No Mom... It's Intermission

I was driving to the store and passed by an open field full of soccer games and memories just came flooding back.  I even wondered just how many soccer games I have attended in my life and I guarantee you the number (if I could figure it out) would astound you.

My oldest played a little soccer, but not much.  She played AYSO for a year or two and then went on to play on a coed team.  The next sister down played quite a bit of soccer.  She played AYSO, competition and for her high school.  Our daughter whose main focus was basketball, did play one season of soccer.  Our artist never played.  And the youngest played rec, comp and then was done.  So I figure for the girls maybe a total of  150 games.

Now my sons played soccer like maniacs.  There is no way to really come up with a number!  Our oldest played since he was just little, maybe 5 years old, and never stopped.  He played outdoor on both rec and comp teams, for as long as the weather would allow.  In the winter he played indoor soccer.  He started playing soccer for the high school while he was still in junior high and continued to play when he went to college. His younger brother played rec and comp and for the high school.  It is absolutely boggling my mind right now as I write this... It has to be THOUSANDS of games I have attended.  And I'm not going to even go into the professional RSL games we attended.

With a giant umbrella in the heat of the sun.  With a sleeping bag around my legs in the crazy early spring and late fall games where it snowed!  And this is only soccer!  There were basketball games, football games and even softball and baseball games.

It's no wonder when I'm attending a play with my three daughters in the arts... and there is a break between the acts... I say "Oh it's half time."

"No Mom... it's intermission."

This post brought to you by the Deseret News.

If Only...

Most of you know that I have a bucket list... and that bucket list includes... eating my way through Europe.

You'll notice it doesn't say visit Europe, or see Europe, or go to the museums in Europe.  No.  I want to eat my way through Europe!  Pastries, fruit and cheese in France.  Pasta, bread, canolis, and gelato in Italy.  And chocolate!  I want to taste everyone's chocolate.  I want to just walk around... or hang out among the people in Europe.  Feel of the ambiance.  Soak in the culture.  And wear a huge baggy pair of pants that will allow me to consume food from every little cafe, or pizza at the ristorante that looks appealing.

My only problem is getting to Europe.  Of course I will fly... but it is the length of the flight that scares me.  I have a daughter in New York and I fly to see her as often as I can... and it is always difficult.  I want to stretch my legs... stretch my back...stretch my whole body!  And one time I took the red eye and I was seriously incapacitated for a day or two!  And to fly to Europe I'm going to have to sleep on the plane... but I can't lie down!

If only... I could charter plane service.  I would select a plane with a wonderful bed.  I realize I would not be in a seat belt... but my thinking is that if the plane is going down... I hardly think the belt will matter much.  There would be room for me to   w a l k   a r o u n d... stretch my legs and straighten my back.  And surprisingly a private plane is not just for the elite 5% of the population anymore.

If only... well... I can't think of a reason not to go now!

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Tank Tops, and Swimsuits, and Shorts... Oh My!

Summer is upon us... and along with it comes summer clothing.  I don't have anything against summer clothing.  I guess I should say that I don't have anything against modest summer clothing.

I know it's hot people but you can't walk around half naked!  I don't know why it is acceptable just because it's hot... to wear shorts so short that it looks like you are in your underwear.  Or why it's fine to wear a shirt that barely covers what we all know it should cover.  I mean if your bra is showing... or you're not wearing a bra at all... this is a good indicator that your shirt is not suitable.  And now there are shirts made of such paper thin... tissue like fabric... that we all can see your bra!  And what's even funnier about this phenomenon is that you can't even fake that you had no idea it was see through... because usually the girl wearing this type of fabric is wearing some outrageously colored bra so it is obvious that we can all see it.

There are some incredibly cute, stylish and unbelievable affordable summer clothes out there.  Summer shirts in great bright colors and with lace, ruffle, and ribbon decoration.  There are shorts out there that look good and cover your rear end.  And there are bathing suits... modest swimwear that covers your necessary parts and is sexy.  Some of the bathing suits out there are certainly not going to "hold up" if you are actually going to swim.

