Crystal Clear

Hawaii Cold Front

I know this may fall on ears covered with ear muffs but we are just wrapping up a cold front here in Hawaii. Cold enough I actually wore long sleeves and long pants today. By the end of the afternoon it was warming up but I have to say I couldn't really believe yesterday what a difference 10 degrees can make...Whereas it usually is in the mid 80s here, when I drove home yesterday it was 74 degrees. This felt a lot colder than 74 degrees! We actually turned off the fans last night, closed the windows, and used ...stop the clock...BLANKETS...

I absolutely have not lived here long enough to miss cold weather. I never liked it in Mexifornia but it was tolerable. Here the consistency of warm weather has led to me though pretty regularly forgetting what season we are in or what month it actually is. The other day a girl at the beach cafe here remarked about "Winter" hours compared to when more kids and moms were around in the summer and I had to kind of do a double take because it , to me,  really is an endless summer here.

Despite the disarray since we moved in, we have been getting down the street to the beach about 3-4 times a week over the past month. The constant disarray has become an increasingly awful situation and it needs to change...so I can enjoy the beach more when we do get down there and not feel guilty there is still so much to do...

Thriftiness is the Key

A number of my posts about credit cards have generated a number of emails to me personally. Crystal Clear there is a tremendous amount of information as well as misinformation out on the Internet. No matter my personal feelings or my readers experience, I believe sites such as The Thrifty Scot provide a good deal of information and resources on the most important areas of financial interest.

The site makes a very relevant point regarding loans.Virtually no one reading this blog will make it through life without having the need to borrow money and yet very few make the necessary effort to borrow sensibly.

Although the site is geared towards those in the UK and has the ability to apply right there on the site for remortgages, the information provided is nonetheless interesting and relevant.

Since most people use savings and bank accounts it provides a chart of useful rates and figures. While there is also a chart, rates, and information regarding home insurance, don't miss the interesting articles on insurance in general.

All in all a very thorough site with a plethora of useful information.

Perhaps Instead of Peanuts? Prayers and Bondage?

Frankly I don't find this quote found over at Democracy Now! very helpful or encouraging:

IMAM OMAR SHAHIN: This is -- to be honest, this hurt me the most. It’s [inaudible] the federal law is a crime nowadays. I asked for an extension. But as you see, I don't need to explain myself more. So I need an extension belt. And supposedly I asked for a not necessary extension, but what’s wrong with that if I can get to the plane twenty of these seatbelts and nobody can ask me why you carry all of these things?

I also think it raises a great deal of concern regarding his and the other Imam's judgement. So here is hoping their publicity stunt wreaks the havoc it should on THEM...Unfortunately the whole story will not likely spread across the world...

Timeless Engagment Rings

When it comes to items of meaning and beauty, there are few things  meeting the criteria as easily as diamond engagement rings. While some people may focus on the setting to be used, others may ruminate about the diamond to be worn for a lifetime. Both types of individuals may come together in the overachiever worrier...The anxiety is easily avoided these days with the Internet at your fingertips.

Truth be known, there are diamond engagement rings that can come straight from your heart and own design vision. As a couple, designing diamond engagement rings together can help you both play with the idea of engagment and marriage before you make any moves, wise or impulsive...

My Cousin Blogged about the Disney Cruise

A while back I shared my family was on MySpace. Well I forgot to mention  my cousin wrote a brief rundown so since I never posted my pics or take on the cruise check this out blog.myspace.com/jordanzmama!

Don't forget to take a look at her pictures too. Actually she, one of my other cousins, and my sister all have some photos of the cruise. You can catch a glimpse of myself and the boys in there if you keep your eyes open. My pics of the cruise aren't all that great and in fact are a bit disappointing. I did find a great one of my parents on pirate night though. Both of the boys are still talking about the cruise. Nethan really wants to go on another cruise and talks about "the big white ship"...just this morning he said "Remember on the Disney Cruise.." this was out of nowhere... I don't think he will remember the cruise genuinely but sure won't hurt to keep reminding him of it.

Nutrition Nutrition Nutrition

We all know the old adage about real estate. Well Crystal Clear when it comes to good health, it is nutrition that is the key. Anytime I can pass a suggestion or reminder along, it is for myself as well as you! One such place to check out is N101 Nutrition.

Both before and after your purchases be certain to check out their health note ipndexes. You will find information ranging from health conditions to medical interactions to recipes. The personal care section has some yummy stuff for babies as well as things to pamper yourself. If you have too many late night evenings you can find a dark circle eye serum. Making sure not to leave anyone out in the cold, N101 offers products for your pet as well.

Clearly their wide variety of nutritional supplements, herbs and natural beauty products is well thought out and thorough. With low pricing and free shipping on many items, it really is a one-stop shop for the best brands in natural skin care, beauty, vitamins, supplements and sports nutrition. If you are out there running around in the holiday hustle and bustle... make sure you are healthy!

