Saturday, May 9, 2015

Out of the Box Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is now Out of the Box Saturday. It's all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. I'll cover something sing | songy one week, and artsy | fartsy the next.

This week I'm covering 2Cellos (Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser). 
 
I have to admit I've heard their songs, but never watched them play. You have to watch them play!

2Cellos take known songs, but add a major twist to them by playing them in only cellos. They go through bows like crazy. Sir Elton John asked them to go on tour with him. They've played in the US, Japan, Australia and Europe. Every show is sold out. 

The two have played together since childhood. Sulic graduated from Royal Academy of Music in London, and Hauser from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. They've both won multiple awards. They've been on Ellen, and Jay Leno. They are truly amazing.




Source
This was on an HBO documentary about Kurt Cobain, Smells Like Teen Spirit 


Michael Jackson, They Don't Care About Us 


Michael Jackson, Smooth Criminal


Check out 2Cellos' Website.
Like 2Cellos on Facebook.
Subscribe to them on YouTube.
Follow 2Cellos on Twitter.

Friday, May 8, 2015

Random Tid Bits

  1. Lunch time is always interesting where I work. I have 2 co-workers that talk about politics and religion a lot. They are ultra conservative Born Again Christians. I have another coworker that's a Jewish Democrat. She's conservative in some ways, and not in others. Then there's me. I was raised Lutheran. My Mom goes to church every Sunday, so when I was younger I went to church and Sunday School every Sunday, went to choir every Wednesday night, and Confirmation class for awhile on Thursday nights. Talk about church overload. My Dad was raised as a Christian Scientist, and HATED going to church. He had 2 mom's (one that birthed him, and one that raised him) die because they were not taken to the hospital due to being a Christian Scientist. I'm in the middle of everything. I can see many sides to things, and prefer not to get in deep arguments about religion, or politics. I'll take that back. I don't like to get into discussions with people that judge me in the end.

    Like I said...at lunch conversation finds it's way back to religion or politics a lot. I try and find a way to change the subject. I'm really not that random, only a little, but they must think I am extremely random. I'm just trying to shift the conversation in a different direction.

    As they started talking about government I said, "Do you want to know what one of the coolest things is?" They all stopped and looked at me. I said, while eating a clementine, "Eating an orange or clementine, and drinking water at the same time. You feel like you're drinking orange juice. It's so yummy."

    They all looked at me and said, "That was random!" I said, "Ya I know. It's not really random if you're me, and currently eating a clementine and drinking water." They went back to talking about politics, so my diversion didn't really work. Dang!

  2. A long time ago I reviewed a drink called, CALM. At the time my husband said, "I'm not going to drink that stuff." Only he said a different word for stuff. After talking with my Father-in-law a week ago Travis said, "My Dad drinks this stuff called CALM for his joints. I want some of that. Can you get me some?" Face Palm!


  3. I told Isaak that my parents are going to take him out shopping for his birthday. He immediately freaked out and said, "I don't know what to get." His eyebrows went up, and everything. Mica said, "Well I know what I'm going to pick out..." I turned to Mica and said, "Your birthday is not until August. You can be quiet!" I said, "Isaak maybe you can get a craft set. Michael's is your favorite store. Maybe you can go there. You've been wanting to become a better reader. Maybe you can go pick out a book." Mica said, "Oh ya I want a Mine Craft book! I should add that to my list!" I said, "Mica be quiet!"

  4. I have one person on Facebook that tags me in a lot of posts. Most of the things he tags me in I've seen before. I comment saying so. I just shake my head every time I get a message that pops up saying, "Andrew tagged you in a post". I head up the school's Facebook page, so not only do I get informed that I've been tagged in a post, I also get informed that I've been tagged in the school's Facebook page. I'm just so tired of it. So what's a girl to do? I don't want to unfriend him. Maybe there's a setting to prevent him from tagging me every time I turn around.
     
    The logical thing to do is tell him, "Hey stop tagging me already." A little tagging is fine, a lot of tagging gets annoying.
     