When we go out in the summer sometimes... you just can't look at people.  It's just too much.  It's like walking along a beach boardwalk singing from The Wizard of Oz... tank tops, and swimsuits, and shorts... oh my!

This post brought to you by Downeast Basics.

Loving Your Smile

There's just something about a smile.  It's one of those things that feels good as the recipient of the smile... and it feels good to be the one who smiles.  And there are so many different smiles... cheesy smiles... crazy smiles... sly smiles... laughing smiles... and the list is endless... but the point is... everyone's smile is different.  Think about all the people you have known throughout your life and you could recognize them all by their smile alone. Smiles are unique to you and you need to love your smile.  And thanks to the fact that there are cosmetic dentist nashville to california to perfect the smile... everyone can have the smile they desire.

My son used to have a gap between his two front teeth.  The orthodontist was quick to pull the gap together... and quite frankly so was my son... but it was him and I loved him for it.  When it was fixed... his smile was perfection... and was still his trademark grin.  And he was happy with his smile.

My daughter's husband has one tooth up top that protrudes a little bit forward from the others.  He doesn't like it and is working on getting it fixed... but I love it.  I can't imagine him without it... but I know he will have that incredible smile that we all love and that lights up my daughter.  And he will love it.

The point is that all smiles are beautiful.  It's the smile.  And if you have a smile with imperfections... it's still your smile and I'm sure there are many, many people who love you for it.  And if you want the perfect smile... today you have options... lots and lots of options.

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Aortic Ana... What?

I have worked with the same employer for eight years now and consequently have made a lot of friends and acquaintances.  You know... there are people that you immediately click with... enjoy... and ultimately start getting together outside of work.  And there are those you work with that you have the same connection... however... they may be in other areas of the country... so your friendship is long distance and primarily or exclusively by phone.  I have people like this that I talk to on a daily basis... for work purposes... but when they take a vacation... or take anytime off... you miss them.  Well... one of those acquaintances was recently out for quite some time and we wanted the scoop as to where he was... in the tropics?  Europe?  We found out the guy was hospitalized for Aortic Aneurysm Surgery!  What the?

First we did the "Aortic Ana... what?"  Never heard of it.  It was like the game telephone and as each person spread the news to the next... the name got all blotched up. "Oh... so and so?  Yeah... he's in the hospital with some kind of burst valve in his head."  You think aortic... you think valve.  You hear aneurysm... you think of your brain.  I get it... but still it was grossly inaccurate.

An Aortic Aneurysm is a bulge in a persons aorta which is the blood flow away from your heart.  You can get one in your abdomen or your chest cavity... but either way... if it bursts you can die.

Those at the highest risk are older men who smoke and who have relatives who have had an aortic aneurysm.  High blood pressure and high cholesterol also put you at risk.  Unfortunately... my acquaintance... fulfilled all of these risks.  I am glad to say he has recovered... and has changed his lifestyle considerably.  I hope it lasts.

This post brought to you by NYU Cardiac. 

We Have A What?

I have apologized several times that I grossly underestimate the time and care a lawn needs.  I am a little embarrassed to admit that I have the lawn that "brings down the neighborhood".  I hate lawn work.  And I don't like the word "hate".  I don't like my kids to use the word and I myself do not like to use it, but I really, really do not like yard work.  The only thing good about it is that you are outdoors, but that's only good if the weather is nice.  Too hot and I want to go inside for an ice cream.  Too cold and I want to go in and make chocolate chip cookies.  I know... I'm a wimp.

I love the winter because you don't have to worry about watering your lawn.  And spring is not too bad... but by summer and your grass starts turning brown... well then you really look bad.  I try.  I really do try... but moving the sprinkler thingy until it is in exactly the right spot is just plain annoying.  Adjusting the water pressure, sitting it so you cover most of the lawn, and you should do it either early in the morning or late at night.  And after you get it just right, you leave it on, and then fifteen minutes later, you have to move it again and go through the same old routine!  And after that... you have to move the hose, and sprinkler to the back yard and start all over!

