Happy Halloween...

and may the Force be with you!

Could vitamin D help you avoid the H1N1 flu?

If you haven't had your vitamin D levels checked, I highly recommend that you do. I had mine checked last summer and was shocked at how low they were. This was during a time when I was spending about an hour a day outdoors in the sun with no sunscreen on. I purposely did this thinking I was getting an ample amount of the "sunshine vitamin". I also drink 3 to 4 servings of milk daily and figured I was covered.

Turns out I wasn't. And if my levels were THAT low during the summer, I can only imagine what they are during the winter when I spend most of my time indoors. This issue is not isolated to just women, children are also at high risk for being vitamin D deficient. Two studies published online at Pediatrics in August showed that nearly 70% of US children don't get enough vitamin D.

Why should you be concerned about vitamin D and your kids?

1. A review of existing literature shows a correlation between vitamin D and athletic performance.


2. A Medical College of Georgia study presented at the American Heart Association’s2009 annual meeting found that teens with high intakes of vitamin D may have lower overall body fat and lower amounts of abdominal fat.


3. A 2008 study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism conducted at the University of Southern California showed a correlation between low vitamin D levels and stunted growth and weight gain in girls.


4. Recent research suggests a link between vitamin D and increased immunity against the flu virus.

That last study really caught my attention. We are doing everything we can to try and avoid any illness this winter, but especially the swine flu. (That would not be a nice addition to our vacation!!) Little J knows that we use Burt's Bees hand sanitizing spray (all natural and chemical free, of course) often when we are out and about and wash hands as soon as we get home. But adding vitamin D as an additional weapon against illness is a great idea!

The problem was finding a vitamin D supplement that Little J didn't mind taking. When the folks at Wellesse offered to send me a sample of their liquid Vitamin D supplement, I quickly agreed. I loved the idea of a liquid as I could add it to Little J's juice if I needed to. Turns out, I didn't need to. The supplement tastes so good, he enjoys taking it right out of the spoon and loves the natural berry flavor. And since it has no artificial flavors or colors, I feel good about giving it to him. (I even take it myself now.)

If you'd like to give Wellesse's vitamin D supplement a try, Wellesse has provided a $2 off coupon at http://www.wellesse.com/ just for you.

So what are you going to be for Halloween?

Me? I'm going to be a stressed out mom with too much to do who is just beginning to comprehend that she has a 7 am flight to catch the next morning. Scary, huh?

The best part?

I won't need a costume.

Top 7 Reasons Why I Love Fall

I admit that Fall has never been my favorite season. When I was a kid, I loved the unscheduled lazy days of summer and dreaded going back to school and being weighed down with homework and such. Even as I got older, I enjoyed having summers off as a teacher and had a slight feeling of loss when school started up again.

Even though I still work in education, I have more freedom with my schedule and have really begun to enjoy Fall without feeling that slight sense of dread. Soooo, I give you my top seven reasons why I now love Fall. (Now, -if I could just begin to develop some warm fuzzy feelings about the looooong Wisconsin winters. I'm working on it.)


1. The fall colors make amazing photo backgrounds.

2. Yummy breakfasts of pancakes, waffles, or French Toast.

3. Haunted houses and spooky cornfields.

4. Raking big piles of leaves and then JUMPING in them.

5. Baking Halloween cookies.

6. Apple picking.

7. Taking all the apples we pick and making pies, crisp, and other goodies from them.

(I also love Halloween but I don't have any pictures yet.)

My Freudian slip is showing...

I was drying dishes and putting them away when I quickly glanced at some writing on the lid of my salad spinner. I had never noticed it before. It was located next to a black button and instead of "Push to Stop Instantly", I read "Push to Stop Insanity".

And you know what? I pushed it. I'll let you know if it works.

PatsHeart

So many of you have asked about my aunt Pat who received an amazing gift of a second chance at life when she underwent a heart transplant recently. People are asking more about her story, how she is doing, and how they can help. (You are all so kind!)

I've been struggling with how to tell her story since, while fascinating and inspiring, is not MY story to tell. Then I stumbled across the following entry on her Carepage and thought it best to let Pat tell her own story. So here it is in her own words:

My name is Patricia, known as Pat by family and friends. I was born with a congenital heart defect and was raised back East with three brothers and three sisters.
My short coming is physical activity. Although it was difficult to keep up as a child; I walked to school, played outdoors, and walked downtown.
In 1966 at the age of nineteen my condition worsened but I was able to undergo Open Heart Surgery for the correction of Pulmonic Stenosis by the renowned pioneer cardiologist and heart surgeon Dr. Dwight E. Harken. I learned mine was the ninth case of that type of surgery at the time. With improved health I would lead what is a normal life for me. No one knew what the future held.
In 1970 with best wishes from my doctors I married John, and so in love we honeymooned by car across the country to live on the West Coast in the state of Washington where he was born and raised. I was warmly accepted by his family and friends.
Our first daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1972.
At that time I read an article about how walking was good exercise and required no special equipment except a well fitting pair of walking shoes. I thought “that is something I can do” and so started my walking career. I walked about three miles every day – knowing that if I missed a day it would be ok. I kept track of the days I walked and I tried to improve the number of days I walked each year. My walk consisted of various terrains which included a long continuous hill up Ninth Avenue. Although it was a challenge for me – I was always happy when I reached the top. I was walking before walking or running was “the thing to do.” Friends would stop to ask me if I needed a ride – when I said I was walking for exercise they looked at me strangely and drove away. I was recognized as the “walker” and people waved as they drove by wanting to know how far and how often I walked.
Our second daughter, Diana, was born in 1975. Life continued on raising children and helping my husband in his business when possible.
Baking was something I enjoyed. As the girls grew, I made cookies, always reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe, for their school lunches. Craft projects were of interest at times – as were magazines.
While on a walk in 1999 upon physical excursion I found I couldn’t breathe very well. Testing showed I needed a double bypass and a pulmonic valve. Surgery was performed – after recuperating – I resumed walking.
The girls are grown and married now and I have a grandson and a granddaughter that I enjoy very much.
Life went on as usual until 2007 when I noticed changes. This time it was Acites, an accumulation of fluid in the abdomen. After questioning the doctor another surgery was not an option but maybe a transplant. I proceeded with testing to see if I would qualify as a candidate. When I was about to complete the last test I developed severe lower abdominal pain. Testing and blood work were not showing anything. Surgery was needed immediately to find out the cause. My appendix had ruptured. I was recovering well from that when I developed a severe case of vasculitis, a burn like condition, on my lower legs. It took several months for them to heal. The last tests needed in order to be considered as a transplant candidate were thereafter completed.
I got the news on May 1, 2008 that I was on the transplant list. Faith, a supportive husband, family, friends, numerous prayers, and walking have gotten me this far.
Wow! With a new heart I may just beat you up Ninth Avenue!

Pat underwent a heart transplant on October 8th. While the ongoing recovery has not been easy, Pat is growing stronger by the day and walked herself out of the ICU and into her new room this week.

Pat still needs lots of prayers and good thoughts sent to her. If you would like to help financially, an account has been set up through the National Foundation for Transplants. This insures that donations are tax deductible and received by the intended patient. Click on the button below to make a donation to Pat's account.

And if you haven't discussed organ donation with your loved ones, please take a few minutes and let your wishes be known. A short conversation could result in a second chance for many - just ask Pat.

Wendy's Gift Card Winner

According to Random.org, our winning comment was comment #10 which belonged to Dawn. Congrats Dawn and have a yummy meal on Wisconsin Mommy and Wendy's!!

Children's Place savings alert!!

If you love clothes from The Children's Place as much as I do, you won't want to miss the opportunity to save using this The Children's Place coupon (and yes, they WILL honor it!). The coupon is good through Nov. 16th.

Happy shopping - see you there!

Last day for Wendy's gift card giveaway.

Just a reminder that entries for the Wendy's $20 gift card giveaway are due by midnight tonight. Good luck!

The one where I finally figure out there are coupons I can print off of my computer...

Even though the recession is "officially over", I don't know anyone who is not still looking for ways to save money. Many moms (and dads) turn to coupons to save big when they shop. I have always looked through the coupon section of the Sunday paper and cut out anything I thought I might use.

We recently decided to cancel our subscription to the local paper since we were rarely reading it and most of the copies were going straight to the recycle bin (and I was beginning to feel a bit guilty). The one thing that had kept me from cancelling the paper was the thought of no more coupons.

I was talking about this with a few of my mom friends one day and they looked at me in shock. "Don't you find your coupons online?" they asked.

Um, no. Seems like that should be something I would know about, right? I mean with me being an online blogger goddess and all. (I say that with my tongue FIRMLY planted in my cheek!) And so began my online search for the best coupons.

Enter MySavings.com: For Free Samples and Coupons Click Here

MySavings.com is becoming the leader among online coupon services. You can find everything from free samples, grocery coupons, online promo codes to local retailer printable coupons.

MySavings.com has a directory (updated CONSTANTLY) with all of the latest free sample offers. How many times have you bought a full-size bottle of a new product only to find you didn't like it? Samples are GREAT for trying out new products and I love getting them in the mail!

(Also, if you have your own blog, you might want to join the MySavings.com network and help others save $$ as well. Click on the banner below for more information.)

Disclosure: I am a MySavings.com affiliate and they did contact and compensate me for letting everyone know about their services.

The one where I prove that I'm still an immature twelve year old at heart...

So yesterday I ventured out to a high end food store nearby in search of Brewer's Yeast. I had seen it recommended as a yummy way to add vitamin B to foods and thought I'd give it a try. (The regular supermarket in town didn't carry it.)

This food store has mostly a twenty-something male staff stocking the shelves during the day and I asked one for help finding the Brewer's Yeast. Neither of us could find it, and before I knew it, there were three stock guys and a manager trying to track it down. Someone had called to the back room and was told that it had just been added to the shelf the day before. We were told it was on the bottom shelf in a can or canister.