    The passive aggressive side of me decided to have fun with this, and tag him in a lot of things. Maybe it's not passive aggressive. I was doing it for fun, not out of negativity. I know the guy has a dog. Most people that have a dog or a cat that do not have children treat their dog or cat like a child, and post about them just like people do their children.
     
    Any time I see a cute dog post, I now share it on his wall.
     
    He commented once, Do you have a dog?
    I commented back, Nope.
    He commented, You should get one.
    I commented, Never!
    He commented, Why?
    I commented, Because I'd die if I had one. I have really bad allergies.
    He commented what everyone that has furry pets always says, There's allergy safe dogs ya know.
    I commented, I was told to NEVER get a dog by an allergist. I wanted a hedgehog, but after holding one for 2 minutes I had red dots all over my arm. I shouldn't have anything furry.
    He commented, That sucks.
    I commented, Frogs are cool.
    So the tagging war continues...

  5. Isaak wanted to play outside. I said, "Mica please go play with your brother." Mica took his book. I said, "No." He said, "But I want to sit in that special swing to read." - No.

    Isaak came in, "Mom Mica's pretending he's deaf and blind. All he's doing is swinging in the baby swing." I called Mica in.
     
    Mica said, "Mom I have rights. If I can't play deaf and blind then that means you don't think they have rights." I said, "Mica you are not deaf and blind. Go play." Pout - Off he went.
 

Thursday, May 7, 2015

What in the Heck is May Day Anyway?

I've had people ask me, What is May Day? 

It really depends on what country you live in for me to answer that. It has a long history that you can read about here if you'd like.  

My husband said that it's a communist holiday, but I couldn't find any information on that. A lot of holidays have dark sides, so that wouldn't surprise me. I read that May 1 is also International Workers Day, but that's something different from the holiday celebrated.

From what I've heard...many places celebrate May Day - the 1st of May with pole dancing. No...not the sexy pole dancing that you probably got a visual of. It's just a pole, people gather around it with ribbons and dance around it. The picture below is in Savannah, Georgia of all places. Ha I went to grad school there. It's a celebration of spring really. Sometimes there is a parade, and a picnic to.

Source
Source
When my Mom and Aunt's grew it was way more popular than it is now. They celebrated it by putting together a small basket that had goodies and flowers in it. They'd go drop the basket off at someone's house that they had a crush on. Then ring the doorbell, and run for their life. If the person in the house caught them, or tagged them, they had to kiss them.

When I was a kid we only delivered cups filled with goodies, and flowers to our friend's houses. The cup is still called a May Day Basket. We rang the doorbell and ran. It lost the whole - give it to a person you have a crush on bit. If we didn't get a May Day basket it was kind of a bummer. It was fun getting them. They didn't come every year. 

Now most people here do not celebrate the holiday at all. If you do it's not about crushes. It just a friendly gesture. You A) Better know the person you're giving it to. and B) Better let them see you. Let's face it stranger danger is ramped now. Getting food from strangers that are unmarked is down right creepy. 

This was the boy's first May Day baskets that they ever got. That's how little it's celebrated. I wouldn't say it's a Nebraska thing. May Day is celebrated in Canada, Sweden, Spain (they call it Os Maios), some parts of Australia, Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Ireland, Finland, Germany, and Great Brittan. In England they actually have a May Queen. 
 Notice the crown of flowers.

Source
My Great Grandma came from Sweden on a ship. I'm assuming that's part of why my Mom and Aunts celebrated it. It did seem more popular back in the day, and way less popular now. When I was a kid I loved the original American Girls Doll Kirsten because she was Swedish and came to America on a ship. Now that company is all about the money. Kirsten is no longer sold, and they are all about the look like me kind of dolls. That could be a whole new blog post.

 Notice the wreath crown
Swedish tradition St. Lucia
Getting a May Day basket is fun. They usually have peanuts, m&ms, possibly gum drops, popcorn, and a spring flower on top.


Did you know anything about May Day? Am I alone in knowing about it? Apparently our neighbors knew about it.