So Amanda, Marsha, and Carrie

Some who helped shape the O.J. Simpson case

Amanda Cooley, Marsha Rubin-Jackson, Carrie Bess: Three black jurors who wrote Madam Foreman : A Rush to Judgement? after the criminal trial. Asserted in book that speedy verdict was shaped mostly by suspicions about police and evidence handling. Denied race was a factor in their decision and said they considered Christopher Darden as a token black assigned by the district attorney.

I still can't help wanting to sit down with one of these fools mentioned above and asking...so what do you think now? I mean suspicious about the police and evidence handling is one thing but how would they respond now that OJ has continued to flaunt his status as the Brentwood Butcher? How do these women sleep at night? Where are they now and what do the people who know them think about them? I just would love to know...

Too X-Treme For You?

I really think you'd have to look long and hard to find a single soul who would not want and appreciate and smother you with hugs and kisses for receiving an X-Treme Scooters as a gift this Holiday season.   

This site has an amazing selection and how can you possibly beat the FREE shipping on so many of their adorable extreme scooters ? I personally am drawn to and would want a RED one... a bright shiny RED one... yes the extras and power and all that other important stuff like warranties and comfort are to be considered... but please, give me a bright shiny RED one like the X-Treme X-560 not that the X-Treme X-360 is not adorable and desirable ...cause of course it truly is...but RED.. that is the ticket for me!

When Hawii is a PAIN

So my eye is on this little baby: eBay: Schwinn Typhoon Red Cruisernot to mention any other retro RED Schwinn cruiser bike..Did you have any clue as to what a cherry Schwinn Phantom would cost you these days? Just trust me , you will stammer and head out to your garage to see what you have in there that is a Schwinn...I grew up with Schwinns. The first thing I ever bought with money I earned myself over a summer working for my family's company was a yellow 10 speed Schwinn... I remember going down to pick it out and bringing it home. My sister bought the green one, which subsequently I rode in college years later when I went to Arizona State and was hit by a car..Ouch! When I lived in Santa Monica I had a good and nice bike... but I don't recall what brand it was or loving it like I did/do the Schwinn...So yes I have mulled it over whether I just want to get a cruiser bike or a RED cruiser bike or a Red Schwinn cruiser bike... It is terribly sad to me that the bikes they have to buy right now from Schwinn are a silly 2 tone color thing... nyah... nope... I am looking for a RED Schwinn Cruiser bike... the cost of the bike is one thing but the shipping is going to cost me about as much as the bike... so it goes.... I keep an eye out on Craig's list... but it seems to me a great many other late babyboomers are having the same case of retro bike fever I am having... They are just so darn pretty... and shiny.... I am gonna get a cute basket and little bell too! Hey no laughing...

Pushing It with Emoze

On the one hand I am very surprised it has taken as long as it has for a REAL ‘push’ email service such as emoze 1.30  ( which can be found and downloaded for free at www.emoze.com and set up quickly and simply) For the past few years, this type of service has been available mainly in a very costly package and mostly restricted to a specific hardware and software platforms such as the Blackberry. Basically for the technically clueless such as myself, what this emoze  does is automatically push your emails and Personal Information Manager (PIM) data such as contacts and diary scheduling to your phone a soon as it is sent to you without you having to pro-actively connect to a service every time you want to send or receive your emails or PIM data.  An email account and a compatible device are all that is needed! If you know how to use email this will be just as easy. Current release works with all Microsoft PocketPC.

Quite soon emoze 1.2 will cover the vast majority of Smart-Phones and Symbian devices such as Nokia S60 and S70. Emoze technology is particularly focused around personal and corporate privacy, providing one of the best security solutions available for mobile email. You can feel safe using emoze as they don't gather or send information from your PC or in-box. Type freely as there are no cookies, no spywares and no duplication of user data on emoze servers.

So as I said on the one hand I am surprised it has taken as long as it has for this, on the other hand, I will be curious to see what the ripples will be as this new ability to always be “in the loop” spreads. Or will the first wave have been the main adapters? When I purchased my most recent phone, I was surprised to know the younger teens and adults are the ones just blowing through hundreds  of IMs.. I just don’t quite get the  appeal other than it would be useful to do in class instead of passing notes? So will there be more adapters of this? Definitely exciting times ahead.

Yet on my third hand... I know some of the people I work with seem to ooh and ahh when I input my appointments into my phone. Definitely worth a look see for the second round of early adapters.

Beginning to Feel a Lot Like

Christmas? Challenging to say the very least to try and accomplish a Christmas feeling when it is in the mid to upper 80s and you are pulling out all the Christmas decorations while wearing your bikini.