There we all were, bums in the air, searching along the bottom shelves when I came across this can:

I couldn't help it. I started laughing and could not stop. Tears were falling from my eyes as the guys who were helping me look asked what was so funny. I was too embarrassed to tell them I had found "spotted d*ick" and was laughing at it since I'm, you know, not twelve so I just said "nothing" and moved on to the next shelf. But I was still laughing inside.

.

Seriously - WTH?? I had to look it up when I got home (and was a little worried what might pop up in that Google search so I made sure I added the word "food") and found it is an English cake. I should have known.

.

So, dear readers, what bizarre food names make you laugh? Can you top my "Spotted D*ck"??

(I still laugh every time I say it.)

Snow Flurries and Free Summerfest Tickets

Wisconsin is nothing if not unpredictable. After a very cool August and a warm September, we were treated to snow flurries this afternoon.

Hopefully this is not the beginning of a looooong cold winter! I find myself using all kinds of tricks to get through some of the coldest winters I have ever experienced. One of those tricks is thinking about all of the great things Milwaukee has going on every summer. You may remember me blogging about them.

One of the best things about Milwaukee in the summer is Summerfest. If you are looking forward to it too and would like two free tickets to Summerfest 2010, take a minute and check out this survey. Hurry over, I don't know how long it's going to be active!

A J Wright winner and Great News

I apologize for not posting the AJ Wright gift card winner more promptly. I was a bit distracted by some wonderful (and unexpected) news. You may remember that I had posted about my Aunt Pat who was waiting for a heart to become available for a transplant.

Yesterday, I was in a meeting with one the teachers I supervise when my phone rang. The high school we were in is built like an army bunker so my reception was cutting in and out. I saw my parent's number, and since they were watching Little J, promptly answered it. What I heard was something like "gob fall, are for at". I kept saying. "What? Can you say it again??" until I realized what my mom was trying to say:

"We got the call. There's a heart for Pat."

The poor teacher I was with then witnessed an extremely corny victory dance performed with as much professionalism as I could muster at the moment.

Now, we are sitting on pins and needles, waiting to hear of a successful outcome. So far, the heart has been transplanted and is beating well, but there is some unresolved bleeding that needs to be stopped. If you are the praying type, please say a prayer or two for a good outcome and for the family of the donor.

With all of the excitement and phone calls, I am just now getting a chance to post the winner of the A J Wright gift card giveaway. According to Random.org, the poster of comment #7 is our winner. Congrats!! Please contact me at wisconsinmommyblogger (at) yahoo (dot) com within the next few days to give me your mailing address.

Laughter IS the Best Medicine

I probably should have titled this post "my annual whine about how busy the beginning the school year is", but then who would want to read it, right?

Hang in there with me - there is a slightly funny moment at the end of all my whining. (At least I thought it was funny, but it might have been one of those you-had-to-be-there moments. I'm sure you'll let me know. Even if it's not funny, there are pictures.)

Since I work with new teachers in my district, the beginning of the year can be especially crazy. Between work and getting Little J settled into a new school and new routine (can we say Holy Major Mood Swings, Batman? It's like living with a pregnant preschooler.) it's not uncommon to find me staring blankly into space, trying to remember what it was that I was about to do.

Last weekend, we headed down to Harvest Fair at State Fair Park for a much needed break. We go every year and always have a great time. There's pumpkin bowling, caramel apple making, rides, food, and great entertainment. Our favorite part of the tradition is the making of the scarecrow. We usually wind up with more hay on us then in Mr. Scarecrow, but we have a great time.

Each year, Little J makes a big deal out of coming up with a name for Mr. Scarecrow. The most amusing part of the whole process is that he always names him Fred. Every. Year.

Little J requested that "Fred" ride with him in the backseat as opposed to the way back of the SUV. Big J belted him in and Little J beamed with joy at the thought of having a straw friend to share the ride home.

"Uh-oh!" Little J exclaimed as we pulled out of the park. Big J slowed down thinking there was a problem in the backseat.

"What's the matter?" we asked him.

With all seriousness, Little J replied "Fred has to go to the bathroom."

By the time we stopped laughing, we ALL had to go to the bathroom.

Happy Fall, ya'll!!

Happy Birthday Wendy's!!

Have you heard that Wendy's is turning 40??? (Hope they aren't having a mid-life crisis!!)

In celebration of this important milestone, I am giving away a $20 gift card to any Wendy's location.

Here's how to enter to win:

Leave a comment telling me about the best present you ever received.

For additional entries (be sure to leave a comment for each additional entry):

• subscribe to Wisconsin Mommy via feed (just click on that orange button at the top of the left hand column)


• blog about this contest with a link to this page


• become a follower of Wisconsin Mommy (in the right hand column, about half-way down


• follow me on Twitter (@Wisconsin_Mommy)
  

So you can have a total of FIVE entries! (Again, be sure to leave a comment for each way that you have entered as the winner will be chosen by random.org based on your comment number.)

All entries must be received by midnight (CST) on October 20th. A winner will be selected by random.org and notified by e-mail. The winner has five days to respond with a mailing address.

Don't forget to enter the A J Wright giveaway for a $50 gift card!! Contest is located here.

Thank you to Wendy's and Mom Central for providing this gift card!