Imagine my surprise when I was moaning about the whole pain with summer coming on and my daughter says... and I quote... "Why don't you use the sprinkling system?"  Say what?  We have a sprinkling system?  Say what?  She then said it didn't work anymore.  "Anymore?"  When did it work?  And with the number of times I have had to have a plumber out here, why in the #@^! have we not asked him to look at it?

Maybe this summer will be easier?

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Little Moves Big Results

My youngest daughter loves to swim.  She made the high school swim team and was in the best shape of her life.  And then she started to experience back pain.  Knowing how hard she worked out and what incredible shape she was in, I thought she must have just pulled a muscle.  She went on to be very successful in her swim meets which were once a week.  But then we had the week where there were two meets one day right after the other and then her back pain was so intense, she could hardly get out of bed.

We took her to an orthopedist and couldn't believe it when he diagnosed a break in one of the small bones in her back.  She was definitely out of swimming... indefinitely.  A back brace was given with instructions to only take it off for bath or showers.  We were stunned.  She hadn't fallen.  No one had accidentally hit her.  She hadn't slipped into the water and hit the side of the pool.  Nothing.  The doctor went on to explain that a fracture of this kind is common with athletes.  It's a break that happens over time and hers just finally gave in when she swam the two meets back to back.  She was sent to a physical therapist.

I have to tell you that I thought the therapist was a complete idiot.  The moves and so called "exercises" were ridiculously easy... something I would expect a ninety year old woman with a broken hip might do.  Seriously, they were so completely basic and non stressful.  And this was supposed to increase her muscle around her spine so that her back would be supported by a strong muscular frame?  I am not ashamed to say, thankfully, that I was totally wrong.  She was better within a week.  And each and everyday that she did the exercises, she walked a little taller and with much less pain.  It was no time at all and she was back to her old self.  It was most surprising.

Little moves with amazingly big results.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Only What You Need

I have long been a supporter of "only what you need".  My parents always told my brother and I at the dinner table "take all you want, but eat all you take".  You don't need to have three rolls.  One will do, until you have eaten everything on your plate and then decide if you are still hungry.  I don't "need" two white cardigans, but if they both are incredibly cute, my argument gets weak.  Never the less, you don't "need" two.  This brings me to an ongoing discussion my daughter and I have over shaving.  Is shaving cream necessary?

I have spent my entire life shaving my legs with a razor and a bar of soap.  My theory is that you just need a slippery surface to glide the blade close to the skin and eliminate the stubble.  It has never been a problem except for the occasional nick around the ankle.  My daughter on the other hand insists that shaving cream is required for any and all shaving.

The purpose of shaving cream is to moisturize and create a lubricant for when you shave... but doesn't a bar of soap do the same thing?  My daughter has made it perfectly clear that it does not.  She says her legs just feel smoother.  She says she gets a much closer shave and that the shaving cream makes her hair stand up.  Of course I am quite sure that this is ridiculous and she doesn't "need" shaving cream... until the day I tried it.  I wanted to know what all the fuss was about.

My daughter needs shaving cream.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Selling My Home... After All These Years

I've raised seven children and I can't believe that they are almost all gone.  Everyone says that the time flies by and boy... did it ever!  I had seven children in ten years so there was a houseful!  It was crowded, crazy, noisy, and I loved every minute of it!  I just have my youngest left and she is about to finish her junior year in high school.  Next year she's a senior and then she's off to college just like the others.  Don't get me wrong.  This is what all Mom's hope for;  their children to be happy, independent, and brave enough to go out on their own.  But with the last one taking off in a year, it means I have one year to sell my home.

My kids have pretty much voted and declared that I can not live alone.  I saw in the paper, an ad for pasadena homes for sale.  I grew up in southern California, and there have been a few thoughts of going back.  But I've had some medical problems and although I have days where I feel just great and could be totally on my own... I know there are days when I absolutely could not.  And a year seems like plenty of time to get a home ready to sell doesn't it?