We are trying to rise to the occassion and of course the boys have no problem at all telling me time and time again it is Christmas time and that Santa will be here in 29 28 days!

I myself, Crystal Clear am having serious deja vu because it was just a year ago we were moving into the exact same layout of a home right at Christmas time..Arghhhhh. The pressure is immense to try and get the place and junk moved in as well as make time for the regular Christmas time fanfare:

• Pics and visit with Santa
• Shopping
• Wrapping and sending when possible if I don't procrastinate too long
• work
• toys for tots or something for the less fortunate to remind the munchkins we are beyond forunate in all we have and take for granted
• the tree
• making sugar cut out cookies and as many other Christmas cookies and delights as I can
• last year we went to some Santa breakfast thing and I would like to do it again but funds may be too tight
• other holiday parties and extravaganzas

The tree is up and done! This is the only positive to having a fake artificial tree. I resisted until last year when we moved here. The price of a cut tree is just way too extravagant and a bit silly when it is so hot here. I miss it but the kids have adapted easily as they love having it up now in November. So there you go... I did start the shopping on the Tuesday before T-giving as Bryceton's orthodontist is near a Toys R Us. So Nethan is about bought for... he is getting cars and cars and cars... That my friend is another story... We did try to expand his world by getting him a sit and spin ( I always wanted one)  as well as some Sesame Street ABC game.... (you can of course spell CAR) Bryceton is at that age where pretty much everything he wants is $100+...he will probably end up a tad disappointed yet happy as he is getting his Storm Launcher already bought for on the Toys R Us site. So it begins... My present to myself is going to be a red beach cruiser bike... In the interest of having some future posts to make between my paid advertiserments and since I am in the pursuit of a few on ebay, I shall leave it at that for now!

Ever See...

a grown man try to pretend he can transform himself into a catfish?

And actually succeed in some very strange and yet disturbingh way? Definitely took some magic with the video equipment and I wouldn't want to view this if I was using any type of illegal substance... but those crazy kids over at PayPerPost seem to have found yet another way of taking up space on my blog and paying me some cash for it. Oh and I am smiling all the way to my paypal account about it!

Coming Up Short at Holidays?

Any time of year, creative individuals find cash advances are one way to make ends meet in a crunch. However this time of year during the holiday season can find many people short of cash and with limited resources when they are trying to buy presents and cover their normal everyday expenses. Many families and individuals find Payday Loans to be an efficient and secure way to make ends meet without having to hit up friends or family.

Word of mouth and word of blog can help you find a site where you can receive  payday loans and cash advances both quickly and securely at competitive rates. The holidays are a stressful time yet financial means to create those memories are available.

Crystal Clear, Really is a Small World

The benefits of the Internet in virtually all businesses is Crystal Clear. One I hadn't recently considered is regarding the market of  Overseas Properties. For investors and expats looking abroad for their next home or investment , it can take a great deal of searching on engines to find apartments to buy abroad and houses to buy abroad.

Whether you are a consumer or an agent, or just curious to see how small the world has become, there  is a wealth of knowledge and property expertise available when you are looking for Property Overseas.

Love Them or Hate Them

Finding and searching for  Credit Cards can be a major pain in the kaole let alone if you wish to  compare and apply for them as well. At this site you will find it easy to search, find, and apply for Low Interest, Cash Back, Rewards, Airline miles, student, business, and credit cards for bad credit. Yep, there are credit cards for every type of credit score and history out there... and now you have found a place to find the best for you and your situation!

Braces Update

So all this posting for PPP opportunities has left me short of time to update on the braces situation. Seems Bryceton has a very challenging situation when it comes to his mouth and teeth. Seems the donor left  a bit off concerning his dental genetics! Well if you are gonna fib on something I guess that isn't so bad. Breaks my heart though that Bryceton actually has feelings about his teeth and his smile. I honestly am speaking as a person now and not just his mother, but he has a BEAUTIFUL smile. He twinkles and smiles with his eyes as well as his mouth. Nevertheless, the orthodontist confirmed he has quite a mess going on in his mouth. He has two of the most challenging things going on... UGH.... Well the good new is though that it it going to be a process. So the first part is a spacer thing a majig as I mentioned... and tomorrow they take the impression. We are going to make it a full Bryceton and Mom day and do somethin fun as well... like get my hair styled... Well NO I know that isn't fun for a 9 year old boy but bein out of school will be a treat and we are going to go have breakfast and perhaps a movie... Bottom line... the PPPs have now almost  PAID for his spacer thing which will run a bit over 300$ at least I think that is what it will cost! The original estimate had both upper and lower...seems though he has very slow growing teeth and so only one spacer is needed at this point... Don't worry about him... he has a bit of anxiety it might be uncomfortable..but is more excited to have something to show his friends and to play with in his mouth!