August Birthday List

This was on our bedroom door. It was from Mica.


Isaak's birthday is later this month. Isaak's happy if I bring him home washers and nuts from the sidewalk. I often go walking during lunch time, and there's a restore organization next to my work. 

Mica's birthday is in August. He's my want...want...want child. I was thinking What the?

I guess I should be congratulating him on his good taste. Two Apple products are on his list. There's no way he's getting them though.

In fact I've gotten him nothing on his list. I got a Ghost Busters Lego Set, awhile back for him.

Growing Up - Staying Little

Looking at this picture I miss that cute little boy. Isaak was always my helper. He's now resists helping, as most kids his age do. He was always happy with little things in life. Finding a penny, a rock, or a washer on the sidewalk. Finding little things on the ground made his whole week. He's still like that. I love his big eyes, and when he was little I liked running my fingers though his baby fine hair. He now wants short hair. 


This week part of me wishes my little man would grow up, and part of me wishes he'd stay little.

A few days ago I got a call from the boy's school, "Mrs. Apel Isaak did something on the playground to his arm. He's just sitting here with ice on it. He says it has happened before."

I said, "I'll come get him."

Off I went knowing that it was probably what he experienced before - Nursemaid's Elbow.

I got to his school, and sure enough Nursemaid's Elbow is what he had. You can tell it's not a broken arm because the child didn't fall, or bump into anything. The arm just gets pulled, and then you hear a pop noise. The first time it happened Grandpa was helping Isaak up off the couch. This time he was playing on the monkey bars (I think). They also hold their arm in a cradle type position, not wanting to move it. It's very common, but I've found that a lot of people do not know what it is.
 
It's good to know how to fix it. When kids get Nursemaid's Elbow it is bound to happen again. It is something that can be fixed at home. What is it? The elbow bone (radius) is connected to the elbow joint (humerus) by elastic bands called ligaments. These ligaments grow stronger and tighter as a child grows older. In little kids and babies, the ligaments are still loose. This makes it easy for the elbow to slip out of place. Waving a kid around in circles (like I've seen people do) is asking for a kid to get Nursemaid's Elbow. Kid's usually grow out of it by the age of 5. This is Isaak's 2nd or 3rd time getting Nursemaid's Elbow. One time we thought he had it, he popped it back in himself we're thinking.

This time we were ready to pop it into place. A nurse showed us how on YouTube.


We were ready to pop his arm back into place, so little man didn't hurt anymore. The trouble was that he was screaming. Freaking out screaming.

Travis said, "Let's just call your sister Terra." She's fixed our nephew Elijah's Nursemaid's Elbow 3 times. Travis took Isaak to Terra's house, and she fixed the screaming boy up.

I'm so ready for him to grow out of getting Nursemaid's Elbow!

A week and a half ago Isaak got Croup. While kids can get Croup, it's usually a baby/toddler thing to get. 

This to I'm ready for Isaak to grow out of.

This morning I went to gather laundry. I picked up Isaak's underwear, and noticed that they were sopping wet. When I asked Isaak about it he acted as though he knew nothing about his wet underwear. 

I said, "Isaak it's important for me to know if you wet the bed, or not. I need to know because it's not healthy to sleep in a bed that has pee on it." Sure I could have felt it, but I wanted it to come from him. He admitted to wetting the bed. He'll go for months not wetting the bed, then bam wetting it often. A few times Dad got after him. I told Travis when he was getting after Isaak that he's not helping. Now Isaak's afraid to tell me. He fears he'll get in trouble. I think some kids just sleep so sound, that, that signal that tells you to go to the bathroom is sleeping to.

This to I'm ready for Isaak to grow out of. No one likes washing bedding. Isaak doesn't like wetting the bed.

Although I miss my babies. You've heard the saying, I'd like to put a brick on their heads. To keep them little forever. There's some things I'd like for them to grow out of for sure!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

May Day

On May Day I was busy making dinner. Mica said, "Mom can we have a snack? I'm hungry!"

