PLAYGROUND COTTAGES HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

Requiring Intervention for a Family Member Involved in AddictionPosted by admin on January 2nd, 2011

It is never easy for everyone in the family if someone is involved in any kind of addiction – alcohol or illegal drugs (painkillers, cocaine, meth, etc.). Everyone is affected one way or another. It gets harder when the addict denies there is an addiction and refuses any kind of help. In cases like these, family intervention might be your best option to get your family member into rehabilitation. It’s a wise move to involve a professional at an early stage. A person who is experienced in the field of addiction, and who can “referee” the intervention as it progresses through its various stages. A professional will not be emotionally involved and will help you as well as the addict while you deal with the situation.

It not only helps the family member but the whole family as well, as it identifies enabling behaviors for the addiction to continue and educates the family not to let guilt override their love for the addict.

Here is how family intervention works:
The intervention specialist will teach you how to approach them from a position of love and compassion that will be speaking to their core authentic self. The core authentic self is the person inside of them that is not happy living that type of lifestyle. By speaking to their core authentic self you will be opening the door for them to see that there is a solution and help is available to them. It is important that the intervention environment is from a place of non-judgment and free from threats to ensure the addicted individual feels safe to freely discuss their addiction. When they are approached this way over 90% of those intervened upon will accept treatment.

Each family member will also be able to talk about how the addicts behavior is affecting them and disrupting their lives. Powerful and heart-felt systematic letters will be put together and read to the individual. A self-pledge will be developed by each and every team member in order to protect themselves for the addicts behavior.All enabling will be discussed and identified to prevent the reinforcement of the individuals addictive lifestyle. After the intervention the interventionist will have a treatment program picked out and ready for the individual to admit themselves into. The interventionist will then transport the addict to the treatment center for help and continue to follow up with the family and addicted individual.

Comic Books for Sale at Newkadia.comPosted by admin on October 15th, 2010

Comic books have always been present throughout history, starting with Japan on the 17th century, being known as manga books or comics. But if we’re talking about the worldwide explosion of comic book popularity in the format we know today, it can be most traced back to the beginning of the Superman series in 1938.

Since then, particularly because of the start of the superhero comic books series like of the Marvel heroes and X-Men, comic books have gone far in value. Actually, most of them have very good possibilities in being collector items, especially if you have the whole series, the author/illustrator retires or dies and if the series gets adapted into a movie.

I should know all of these since my brother is a comic book afficionado. He collects comic books, particularly the X-Men series. My cousin has a great collection of Archie comic books. They search far and wide and are willing to shell out some big money to get really rare comic books.

You can find the lowest comic books for sale at Newkadia.com. With over 530,559 comic books and 44,692 of these under 99¢, it is sure to be a comic book afficionado’s heaven.

Kid’s ShelvesPosted by admin on October 9th, 2010

If only there were more rooms in the house so we can have a room specifically for the playroom. I’ve been seeing a lot of shelves like these among design blogs and I would love to incorporate that in our future home. You can even adapt it to your growing kids’ needs, from storing toys, to books, to growing collections whatever that might be and little knick-knacks for display like a vintage receipt printer.

Photos from Design Sponge:

Getting the Best Air Purifiers from SafeHomeProducts.comPosted by admin on October 5th, 2010

A huge part of the reason why we moved from the city to the suburbs is to be able to provide a good, healthy environment for the kids with lots of fresh air. My children have respiratory problems and allergies – asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis. Name it – my kids probably have it. That is why clean, fresh air is very important for them to prevent attacks from happening. I do not want them to have stuffy noses, itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing and on medicines all the time.