For the Little Kid in Each of Us

So what is it in kids that just love to play with surefire flashlights? I don't recall it as a small child but I know both of my boys just love playing with flashlights. I know I have in our emergency supply kit a headlamp and it is just as geeky as these here! I know my mom said my dad thought she was a bit silly to include it in the emergency kit they prepared for me after the Northridge e-quake in 94 but I remember thanking her and telling her,  "YES" it would have been very helpful. The morning of the earthquake it was so dark I was actually sweeping up glass and porcelain with a flashlight between my TEETH. I would sweep and sweep and then take the darn thing out of my mouth to survey what I had been able to accomplish and then place the damn thing back in my mouth and go back to sweeping. Don't kid yourself, if or when there is a natural disaster, you are going to need flashlights. No, you are not going to need that one you have stuck in a drawer somewhere with the batteries dead or gone... you are going to need several batteries. You are going to laugh at yourself buying one now or for buying one for a loved one, but I promise you, when the disaster hits, and especially if they are a mom and need their hands... you are going to be thought of in such high regard you boughtn them such a great present. These are not necessarily the things you buy for yourself but make excellent holiday presents. Think of it this way... a laugh and something very practical when needed. Yes I laugh when I look at mine...but I also know I will be very glad to have it should the need ever arise.

Buh Bye OJ

What a gi-hugic relief to know the airwaves won't be further despoiled by the Butcher of Brentwood. I have to say I did a little car happy dance today when I heard the news the pressure had been applied hard enough to make those who could do something about it to well STOP it... I take a certain sense of weird and unlady like pleasure in knowing the butcher has been stifled. The butcher is thwarted. Not to say though I wouldn't be a bit pleased to say the least if Mikey had to face the same pressure should he finally decide to come clean... Ahh what a wonderful moment that would be indeed... I don't know if I could restrain myself from singing from the rooftops should Mikey finally be held accountable or be found out for the MURDERER he is ... tis okay... in another bizarre child like way of thinking... it is also wanting and hoping for things like THAT which keep me going in those darkest of moments :-)

Do You See What I See?

Considering or had Lasik?  This site is a Nonprofit patient advocacy website.For those considering  Lasik, there is information  and they certify doctors who meet their requirements.I am only in the position of needing reading glasses so I am not part of their target market. However, I would if I were  younger and needed it most definitely consider Lasik. In fact it reminded me of a post I was going to write with regards to my belief and support of plastic surgery. The site presents information you need to consider and is easily understandable. I know I would be as cautious when having a doctor perform surgery on my eyes as I would if I was having plastic surgery. Definitely worth a look-see and I would want to use a USAEyes.org certified doctor.

2 Things to Show Maybe Things Aren't So Bleak?

Brazil Mourns as Anorexia Claims Another Model's Life:

In September, Spain caused a storm in the fashion world when Madrid barred models below a certain weight from its top fashion show. Models with a body-mass-index (BMI), which takes into account height and weight, of less than 18 were banned.

I find that encouraging...

and this

Home Office Furniture Must Be Stylish & Functional

Whether you are trying to find furniture on the Internet or in a brick and mortar furniture store in your very own home town, it can be frustrating, time-consuming as well as fun and exciting. With the increasing number of us working out of our homes, there are more and more of us trying to find a stylish yet functional way to manage and store files and thus the need for  sites specializing in furniture.

Back in Ventura I had a great big computer armoire and it really took over the living room. Now we have 2 extra rooms but one of them is the "Toy" room and the other is Nethan's room. Someday I will get my home office but until then I am at the kitchen table or living room couch or when the sun is not a problem out on the lanai. Here is a great selection of file cabinets for the home office. The site also has a large selection of other categories,collections and manufacturers making it easy to shop. There is still time to have your stuff shipped in time for Christmas. If not, just submit your email and you can be easily signed up for their newsletter.

Post Script: This was oringally a PPP but the number of slots were already taken by the time I posted it. Since I genuinely believe what I wrote.... It stands as written. A definite benefit I had thought about writing about when advertisers ask for bloggers like myself to write about their products and sites is that they almost get double bang for their buck. They are exposing their products to a range of consumers who in addition to promoting their products might also additionally purchase their products!

Disclosure Policy is Crystal Clear

DisclosurePolicy,created and funded by PayPerPost, is  a  way to  put  a bit more Crystal Clear clarity  back into the whole blogosphere ethics issue.  I had to laugh and wish I had a link from one of the Chicken Littles who was blathering on about how Pay Per Post types of sites were unethical.

I have made a specific category for all paid advertisements/posts. You will find that category as PPP. I am riding this gravy train as long as I can and chuckle at the thought  it is unethical. Additionally, I appreciate PPP's and the DisclosurePolicy site  and support them wholeheartedly in hopes there will become so many opportunities available to myself and other small time bloggers that we are able to fully select and choose opportunities more in line with products and links our faithful and tolerant readers will find valuable.

