Googling Ingredients?

Am I the only one that Google's ingredients?  Well, I just googled the ingredients on the Sensodyne Toothpaste in my medicine cabinet.  I use to use it, but now I make my own toothpowder with bentonite clay, baking soda & cinnamon.  But my DH uses it once in awhile.  On the active ingredient list is the words sodium nitrate.
And when I look it up it says it's other name is saltpeter.  Now I don't know if any of you have ever heard of that, but it was used in the army to keep men from getting erections.  The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes it as:  A white powder that exists naturally in some soils and that is used especially as a fertilizer, in medicine, and to make gunpowder.

Well I don't know about you, but I don't want my family using this.  Now I will have to scrutinize food labels even more than I do now.  This is craziness! No thank you toothpaste companies, I will stay with my toothpowder that has actually brightened my teeth and done away with the sensitivity more than your Sensodyne ever did.

I hope this gets at least some of you that read this to start reading labels of things you put in your home.  Especially things that your children will be using.

Have a healthy day!

Last Day In Canada

We stayed at the Milton Heights Campground in Milton, ON.  We were only going to stay two nights, but ended up staying four.  This was a great home base to visit, Guelph, Toronto & Parry Sound.  My grandfather was born in Guelph and my great grandfather and Bobby Orr were born in Parry Sound.  My great grandfather actually died in Parry Sound at the age of 33.  The campground was clean.  It had hydro (electricity), water and sewer.  Most of the campgrounds we went to did not have sewer.  This one also had a laundry room which is great to have because it's really hard to pack a ton of clothes in a small camper.

There were a lot of dogs here and a lot of really nice people, most of whom were from Ontario.  I wasn't surprised they were all so nice, because they were dog people, hahaha!  We even gave a couple that was staying across from us our email addresses so if they are ever in the States they can let us know.  I am glad that we left when we did because most people had a long weekend in Canada due to their Thanksgiving being celebrated on October 10th and lots of people started filling up the campground with children.  I don't mind children, but they do make my dogs bark.

It was really nice to stay somewhere for more than two days and not have to hitch and unhitch every other day.

On our way home it was more than a days drive because it takes a lot longer to drive pulling a travel trailer because you're not going 60 mph.  So I found a nice place on a river in Schenectady, NY.  We didn't get there until 7pm so everything was dark.  We almost drove down a railroad track because it was right near the turn for the place.  It was called Arrowhead Campground & Marina.  It looked like a nice big site when we pulled in, (thank goodness it was a pull-in site at this time of night). But we couldn't see anything but the plug to plug in.  We didn't hook up to their water because we needed to use up our water in the tank before getting home.  In the morning when we woke up, it was a spectacular site.  On our door side of the camper was the river with lots of trees and no other campers in our line of site.  I couldn't believe our luck coming in so late on a holiday weekend and getting, what I would call, a prime site.

Still not home yet, but I'm sure we will be back tonight or tomorrow morning.  I truly have enjoyed our experience RVing and could do this most months out of the year.

Guelph, ON where my Granddad was born

The Basilica in Guelph, ON

Wayne Gretzky Sports Center & Hall of Recognition.

Domino & Dallas chilling' at Milton Heights Campground thinking they're getting the steak we're cooking!

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in Parry Sound, ON

Bobby Orr Hall of Fame in Parry Sound, OR on Georgian Bay in Lake Huron

Yes I play Pokemon Go.

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Bobby Orr's dedication to his Dad after he passed away.

In front of the City Hall of Guelph, ON trying to find out about my father's family.

From the top of the Civic Museum in Guelph.  Small museum, but nice old pictures of the town.

Outside the Guelph Library still trying to find out about my family.

Pros & Cons of Cold Weather Camping

Upside

1. less bugs (although November is the biggest tic season)
2. less people (at least less children)
3. less showers (or maybe more because now there is no swimming)
4. less electricity (no A/C) (hopefully do not have to use the heat yet)
5. better sleeping
6. less ice buying
7. Gary's favorite time of year
8. no animals protecting their babies like in the spring
9. dogs don't get as tired like in the heat
10. we will also have more energy

Downside

1. bulkier clothing
2. have to use a hairdryer
3. no swimming
4. less campgrounds open
5. frozen pipes (maybe)

Looks like it is making more and more sense to go camping in the fall.  