For people with allergies, it would be a very stressful situation to be in a room filled with allergens. Fortunately, thanks to technology, there is a way to lessen the amount of allergens in the air. Air purifiers are manufactured for the purpose of eliminating pollutants, such as smoke, dust and/or pet dander, cleaning agents, aerosol sprays, and insect poisons. Remember, these dangerous pollutants are not visible in your home. A research of air purification systems will reveal that some of the models are capable of removing almost all of the harmful pollutants in your rooms. Individuals who suffer from respiratory problems, such as asthma, or other breathing problems will benefit a great deal breathing pure air free of harmful chemicals. Purifiers are a must have for a smoker and those living with one since one of the benefits of a purifier placed in a room is that it eliminates harmful chemicals that exist in cigarettes. Also, an air purifier is the answer to increasing the ventilation throughout your home. You can place one in all of your rooms or purchase one unit depending on the size and number of rooms in your residence and your preference.

Once you have decided to invest on an air purifier for your home, the next step would be to decide what type to purchase. With this matter, it would be best to ask advice from the experts and shop at a store that would be glad to assist and offer exactly what you need for your home. SafeHomeProducts.com is an online store that offers products that will help you protect your home, keep it safe and be more livable. Established in 1999 as a woman-owned business, Safe Home Products serves over 100,000 clients worldwide from its customer service and fulfillment headquarters in Iowa City, Iowa.   They offer over 5,000 products including carbon monoxide and radon detectors, emergency preparedness equipment, environment-friendly cleaning supplies, pet products, pest control solutions, and home medical equipment.   They ship to all 50 states and U.S. territories and to most countries.
When you go to their web site, you will see that most products are categorized well and the site is easy to navigate. One key feature of the web site is the “Ask Barbara” segment which allows and even encourages you to ask Barbara Staib, the President of Safe Home Products, any question about safer, healthier and simpler living. Barbara answers questions extensively but in a simple, straightforward manner with recommendations on how to solve your problems. She can also educate if the question wants more information. She is an expert on child safety, emergency preparedness, pet training and even pest control. She has personally helped thousands of customers since SHP started in 1999.

The Many Uses of Mini BackpacksPosted by admin on September 30th, 2010

When you’re looking for kid’s backpacks, you might want to consider mini backpacks. These packs are relatively smaller and lighter in weight than larger ones, making them ideal for children. Manufacturers design many mini backpacks specifically for kids, and you can find an attractive range of styles on the market. From cartoon characters to fun shapes, these backpacks can make a great gift for your son or daughter.

A mini backpack can be just as versatile as any other kids backpack. If your son decides to have an impromptu sleepover at a friend’s house, you can use the pack to hold the things he’ll need. Toss in a pair of pajamas, a change of clothes, and a toothbrush, and you can drop off everything he’ll need for his night away from home. For younger kids, you can even toss in their favorite animal.

Girls, from toddlers to teenagers, may enjoy mini backpacks because of the pockets where they can stash their gear. Inside pockets keep valuables, such as rings, earrings, or bracelets, safe when your daughter needs to change for gym or basketball practice. An external pocket can be a great place to store lipstick.

For younger children, mini backpacks may act as a security item that helps them handle separation anxiety. You can tuck comforting items, such as a teddy bear or a blankie, inside, and your daughter will know they’re handy. If she starts missing you, she can pull them out for comfort. A kid’s backpack may even help your son feel secure in public places because the pack will allow him to keep his hands free while he’s carrying the things he wants to bring on outings.

If you need a versatile backpack for your child, be sure to consider mini backpacks. With so many great uses and a nice variety of styles, you’re sure to find the perfect one.

Protecting Your Baby from Medical NegligencePosted by admin on September 30th, 2010

As a mother, you will always be concerned about your baby and his health. More often than not, most pregnancies are normal and a family comes home with their bundle of joy after an arduous journey to the hospital. Some lucky families come back with twins too! However, there are a significant number of mothers who stand the risk of losing their newly born babies to a medical injury or treatment error.

While there is not much a mother can do when her child becomes a victim of a genetically transferred condition, she can take action if her baby has been subjected to medical negligence or malpractice. One often hears of cases where pregnancies are complicated by an additional illness that the mother suffers — and which harms her unborn child.