IF?

(click here to view)

M.e Cohen Politicalcartoons.com Nov 15, 2006 EditorialCartoonists.com

I...I... I AM LIVID... I am so sickened by this on so many levels. I wonder about those poor kids who are now adults what they are going through. I know I used to have a theory that some day Sidney would "talk" about that night...and that the OJ would hit the fan...

I have a challenge though: I would love to find a blogger or commenter who honestly thought he was not guilty  and learn how or if this changes their mind or how they go about understanding this

I understand there are some people out there somewhere who think he is innocent. Weren't the numbers at some point like 23% believed him and that 70% of blacks believed him? I can honestly say I have never run into anyone who thinks he was anything but guilty and I am very glad for that... Because I think I would very likely say something very very rude and inappropriate...

PPP Love

Less than six months ago, if anyone wanted to advertise on blogs there was nothing like Pay Per Post available to them.  Now here I sit lounging on the couch with the boys watching Cars writing a post sponsored by Pay Per Post on what I, as a loyal postie, love  best about Pay Per Post.

Crystal Clear it could be:

• the variety of opportunities to select from
• it makes nudges me to blog between the paid posts
• the speed at which posts are approved
• the crazy ones Pay Per Post comes up with to promote Pay Per Post

However, we know what I really love best about Pay Per Post: 
the money it provides this single mother to 2 wonderful sons.

All these PPPs are adding up and are helping make the financial part of Bryceton’s braces a tad less worrisome. Keep’em coming though Pay Per Post...Keep'em coming cause I sense there is some competition on the horizon!

Learning from a Distance

Founded in 1993, Capella University is an accredited on-line distance learning college. The university offers 76 graduate and undergraduate specializations and 16 certificate specializations. 16,000 students from all 50 states and 63 countries are amongst its students pursuing higher education. Of the numerous on-line offerings available to you, Capella is a national leader in on-line education, committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth.

As mentioned earlier on my blog, I was pursuing a PhD program from a competitor a few years back. Capella truly does have an excellent reputation and a great deal to offer. I can not strongly remind you enough that when it comes to pursuing education and especially when pursuing it on-line, accreditation is of the utmost importance. Do not spend money or time in a program or school that is not accredited. Those schools that do not pursue accreditation are largely viewed as degree mills and your degree will not be as respected as a degree from Capella University and it is possible it won't be recognized at all.

 

This Picture Would Have Been Worth More Than a Thousand Words

Well another to pull from the draft pile to keep the people from Blogitive happy. Although I am not as profuse a blogger as I used to be when it comes to illegal immigration, my concerns which are Crystal Clear remain the same. Blogging about illegal immigration is important in my opionion, I just frankly get too frustrated and angry when I post things like  this American Students Retaliate Against Flag Dishonoring(Hat Tip Euphoric Reality). I have just gone more behind the scenes as far as making sure I continue to e-mail, fax, and call those who are trying to pretend they are doing something about it. Perhaps the most important thing we still can do is to continue to put the pressure on and enforce employer laws  not usually enforced. I know a few days ago I read something somewhere about jobs at fast food going unfilled and the concerns about the truckdrivers who didn't have SS#s .because of the increase in employer pressure... I so sarcastically want to respond...hmmm here in Hawaii that isn't so much an issue.. we make do without illegal aliens. There is just about complete employment here and  it is rough on so many people but the void does not need to be filled by illegal aliens. People around me mow their own grass or pay a teen. Obviously there are illegal aliens everywhere but the issue is not so in your face here in Hawaii.

Back in April and May I think the estimates were around 11-12 million right? I believe with the increase in enforcement and the negative press this number has likely slowed or decreased. I guess I can hope...

I Would Rather be a Queen Bee

Speaking of financial  issues, or were we? Aren't we usually? Seems like financial stuff is always a buzz  on the Internet and blogosphere. Which is  only part of why  Free the Drones ,a blog about personal finance and a number of other related issues is such an appropriate title and good place to find ways to achieve financial freedom. No need to stop at the blog though. Each blog post has a link and ability to discuss it on the a forum by the same name. There is a very genuine and pleasant tone about this blog which only increases your wanting to return.

Call Her Up to Put Her Down

Way back before the Internet, when I went through training for the Series 7 license to be a stockbroker (should that be included as one of my 100 things?)  the handy little yet obnoxious reminder we had to differentiate between calls and puts was the title used above: Call her up to put her down. "Calls" you expect the stock to go up in value, "Puts" you expect them to go down.