Those Darn Parents

Yesterday I was standing in my living room looking out my window.  And I noticed my neighbor in his driveway with his two young children.  They were riding bikes.  Then I noticed a car speeding into said driveway and stopping short right before hitting the children and pulling over to the hairdressers side of the driveway. No one seemed to say anything to each other or be horrified by this happening.  Meanwhile, my mouth was agape and I couldn't close it.  I would just like to say that if you share a driveway with someone and your children are playing in the same driveway that you should probably put up a barrier.  Or at least sit in the area that they would run over you first instead of at the back of the driveway free and clear from incoming vehicles.  Why was no one horrified of this happening???

Finally, But For How Long?

I went to my nephew's Holiday Concert this morning.  And what to my wonderous eyes should appear, but a police officer at the front door.

It's nice that they did this when lots of people were showing up at the school, but shouldn't this be happening everyday.  Someone to stop the horror before it gets into the school!

I couldn't help but be thankful for all of the children and teachers in that school.  That they were fine, and getting to celebrate like others around the country should be able to.  Not taking their childhood and joy from them at such a young age.

As I looked at the kids singing on stage, I wondered what problems they have in their lives that no one has recognized.  Problems that they, at such a young age may think are the worse thing ever.  Are parents asking their children the right questions?  What are the right questions?

Then I remembered my nephew telling me that him and his twin brother have been being bullied.  The school knows and they still don't do anything about it.  Well, I wanted to take matters into my own hands and asked my sister which ones were the bullies.  I wanted to take their picture and make a
Wanted Posted.  Place it around the school, "Wanted For Bullying"!  Does public humiliation stop the problem or make it worse?  I see some towns making kids hold signs up of what they've done wrong.  Is it different if it is coming from an outside source?

All people are talking about nowadays is gun control!  I think it needs to be other things.  I think we all need to take our hand and hold it out for someone that needs it.  If we see something that doesn't seem right, ask questions.  Sometimes parents are too close to the issue and do not want to see what is right in front of them.  We need to keep our eyes open because it does take a village to raise a child.

Hope everyone is having a hopeful day!

Are We Doing Enough For Our Children?

I think this country should spend as much time taking care of people's mental diseases as they do physical diseases.

With all the mass shootings going on around the country, I think they should have classes in all schools about bullying, feelings, cliques, feeling left out, being shy, low self-esteem, etc.  It shouldn't be a one hour class a month.  Or talking to kids AFTER something like this happens.  It should be a weekly class like gym, or art class.

I think schools should make it feel like a safe place to talk about what is going on at home.  And like I said in another post, have parenting classes for all age ranges of parenting children.

There has to be something we can do to help these children know how to make better choices.  I understand that some mental illnesses can not be treated, but I'm sure the majority of the mass shootings were done by children that didn't feel heard, or didn't fit in.  If they did, maybe someone would have noticed a change in their behavior.

My condolences go out to the families that were shot and to the family of the child that did this.

Be ProActive With Online Safety!

Has everyone Googled themselves at least once? I try to Google myself a few times a year. It is amazing what kind of stuff you can find out just by knowing someone's name. It seems like anytime you write a review on a product or place it comes up when you Google your name. You can find out people's relatives, addresses and phone numbers. What social networks they belong too and anyone they know that has died.

Is this a good thing? It can be. I have connected with a few friends from when I was growing up and we get to keep in touch. I can also offer my condolences to people at online obituaries. And when I lived far from my family, I had a way of staying in their lives on a daily basis.

But what about when you don't want someone to find you? I think if you have a private FaceBook account it shouldn't come up when people search your name. If it's private, they shouldn't even be able to find out you have one. Is that asking too much?

We tell our children to keep their social networking pages private and only "friend" people they know. Which I would change to, only people your parents have met and agree to having them friend.

Knowing someone nowadays is so vague with social networking. Most children don't even know who most of their friends are online. I've seen pages where children have hundreds of friends. I don't know about you, but even at my age, I haven't had that many friends throughout my lifetime.

I check on my nieces and nephews every once-in-awhile to make sure they're safe online. I did find one posted their cell number and another their address, but that was taken care of in a matter of minutes. Parents need to keep on top of these things. And just because they took things down, does not mean they won't be back on again. Keep checking.

And here we are telling our children how to be safe online and about posting pictures and who friends you. But then we, as adults, go and put all kinds of family pictures and videos online. And lots of us will friend just about anyone that knows someone that knows someone we know. Is that any safer? We should start practicing what we preach. On Facebook, if someone likes something on your page, their friends can usually see it.