Well... we have lived here for over 15 years and to say that we have made this house or own would be an understatement.  There's the hole, exactly the size and shape of a soccer ball, in the wall at the end of the hall.  A book case was carefully placed over it by my sons.  There's the scratches on the back door where Daisy, our dog, let us know she needed to go out.  There's a major dent, and structural damage in the garage where numerous newby drivers miscalculated the length of our garage when parking the car.  There's the birds that live in the fascia on the side of the house.  We love having the baby birds appear each spring, but I'm not so sure a potential home buyer would like the nest and accompanying mess.

When you've lived in a home for 15 years, your home is really been lived in.  My kids have promised to help get it ready.  All I know is that I hope this coming year is a slow, very slow year.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Resumes? I've Seen It All

Every college in the nation includes a course dedicated to how to make a resume.  And there is no down playing the importance of a well written, well organized, impressive resume.  For many positions, this is the first look your prospective employee has at you and you want to make it memorable.  I have had the grueling task of going through hundreds of resumes to determine who would be worthy of an interview.

My first go through is to eliminate the obvious "no" resumes.  These include those with huge spelling errors, and those who have maybe ten lines, or have forgotten to include their contact information, (yes, this happens more often than you think) or are so compact with information I don't have the time or more honestly, want to sort through it all.

The second pass through the pile, I eliminate those that have absolutely nothing to do with the position.  I can tell the resume that has been blindly sent to every available opening.  For me, you are wasting everyone's time if you are not qualified for the position, particularly when the requirements have been spelled out in an ad.

And lastly, if you do gain an interview, make sure the information you share during the interview matches what is on your resume.  I can't tell you how many times I have been in the middle of an interview and have the job seeker mention work experience that is not on the resume.  If it is worthy to mention, it is worthy to be on your resume.  Or if you never actually graduated from college, then don't put that you have a Bachelors Degree.

This stuff seems simple enough but trust me when I say... I've seen it all.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Leave Your Purse At Home

With the economy the way it is these days... everyone is looking for ways to save money.  I have tried gleaning $10 from this bill or $5 from that bill or "cutting corners" and really, none of them worked.  I always found a way to use that money before I could get it into savings.  But now, I've discovered a full proof way of saving money.  Leave your money at home.

This method of saving had made it's appearance in my life many, many times... but I was on the wrong end of it.  You see... it goes like this.  My kids and I would decide to go shopping.  When we would get to the part of paying, my kids had forgotten their wallet.  This would happen over and over again.  Time to check out... oh she didn't bring her purse.  Now I know what to do!

When we go shopping, I'm not bringing it.  No purse means no wallet, no cash, no checks, no credit cards.  I can't buy anything!  It works fantastically!  It also helps me from purchasing things I don't really need.  Sure it's cute at the mall, but by the time I get home, eh... I can do without it.  If it's something I can't stop thinking about, well then, I go back... alone.... or with only the correct amount of cash to pay for the item.

There is one flaw... traveling.  My girls and I are planning a trip to L.A.  I realize that leaving my purse at home won't work, so I'm thinking I may need a bankruptcy attorney los angeles.  Maybe I bring the purse, and hide the credit cards!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

A Small Little Word

If you have school age children... you know... and cringe... at a very small and little word... L-I-C-E.  With young children, there are other things that can pose a problem. Things that are a major inconvenience.  Problems that have the ability to spread among everyone in your household like a bad smell.  These things include pink eye, poison ivy, and the stomach flu... but none quite so disconcerting as Lice.  And there are several reasons why this is the most hated childhood malady.

First, it makes you feel like a bad parent.  Do I not bath my children enough?  Do I have a dirty house?  Do I not comb my child's hair properly?  How could I be so negligent to not see this coming?  Of course not of this applies.  Anyone... anyone.... can become infected with head lice.  I don't care if you a millionaire with servants and the most expensive hair care products.  I don't care if you go to a salon for professional treatment.  And I don't care if you are homeless and live in your car.  Anyone can get head lice.

The biggest problem is that you can't get rid of it with one treatment.  There are live ones, dead ones, and their eggs.  One treatment will only take care of most of the live ones... but their little eggs are left behind and you have the problem all over again.  In the mean time, those little live ones could have made their way to a sibling,so while you are concentrating on the one with the lice, the other is growing her own little lice colony.  It is a never ending problem and it seems like you will never get rid of them.