The Internet has dramatically changed international finances and need for an "edge". According to Power Options' web release , they have a patented SmartSearchXL® technology not available anywhere else. If you are looking to  "Find, Compare, Analyze, and Make Money On Stock Options Trading" this will be highly useful to you as you amass your mighty fortune. The technology simply yet effectively identifies the highest return option trades.
PowerOptions brings together timely essential information, extensive analysis, and comprehensive option information. Power Options offers you the convenience and control required to automatically sort, filter, and analyze all 2,900+ optionable stocks and 190,000+ options on-line to find investments to meet your investment goals. Basically they provide all the on-line tools you need for the competitive edge you need during these times of information 24/7. With a 14-day free trial, an easy on-line User Guide, toll-free support, and their very own PowerOptions Performance Guarantee, best head over there and not be left behind...

 

Hey My Family is on MySpace

Wenike is my sister and has pics of the cruise.... and then there is also Nicki (also has pics of cruise) and Michelle and I think it might have been Jennifer (tons of cruise pics and pics of her gorgeous self as well) who started them all out on it...There is also my nephew Trevor whose profile is wisely set to private... and my other nephew Michael... I am not sure if my niece Chelsea is there but I don't have her link if she is. Little Miss Heather is a tad too young at this point but you can see her adorable little self there. There is something about Myspace that just gives me the heeby jeebies and I don't know if I can quite explain it quickly... I think, besides the Crystal Clear danger it is for kids... it has to do with all the noise and colors and chaos... I think it is overstimulating... but it is honest to goodness fun to have my family on the web.... now I just wish I could nudge them into full blogging...

Wierd Facts and Humor

Another pulled from the draft pile back in February of this year is from Wierd Facts and Humor. They have a whole section on wierd laws from the different states.

For Hawaii

    *       It is illegal to appear in public wearing only swimming trunks.    
*       It is illegal to own a mongoose without a permit.    
*       Billboards are outlawed.    
*       All residents may be fined as a result of not owning a boat.    
*       Coins are not allowed to be placed in one's ears.

A weird fact about them is if you click on their logo you get taken to the dating site Love Match!
Is this a sign for me?

 

Someday I Really Do Want to Get One of These

I wrote about this site a while back when writing about Bryceton's mentioning of  night vision the evening of the earthquake. I am glad to have an opportunity again to suggest you visit them while looking for holiday gifts for those hard to shop for folks you have on your list as well as if you are interested in a telescope

Right now there is a special offer going on where you can get 75$ back with a mail in rebate if you purchase any of the Celestron NexStar SE Telescopes . I won't kid you I don't have the  thousand  or so to spend on a telescope this year for Bryceton ,even if they do include FREE UPS shipping. However, I can honestly tell you it is Crystal Clear to me after looking over the information they provide and the description that the Celestron NexStar 4 SE Telescope 11049 would be our dream choice.

On previous trips to the Bishop Museum, Bryceton always remarked about the volcano exhibit. This time the planetarium really captured his interest. The narrator was really enthusiastic which caught the interest of the entire audience.

We are fortunate out here in Ewa there are not a lot of city lights to compete with the beauty of twinkling stars so this telescope could help us find stars, planets galaxies and more all at the touch of a button! I love the idea of it including a fully computerized operating system and telescope alignment software. With the Celestron NexStar SE, we would simply choose an object from the menu and the telescope woul find it for us! All we would have to do is look through the eyepiece and enjoy the view! Like a planetarium the Celestron NexStar-SE Telescopes even gives a guided tour of the night sky! The “Tour” feature offers a customized list of the best objects in the sky to view for our exact time and location! Not only can it find objects, it can teach  as well. Information on the most popular objects can be viewed in the LCD screen of the hand control. Sounds awesomely cool doesn't it?  If you got the bucks to spare or if you got the lust for astronomy... you certainly will not go wrong with a visit to this site.

Where Do You Go?

According to a web release from FamilySAFE, the very first company to build a complete saferoom, the idea of using steel came from a desire to protect their own families. All these years later, FamilySAFE is still building the finest in saferooms, tornado shelters and storm shelters. Do they service Hawaii, I don’t know but it appears if I was looking for an above ground storm shelter, this is where I would want to head first.

Businesses more recent to the industry are reportedly concentrating more on beating FamilySAFE’s price at any cost. Family SAFE continues to concentrate on building the best protection at any cost. Every year they make advancements through their engineers with the aid of HILTI anchorage company and Texas Tech research. I visited  a fact sheet on the site and it certainly makes sense to at least think about an above ground storm shelter for protecting your family.

 

No Date Since 2002 Cont'd

This is a continuation of this post. From about Oct/Nov 2002 through Nethan's birth in  June 2003 and through 2004 time was largely spent in being pregnant and then in relishing as many moments as I could in being his mother. Longtime readers know Nethan has had GI issues since just about birth that have consumed a great deal of energy and time and of course money. Besides waiting for doctor appointments and tests,energy and time was spent on the Internet learning as much as I possibly could about GI issues as well as neurological stuff. I actually dropped out of a PhD program I was spending so much time researching Nethan's symptoms and worrying about them. So there really was not only no interest in dating there was no emotional availability.