The doctors are experts in their fields and are required to adhere to specific treatments and procedures for complex pregnancies. However, there are unfortunate times when either the doctors do not administer the required treatments or make an error while doing so. At such times, a mother residing in Maryland can seek Baltimore medical malpractice help while those who face similar problems in different areas of the country can contact medical malpractice lawyers for assistance in their respective areas.

Though medical malpractice occurs very rarely, there are times when the doctors try to cover up their mistakes. You can protect yourself and your baby from any harm that might come from negligence by educating yourself as much as possible. Try to learn about the procedures, the complications, and the success rates of the treatments that your doctor wants to administer during your pregnancy. Not only will you know what to expect, you will notice if something does not seem right or is being done in error and can question your doctor about it — perhaps saving yourself and your child much grief.

Back To School Kids’ Desks & GadgetsPosted by admin on September 18th, 2010

I dont know about you, but having two schooling kids are stressful. It’s not the additional assignments or teaching hours I need to clock in as I have independent and bright kids. It’s the clutter and the whole mess of supplies, books and student materials ALL OVER THE HOUSE! Somebody needs to buy me wrinkle lotion before the schoolyear is over.

It’s good thing I was able to have these great modern student workstations as inspiration for their study nooks.

From Left to Right: The Container Store Elfa Shelving system; A mesh storage cart on wheels with shallow draws took the place of the deep draws of the old desk.; Locker Organizer with Hanging Shelves; Knock Down, Flat Out Storage Boxes (Small $7.95 each, Large $9.95 each)

StrollersPosted by admin on September 7th, 2010

Two of my friends recently gave birth and they told me the hardest thing to shop for about baby stuff is the stroller. You would not believe how pricey strollers have become. It makes sense how it can be likened to an infant’s car. I understand the need to invest on it though since it’s one of the used things of a baby. Better buy a good one with your first child so you can pass it on. Here is a good one, the phil and teds explorer stroller:

Saving on Party Supplies for Children’s PartiesPosted by admin on September 6th, 2010

Throwing children’s parties are fun and a great way to celebrate your kids’ birthdays. It only happens once a year so parents always try to make it special. However, for parents who have two or more children, throwing parties every year can be draining in the pockets and you tend to run out of ideas as well. You can always save on party supplies by ordering online at PartyPro.com. They have several themed party supplies that it will take many years before you run out of ideas.

Here are some ways to save big on your next celebration:

1. As an all-time party favorite, helium-filled balloons are one of the most inexpensive, festive, and versatile ways to decorate for a party, especially those for children.

2. When it comes to supplies you’ll use again such as paper tableware or certain snacks, buying in bulk can actually save you money in the long run.

3. Create your own invitations.

4. Solid-colored decorations tend to be less expensive than patterned or themed (think character or brand names) décor.

5. Choose to shop in online party supply stores.

6. Use birthday kits. Birthday kits contain everything you need to throw a party and are typically less expensive than purchasing all the contents separately would be. Birthday kits can include matching plates, cups, napkins, balloons, streamers, table covers, and more.

Summer Tours for the KidsPosted by admin on July 20th, 2010

I do not know about you but I think my kids are way too much involved with electronic games and gadgets plus the computer with internet that it might be unhealthy for them already. Since summer is here and there isn’t school work to keep them busy with, they are allowed to do whatever they want most days, and I am not surprised when they would rather spend it couped up in their rooms playing games in their playstation, PSP, DS Lite or the applications in Facebook.

I really cannot blame them – I am a couch potato and an electronic surfer myself. I have been discussing with my husband to take the kids out on a tour one of the days. Maybe we can sign up for the national parks tours being offered by Collette Vacations or go to the national library and museum. Anything that can keep them away from the computer and TV and let them be active and still stimulate their minds.

