Calling Ace & TJ from KISS 95.1 Can you hear me?

YO! Ace and TJ from KISS 95.1 in Charlotte - Can you hear me?

I am calling you out! My soccer team has a message for you! Wanna hear it? Then check out the video below.



***Turn up the volume a little!!!

We are challenging YOU and YOUR SHOW to a soccer match against us women...how hard could that be?

But really, my purpose behind this is quite simple. I was introduced to Zack and his family when I started reviewing his new line of t-shirts - Good Boy Roy.

My purpose in "calling Ace and TJ" out is that I would LOVE to challenge them to a soccer game, as a way to promote Good Boy Roy. I really would like to see Good Boy Roy succeed and will do what I can to help that happen.

Even if Ace and TJ decline the invitation (is it because they are scared of a couple of girl soccer players??? - just joking), I will still listen to them...I like them and what they stand for and they have their own charity program called Grin Kids.

But COME ON ACE AND TJ!!! Show us "girls" what you got...We play 5 vs 5 on a field...you can have subs...Ace, TJ, Guenn, Yankee Pete, Breeze, and whoever you need as a sub..You will need subs. :)

If anyone else is interested in challenging us to benefit Good Boy Roy - Shoot me a line....."We ain't skeered!"

To learn more about Good Boy Roy, check out the Review I did of one of their shirts - There is also a giveaway (YEA!) plus MANY links to more information about Zack and his family.

Cool Off Towelettes Review

So it was 88 degrees tonight when I went to play soccer...yes 88 degrees and 75% humidity - HOT HOT HOT! Luckily for some of my team members and I, I received a sample of Cool Off Citrus Ice Towelettes, actually I received 4 Cool Off Citrus Ice Towelettes to be exact.

And well, I was the goalie tonight, so even though I was sweating my rear off just standing there blocking the goals, it was the other four players on the field that really could benefit from these I thought. Have you ever played soccer??? In that kind of heat? Then you KNOW just how hot and sweaty you can get!

About Cool Off Towlettes:
"When you are hot cool off with Cool Off. Introducing Cool Off a natural, unique personal cooling towelette that refreshes, renews and reenergizes you anytime a quick cool down is needed, whether the temperature is hot, you’ve been participating in sports, fitness, or outdoor activities, experiencing a hot flash or your mood is fried. The ultra-soft towelettes come in convenient single-use portable packets that are infused with a clean-scented blend of natural cooling herbs, moisturizing botanicals and essential oils. You simply wipe on Cool Off and then press on the skin to build the chill. National research indicates that consumers report cooling effects up to an hour and a half with the average chill lasting 20 minutes."

What did my teammates think??? Well, they had varying degrees of opinions.

Cons:

1. 2 out of the 4 were not pleased with the scent - They thought it was too strong. As Caroline was wiping the Cool Off Towlette on her, I was able to get a whiff of the scent and I liked it. It has a citrus scent (thus the "Citrus Ice" included in the description of the product).

2. One team member, Roxanne, said that it actually felt like it stung a little and would avoid putting it on her face next time (maybe because it does contain alcohol?).

Pros:

Now remember these were women playing in 88 degree heat with the heat index in the upper 90's...

1. All four, yes ALL four of them said, absolutely this product cooled them down. This was a unanimous result. All of them said, at first, it just felt like a moist towelette, but a minute or so after applying the towelette, they all said it literally cooled them down.

2. Because they come in individualized packets, you can easily bring them with you to the park, the beach, a soccer game, anywhere you think you may get hot.

3. The price is not bad either. You can buy Cool Off Towelettes on Amazon.com for 10.00 for 24 packets.

Overall:

Although everyone may not like the smell, I do think they do the job intended...to cool you off. These receive a thumbs up from me.

Cool Off Citrus Ice Towelettes can be purchased at CVS, Amazon, and now Duane Read Stores in New York.

Five Question Friday

1. Did you have a favorite blanket or toy as a kid? If so, do you still have it?

No, I don't remember any toy or blanket - My dogs were always my "security blankets" - They could always tell when I was happy, sad, mad.

2. Do you dream in color?

I don't dream - At least I don't remember my dreams.

3. How tall are you? Do you wish you were shorter or taller?

5' 4" - I am fine with my height...

4. If you could have anyone's (celeb or other) voice as the guide on your GPS, who would it be?

Hello! Matthew McConaughey - Although that might not be a good idea...I would be melting while driving listening to his voice - LOL

5. Do you return your shopping cart to the corral or leave it wherever in the parking lot?

Always return it to the stall...I don't know why - But I figure - What it takes an extra 30 seconds to do???

Cancer Sucks - Yes I Said It - Cancer Sucks

My Two Cents - Cancer Sucks

If you are reading this and you do not know someone who has been affected by cancer, then you must be the only one walking around in the world. Not only do I know several friends who have been affected by it, some of my family members have been affected by it and you know what? CANCER SUCKS. I don't know how else to say it...that phrase just fits.

Week 1 - Go to the doctor he says.."Oh something is not right...let's wait a week and get you a CT scan." So you tell your family and friends and they worry...but what about you? In that fear? For a week? You just suck it up. Hope for the best. Try your best to think positively, say a prayer every night...7 long days. And what about the people not waiting for those results? Oh, they are going along their day like nothing. You look them in the eye...envious of what they do not have to worry about.