2005 was spent in preparing to move to Hawaii (landed here June) and of course then getting a job and place to live. This year we have the death of my beloved grandmother, surgery, changing jobs, and the recent  move which was about as close as you can get but still a great deal still to be done. So the guy in 2002, the last guy I dated... he freaked out because he was closer in age to my parents than myself. Really it was no great loss. It was the second date. At some point along the line I came up with a rule for myself that gave every guy who was a decent human being three dates. At least I think that is what happened. I can point to no other strong reaction that last evening besides that moment and I never heard from him again. Like I said, it isn't as though it was a terrible loss and it wasn't even one of the stranger reasons  someone stopped seeing me. The strangest reason for stopping seeing me has to be the guy (he told the mutual friend who set us up this reason) who stopped seeing me because I didn't have Bryceton circumcised. No, I kid you not.Yes he was culturally Jewish but not religiously Jewish. Still  I guess it makes sense on some level but all I could do was laugh (Still  DO!)

Bottom line or at least a line, I never ever truly thought I would end up a single mother to one son let alone two sons. And nope, I didn't and don't want to stay a single mom forever.

100 Things...One at a time

So yes the requirement to have two posts between blogitive posts is going to necessitate some additonal blogging which brings me to the idea of the standard old 100 Things about me that I never have gotten around to writing in over two years of blogging. Kudos and thanks to See Suzy Spin for use of the graphic unless she asks me to pull it.
1. I have not been on a date since early 2002. I know from about Oct/Nov 2002 through Nethan's birth in  June 2003 and through 2004 was largely spent in being pregnant and then in relishing as many moments as I could in being his mother. See here for the continuation

Ease Your Christmas Stress

Despite an earlier post about it not being the holiday season yet, I was really referring more to  the brick and mortar shops and stores with their decorations and Christmas music. As a web release from Gourmet Giftbaskets.com reminds me, Christmas gift baskets are a great choice for clients, colleagues, office parties, housewarmings or for that gift recipient who has everything!

These gourmet Christmas baskets are chocked full of the very finest items offered. If you have a certain design in mind they offer custom wrap for holiday gift baskets to fit any holiday or theme. If you don't see what you want or need on their website (which is offering free shipping currently!) call and tell them what Christmas gift basket idea you have and they will  find the items you are looking for and make it for you! Personally I usually go with Chocolate when I go gourmet for a gift. If they don't like Chocolate chances are they know someone who does. Check out the pic and link above for a great choice. Did I mention the free shipping offer right now :-)

Crystal Clear with the cost of gas, the premium on my time, and the stress of running around, I and many others welcome a quality Christmas gift idea.

Lebanon: Myths and Facts

In order to fulfill the somewhat of a hassle requirement to have 2 regular posts between Blogitive posts I have found I can go back and look through my drafts to see what I never published or never had time to finish. One I found I had back from August 2, 2006 is  Lebanon: Myths and Facts. Although things are only at what I and many feel is a temporary break, you might want to take a moment to head on over there and take a look at the site. It has always seemed to me there was not balanced coverage of this issue as there is so much emotion and history involved. It also seems to me that minds are hardly changed on this issue. I felt this way when I was younger and didn't know as much. Even though I eventually took the time and made the effort to gather more information beyond my memories of the atrocities of the terrorist Arafat, it clearly didn't change my position.

Flurry of PPPs

I may have finally found the right time to sign on to Blogitive to get some PPPs from them. Within a few moments there were 6 offers at 5$ a piece. Unfortunately there are some new catches to posting for them. Now they require 2 posts of at least 50 words a piece between the pieces you write for them. I am not thrilled about that as it takes some more time and thought and frankly I am not doing this to have to engage in a great deal of thought... However, I realized it could work out fine if between the two of them, Blogitive and Pay per Post (requires at least one post between offers- and only 3 offers a day) I could just use some of the PPPs as the required post. Unfortunatlely it becomes quite Crystal Clear the substance and personality of my blog will suffer to at least some degree. I think it has lately which is part of why I am coming up with two different ideas right now to address that whole quality thing.... So bear with me or if you have to leave..please come on back in a bit when I figure it out...

Glamorous Gold is a Crystal Clear Choice for Diversification

A press release from the Monex companies shares they have been an investment leader in gold bars as well as silver and other precious metals for over thirty years.

There is not an investor or broker alive who does not recognize the ability of these investments to diversify a portfolio, protect wealth and preserve purchasing power. I am guessing it would be equally challenging to find a person alive who does not appreciate the beauty and glamour of gold and other precious metals as well. Not only does Monex have a seasoned staff of professionals dedicated to precious metals investments, their web site has up-to-the-minute gold bullion prices and a price chart with the their prices. With the rapid dispersion of information throughout the world, experience and reputation are key when you invest.

