Category — Website of the Week

I finally got around to putting up a vacancy sign and obtained a new roomate.  Please visit Amber at "Cause I Said So." She was formally at My Monkey House with her husband and looks like he set her up with her own domain.  She is a mother of three with a great sense of humor.  Unfortunately she's having some problems with her parents taking her hospitality for granted, so please stop by and share her pain.

I've been to Alabama twice in my life, once while in high school and competing in a Drum Corps competition (Yeah, I was a "Band Geek," wanna make something of it), and last year while on business for my company.  The high school trip was to Birmingham and the business trip was to a small town outside of Tuscaloosa.  Unfortunately, the most recent trip was like I was stepping back in time 30 years.  We all hold stereotypical views of Alabama, but the problem with stereotypes is that the generalization limits our impressions of people.  Well let me tell you, my business trip reinforced a number of stereotypes I had completely forgotten about for years. Don't get me wrong, the people were warm and gracious at all times, but the stares my white, female co-worker and I received while out were beyond creepy.  

I was reminded of my Alabama trips while reading this week's renter's, Mr. Fabulous, posts describing his recent business trip to the lovely state.  His rental car has Pennsylvania plates , so this could get interesting.  Please visit his site by clicking the link on the sidebar and ask him to share more of his stories.  It's a shame I wasn't writing this blog last year during my visit, because I had at least a dozen stories to tell Mommy Bacchus each evening on the phone.  So Mr. Fab, please entertain us.

Tuesday evening I was sitting on the couch downloading some software when I overheard BJ running to mommy and yelling, "Mommy, the water's coming up." I paid little attention until I realized that I also just heard him flush the toilet.  I froze waiting for the bomb to drop. "edddddwoooooorrdd." Now Mommy Bacchus usually refers to me as Ed or Eddie.   When I hear use my full name,  I have usually failed to do something or done something wrong.  This time she said it slow, long and even elevated her pitch, "the toilet's overflowing." So you can use your imagination and guess how I spent the rest of the evening.   Yes, BJ used an entire roll of TP to wipe his little tiny butt. Think plunger, tongs and a plumbers snake.

The next morning  Mommy Bacchus failed to clean out the coffee maker prior to making a pot of coffee and it overflowed.  So we had coffee grinds and coffee spilled all over the kithcen counter–I gotta break this caffeine habit.

To top the day off, our dog discovered the joy of playing in the mud and tracked it back into the house.  So for the past couple of days I have been constantly worn my rubber gloves and cinvolved some how with cleaning up some major mess in the house.  Everyonce in a while it seems like things like this happen in 3's.  Hopefully this is the end for now.

On a more pleasant note, wouldn't it be nice to find a site written by a parent who reviews children's music? Someone who has already listened to all the tracks and honestly recommend ones for you to consider buying.  Mommy Bacchus is contantly telling me I have to change my choice in music when BJ is in the car.  She doesn't think the Black-Eyed Peas, John Legend or Jaime Fox are appropriate influences on a toddler.  The Lovely Mrs. Davis is this week's renter, and has solved my musical taste problem.  She offers commentary on culture, motherhood and my favorite–music. She has a wonderful honest review of one of the Noggin musicians that I just love. I listen to the Noggin musicians each day and have often wondered, who picked these people? So please visit Mrs. Davis by clicking on the link on the sidebar and enjoy.

Tricia’s Musings » Flat on my face

 

How many times have you tripped in public and tried to play it off? What if you fall so badly there is no way possible to play it off.  On top of that, you have to be rushed to the hospital where you just so happen to work.  Everyone knows you and your secrets.  Tricia, this week’s renter, wrote a very poignant story of a fall she recently had and is still dealing with the pain.  It appears she is going to have a long recrovery so please stop by and wish her well.  She has a longer version on her other blog so check that out also.

A couple of weeks ago I found the Tricia's Musings blog and fell in love with her design. I was so intriqued, that I asked her who designed it and where she obtained it. I sometimes just visit her site just to stare at the design. Besides her graphic work, she has a great post about the beginning of gardening season, something I love and hate, plus she has some great flower photos on flickr. So please click on her link on the top of the sidebar and send her some "click love."

fringed tulip

Originally uploaded by triciawd.

This lady inspired me to write a post on why I take my son to church. She is a very deep and spiritual lady (Except on Thursdays when she is half-nekkid) and today she shared more thoughts on religion. We have been corresponding for several weeks and I visit her blog daily. She is a contributer to SAHMOC (Stay at home moms of Color) and I got her hooked on flickr. So please let’s show her some love and click her link on the sidebar. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Please welcome this week’s renter, Adventures in Parenting. She has a great site and I have voted for her site on Blog Explosion’s “Battle of the Blogs” . If you’ve seen her site before, you know she has some great posts so please show her some love. She has a cute one about things that annoy her. Don’t forget to comment and tell her Parenting Toys sent you….

I want to introduce everyone to my first renter on Parenting Toys, The Reluctant Housewife.

She has been a great renter and has an awesome site, so click her link on the sidebar and show her some love…..

Critical Info Providers

I saw this website on TV over the holiday weekend and just now had a chance to check them out. This is a great way to get information to authorities fast. This can also be used in combination with my camera phone post about picture taking of your little ones at the beginning of public events. Just think, while at the amusement park and your little ones gets lost, Critical Info Providers will email your child’s vital info in the matter of minutes to the authorities. According to statistics from their website,

The first 3 hours after a loved one is missing are the most critical
It can take detectives an average of 4 hours to receive the information on missing love ones, and sometimes days. 67% of Alzheimer’s patients are at one time reported to the police as missing.

There is a $30 registration fee per family and $5 for each individual registration. I pulled the following additional information from their website.

When a family learns a loved one is missing through child abduction, Alzheimer’s, kidnapping, mental disabilities, natural disasters, or by any other unexpected means, law enforcement needs critical information, i.e. recent photographs, height, weight, fingerprints, dental records, list of friends, places they frequently visit, and a list of medications. You may not be at a suitable location to provide this critical information. Furthermore, you may not be able to provide this information due to the stressful situation.
How does one provide this information to law enforcement when you are not at the scene and when your mind is in a state of panic?

You are a phone call away. You notify C.I.P. and we will immediately email this information for you to the local and surrounding law enforcement agencies needing the information. As the investigation expands, so will our services. C.I.P. has the capabilities to email this information to law enforcement agencies nationwide.

Offers its members an emergency 24 hour hotline
Distributes information and picture to law enforcement nationwide
Provides a professional sketch artist in the event your loved one is not found

Girly Galore Boutique

I don’t have a girl, but one of my co-workers would love this site, so I am recommending it to others. Very cute offerings and a place to get great ideas says my co-worker.