Spreading Awareness of the Struggles of the Amazonian Manatee

A huge shout-out to the folks at Rainforest Awareness Rescue Education Center-RAREC for the dedicated work they do for conservation and wildlife. Their current appeal is to bring awareness for the struggles of the Amazonian Manatee. I'd like to share their special message:

"Quite sadly, many people in the Amazon still buy manatee meat. This has to stop. We need to get the message across -- that the Amazonian manatee plays a vital role in the ecosystem. That the manatees do so much good for the environment. That we must all work together to protect them for the good of us all.
Please help us out! We are greatly encouraged by the success of our education programs. When we talk to people, they are so eager to listen, and so eager to help the manatee. We need to spread the word, we need to tell the people to stop buying manatee meat, and we have to make sure that the local fishermen know: It is NEVER OK to hunt manatees!
Help us keep our education program going! You can help us out by buying our manatee keychains. Proudly handcrafted by local artisans, they are a wonderful way to keep the manatees close to you in spirit. All proceeds go towards our conservation programs, so buy one for yourself, or to give to someone special.
We are also looking for volunteers from all over the world, to come to RAREC and help us care for the manatees -- and all the other amazing creatures under our care. You will see first hand, how wonderful these animals are, so you can be our ambassador back home. Tell the world about the Amazonian manatee, help us save it for the future!
Thank to all our followers for the cheers, for the comments, and for sharing this story with your friends -- every share helps!"

If you would like to know more about this organization or want to contact them, please visit their Facebook page. They are asking for volunteers so if you have the means, please consider it.

I searched the internet for some footage of the Amazonian Manatee and came across this video of a baby manatee whose mother was killed. A rehab center was contacted and according to the person that took the video, the manatee is now doing well. I truly hope so.

Click to learn more!

Cautionary Tale and Advice about Frontier Communications

We've had too many phone conversations with the Customer Service Department of this company with zero solutions.  Now, it's time for us to share our experience with anyone who will listen as well as start looking for another company to do our business with.  C'mon Frontier, you can do better than this.  Too bad you haven't so far...

Here is the note that my Husband tried to write on their Facebook page which was immediately taken down:

"Frontier Communications has to have the worst billing I have every seen.  I signed up with them because of a promotional deal 6 months 150/150 internet and 2 years of free HBO for 95 and then it goes to 132.  Sounds great except I never got to pay those prices.  I have been charged 2 to 3 times as much and when I call in the technicians say they will fix it but nothing happens.  I had to call in several times and every time I am assured this will be fixed but months have passed and this issue isn't any closer to being fixed.  To make things worse, they denied my dispute, the rep who signed me up is gone, and they have no record of my promotion.   My last hope was to reach out to the President at Frontier Communications but who knows if this is real or a gimmick they use.

 I'm not one to blast a company but I would use extreme caution when signing up.  I made several attempts to get this right and all I got were empty promises. If you do decide to go with them despite the numerous warnings from myself & others, make sure to get everything in writing and record everything."

--Raymond from Long Beach, CA

Product Reviews on RXBAR, Garnier Hair, and Dove Exfoliating

I received these products through PINCHme, free of charge, to sample and review. My opinions are truthful, sincere, and completely my own.

Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo and Conditioner

I have medium to long, relatively thick hair, so I appreciate great hair products.  Admittedly, I'm not a loyal hair care brand consumer.  I'll try anything and sometimes, I'll like it for a while and then I feel like my hair needs something different to shake it up. Then I'll go back to using the products again.  I was using another brand of shampoo with a different name brand conditioner before I decided to try these products.  First impression was that these products had a very pleasant scent.  My hair after it was dry was soft and tangle- free.  I will definitely buy this product and add it to the list of hair products I rotate with.

Dove Exfoliating Body Polish

I was so excited to try this product! First off, it smells amazing.  Then when I lathered it all over in the shower, it just felt luxurious on my skin.  It's a real treat and sort of feels like going to the spa without actually going to the spa. My skin felt soft and pampered.  Would I buy it for myself? Most likely.

RXBAR Kids Protein Bar (Chocolate Chip)


Full disclosure, I'm not a big fan of protein bars in general.  But I do have them handy for the kids to be used for snacks and such.  I usually make my brand decisions based on what's on sale for the week with previous taste approval from my kids.  But I'm very picky and will rarely rave about them unless I feel the product is deserving.  Unfortunately, this product fell very short. The texture was grainy as opposed to the texture of a candy bar.  The flavor was chocolate chip so I was hoping for a nice chocolate finish.  But the taste had the impression of being processed and artificial.  I will not be seeking out this product for purchase. 