Week 2 - You go the cold, white Radiology Dept and drink that disgusting stuff. They tell you to hold still. Hold still? But you are shaking inside...Damn it...Don't they know that? Don't they know you are scared and want to hold someone's hand? Want to hold God's hand at that very moment? Don't tell you to hold still...your life as you know it is on the line. Radiologist comes in and says, "Great, you're done! Oh...but I can't tell you anything even though I can see clearly what I am reading...wait another week to talk to your doctor." Another week? This is YOUR LIFE they are talking about...so now you are waiting WEEKS to find out...all the while doing your best to have "a stiff upper lip". You can do it, you can be positive, you can smile, when all you are really doing is looking down at that little 8 year old playing in the park and think "God Bless you child, please take care of yourself...I wish my worries were as small as yours today."

Week 3 - Time to go see the Oncologist. Who is going with you? Can you walk into that office without crying? Can you look the Doctor in the eye when he gives you the results? No, they are not good. Can you hold on? Don't break down? You need to be strong for your kids, strong for your husband...that is what you are thinking...But you know what? You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Your kids and husband and friends will be strong for you. All you need is some fight in you. Take that Cancer and put the foul, mutant, piece of garbage and put it in it's place...down the toilet.

How do you live your life like that? Weeks of waiting, weeks of treatment, how do you stay positive in such a negative and scary situation? I don't know. But I know lots of people who have, and I am proud to call them my friends and family and survivors. Does everyone make it through and get out on the clean side? No, I am sad to say (but you all know this) that, no, they do not. But if I have anything to say about it, I will fight, fight, pray, pray, for this horrific disease to be destroyed. YOU SUCK CANCER and I will do whatever I can, whatever power I possess, to GET RID OF YOU from anyone I know.

Now that I have ranted a bit, I was sent an email that contained the following information about cancer and preventing it...*** I don't know how true any of this is, but it is interesting.

UPDATE: Apparently this information I mentioned was a hoax on snopes.com - But like I said - I never said whether it had any truth behind it or not. Vanessa from "Johns Hopkins" commanded I remove this information (you can see in her comment below) instead of actually providing me with some USEFUL INFORMATION FOR patients. I think the way she approached this was inappropriate. I do clearly have links to my email all over the place and I think a private email would have been a better avenue to take.

I also believe if she would have provided me with some USEFUL information I would have jumped at the chance to use it in my post, but instead, she just commanded I do remove it. I did not remove it because she told me to. I removed it because it was a hoax and I sure don't want to give my readers any false information, but I removed it AFTER the Mayo Clinic was nice enough to give me information on where to link to (within 15 minutes of me contacting them I might add).

This post was about Cancer and how it affects people. I am sorry "Vanessa" from Johns Hopkins chose to ignore that. I understand her not wanting me to be posting false information, I just think she took the wrong avenue.

With that being said, I will repeat what I wrote about my original post:

EDIT::: AGAIN - I REPEAT - I HAVE NO IDEA IF ANY OF THIS INFORMATION IS TRUE OR NOT - NOR DO I MENTION ANY MEDICAL AFFILIATION WHERE IT CAME FROM.
YOU, AS A RESPONSIBLE PERSON READING THIS POST, SHOULD TAKE THIS INFORMATION AS WHAT IT IS - INFORMATION...YOU DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. IF YOU ARE A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO HELP ME WRITE A BETTER ARTICLE ON HOW TO PREVENT CANCER, PLEASE DO SO..BUT YOU CAN EMAIL ME AND WE CAN HAVE A REAL CONVERSATION.

So for those of you who want information, you can go to MayoClinic.com Cancer Information.

Oh and you know what else?

CANCER SUCKS

Winner of Penguins of Madagascar Prize Pack Giveaway

Congratulations - Lesley# 125 is the winner of the Penguins of Madagascar Giveaway!
You will have 48 hours to respond to my winning email, otherwise a new winner will be chosen!
Congrats!!

Wordless Wednesday

This is what happens when you have a baseball player in the family - Third windshield to be broken...first one broken by a baseball though.

Good Boy Roy T-Shirt Review & Giveaway

I must tell you, this has been one of the most enlightening and heart warming reviews I have ever done. I really cannot pinpoint why..I know a lot of families struggle everyday, I know there are some families that are worse off than the Hix family, however, I was not introduced to those families, I was introduced to the Hix Family.

Oh, you haven't heard the story? Then check out these posts in regards to the Hix Family:

Mental Illness is Not Contagious Part 1
Mental Illness is Not Contagious Part 2
Mental Illness is not Contagious Part 3

If you don't have time to read those (although you should to get to know the family better) I will highlight some of the key points here as well as reviewing the Good Boy Roy T-Shirt!

Kim Hix is officially the full time CEO of Good Boy Roy. Good Boy Roy was created based on the drawings by her son Zack. Zack suffers from from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourettes Disorder Spectrum, ADHD, and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (PANDAS). What does this mean? It means his OCD drives him to compete against himself and others for perfection at all times, repeating the most minor tasks until he has it mastered. Sometimes causing great frustration, anger, rage, depression, and anxiety. Zack has no control over his emotions and has always overreacted to the most minor of situations, raging often, crying frequently, and riding a daily roller coaster ride of emotions.

Let me just step aside and talk about Kim and her book first though. Kim wrote the book "No One is Perfect and YOU are a Great Kid".

About the book: "No One is Perfect and YOU are a Great kid is a lovely book written about Zack, a young boy who struggles daily with ever changing moods. He tries to understand why he gets very sad, upset, discouraged, and angry in response o what most would consider insignificant events. Zack often feels different, left out, and isolated due to his moods. He poses thought provoking questions to his audience that can spur some meaningful conversation. The book will touch your heart and anyone who has a special child in their life who struggles with any degree of emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric disorder."

