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Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fun. Show all posts

And The Winner Is...

Thank you everyone for commenting and taking part in the giveaway yesterday!

Here is the scientific way I used to draw the lucky winner....

Carefully place all names in hat


Close eyes


Viola! C'est Michelle Duquet!!


If you would like to purchase a bottle of N O U R I S H lotion - please check out my esty store - http://www.etsy.com/shop/NourishLotions. Or email me anytime akulick30@gmail.com.

Pricing for each bottle is $7 delivered, $9.25 via mail order.

Life is Beautiful. Notice It.

I don’t normally do personal posts, (you never know what weirdo’s lurk out there) but I thought I would invite you to have a sneak peak at my family.

We enjoyed an afternoon at the Akron Zoo. We had a beautiful time. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer! (Makes it hard to write blog posts AND work on your start-up etsy business on such awesome days)

Life is full of beauty. Notice it.
Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential and live your dreams.


Stroller free!


trying to decide what to check out first


Elizabeth's favorate - on the tiger of course!



not often do I get to capture Mr. Blinded by the Light


Feeding goats is hilarious, I guess ; )


Follow me Papa


Luckily this isnt' a real turtle, I doubt he's like it very much if
I sat on him if he was - not to mention Charlotte in tow.


Silly frog



very serious



This thing was creepy



Checking out the Lama-drama




Elizabeth's favorate




Charlotte passed out afterwards


5 Reasons I Might De-Friend You on Facebook


Image by Jim Cooke
The top 5 reasons why I have de-friended or blocked people in the past on FB, if that happens to be someone reading this, then it’s unfortunate that I can not block you from this blog *smile*.



5. Compulsively Updating Your Status with Humdrum Life Details

I don’t care to know if you just finished your laundry.

Before you hit the update status, you might want to ask yourself if people really care if you are eating lunch at lunchtime or if I already know it’s raining outside.



4. Zombie Farm Gemstone Crap

If you have a terrible problem with neglecting your life, family and friends because you play Farmville 23 hours out of the day, then you might get de-friended or blocked completely.

This also applies if you ‘share’ more then one picture a day with a cat/cartoon in it.



3. You’re a Stalker

Did it seriously take you 1 second to comment on my update status at ?

Yikes.



2. Poor Me

Telling everyone how terrible your life is EVERYDAY isn’t something people enjoy. I can only give my sympathies for a good 3 months and then you’ll be blocked if you haven’t resolved your life’s problems by listening to my sound advice.



1. I Thought You Were Cool, Once

Sure, I remember coming across you on facebook and thought it would be great to reconnect from highschool. I always thought you were really witty and cool.

Then I realized you weren’t.

Parenting Tips - Illustrated


As a precursor to my upcoming post for the May 2012 Authentic Parenting Carnival regarding the ever-elusive “sanctimommy”. Let’s brush up on those parenting skills!

















this next one is for my friend Sara - lol



















My littlest one, Charlotte, gets caught doing this all the time.
She loves shoes, especially dirty flip-flops.



















"God is a comedian, playing to an audience
too afraid to laugh."

 - Voltaire

Pictures gathered from a simple google search – ‘funny parenting tips’

9 Practical Reasons for Babywearing

I’m a virgo and I’m all about practicality. I consider my slings, wraps and carriers one of my most useful and economical possessions. Here is a no-nonsense list of why I like to “wear” my babe.



No cost weight training

Wearing my baby in a sling burns more calories which results in a guilt-free slice of chocolate cake after dinner.



Contributes to my helicopter patenting style

Instead of running loose in crowded or dangerous places, a child in a sling is held safe and secure right next to your body which results in less panic attacks worrying your child might somehow run free in the parking lot.



I’m cheap

I made a sling once out of an old tan bed sheet. Have you looked at the prices of strollers or “carrying” systems lately?!

You can mostly often find used slings, wraps or carriers at consignment stores too…which also means you can sell your slings/wraps when you are all done with them, woo who!


Blame it on the baby

If you fart, burb or make some other odd bodily noise, its much easier to blame it on the baby when you are carrying them in a sling. More bean dip anyone?





Hello Convenience

Not having to worry about negotiating steps, crowds or narrow aisles with a stroller is nice. I can take the most direct route to wherever I want to go without mapping out a route first. Also, people tend to move out of your way more quickly when you are heading at them in a hurry with a baby.





Quick way to “wear” them out

Babies who are carried in a sling are sure to have a busier view than babies who just lie around. A Saturday morning at the market carrying Charlotte around always leads to long and restful nap for both parties involved.