Collette Vacations, also known as Collette Tours, has been creating exceptional travel experiences since 1918 and now operates in more than 50 countries. Collette Tours takes pride in designing itineraries that capture the feeling of a particular region. On Collette tours, passengers enjoy centrally located hotels that mirror the architectural style and ambiance of the city. Moreover, Collette travel embraces cultural entertainment that’s fun and educational and unique dining experiences that turn into memorable events.

Summer Book ReadingPosted by admin on July 18th, 2010

One of the things that I want my kids to do this summer is to be able to catch up on a few books that will be great for their minds. We actually have a goal of reading at least three books this summer and I am happy that my eldest has so far exceeded that goal. The only downside to this is buying books isn’t that cheap, especially if they only get to read it once. My youngest also has the habit of wanting to read along so I tend to buy Audio books on cd whenever I do not have the time to read to her as much as she wants to.

It is a good thing that a fellow mother recommended that I get a membership at BooksFree.com. Book rental has never been this easy and cheap. They actually have been featured in Consumer Reports, REDBOOK, Woman’s Day and other major magazines.

Rent books as many and as often as you want with a fixed membership every month.  At the start of your membership registration, you are asked how many books and audio books do you get to read every month. From there they will give you your membership fee monthly that you can pay by credit card.

With Booksfree you can rent as many audiobooks or paperback books as you want. The number of titles you rent depends on how quickly you listen to and return each title. With over 250,000 available titles – I am sure you will never run out of reading materials. They rent out Children’s books!

DUI and other Traffic ViolationsPosted by admin on June 9th, 2010

Being a mother of two school aged children, I am always worried about their safety especially when they ride the bus to school. Road accidents happen all the time. I really want drivers to be well-trained for driving and I am against driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Imagine how many lives are at stake because of one silly mistake. You can always get a denver criminal defense lawyer to fight your case. Whether you want to fight the charges or simply be assured you will get the fairest treatment in the legal system, it is imperative to have a Denver criminal attorney working on your side who specializes in DUI cases.

A Nice Idea for Displaying Your Kid’s MasterpiecesPosted by admin on February 26th, 2010

SOURCE

Summer PlansPosted by admin on February 23rd, 2010

Summer is upon us and in three weeks, school is out. I will two of my kids home all day and the very thought of it makes me go into panic already! My kids don’t handle boredom really well, they will be at each other’s throats and I am pretty sure our house will ring of scream and cries. AS early as January, we were already thinking of what to enroll them with during the summer. Time, transportation and cost are all essential factors that’s why we have not decided until now. My son wants to take singing lessons while my daughter I’d like to enroll in ballet. I want them to be involved in sports too so swimming is also in line. The problem with my son is he wants to learn everything. In addition to voice lessons, he wants piano and guitar lesson in addition to taekwando classes and swimming lessons.

Learning to Love BaseballPosted by admin on February 17th, 2010

Any baseball fans out there? I am slowly learning to appreciate sports – and its various fields. I guess it started with the Olympics and Michael Phelps winning eight gold medals in swimming . The husband is a huge sports fan – basketball, boxing, tennis, volleyball, even billiards! (Is that even a sport?)

Anyhow, I have already mentioned Matthew is like me – isn’t really interested in any sports. Except one, that is Taekwondo. We are still trying to find some school that is near and feasible with our schedule to enroll him. But we are not in a hurry – with two extra classes in a week – Voice and Art Lessons, he is always beat upon returning home. Saturdays are spent at school during the afternoons because of the basketball league his Dad joined (Parents’ Association).

We might get him to be interested in baseball though. We watched two movies about it last week and he was all curious about batting and catching the ball. He would need to practice batting the ball though as he has never been one to be able to focus from afar. He likes it because he actually doesn’t want to be involved in a “touchy” sport. Baseball Equipment can be ordered from Kids Sports Inc. – they have the best baseball training gear from 6 year old kids and up. They are very affordable too!

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