Kim also sent me the book to review. I read it and thought it was a really good book and was illustrated well. When I was through reading it, my daughter yanked (yes yanked) it out of my hands, took it in her room and started reading it out loud. I was now hearing the message being sent by the book out of a child's mouth. And honestly, the message...that even if sometimes you do things wrong, or not perfect, or get mad, or upset, that YOU ARE A GREAT KID came across loud and clear out of an 8 year olds mouth.

Below is an excerpt from her book that Betsy chose to read out loud.



*I know she is reading a bit fast...but I could only tell her to slow down so many times before I gave up...lol.***

Wanna hear more? Well, Betsy won't read the book out loud to you, but you can purchase the book online at Amazon (where it sells for approx 13.50 plus S& H), or you can contact Kim yourself off her site and she can sell it to you for 12.50 and that includes the S&H.

However, if you are a therapist, counselor, or teacher and want to buy a bulk quantity then you SHOULD order from the publisher, Createspace, as they give a discount for bulk orders.

Now, back to Good Boy Roy.

Kim realized that drawing was a good outlet for Zack, something that could soothe him, as well as something he not only really enjoyed doing, but was really good at it! How did his drawings end up on T-Shirts? Well, why don't we let Zack tell you:

From Zack: "The first character that came to life on a shirt was Roy, mom thought we should call him Good Boy Roy. Like me he really is a good boy but sometimes does things he should not do. And that is what I have always said after something happens that I did not mean to happen, I always say "I really am a good boy," so Roy is kind of my alter ego."

The next thing you know, Good Boy Roy is now a great line of T-Shirts. Kim is a champion for Zack and children like him. She encourages him in his drawings and hopes that one day this could be his business to support himself when he gets older. Isn't that what we are supposed to do as parents? Give our children lessons on how to fly and then let them soar? In my opinion, Kim and Doug (her husband) are giving Zack EXCELLENT flying lessons!!!

I think the designs are really cool. I don't want to say cute, well because cute isn't the right word. From the designs I have seen, these shirts really do represent everyday kids and some of the things they would normally do.

Like check out Hippy Heather...I know a Hippy Heather (Jenny lol)..who doesn't know a Hippy Heather?

Or What about Good Boy Roy Himself??? LOL..Check him out..this picture depicts an action that goes on daily in my house!!!

Or Crazy Timmy...Now, we all probably have a Crazy Uncle Timmy, or Crazy Friend Timmy...I know one...but I am not telling who!!

Or what about Handsome Hen? Now...I KNOW everyone knows a Handsome Hen...LOL LOL LOL...I cannot stop laughing at this one.

Those are just a few of the designs available right now. Check out all the available designs on Good Boy Roy. But what is even better is Good Boy Roy also accepts ideas for designs and if Zack chooses one to draw and put onto a t-shirt they will send you one FREE!! They also do custom designs for athletic teams, reunions, different functions...you name it...Zack can create. Good Boy Roy designs are for Little Kids and Big Kids alike!!!

But my favorite so far, is of course, the one I chose to review and that is Peace, Love, and Volleyball. If you do not know a volleyball nut, then you are in the minority!!!


I LOVED this shirt. The screen printing was done really well, and the colors of the drawing itself are nice and bright. The white actually looks white not "off white" and the hot pink is smoking hot I tell you! I also think the actual color of the t-shirt (lime green) went really well with the colors within the drawing. Don't you think so?


My daughter wore this the day we received it and I was sooo afraid she was going to get it dirty or stain it before I had a chance to take pictures. She actually did eat Cheetos (UGH) on the day she wore it, and to be honest I was really afraid that orange yucky stuff that stays on your fingers after eating Cheetos was actually going to stain the shirt...but no it did not!

The shirt washed really well and did not shrink.

The shirts retail for 15.00 at Good Boy Roy, but lucky for my readers, if you choose to purchase one you can save 10% if you enter the "Blogblastoff" during checkout.

Ha ha!!! You made it all the way down here? Well, then you sure do deserve a giveaway that's for sure!!

Giveaway

One lucky reader will win their choice of Good Boy Roy T-shirts!

Entries

1. To enter, go to Good Boy Roy and come back and tell me which t-shirt you would choose if you won.

(Make sure your email address is in the comment or is easily accessible via your blog profile or blog itself. I need to be able to contact you!)

This entry is mandatory, if you do not do #1, you cannot do the "extra" entries. Comments like "enter me" will not be eligible!

Extra Entries

For each extra entry please post an additional comment!
(If I say (2) entries, comment 2 times)

"Like" Good Boy Roy on Facebook (2 entries)

"Like" Intense Kids are Not Bad Kids - Stomp Out Stigma on FB (2 Entries)

Follow Me (on Google Friend Connect) (2 Entries)

Sign up for my Email Feed (2 Entries)

Follow Me on Twitter (2 Entries)

Follow my blog on Facebook (2 Entries)

Blog about this contest (5 Entries)

Post my button on your blog (2 Entries)

You have until Thursday August 12th at 11:59pm EST to enter.

The winners will be chosen via random number generator the next day and notified by email. I'll also post the winner on my blog. If I don't hear back from the winners within 48 hours of sending the winning email, I'll pick another.

I was given the opportunity to review and giveaway this shirt from Mom Made That.

GOOD LUCK!

*Open to US residents only

*Disclaimer - I was given the t-shirt above for review, no other compensation was given for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Music Mondays - Ingrid Michaelson

Hi! I am now participating in Music Mondays! You will see I have a wide range of music style (do you care?). That's ok if you don't like the music I listen to, it is a free world!!! Check out the first song I am picking:




"Maybe" of Ingrid Michaelson...I love her..She has been featured on Grey's Anatomy a lot!!

Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. Rules are simple. Leave ONLY the actual post link here and grab the code below and place it at your blog entry. You can grab this code at LadyJava's Lounge Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.


PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!

Sunday Stealing - Meme of Many Odd Questions Part 3

Sunday Stealing - This week:
Meme of Many Odd Questions Part 3
(Don't look for part 1 & 2 because I just started doing this meme!!!)

45. Favorite color?

Black..is Black considered a color? Then Red....

46. Have you ever slapped someone?

Uh...I plead the 5th!

47. Is your hair curly?

Nope

48. What was the last CD you bought?

Oh...you can buy cd's still???

49. Do looks matter?

To who? For what? I don't know the answer could be yes or no.

50. Could you ever forgive a cheater?

Depends...

51. Is your phone bill sky high?

Nope

52. Do you like your life right now?

It's OK

53. Do you sleep with the TV on?

Nope...silence is best.

54. Can you handle the truth?

Yes..can you?

55. Do you have good vision?

Yes

56. Do you hate or dislike more than 3 people?

No

57. How often do you talk on the phone?

Every day, all the time

58. The last person you held hands with?

My son

59. What are you wearing?

Shorts & a T-shirt

60. What is your favorite animal?

Wolf..unless you mean as a pet..then it would be dog

61. Where was your favorite picture taken at?

Son's baseball game

62. Can you hula hoop?

Yes

63. Do you have a job?

Yes

64. What was the most recent thing you bought?

Groceries

65. Have you ever crawled through a window?

Yes...I was dog sitting for my sister and took them outside to play. I shut the door behind me not realizing the door automatically locked. Lucky for me her window was not locked!

New Place to List your Giveaways

So, I was contacted by Giveaway Scout. Who are they? A new place to list your giveaways that's who!!!

You have to post about them, but then they help you promote your giveaways! Hey any help I can get with my busy schedule I will take! Let's see how it works!~!

Thanks Giveaway Scout!

Nachomamatees Review & Giveaway

I will admit it...I have no problem with admitting it...I have a sick sense of humor sometimes...maybe that is why I like Nachomamatees so much! From Vintage T-Shirts, to 80's T-shirts, to Funny T-Shirts - Nachomamatees has them all. Seriously, I could laugh all day looking at some of these T-shirts.

What about this one??? Anyone remember Jason??? LOL!


Or this one? Hey! Now..I am definitely a One Man (well ..ok...Woman) WolfPack!

I was sent one of Nachomamatees t-shirts to review, and yes, I was nice enough this time to let my son pick it out. I bought him an adult Large and as you can see he has plenty of room in it.

Now, the t-shirt is funny enough ("That's How I Roll" with a hamster in a rolling toy), but combine it with a tough looking kid holding a football...and it is just plain hilarious!

The shirt itself washed well, it did not shrink and it did not lose its form - you know how sometimes t-shirts get all weird after washing them?? That did not happen in this case!

Nachomamatees has a great selection of t-shirts and I would probably buy 90% of them if I could! Plus, the have a Daily Deal 6.99 Special - where they select one of their t-shirts to sell for 6.99 on that day! How cool is that? Seriously! Christmas is only 6 months away - You could buy all of your family and friends Daily Deal 6.99 T-Shirts and save a TON of money!!!

Buy it - Like the shirts you saw here and you are ready to purchase one? Then be prepared to laugh a lot looking at all of them! Check out Nachomamatees here.

Win it- One of my lucky readers will win their very own Nachomamatees T-shirt. You will be able to select any shirt you want up to 15.00!

Giveaway

One of my lucky readers will win their very own Nachomamatees T-shirt. You will be able to select any shirt you want up to 15.00!

Entries

1. To enter, go to Nachomamatees, and come back and tell me which t-shirt you would choose if you won.

(Make sure your email address is in the comment or is easily accessible via your blog profile or blog itself. I need to be able to contact you!)

This entry is mandatory, if you do not do #1, you cannot do the "extra" entries. Comments like "enter me" will not be eligible!

Extra Entries

For each extra entry please post an additional comment!
(If I say (2) entries, comment 2 times)

Become a fan Crazy Shirts on Facebook (2 entries) (Nacho is owned by Crazy Shirts)

Post a comment on the Crazy Shirts Facebook page (2 entries)

Sign up for Crazy Shirts Newsletter (2 Entries)

Follow Me (on Google Friend Connect) (2 Entries)

Sign up for my Email Feed (2 Entries)

Follow Me on Twitter (2 Entries)

Follow my blog on Facebook (2 Entries)

Blog about this contest (2 Entries)

Post my button on your blog (2 Entries)

You have until Thursday August 6th at 11:59pm EST to enter.

The winners will be chosen via random number generator the next day and notified by email. I'll also post the winner on my blog. If I don't hear back from the winners within 48 hours of sending the winning email, I'll pick another.

GOOD LUCK!

*Open to US residents only

*Disclaimer - I was given the t-shirt above for review, no other compensation was given for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Mental Illness is Not Contagious" The Hix Family Part 3

Aww...have you been waiting for this? To learn more about Zack Hix...the ZMan himself??? That's what I thought...so let's not beat around the bush here....

Just who is Zack??? Who is that boy with the sparkling eyes and the bright smile? That boy is the one his sister Kelsie said is glad he doesn't dress "gothic," that boy is the one his Aunt Sharon said (in one of my blog comments), that she "knew when he was a child that he was very smart and talented," and that boy is the one his mom describes as "Delightful, charming, sweet, kind, helpful, charismatic, loving, words that describe the REAL Zack".

Is that Zack hiding behind the bathing suit???

Is that Zack hiding behind the dreds???