I can wear a sports bra all day

This is reason enough to go out and buy a sling. Since my top is mostly covered up when I am babywearing, I could care less if my boobs look like two flat pancakes.



I can make friends too (while wearing a sports bra)

When you use a sling or a carrier it gives you a free pass to talk to other babywearers. You are also permitted to employ the secret hand wave(s), notoriously implemented by motorcycle drivers.




The Two-finger Flip- Here, the initiator is sending a clear signal that he acknowledges you.


The Dis- Dating back to the days when rival motorcycle gangs roamed the streets




The Geek- reserved for the new riders




I always win the “My ‘purse’ is more expensive then yours” game

It’s fun to see a single person carrying around a $400 coach purse when I am carrying something that cost approximately a quarter of a million dollars to raise – nevermind if my shoes are 15 years old and I have an old ketchup stain on my jeans. (click here to find out how much it will cost you to raise your baby)



It Creates a Toddler-Babywearer

Seeing my toddler baby-wear her Barbie on a walk around the block is one of the sweetest things to witness – next to seeing her breastfeed a mermaid and put a cloth diaper on a tiger.

Super Easy Homemade Lotion Recipe

If I fathom a guess, I would say I have spent thousands of dollars on lotions in my lifetime.

I remember going to Bath
and Body Works with my best friend every weekend in high school and she would get the Pearberry and I would get the Cucumber Melon.
Now that I am I bit more aware of the chemical concoction that is used in body and bath products – it seems that I am spending even more money on more natural choices.

I had been looking for ingredients that are healthy and that I can identify.

Then it dawned on me – hey, if I am making my own shampoo and lip gloss… I can do this too. (and you too!)

There are many lotion recipes out there. Most of them involve using a mixer. I’m not sure about you, but the idea of cleaning a mixer after using oil and wax makes leery.

I was excited to find this recipe which only uses 4 ingredients – that’s right  only 4! Plus it doesn’t involve a mixer and takes less then 5 minutes to make!


It is important to note that this recipe is a mixture of oil and water without preservatives, so it does have a short shelf life. I would use it up within 30 days to be safe.  

If, for some reason, you want the lotion to last longer - you can add 1 tablespoon of Germall Plus (this is a paraben free perservative) - this is at Wholesales Supplies Plus.

The Ingredients

1 1/4 cup hot water
1/4 cup emulsifying wax
1/4 cup almond oil (or olive oil - or even a mixture of both)
24-36 drops essential oil



I have bought my emulsifying wax from Mountain Rose Herbs and Wholesales Supplies Plus.  (Wholesales offers free shipping if you spend over $30 bucks plus they have EXCELLENT customer service)

You can also get several essential oils or fragrances from both these sites.


The Mixture

You will need two glass containers - In the first glass container (or you can use a large coffee cup), combine emulsifying wax and oil. Place in microwave for 60 seconds. Remove and set aside.



In the second glass container, heat up water in the microwave for about 60 seconds. (I heat mine up for 66 because its easier just to hit the ‘6’ button two times in a row – I know, complete laziness – I told you it was easy though)

While the water is heating up in the microwave, put any essential oils you are using in the wax/oil mixture. I used some vitamin E oil, calendula oil, vanilla and lavender essential oils here in this one.

When the water is done heating up, it will be pretty warm – be careful.

Now the fun begins, pour the hot water into the wax/oil cup and you will see it turn a milky white color.


Pour the hot lotion mixture into wide mouth jars (uncovered) and let cool overnight on the counter (not in the fridge). I stirred the lotion once every 30 minutes or whenever I had time or was in the kitchen.

The next morning the lotion will have set and cooled completely.


DIY-Make Your Own Flu Vaccine

Firstly, I would like to cap up this week with thanking my husband again for letting me interview him for my Interview With a Crunchy Dad post. Thank you hun, I love you!

Also, check out my cloth diaper review that I posted on Tuesday.

Ok, to the fun part!

Here is the funniest thing I’ve seen all week. It’s from our friends up north (Canada)  - Enjoy!!

Interview with a Crunchy Dad


Crunchy dads play
with tigers for fun
There are so many natural mamas out there spouting their views, experiences and information – but what about their other half? When searching for a “crunchy” dad’s perspective, I came across one current blog – yeah, only one! How sad is that?

Those natural mamas must be keeping those papas extra busy.

Last night, I gave my husband a break from my grand ideals to see what his thoughts were on some matters. Here is what transpired….



Do you consider yourself crunchy?

Dad: No.

Me: Is that all?!

Dad: It’s a true or false question, right?

