put together. PersonalizedOrnamentsForYou.com has it all properly laid out for you.

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The collection categories are on the left, and the top menu has all the essential links…About, Contact, FAQ, Shipping Info, and Their Blog.

In addition, the site has a lengthy category list. Everything from parents, grandparents, animals, graduation, birthday, baby, patriotic, occupation, religious, teacher, retirement, engagement, and many more.

I really love the Christmas Countdown at the top of the site, where it has days, hours, minutes and seconds. Charming idea!

 

I think the best feature that Personalized Ornaments For You has is remaining on-trend. The staff is consistently searching for all the new trends for their products and adding new themes to add to their Christmas Ornament Collection

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Excellent website to shop for the holiday season!
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Happy Holidays To You All! <3

Have fun shopping! =)

I was not compensated for this review, except for receiving the $50 gift certificate

Thank you for reading! And please, give Personalized Ornaments For You some love on their Facebook Page. <3

 

Category:animals, Christmas, christmas gift ideas, family, grandchildren, grandparents, holidays, ornaments, pets, product reviews, website reviews

Empty Nesters? 4 Ways To Network Back Into the Workforce

Posted On: 11.1.2018 By: Tammy | No Comments

If you have spent the last decade or two raising your children or grandchildren, it is time to applaud your efforts. It is an extremely rewarding process, and you should feel proud of your accomplishments. <3

 

 

 

At the same time, you may now be ready to get out of the house and back into the workforce. There are some ways to do that effectively, helping to bring fulfillment back to your home during this empty nest period.

 

Keep reading to learn about four ways to network yourself back into the workforce

 

Evaluate Your Skills

This is the time for you to be honest with yourself. If you have not worked for two decades, your skills might be a bit outdated. That is ok. Look for what you are good at, taking it account what you have learned while being a parent/grandparent, and attempt to mold that into a job that fits your abilities and interests.

Refresh Your Interviewing Skills

Part of getting a job today still involves a series of interviews. This can be quite the intimidating process if you have not been on such an interview in more than 20 years. Do not despair. You simply need to practice. There are some great sites online that will provide you with the types of questions that employers ask today.

Get comfortable with the process and you will make a great first impression when you meet with a prospective employer.

Consider Becoming a Property and Casualty Insurance Agent

Many people have a real estate background. If that is you, consider becoming a property and casualty insurance agent. You will find that the real estate industry has remained relatively the same through the years in terms of how business is conducted. Finding the right insurance network is important.

This is a great way to get back out into the community, meet with people, and help provide them with the insurance coverage that they need.

Brush Up On Technology

If you haven’t noticed, technology has changed quite a bit since you began raising your children. If many of the advances made in society have passed you by, now is the time to go back and learn.

Do not be afraid to embrace technology, as almost every job today relies upon it. This will help you get the job that you really want. These are four ways that you can effectively get back into the workforce.

 

There is a job out there for you, so now is the time to prepare yourself to go and get it

 

While you may not have worked for quite some time, you have marketable skills that an employer wants. Be confident and begin the job search process today.

Thank you for reading! Care to share any additional ideas for getting back into the workforce? I’d love to hear from you! =)

Category:advice for grandmothers, articles, career, children, encouragement, focus, grandchildren, interviews, jobs, moms, seniors, technology, tips for grandma