Oh no! There he is...there is Zack...there is the REAL Zack!

But who else is he? Zack is 15 and suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourettes Disorder Spectrum, ADHD, and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (PANDAS). Those are some pretty intimidating words if I do say so myself.

These combined disorders can cause for a pretty hectic day at the Hix household. But more than that, they can cause sadness, confusion, anger, and depression for Zack. Why? Because his OCD drives him to compete against himself and others for perfection at all times, repeating the most minor tasks until he has it mastered. Sometimes causing great frustration, anger, rage, depression, and anxiety. Zack has no control over his emotions and has always overreacted to the most minor of situations, raging often, crying frequently, and riding a daily roller coaster ride of emotions.

Has any of this held Zack back? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

Zack is the "artistic soul," the designer, cartoonist (whatever you want to call it) behind Good Boy Roy Designs. Oh, you haven't heard about Good Boy Roy? Well then aren't you came here to find out about it?????

The GBR (Good Boy Roy) line of t-shirts is fun, humorous, definitely unique, and reflect some every day activities of kids.

Good Boy Roy is a fun kid, a good kid, but may do some mischievous things every now and then. The t-shirts are an extension of the love of drawing and cartoon design that Zack - The ZMan - has always enjoyed. "The purpose of Good Boy Roy is to bring smiles, giggles, and laughter to those that see and wear the designs and maybe see themselves just a bit in the characters."

What characters you say? What about the ZMan himself??

Or Laughing Lizzie, Crazy Timmy (with the wild eyes!), Hippie Heather, Rocker Rick, or Handsome Hen (LOL! I know a few Handsome Hens LOL!). Check out Good Boy Roy to see many more of Zacks creations.


You know what is really cool? WYFF Channel 4 did an interview with Zack and his mom. To get to know the real Zack, check out the interview.

Zack and the entire Hix family are hoping one day that Good Boy Roy soars into the spotlight and becomes a brand name everyone knows. I know that I am fully behind that dream...I also hope it comes true for them and any way I can help out I will.

The shirts are 15.00 a piece and can be purchased from the Good Boy Roy website.

Plus, Good Boy Roy also accepts ideas for designs and if Zack chooses one to draw and put onto a t-shirt they will send you one FREE!! They also do custom designs for athletic teams, reunions, different functions...you name it...Zack can create. Good Boy Roy designs are for Little Kids and Big Kids alike!!!

You can also find Good Boy Roy on Facebook!!!

BUT WAIT!!! Next Monday I will be posting a REVIEW and GIVEAWAY of one of the Good Boy Roy T-Shirts!! So come back on Monday to check it out!!!

Related Posts:
Mental Illness is Not Contagious - Part 1
Mental Illness is Not Contagious - Part 2

Top 5 Giveaways Around the Blogsphere

Yes! It is that time of the week...what did I find around the blogsphere???

1. Head over to Eighty MPH Mom, where you can win a Eucerin Summer Skin Care gift bag (includes beach towel, sun hat, Eucerin Lotion & more!)

2. Tantrums & Tiara's is giving away a Crayola Color Wonder Summer Travel Imagination Prize Pack sponsored by Crayola! Ends 8/7

3. Life is Like a Sand Castle is giving away a cute Purse with a Bow! Ends 8/15

4. Tatums Family Reviews is giving away Hamadi Healing Serum! End 7/28

5. The Simple Things is giving away Cosmedix (3) different Cosmedix products! (Ends 8/6)

Tax Free Weekend August 6-8 - What's the Big Deal

Tax Free Weekend in NC is August 6-8 - Yippee---NOT!

Am I going to go out shopping on those days just to avoid paying taxes on school supplies??? NO WAY JOSE! There is only one weekend I enjoy shopping in massive crowds and that is the Day After and Weekend after Thanksgiving.

Just like the Day after Thanksgiving Sales, I think the Tax Free Weekend is psychological in nature. Consumers hear "tax free" and they think they are getting a SWEET deal. Maybe so, maybe not. Depends on what you are buying, how much your time is worth, and if the frustrating crowds is worth saving that $21.74 on a $300.00 purchase. My time is worth more than $21.74.

Will I go out to a store for a sale - YOU BET...Will I go to CVS to get their Extra Care Bucks that make a product free? YOU BET...But will I fight the crowds in Walmart, Staples, Best Buy, or Target to save 7.25% on something - NO WAY.

I hear teachers say all the time that is one of their "summer" activities...planning for the "big tax free weekend" so they can stock their classrooms with supplies. This saddens me actually...that number one, teachers have to spend their own money to stock their classrooms, and number two that the teachers of the children of OUR NATION are paid so little they feel the need to save 7.25% and sit in line with every other parent in NC. Hey...here's an idea...since we are obviously not going to pay our teachers more, why don't we offer them tax free supplies ALL YEAR LONG?

"Tax Free Weekend" has become synonymous with Valentine's Day - Create a holiday to spend money...feed on consumers psyche's and convince them they should be shopping during this time.

Now, don't get me wrong, I am all for spending money and creating a strong economy! Believe me...When I have it, I spend it! I mean, I already admitted shopping the day after Thanksgiving...but I shop then for the pleasure of it...It has become a family tradition for me...even though, for the most part I know the deal I am getting that day will be available again to me either the week after or the week before!

Do I go to a store just for the sale they are having? Yes, I do...Do I buy full price items? You bet I do. I buy stuff that I like, I buy stuff if I need it, sometime I buy stuff for the heck of it, but is the $21.74 I will save on my $300.00 purchase of school supplies at Walmart worth the aggravation of the crowds, the parking, and my time?