Me: (giving a disapproving look)

Dad: Ok, just say yes since I go along with your schemes.

(I nod approvingly)



Crunchy dads sometimes put green
painters tape on kids mouths.


 Do you ever read this blog?

Dad: No.

Me: Be truthful now!

Dad: Ok, once or twice.

(I shake my head)
Crunchy dads are so slick that kids
don't even mind it


When reading an ingredient list, what non-acceptable ingredient do you look for first?

Dad: Partially hydrogenated oil, mono-di glycerides, MSG, artificial food coloring, high fructose corn syrup …

Me: Wait – I said the first thing.

Dad: Ok, partially hydrogenated oil then.

(I nod, and write down response cheerfully.)


Would you consider using my non-fluoride toothpaste?


Dad: No (very firmly)

 (I’ve been trying to get him to use my toothpaste for over 5 months now)

Sometimes crunchy dads even read
directions when putting things together

Do you think you’ll ever eat fast food again? (If so, when?)

Dad: After you Die

(laughs)

(I laugh)


Do you think it will make you poop?

Dad: I know it will; it did last time. I pooped six times after eating a Big Mac. You can put this on your blog.

(We enjoy talking about poop in our household. It always makes any problem or dilemma seem less serious)



Would you ever admit to watching the Business of Being Born?

Dad: Sure, I have.

Me: Wow

Dad: I only watched half of it though.

Me: Two-Thirds.

 
Crunchy dads use strollers to carry
pumpkins, not babies


What was you biggest concern over home birth?


Dad: Your jackass midwife

Me: That was your biggest concern?!

Dad: Yes.

(Curious about the response – read my Would I Choose Homebirth Again post)



Which cloth diaper do you prefer to use out of our stash?

Dad: The ones that leak all the time

Me: What?!

Dad: Ok, then say Grovia.

Me: Those don’t leak!? You mean the Bumgenius??

Dad: Yeah.

(we’ve had issues with the Bumgenius repelling, hence the leaking reference)

Crunchy dads enjoy giving hammock
swing rides


Why do you decline vaccines for your daughters?

Dad: The ingredients.


(hmm… interesting)



Did you ever think you would be fired from a doctor’s office before you met me?

Dad: No.

(he didn’t think this was funny, but I did)

crunchy dads let babies swing from
ceiling lamps

>>Break to tend to a two year old that wanted me to write her name over and over again with a purple pen.<<



Have you ever “worn” a baby?

Dad: No.

(I tease him a lot to wear the baby when mowing the grass. He never has to wear a baby since I’m the one that loves to anyways.)



What do you think about cosleeping?

Crunchy dads secretly like to cosleep


Dad: I disagree with it, for personal reasons.

Me: Personal reasons?!?

Dad: It has its benefits though.

(I bet the ‘personal reasons’ my husband lists for not promoting cosleeping is the same reasons why I enjoy it so much)


Do you know what BLW stands for?

Dad: No?



What’s the craziest thing your wife has ordered in the mail?

Dad: That booger sucker thing

Me: Ahhh, a Nose Frida. (laughs)



Dad: You should put a picture on of it on your blog by this answer.

Me: I already do – though its on my ‘Things I Love’ page



What’s the best parenting advice you have?

Dad: I don’t have a good answer for this.

Me: That’s honest. I like that answer.



If you could tell my readers one thing about me, what would you tell them?

Dad: That you are very passionate about your beliefs which makes you a pain in my ass.

Me: Hmm (smiling)

my other half


>>Break to bounce Charlotte up and down, do some tickling, and draw a few more letters with Elizabeth<<



Let me give you a word or phrase and you tell me what comes to mind first –


Circumcision

Dad: Common place

(Me: making weird looks)


Diaper Sprayer

Dad: Weird

Me: These are the first things to come to mind? You aren’t doing this right.


Crunchy dads don't mind being forced
into photo-ops


Placenta

Dad: Yucky

Me: I don’t think you understand


Oil Cleansing Method

Dad: Wacky

Me: Ugh.


Homemade Deodorant

Dad: Crazy


Pox Party

(me laughing)

Dad: Stupid

Crunchy dads love nature walks


(I do not promote ‘pox parties’ – for me, personally, I would not purposefully seek out ill children to subject my kids to, but I do understand why some parents do it.)

Cow’s Milk

Dad: Yum!

Me: What?! !!



My husband has always been there to support me, even when I come up with some pretty wacky holistic ideas and plans – he has the courage to man up and take one for the team (though, there may be some whining involved at the beginning).

I want to take this time to say thank you and that I love you.