And it's disgusting.  You coat your child's hair with conditioner and then comb, comb, comb and pull the little buggers off the shaft of the hair... so your comb is filled with lice.  And don't forget to sterilize that comb or can put them right back into a new head of hair when someone uses it.

All I can say is that when someone utters the word L-I-C-E... I run!

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Bankruptcy Recovery

Recovering from bankruptcy is a lot easier than it has been in recent years.  I don't know if it's because bankruptcy is more common, or because the economy is so bad, everyone has poor credit.

In the old days there were standards for your credit score and a bankruptcy just flat out would get you declined for any type of credit.  Now, lenders tend to look at the whole picture and your credit score.  If you have a very high score, a bankruptcy may not bring it down to where you wouldn't qualify for anything.

And lenders have grown more knowledgeable about the bankruptcy problem.  A person who has filed for bankruptcy might be a better risk.  Who would you rather lend money to?  A person with $80,000 debt in credit cards, car loans, etc... ?  Or a person who has, shall we say, cleaned the slate, and is now debt free?

You should get a copy of your credit report and challenge anything that is incorrect.  Keep track of it since your bankruptcy and make sure you have only good items reported.  You can discharge a legal obligation but you can not change credit history.  You can file with New Orleans bankruptcy attorneys or Los Angeles bankruptcy attorneys and your history will be the same.  Your report is that history and you want it as accurate as possible.  Try to obtain some kind of credit even if it is a secured credit card.  This type of credit card will become unsecured after a period of time.

All in all, filing for bankruptcy is not the end of life as you know it.  Credit bureaus will count it less and less as time goes by.  You have a clean slate.  Now make the best of it.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

A Great Moment

This past weekend, two of my daughters graduated from college.  It was a wonderful, yet crazy weekend.  I am so proud.  Both have pursued their dreams and both have achieved their goals.  The graduate ceremonies and Masters in Business were Friday, and the undergraduate program were on Saturday.  As luck would have it, both daughter's ceremonies were at the exact same time... but we made it... a family of over a dozen people... running like crazy people from one end of the campus to another.  So much fun and I wouldn't have missed a moment of this day.

The older of the two graduated in Social Work.  Forever dedicated to helping others, she went from Fire Fighter, to EMT, to Social Worker.  She has helped troubled teens, handicapped toddlers, the elderly and the list goes on.  She is on her way to a new state, with interviews in place, as she works to put her husband through dental school.  She hopes to help disabled adults learn to take care of themselves and live in a world without special needs.  She wants to start a family, but will forever be dedicated to helping others.

The younger daughter graduated in Theatre Arts and is fulfilling a childhood dream.  This girl has played make believe since she was born.  Let me give you an example:  She has never learned to ride a bike.  She is 21 years old and has never learned to ride a bike.  People can't understand this... didn't she ever get a bike for her birthday, or Christmas?  Well... she never asked for one.  It was suggested... but she would ask for a vanity (make up), or an art easel (art), dress up clothes.  And to make it a fairy tale ending, she is working for Tuacahn doing hair, make up, and costume design.

One of the great moments in a parent's life.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Women's Sweaters... Not Just For Winter

When you think of womens sweaters, fall and winter comes to mind, but not any more.  Have you been to the mall?  Have you looked around your school campus.  Do you notice what other women are wearing to work?  Sweaters.  Of course, they are of a much, much lighter weight, and come in beautiful summer shades, but never the less, sweaters.

There is a whole new look in women's sweaters for spring and summer.  From sleeveless, to short sleeve, to 3/4 length sleeves, sweaters are everywhere.

Sleeveless sweaters are great look.  Nothing says summer like a sun tanned shoulder.  They look cute over a cap sleeve top, or over a strappy sundress.

Short sleeve sweaters are just a cute layering look and give your look more of a coordinated look or style.  Short sleeve sweaters go with everything and with the lighter fabric, they are cool and comfortable.