No it is not. Is yours?

"Mental Illness is Not Contagious" The Hix Family Part 2

Yesterday I told you a little bit about Kim Hix and her fight for her son Zack and children like him.In case you forgot, the Hix Family consists of Kim (Mom), Doug (Dad), Kelsie who is almost 12 and Zack who is 15. Zack suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourettes Disorder Spectrum, ADHD, and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (PANDAS).

Kim is a champion for her son and children like him and has written a book, "No one is Perfect and YOU are a Great Kid," about her son Zack in hopes that other children will also know they are not alone in the way they feel. To find out how to order the book, read Part 1 of this series here.


Kim also recognized that drawing was a soothing activity for Zack so she encouraged him and his drawings. What came out of his drawings was a new T-Shirt line called Good Boy Roy. All of the drawings on these shirts, Zack created. Be on the lookout!! I will be reviewing and giving away one of these t-shirts later this week!!!


In the meantime, I had the opportunity to ask Kim and her Family some questions this week and here are the answers to the questions I asked:

Questions for Zack
Describe yourself in 5 words-

Smart, talented, outgoing, funny, handsome

Share something funny that has happened to you-

I don't know, I do funny things, but I can't think of anything funny that happened to me.

What is your favorite color? Sport?

Red, Baseball, Atlanta Braves

Do you wear your own t-shirts a lot?

Yes, I love them

What makes you smile?

My family

How often do you draw?

Everyday

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A cartoonist

If you could go on any vacation, where would you go?

I think I have already gone on my dream vacation, we just went to the Bahamas. Maybe Jamaica

Questions for Kelsie

What is your favorite thing to do?

Volleyball and hanging out with friends

What is your favorite color? Food?

Blue, Chicken Fettuccine

Your favorite subject in school?

English

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Maybe a teacher or singer

Tell me your favorite thing about Zack.

He's talented and doesn't dress gothic like some kids.

Tell me your favorite thing about your parents.

A lot, but my favorite is they are very supportive and mom is so active.

If you could go on any vacation, where would you go?

Greece

Questions for Kim (Mom)

What is a typical day like (if there is one)?

I just quit a part time job as a Patient Liaison, so am now home full time again and have worked as a personal trainer part time too for about 6 years. I like to say I am now full time Good Boy Roy CEO !! I am having a great time. I am also training to be a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer, something I have always wanted to do. I love to exercise so that is my hobby.

How do your son and daughter get along on a daily basis?

Sad, but usually not good, there is a lot of arguing. Some days, when Zack is in a very stable and good place things go well.

Does Zack go to a regular school?

He does, but is currently in a LD Neuroscience class (learning disabled for neurologically impaired), which is self contained, he does go out into a few regular ed classes, and working towards being mainstreamed. He has very poor, if any emotional control, is very easily frustrated and upset, poor focus and attention span all of which prevent him from being successful in regular ed classes.

Do you ever feel like giving up?

Honestly, no. Do I get tired, worn out, frustrated, sad, overwhelmed? You bet. But we have hit many brick walls, many dead ends, but they truly just make me mad and more determined to research more, fight harder, look for answers and try to find out how we can make this better?How can I help him? Because honestly my kid should not have to go through life feeling like he does, not liking himself or how he acts,his mind always causing chaos for him and feeling like a outcast most of the time, and neither should anyone else. I have always been hard headed and stubborn, which use to get me in a lot of trouble, but now seems to serve me well.

You sound like your sons Hero. Have you ever been called that before?

That is sweet, and he has said that, which is also sweet, but I don't see it that way. I really don't think I have done, or do anything more than other parents do. We are not in a unique situation, there are millions of families just like ours, and millions of parents that fight just as hard as I do, and harder.

Are there any regular Festivals you take your Book and Zacks t-shirts too? Anything coming up soon?

No, we just started the Good Boy Roy in January. We are active with NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), so he was invited to go there (for the annual NAMI walks fundraiser) with a booth and for me to display the book, so that was cool. We have only done 4 festivals by now. They take a lot of work. They have been great for Zman, so cute to see him talking to people and telling them "I draw all of these". We just did one in NC, and the next one may not be until December here in Greenville. Or maybe the Labor Day Festival before that.

If you could go on any vacation, where would you go?

I have been quite lucky to travel extensively, but I would love to go back to Switzerland and maybe go to Greece, like Kelsie.


Doug (Dad)

Doug (Dad) was out of town this week, so unfortuantely I did not get to ask him any questions, but I did ask the person who knows most about him (Kim - Mom) and this is what she said, "He works full time, he is a Engineer, a Manager at Jacobs Engineering, his hobbies are weight lifting, born in Athens Ga., huge DAWGS fan, we have been married 18 years. His specialty is grilled wings!!"

I hope you got as much pleasure out of reading these answers as I did!!! Some answers made me smile, some answers tore at my heart strings, some answers made me laugh and even one made me think "A girl after my own heart" (Kelsie's favorite dish being Chicken Fettuccine)!

Remember, if you want to buy your own Good Boy Roy T-Shirt, visit them at Good Boy Roy. To purchase Kim's book, "No One is Perfect YOU are a Great Kid" or to learn more about the Hix Family and their fight for their son, check out Kim's site here.

Oh, you want MORE from the Hix Family? Is that what I hear you saying? Ok, well you got it!!! Be on the lookout for Part 3 of my series where I will be spotlighting Zack (ZMan as he is called) and his new line of t-shirts Good Boy Roy. Oh..and don't forget... the Giveaway of one of the Fabulous Good Boy Roy T-Shirts!!!