The next thing I knew our doorbell rang. I heard giggling. Travis said, "May Day baskets are here!"

The timing couldn't be more perfect. Popcorn, M&Ms, and nuts. Topped with flowers. The boys didn't just get a May Day Basket. Travis and I got one to.

I asked the boys to smile. It looked like Isaak was smiling in the camera. Nope! I'm not sure what he's doing with his mouth. 


I haven't seen May Day celebrated like this, since I was a kid. 

Have you ever gotten a May Day basket?

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

WW: Apel Nerds {Linky}

The boys painted wooden glasses this week. Isaak had to have lenses on his. The lenses were the plastic from the apple packaging from Costco.

Isaak is cute right? 

More like mega silly!

Mica pulls off a nerd very well. It's all those books he's been reading.


Brother nerds





Please Check Out My Giveaway on the Sidebar 

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Aylio Seat Cushion Review

I've been wanting a orthopedic foam seat cushion.

I saw that one of my students has one. I'd actually like a few of them: One for me (bad posture), one for Travis (bad back), and one for Isaak (short for the table).

Luckily Aylio sent me a patented orthopedic foam seat cushion.


I first tried to get Isaak to use it at the table. He said, "This is weird!", and threw it on the ground. KIDS!
Travis said, "Wow this is pretty cool." I would have given the seat to Travis had he still worked in the lab. If he gets another job related to that I'll let him use it.

Right now I have it at work. Let me tell you it's so comfortable! I love it!


I used to feel like I was sitting on cardboard. My seat was uncomfortable. I'd slouch in my seat. Office chairs are just not the comfortable! 


This patented orthopedic foam seat cushion by Aylio will add comfort to your chair, bench, car seat, plane seat, or wheelchair. I'll have to let my sister know about this for Emerson. He could use this for sure. The rear cutout provides back pain relief by reducing pressure on the tailbone/coccyx.


Features:
  • Plush inner foam is ergonomically shaped for superior comfort
  • Rear cutout reduces tailbone pressure that aggravates lower back pain
  • Ergonomic design promotes healthy weight distribution and spine alignment
  • Soft velour cover is removable for easy cleaning
  • They have a blue one for $89.95 $29.99, or the neutral grey I got for review is $89.95 $39.99 
Recommended For: 
  • General Comfort
  • Sciatica
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Bruised, Fractured, or Broken Tailbone
  • Osteoarthritis of the Spine
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Herniated or Bulging Discs
  • Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Pressure Sores
  • Pilonidal Cysts
  • Pelvic Pressure
  • Hip Pain
  • Pregnancy or Labor-Induced Coccydynia
There's so many uses. I can see a lot of my family members wanting one of these. My Father-in-Law has horrible back problems! My parents are not getting any younger. My oldest sister sits down with her job much of the time like I do. I can see future presents for them.


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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Question?

I'm participating in A Life Examined Question of the Month.

Question: If your house caught on fire, what's the one thing you'd grab before running out?

That's pretty easy to answer. I'd grab these two hams. I can make them count as one thing right? Seriously how could I choose between them? One would go under each arm, and I'd run, or roll us along.
 
 
If I had to pick a material item I'd grab it would be photos - albums, or my camera - whatever would be closer.

Uncomfortable Ads

For some reason I get really excited about the exercise I'm giving the students tomorrow. I call it an exercise because it only lasts two, one hour lectures.

I love problem solving exercises or assignments. Things that make them think!

This one is on an uncomfortable subject. They can not show the product in a negative light. The ad has to be PG13 or better. It would "pretend" go in a magazine. 
 