Flying Time and It is NOT the Holiday Season YET

I am just amazed at how quickly this month and year are passing by. However, I have to say I am none too pleased and feel quite aggravated and manipulated to have Christmas and the holidays already being thrust at me full speed. I guess I am a traditionalist and always felt the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christamas were plenty. I know Halloween is the wake up call but do you know how absurd it feels to have Christmas decorations and drinks and hoopla starting when you live in Hawaii and it was 89 degrees yesterday? Too much for me. I also was going to write I have had a few comments that are troubled by my erratic topics in posting...That good ol' PPP coming into play... So if you happen upon here... and think I must be whacked or MPD/Dissociative Identity Disorder...
just know I am making some headway towards Bryceton's braces and having a bit of a go at getting paid to blog....First appointment for the braces are on Tuesday. Ends up he won't be starting with true braces quite yet... this doc also agreed he has a very challenging dental situaiton with 2 different things going on... so we will be starting Bryceton with some type of spacer thing a ma jig... I am quite certain he won't mind me posting pics of it once he gets it. He actually is excited about it in a way. I think it is the experience of having something new and different his friends don't have and as he puts it...something fun to play with in his mouth... So there you go... now I can go find a PPP to write... I think I will be taking the Disclosure Policy one which pays $10.... not too bad.. nope not too bad at all.

Fasten Your Seatbelts for SpeedTV!!!

This is a Paid opportunity brought to you proudly by Nethan the SpeedTv lover's mom! Yes indeed this post is sponsored by Speedtv.com and I am laughing the whole time that my 3 year old's love of Speed Tv and drag racing is coming together on my blog to help increase my bank account to pay for Bryceton's braces... I told you I love the Internet. I just wish this all day marathon on November 23rd followed by the premiere of PINKS was happening sooner as it would babysit him help me unpack this mess of a place by keeping him occupied besides the exclamations of "WOW Mom look at Dat!"

I personally don't see the attraction in Drag Racing Clips do you? But as with the rest of the Internet... there is always somebody somewhere who'll be thrilled to find them. Thank goodness for the Internet.

Is it Stealing?

So I don't have the cable guy coming until Saturday. When I am at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf I am trying to push out the work stuff... so here I sit using some neighbor's unsecured wifi ... is that stealing or is it borrowing? You can't give the stuff back so it really isn't borrowing.. but it is unsecured and it is there.... Well it also is not very reliable... I can get bumped off at any moment as the strength is not very strong. So the update... What a full day and hits just about everything: in the morning field trip with Bryceton's 4th grade class to the Bishop Museum, then to work for a bit, then to a Kym Pine for Representative campaign meeting...The other days have been crazy and extremely physical as well as terribly draining. I cleaned the old place myself and it was just awful to do. I honestly don't know if it was worth it... but the quotes ran around 400$ to have someone else clean it! The new place is... well it is a mess. In a weird mishap I seem to have donated a bag of clothes that was supposed to come HERE and brought the bag to be donated HERE... UGH... So now I need to go buy new lingerie...UGH.... So it is still way to chaotic for me. I don't like not having things put away.  I will admit this is not a glamorous place at all and in some aspects is a military cardboard box with some fresh paint slapped on it... I am now living a pretty good life if you look at it:

• Fantastic PT flexible work with an awesome awesome agency providing healthcare benefits and PTO-supervising GREAT people and great leadership
• 4 bedroom house walking distance to beach and the kids' school which is good by Hawaii standards

Of course "Aunty" Dana who watches the kids when I need her to and  doesn't charge for the times I don't need her is a key piece. On account of her I don't have to work all those extra hours to pay for childcare. I have usually spent around 7-9K a year for childcare. If you figure it out now for afterschool care, it costs about 5$ an hour for me to work when they are out of school just for childcare. And that is cheap. Throw in there the gas, clothes, meals out from being exhausted and getting home late... You really start to see what a godsend my job is as well as Aunty Dana. Because of those two things I am now with my munchkins a phenomenal amount and we are all better off for it.

The kids are just fantastic. Fantastic. In parent teacher conferences  I learned how Nethan has met many of the goals we set for his IEP and Bryceton is just cruising through the 4th grade. He made the cut for the Gifted and Talented Enrichment program here and I am hopeful it will re-spark his love of learning and school. What a huge difference compared to when I was working all the time and rushing through bedtime stories just to get back on the computer to deal with ridiculous as well as largely needless email chases and still struggling  to keep  my head above water.  This all definitely takes a great deal of juggling on my part and there is still a good deal of stress financially  but it is a cross I bear gladly at this point compared to the alternatives.