Mental Illness is Not Contagious Part One

Howards Furniture - Spotlighting another ShoppeCharlotte Business

We are spotlighting another great business that participates in ShoppeCharlotte's SmartCard Program. Did you forget what ShoppeCharlotte's SmartCard Program was? Well let me remind you! It is a card you can use at local businesses to receive discounts...free game of bowling, 20% off purchase, 10.00 off purchase, the list goes on and on and on!!!

Check out ShoppeCharlotte to see which businesses are participating and what they are offering plus, each of the participating businesses have the SmartCards to hand out!

Ok..back to the company...We are spotlighting Howards Furniture and Decorating Center located in Denver, NC. With the SmartCard, you can save 50.00 off any purchase 799.99 or more at Howards Furniture!
Now, Howards Furniture is NOT JUST FURNITURE! NO! You get the whole kit and caboodle when shopping at Howards...furniture, appliances, flooring, accent pieces, and more! Why travel from store to store when you can find all you need in one place? Howards Furniture & Decorating Center!!!
And yes, Howards offers all of the best brand names you can find...GE, Broyhill, Basset, Lane Recliners, an so many more!!! OH!!! But WAIT! You need custom drapes you say? Howards will do that for you! Custom Bedspreads you say? Howards will do that for you!

You need new wallpaper too? Never Fear! Howards has that too. The only thing Howards is actually missing is the family living there and you will have to provide that!

If you think I told you everything Howards Furniture and Decorating Center has to offer you are wrong. Check out Howards Furniture on ShoppeCharlotte to get the whole scoop!



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ShoppeCharlotte Business Spotlight - Trendy Styles by Stacy
ShoppeCharlotte Business Spotlight - Ageless Remedies

Zebra Pens Review & Giveaway

OK..OK..OK I will admit it...I am a pen addict. No, not your everyday, run of the mill pen addict, I am seriously addicted to pens. But not just any pen will do..NO! The pens I chose to purchase must have more colors to choose from than black and blue, they must look cute, and they must write well. What is the point of having a cute pen if it doesn't work properly!

Oh, and my pen addiction does not stop at me...my daughter is also a pen addict, but she is more like a pen thief, every time I get a new pen it somehow ends up in her hands so I ALWAYS have to have multiple pens available to me or I will end up with none.

So when I had the opportunity to review Zebra pens I was stoked!! Always looking for a good pen I am! I was sent the Z-Grip Daisies, Regal Rollerballs in Arrow & Needle tip, and Cadoozles Mechanical Pencils.

Check out how each of them writes:



Z-Grip Daisies - Loved these pens...love the colors, great ballpoint pen. Plus they are cute on top of everything else!!!

Specifications:

Average Retail Price $3.75/5 pack

Floral Fashion Designs in Vibrant Colors

Form Fitting Rubber Grip

Convenient, Retractable Plunger

Grip Color Matches 5 Ink Colors - Fuchsia, Violet, Teal, Light Green, Orange

Regal Rollerballs in Arrow and Needle Tip - I liked these pens a lot. Although I actually preferred the Arrow Tip as I think the Needle Tip is just a little too thin for me. I have been using my Regal Rollerball Arrow Tip in Red constantly and it has yet to run out of ink. I am a doodler when I am on the phone and the Regal Rollerball is holding up to my Doodling Standards!!!

Specifications:

Average Retail Price $8.36/4 pack

Easy Glide Ink for a Super Smooth Write

Effortless, Silky Ink Flow for a Scratch-Free Performance

Contemporary, Streamline Barrel with Ink Visibility

Beveled Silver Clip

Available in Arrow and Needle Top

8 Rich Colors - Black, Blue, Red, Green, Pink, Light Blue, Orange, Brown

Cadoozles Mechanical Pencils - I love using pencils...I don't know...maybe it brings me back to my school days when I had no responsibilities except to go to school and play...But regardless, I love using pencils. Mechanical Pencils have always been a bear for me because I do write HARD and FAST...and will generally break the lead off the pencil. Cadoozles were no different, I was breaking the lead left and right, however, that has nothing to do with the quality of the pencil, it has to do with the way I write. If I could just calm down a little while I write then I wouldn't have to worry about the lead breaking! However, I did find than when I was not my crazy self writing, the Cadoozles pencils wrote beautifully...nice and dark lead which I like. Plus they are super cute! They look like a real pencil too, except with cuter designs. Can you guess where most of these have ended up? Yes, in my daughters pencil box. Apparently they are hers now.

Specifications:

Solid, Wood Case Design Barrel

Large, Colorful Eraser to Advance Lead or Refill

Ideal for Standardized Tests

Refillable with Standard 0.7mm Lead

6 Different Vibrant, Fun Graphic Themes Available in: Blue, Light Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, White

Zebra Pen products can be found at Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Walmart, K-Mart, and other office supply stores, discount chains, food and drug retailers, stationery stores and wholesale clubs. For more information on Zebra Pen products, programs and promotions, log onto www.zebrapen.com.

Giveaway

One of my readers will win the same package I received - The Z-Grip Daisies, Regal Rollerballs in Arrow & Needle tip, and Cadoozles Mechanical Pencils.

Entries

1. To enter, go to Zebra Pens and come back and leave me a comment telling me about another product you would like to try.

(Make sure your email address is in the comment or is easily accessible via your blog profile or blog itself. I need to be able to contact you!)

This entry is mandatory, if you do not do #1, you cannot do the "extra" entries. Comments like "enter me" will not be eligible!

Extra Entries

For each extra entry please post an additional comment!

Get FIVE (yes I said FIVE) extra entries for the following:

Become a Fan of Zebra Pens on Facebook and post something on their page - Zebra also posts some great giveaways and contests of their own!!!