My favorite look is the 3/4 length sweater or cardigan.  I admit that my 51 year old arms are not what they used to be, so I prefer the coverage.  With the light, light weight fabrics they are perfect for the warm summer days and give you the little extra you may need for those cool breezy nights.

Like I said, women's sweaters are not just for winter anymore.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

It Doesn't Take Much

Summer is upon us and we no longer have the luxury of covering up with sweaters, vests, bulky coats.  Layering tends to help us hide those bumps and bulges that so easily find their way to our bodies in the winter time.  I think it's all the baking.  I mean what tastes better than warm chocolate cookies on a cold windy fall day?  And Christmas, in our family, brings more baking than you can possibly imagine.  So it's nice to hide those few extra pounds under sweaters, scarves, vests, layers, lots and lots of layers.  But with summer coming all too fast, with it's change in our wardrobes to clingy t-shirts, blouses, and capris, what to do?

Well you can make losing a few pounds very complicated... when really it doesn't take much.  I like to start of with a body cleanse which gets me going.  I feel like it's a fresh start and I have cleansed all the fudge, cookies, and pie from my system.  Then I begin my plan.

I try to eat healthy... very healthy.  I start the morning with fruit and a Greek yogurt.  I am drinking water... lots and lots of water.  I eat a tomato, avocado, and onion quesadilla on a wheat tortilla for lunch.  Again, I'm drinking water... lots and lots of water.  Dinner is usually a salad with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, pineapple, and whatever other vegies I have on hand.  I also add a protein whether it is chicken or fish.  And I top it all of with... you guessed it... water... lots and lots of water.  And then there is exercise.

I don't kill myself exercising.  I just go for a nice walk for anywhere between 1/2 hour to 1 hour.  I listen to my iPod and it is very simple and relaxing.

So you see it's no big plan.  It doesn't take much.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Fortunately

I feel very fortunate that my oldest daughter married a man that we all love dearly.  He truly is a part of the family.  I also feel very fortunate that his brother is a dentist.

You see... my daughter and her husband have terrible teeth.  Certainly not from neglect, they both are very hygienic and take good care of their teeth.  They just have poor enamel and consequently require a lot of dental work.  The problem is they live in New York City..... a very expensive place to live.  Dental care is pricey to begin with, but then add the location of one of the most expensive cities in the world and it is ridiculous.  And here is where my son in laws brother comes in....

It was actually less expensive for them to buy round trip plane tickets to Arizona, where the brother lives, and have him provide their dental care.  Fortunately he generously offered to do all of their dental care for free.

My daughter is not too crazy about the dentist and doesn't like to go.  In fact she hadn't been in seven years.  When they arrived, she required four root canals, with three requiring crowns.  Unbelievable.  Fortunately, her brother in law dentist practices sedative dentistry, something I had never heard of before.  She said it was absolutely fabulous.  She loved it!  In fact, she loved the gas so much, that she was begging for more!  She even said she was glad that she didn't have an addictive personality, or sedative dentistry would be her passion.

Fortunately, her supplier is in Arizona.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Her Boyfriend... A Truck Driver

I recently spoke to a woman whose boyfriend is a semi truck long haul driver.  He is gone months at a time.  He is constantly on the road driving through the most diverse of conditions.  He can be driving through a dangerous snowy mountain pass one week, and through the boiling hot desert the next.  Although she does worry about him, and obviously they miss one another, it works for them.

She said the time they spend together is cherished... never taken for granted.  When he is home, he is truly 100% home.  She has his complete attention and he has her complete attention.  They do everything together and spoil and take care of each other.

And there's the old saying "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."  She says that without question this is true.  They talk everyday... really talk.  In the past she has had boyfriends who live nearby and although they did spend a lot more time together, they got "used to" one another.  This meant they frequently just watched a movie or television, and never really talked.  On the phone, long distance, she and her truck driver boyfriend share with each, get to know each, really talk.

I have to believe that if there were local driving jobs, she would prefer he applied for one of those positions, but honestly she wouldn't want their relationship to go down that "shorter" road.  I guess absence really does make the heart  grow fonder.

I am participating in a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.