Here's a list of companies I have. I may switch them out for other uncomfortable things in the future.
  • Toe Juice - Used for anything yucky on skin
  • Gynotex - A new generation of tampons
  • Lansinoh - Nipple cream
  • iDiaper - Adult diapers
  • Sckoon - Reusable pads
  • Beano - Gas
  • Sliquid - A vegan safe lubricant
  • Lotrimin - Jock itch, athletes foot, and ring worm
  • Jock Strap Central - Jock straps
  • Vagisil - For woman's dryness
  • Astroglide - Lubricant
  • Diva Cup - Bell-shaped menstral cup
  • Gas Sack - Prevents gas smell
  • Bamboobies - Breast pads in the shapes of hearts
I try and give the guys in the class the period and breast related things, and the girl groups the other stuff. I need more uncomfortable ideas for girls.

They generally do really well when given a tight deadline. It's odd because normally they complain about how they don't have enough time to do projects. Procrastination at its best.

Here's a few examples I give to the students. This isn't everything. I have a whole PowerPoint to show them more. The first one is a condom erasing out HIV, the second says, "Breastfeed for 6 months. You may help reduce your child's risk for childhood obesity", and the last one says, "Breastfeed for 6 months. You may help reduce your child's risk for ear infections."


Here's some of what they've come up with. Keep in mind that they don't have too long to work on them.

Beano: When you can't blame the people next to you...


Valtrex: One in five adults have had a genital herpes infection.


Sckoon (reusable pads): Fresh New Designs. For a Fresh New You.


Astroglide (Personal lubrication): A Touch of Heat


What topic do you find uncomfortable? I'd like to add to the list. I'm not out to embarrass the students. I just want them to think, problem solve, say more with less, do something they'd never choose to do, and do it well.

Strength Stack 52 Complete Pack Review

Since we're no longer Y members, due to finances, I'm trying to find new ways to exercise at home. Thankfully I've kept my weight off. I just got Strength Stack 52 Complete Pack to review! You can purchase this complete pack on Amazon for $89.81, but it's on sale for $48.87.

At the Y they had a similar 1 die that had an exercise, and another with a number. We used to roll both dice, do whatever it said (such as jumping jacks), and do it how ever many times that it said. With Strength Stack 52 Complete Pack they have way more options. The set comes with 5 dice that has all kinds of exercises, and another die that tells you how many to do of that exercise.

The boys love this. I happened to get bicycle kicks, Isaak got jumping jacks, and Mica got flutter kicks. There are a few things I had to look up online. I wasn't sure what a mason twist was. The boys can't complain about what exercise they have to do because they rolled the dice.


About:

Created by military fitness expert and scientist Sergeant Michael Volkin and used by the US Army in Iraq, Strength Stack 52 was scientifically designed for achieving elite fitness anywhere with no equipment in the most efficient way possible. I love that we can do these exercises anytime, anywhere.
Strength Stack 52 is a bodyweight exercise card game. Play the game; get a great workout. You will never do the same workout twice. If the kids say, "I'm bored!" I can pull out this game. The variety maximizes muscle confusion and increases strength gains.  Most importantly, it’s fun and motivating.




The Deck Below Gives Tips:
  • Drink Water Before a Meal - To fill full faster.
  • Activate Your Glut-4 - Do 60 seconds of exercise before a meal, and 90 minutes after eating to help your food go towards the muscle cells over the fat cells.
  • Drank Too Much Alcohol - Having more than a couple alcoholic drinks in 1 week is hard to burn off. Drink in moderation. Obviously the kids won't be drinking alcohol, but we drink every once in awhile.
All these cards have + points, and - points. There's way more cards in the deck. I just gave you 3 examples.


The other decks below are more exercise related. They explain what the exercise does for you.





Games can be played in as little as 5 minutes. If you can find 5 minutes a few a day, you can be fit, lean, and strong. Play by yourself or play with your friends and family. Challenge and motivate each other. Get fit and strong together.


You control the difficulty. There are cards for beginners, and the most difficult cards will challenge even the elite. The exercises are easy to learn. Each card has a picture, written description, and a QR code/link to a video of Sergeant Volkin demonstrating the exercise. There's also a lot of videos on their website that you can just check out.

I'm glad I got this set. It doesn't take up a lot of room, and it's fun to make exercise into a game, instead of a chore that no one wants to do.

What kind of exercises do you enjoy doing?

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com