The Graduate

Doesn't seem so long ago that my brother was toddling around, similar to my own children, Jenna and Ava. He was 3 1/2 when I left home for college. I worked so home visits were not that often so I missed some of those fun years with him. I remember the first trip Eric made the first visit in Alton, Thanksgiving 1998 my brother was just one month shy of his 5th birthday. Eric came downstairs to meet and greet Clay and was quickly shhhed as he was so focused on his T.V. program. After passing the strict, protective brother tests, as strict as a 4 year old could be, Clay immediately bonded with Eric and has ever since adored him.

When Eric and I moved, after graduation and working in Kirksville decided to move to St. Louis. After school I wanted to live close to family for awhile. I have lots of family and friends and right now I enjoy the family time. Eventually I see us moving from the area but for now it suits us. Clay will now begin high school in the fall and is starting a new phase in his life. As I now hold my own babies it makes me think back 14 1/2 years ago holding him and how fast time passes.

American Lung Association Warns Public on Household Cleaners

From the American Lung Association website!!!

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What Are They?
The household cleaning agents, personal care products,pesticides, paints, hobby products, and solvents that make our lives so easy are also sources of hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals. The range of household products that contain potentially harmful substances that contribute to indoor air pollution is wide-reaching and diverse. Some of these products release contaminants into the air right away; others do so gradually, over a period of time. The harmful components in many household and personal care products can cause dizziness, nausea, allergic reactions, and eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation; some can cause cancer. When you use these products, make sure that you are in an area with adequate ventilation.

What Are The Problems?
Contamination from household products, if limited to low levels for short periods of time, does not pose a serious health threat. However, contamination can occur over a long period of time from a variety of sources, and harmful effects can occur. Where there is prolonged exposure and where there is a possible multiplying effect from the presence of contamination from many different products, the effects can be serious, even fatal.

There are four basic rules to follow when using hazardous household products; 1) Whenever possible, avoid using hazardous household products. Use nontoxic alternatives instead. 2) When purchasing household products, buy only as much as you need; do not buy bulk quantities. Store hazardous products and materials carefully. 3) Dispose of hazardous products carefully. 4) Always read the product label and follow manufacturer instructions. 5) Minimize exposure when using hazardous products.

Other products covered in the Indoor Air Pollution Fact Sheet include, phosphate detergents, spot removers and dry cleaning fluids, oven cleaners, furniture and floor polish, paints, air fresheners, moth repellants, hobby materials: photography, metalwork, clay and stone, epoxy, and more.

To obtain a pamphlet containing more household products and their associated risks, or for more information about hazardous household products or about indoor air pollution in general, contact your local American Lung Association. Call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872).

The Safe Shopper's Bible

The Safe Shopper's Bible
By David Steinman and Samuel S. Epstein M.D, 1995
A Consumer's Guide to Nontoxic Household Products, Cosmetics and Food

Which products are safe and which may be harmful? Many items you buy every day contain ingredients that can cause allergic reaction, breathing difficulty, dizziness, cancer, birth defects, and other problems. Here, at last, is a comprehensive guide to answer all your questions about thousands of brand-name household products, personal care products, foods, and beverages.



According to this book, here is a list of common household products that contain known carcinogens and/or neurotoxins. Carcinogens are chemicals that cause cancer. Neurotoxins are chemicals that adversely affect the nervous system reducing emotional well being, mental alertness, coordination and other functions associated with intelligence.

Lysol disinfectant (all scents)
Renuzit Air Deodorizer
Bon Ami Foam Cleaner
Citri-Solv
Fantastik All-Purpose Cleaner
Formula 409
Pine-Sol Multi-Action Spray
Pledge Household Cleaner
Simple Green
Spic & Span Cleaner
Scotts Liquid Gold
Lemon Pledge
Tilex Soap Scum Remover
Glass Plus
Ajax Cleaner
Gillette Foamy Skin Conditioning
Speed Stick Deodorant
Soft Soap
Secret Deodorant
S.O.S. Ammonia Glass Cleaner
Dawn Sureshot

S.O.S. Vinegar Cleaner
Joy Dishwashing Liquid

Windex Glass Cleaner
Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid
Shout Aerosol & Stick
Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid
Spray & Wash Stain Remover
Kleen King Alum.& Copper Clnr
KR2 Spot Lifter
Behold Furniture Wax

Depend-o Blue Toilet Cleaner
Endust

3M Aerosol Spot Remover
Formby's Lemon & Almond Spray

Most Home & Garden Pesticides
Old English Furniture Spray
Dove Soap Bars
Right Guard Deodorant
Ponds Dry Skin Bar
Palmolive Skin Bar
Lady Speed Stick
Lever 2000
Irish Spring Deodorant
Lifebouy Soap
Jergens Liquid Soap
English Leather Deodorant
Ban Roll-on
Caress Body Bar
Camay
Ultra Brite Toothpaste
Cepacol Mouthwash
Crest Tartar Control
Listerine Original & Cool Mint
Arm & Hammer Toothpaste
Colgate toothpaste
Scope Mouthwash


There are safer alternatives out there, help me share with families! Making homes safer one family at a time!
www.live4totalwellness.com

Can we have a pet horse?

Clay's school has a fundraising event every Spring...the "Evangelical School Social". Jenna and I first experienced this event in 2006. This is when Jenna first discovered her love for horses and for 3 hours straight would ride, jump off, get in line and ride again. She made best friends with Thunderbolt, Lady and Blaze from afar (Blaze sadly was too big for Jenna to ride). Last year we missed the social so I was very excited for this weekend so Jenna could reunite with her friends. Lady didn't return this year, but Thunderbolt and Blaze did and Blanket made his debut. Jenna was at first slightly timid (she wasn't feeling the best in the world) but after talking the handler's ears off as they guided the ponies around the open field she remembered how much she loved to ride. The top picture is of Jenna, Thunderbolt, Michelle and Mackenzie. Jenna tells us Michelle and Mackenzie are cousins and she wants a pet horse just like them!


This was Ava's first time and she was happy and content as always. She was too little to ride or take part in any game but she happily was strapped to Mommy in the Baby Bijorn and smiled and giggled at all who would talk to her. She did, however, stop for a second to pose on the fire truck...although she was a little unsure.

Summer with no swimming?

As part of Jenna's preschool program they have gymnastics and swimming rotated in their class schedule. Gymnastics was a blast, Jenna loved it and they were all so cute...




Now on to swimming which so far each summer has been great enjoyment for Jenna. This was her first experience in a "big" pool since last year mommy was very pregnant for the beginning of the summer and then our little addition kept us pretty busy in her early months. She has been very excited about swimming in the big pool, no hesitation at all! Until...the first day of swimming class Jenna either jumps in not expecting the water to go over her head or slipped in while she was trying to ease in from the side. The swim teacher was right next to her but apparently didn't assist in returning her to the side of the pool fast enough. She was a little stunned and quickly decided she needed to go to the bathroom. Mommy was there in the observation room so after taking her to the locker room and determining she was just nervous and wanted to get out for a second was reassured and was off to finish her swimming class. She did great! She did all that was asked...except that crazy kick board...no part in holding that without her teacher's help. She did put her face in the water which she had emphatically told me she would not do beforehand, and of course I forgot my camera in the car. So onto next week Jenna eagerly puts on her swimming suit and excited to get to the pool. Cute hair..check, cute suit...check, camera...check, Jenna in the pool...no go. She screamed at the sight of the pool and went running for mommy. Her teacher took her over to the side of the pool to just sit on the outside to watch and she calmed down but refused to get back in. So far she has not made it back in yet. That is her observing from the sideline.