So I advise all of you out there to check your children's online profiles today and then go and check your own. Make sure things you wouldn't have your child post are not posted on your site.

And go Google yourself! Have a happy and safe day!

54 Things I've Learned In 54 Years!

Today is my 54th Birthday and I have been thinking about my life and what I have learned. I thought I would share some of my insights with my readers. I have learned:

1. Family IS always there for you no matter what.
2. All you need to clean when company is coming is your kitchen and bath!
3. What you say is way more important than what you wear.
4. No matter what your age, you can always find a date.
5. Cell phones, social networks and computers are fantastic and horrible.
6. You should always be aware of your surroundings.
7. Like the book says, you really don't have to sweat the small stuff.
8. The library is still a pertinent place to go.
9. Recycling is not that hard to do.
10. When you're raising children all ages are challenging so ask for help.
11. You can buy better clothes at the Salvation Army than at Walmart.
12. Cell phones counteract rage while waiting in a long line.
13. There is someone just for you, even if you don't find them till you're 45.
14. My parents really can be nice people.
15. You can survive your childhood and your children's childhood.
16. Black Friday is my least favorite day of the year.
17. You can drop friends from your life that suck the life out of you.
18. Dogs make the best friends.
19. Meditation is a necessary part of life.
20. Living on autopilot is dangerous and not very fun.
21. You can drink wine everyday and be healthy.
22. Doctors get paid too much and do too little, I would rather have a nutritionist/trainer.
23. It's very easy to say I Love You to the ones you care about.
24. Hugs are way underrated.
25. Vinegar CAN clean everything.
26. Getting rid of Blue Laws completely, is wrong.
27. You can teach yourself anything if you can read.
28. Watching children or dogs play can get rid of any bad mood.
29. Everyone just wants to be heard. So really listen when someone is talking.
30. Being vegan does not mean being healthy.
31. You really don't ever forget how to ride a bike.
32. You never stop being a Mother.
33. Closets are important.
34. Country music has a song for everything that has happened in your life.
35. You can get a good job without going to college.
36. Everyone needs to go on at least one road trip with someone they like.
37. God is everywhere so you don't have to go to church to talk.
38. Bookcases are a very important piece of furniture.
39. Christmas movies are good anytime of the year.
40. Having money does NOT make you happier. Knowing what to do with it does.
41. Listen to all the experts, pick what you like and leave the rest.
42. Football is pretty easy to understand.
43. No is an easy word to say!
44. You can go through life without using paper towels.
45. Getting things for free is always fun.
46. Wireless headphones can save your marriage.
47. Raking is great exercise.
48. Even when you clean up after your dog, you will always step in something.
49. Blueberry's make me happy.
50. Leaf blowers were the worst invention ever.
51. Your children can teach you things.
52. You don't have to shave your legs after 50. (It stops growing.) TMI?
53. There are people out there that will help if you just ask.
54. And last, but not least, my children turned out pretty good even though I wasn't perfect.

Have A Fantastic Day Everyone!

Children's Style

I was at our local pizza place picking up dinner and I saw a little girl. She was 4-5 years old. She was wearing Ugg boots and a dungaree mini skirt and her hair was all done up with glittery things. Now some of you may call this a fashion forward child, but isn't this kind of fashion designed for teenagers? Also, her Dad was inside the restaurant waiting for his food and she was playing around on the stairs outside and near the parking lot. It was dark out and it was busy. Have I just become too old to understand how little girls should dress? In my opinion, anyone under the age of 15 should not be wearing teenage styles. What ever happened to Garanimals? I think they should come out with cuter more stylish Garanimals to help parents learn how to dress their CHILDREN! And while they're at it, maybe they can put parenting tips on the labels.

S.W.A.T.

Just heard about a new thing that kids are doing. It's called swatting. They call and say there is a break-in or kidnapping and the police send a swat team. That is the craziest thing I've ever heard. All that wasted money and time. Then if they need the cops elsewhere they will not be available.

I think parents should spend more time with their children and start punishing them and teaching them right from wrong. If they don't, the world will be in even more disarray in 10 years than it is now. Come on people. Have free parenting classes. Have separate classes and make them for baby, toddler, grade school, teenage and early twenties. Towns and states waste so much money on other things that this would be a better preventative way to spend it.