Get Two extra entries for doing any of the following of the following:

Follow Me (on Blogger)

Sign up for my Email Feed

Follow Me (on Twitter) and tweet about this giveaway (Button on Right Hand Sidebar)

Follow my blog on Facebook (Link on Left Hand Sidebar)

Blog about this contest

Post my button on your blog

You have until Thursday August 5th at 11:59pm EST to enter.

The winners will be chosen via random number generator the next day and notified by email. I'll also post the winner on my blog. If I don't hear back from the winners within 48 hours of sending the winning email, I'll pick another.

GOOD LUCK!

*Open to US residents only

*Disclaimer - I was given the products listed above for review, no other compensation was given for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Wordless Wednesday

Can you find Maggie (our newly adopted dog) in this picture? This is where she likes to take her naps during the day.

Executive Gift Shoppe Giveaway - WINNER

The winner of the Executive Gift Shoppe Giveaway is..... #126 Parris!!!

Congratulations!

I will send you an email and you have 48 hours to contact me otherwise another winner will be chosen!

"Mental Illness is Not Contagious" The Hix Family Part 1

No One is Perfect and YOU are a Great Kid

Stomp Out Stigma

This week I had the honor to get to know Kim Hix. Who is Kim Hix you ask? She is a mom who loves her children, she is a mom who fights for her children, she is a mom who some may consider a hero, I am one of those people.


I will be writing a series of articles on the Hix Family about their life with Mental Illness. The first one, this one, is about Kim, the second one will be the interview questions I asked Kim and her family, the third one will be about Zack and his Good Boy Roy Brand of T-shirts, with the final one being a review and giveaway for a Good Boy Roy T-Shirt!


Kim has two children, Kelsie who is almost 12 (WOO HOO!) and Zack who is 15. Zack suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Tourettes Disorder Spectrum, ADHD, and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep (PANDAS). What does this mean? It means his OCD drives him to compete against himself and others for perfection at all times, repeating the most minor tasks until he has it mastered. Sometimes causing great frustration, anger, rage, depression, and anxiety. Zack has no control over his emotions and has always overreacted to the most minor of situations, raging often, crying frequently, and riding a daily roller coaster ride of emotions.

To read what she has to say brings tears to my eyes. I don't know why. It is not like she is saying how horrible her life is...actually, quite the opposite. I guess because I truly do appreciate Moms whose children are not "perfect," kids who have special qualities about them. Seriously, God must have looked down on these women, Kim included, and said "Yes, she can do it. She can handle it. Let her be the lucky one to be his Mom."

Kim also has a very supportive husband, Doug. According to Kim "He has been the best husband and fully supportive of me, and the best thing is he keeps me laughing which is something we all need, especially around here. He will even make Zack laugh when he is in a REAL "Other Zack" mood."


Kim is a champion for her son and children who struggle like he does. She is on a mission to bring understanding and awareness to mental illness. She wants to reach out to children and help them understand they do not suffer alone and there is hope.

Kim says: "Mental illness is not a choice, it is not contagious, it does not make you "less than." I hope our story will open the lines of communication for parents and children, friends and neighbors to discuss and explore behavior they may not understand. My biggest hope is that children who are seeking acceptance, understanding and answers be able to find that from parents, friends and peers. "

Kim recognized that drawing was a soothing activity for Zack so she encouraged him and his drawings. What came out of his drawings was a new T-Shirt line called Good Boy Roy. All of the drawings on these shirts, Zack created.
From Zack: "The first character that came to life on a shirt was Roy, mom thought we should call him Good Boy Roy. Like me he really is a good boy but sometimes does things he should not do. And that is what I have always said after something happens that I did not mean to happen, I always say "I really am a good boy," so Roy is kind of my alter ego."

Let me tell you a little bit more about Kim. She has written a childrens book called "No one is Perfect and YOU are a Great Kid".


About the book: "No One is Perfect and YOU are a Great kid is a lovely book written about Zack, a young boy who struggles daily with ever changing moods. He tries to understand why he gets very sad, upset, discouraged, and angry in response o what most would consider insignificant events. Zack often feels different, left out, and isolated due to his moods. He poses thought provoking questions to his audience that can spur some meaningful conversation. The book will touch your heart and anyone who has a special child in their life who struggles with any degree of emotional, behavioral, or psychiatric disorder."

"No One is Perfect and You are a Great Kid" received the Reader Views Award for 2007 Annual Literary Rewards.

She is also Ezine Article Expert!

You can order the book online at Amazon (where it sells for approx 13.50 plus S& H), or you can contact Kim yourself off her site and she can sell it to you for 12.50 and that includes the S&H.

However, if you are a therapist, counselor, or teacher and want to buy a bulk quantity then you SHOULD order from the publisher, Createspace, as they give a discount for bulk orders.

I was given the opportunity to review and giveaway a shirt (coming later in the week) from Mom Made That. However, after reading about Kim, Zack, and the entire Hix Family I knew it had to more than just a Review & Giveaway.

Kim has been a very sweet person to work with, and I am truly honored to have gotten to know her a little better this last week. If you don't know any children suffering from these diseases then you are one of the lucky, but few people. If you do, then I would like to shake your hand, give you a hug, and tell you how inspired and in awe of you that I am.

Either way, check out Kim's site to learn more about her book "No One is Perfect and YOU are a Great Kid" and learn more about her and her cause.

Check her out on Facebook too!!!

Thank you Kim, Zack, the entire Hix Family for giving me this opportunity.

Be on the lookout for the next post about the Hix Family - The Hix Family Interview!

Mental Health is not Contagious - Part 2