Interesting Filipino Dishes You Might Want to Try

In general, I consider myself an adventurous eater or at least an open-minded one.  Having said that, I'm not always willing to try EVERYTHING, but food is and has always been fascinating to me. Here is a fun video showcasing some of the unique tastes of the Philippines (my country of origin), specifically Palawan Island. Warning: if you're vegetarian or anywhere near repelled by meat of any kind, please don't watch the video.  Dishes featured inside the video: Crispy Pata, Crocodile special dish (with coconut milk), Crocodile Sisig. I've never tried crocodile before, but I have to say, I just might in the future, if it's presented this well.

 

 

 

Airline Consolidator

The Only Thing That Keeps a Man

I was in a conversation with an older woman I've known my whole life, let's call her "Diana" for anonymity's sake, about a friend of mine who was a single divorced mom (I'll refer to her as Marsha) whose ex-husband is now re-married. The divorce occurred in the first place due to the ex-husband's infidelity. As my conversation with Diana progressed, she began to say Marsha didn't take care of herself or she somehow didn't fulfill her ex-husband's needs. Diana even asked, "Is the new wife pretty?" Rather than jump on Diana and get angry at her blatant and offensive judgement of a fellow female and friend, I kept in mind the old-school backwards thinking that many women grew up with.  "Keeping a man" meant  making sure you pampered him, and above all else made sure you remained beautiful so he "wouldn't look elsewhere".  I couldn't help myself and responded to Diana by telling her that it doesn't matter if the new wife is pretty or even what Marsha did or didn't do.  Marriages are hard enough as it is.  If there are issues, then the two members of that marriage have to work together to communicate and fix issues.  If the husband or wife strays from the marriage that is a blatant choice on the individual's part.  Staying faithful is a choice. Period.

I can only imagine the toll a woman's self esteem takes when they have been cheated on. Maybe if I put on more make-up, gave him more sex, cooked him better meals....it could go on and on.  But a man who is faithful and true doesn't need all of those things to stay the course with a woman he loves.  Let me say it again, staying faithful is a choice.  When I married my husband, I made a commitment to love and cherish him above all else. Does that mean there aren't days we get on each other nerves? Seriously? Absolutely not.  Even the best marriages have their challenging moments.  I remember telling my husband early on in our marriage that if he ever decided to cheat, he needs to make sure that that's what he really wants because there's no going back from that action. I had two deal breakers: physical violence and cheating.  Everything else was forgiveable and workable.  As far as I know, he's stayed true and faithful to me for 17 years...not because I did anything special and treated him with anything more than love and respect, but because he is a man with integrity who decides every day to stay faithful to the marriage. He chooses it every day, as do I.

I'm not a relationship expert.  All I have is a long-term, committed relationship with my husband that requires constant communication and laughs. Lots of laughs.  We made sure we became a team when we got married and stayed a team through life's struggles and challenges. Without a doubt, he has my back! And I hope he knows I have his.


The only thing that keeps a man....is him deciding to be kept.  Period.  So find that man. Work on being an amazing person (whatever that is for you) and find a partner who is amazing also. And if you're a man reading this looking for your faithful partner, the same rules go.  The only thing that keeps a woman...is her deciding to be kept.  Choose wisely. XO

Click here to purchase a variety of organic nuts, dried fruits and more!

 

What Made You Laugh Today?

I love the saying, "gratitude turns what we have into enough". In my continuing and ever forward moving quest to live a life of gratitude, I want to focus on the gift of laughter.  Laughing is one of my favorite things to do and I'm thankful for the funny people around me that give me joy. And thank you internet for the ever flowing source of creative & sometimes outrageous humor out there! 

Here's a "parent joke" that some might be able to relate to. (As the mother of older kids, don't worry, it gets better.  When their teenagers, they have very little desire to cuddle with you let alone sleep in the same bed.) LOL!!

Some Dad's get the BEST sleep!  LOL!

Dedicated to my favorite teachers!

Accurate, maybe? LOL!

So, does this count?

Numbers don't lie, right?

If you're politically sensitive & lean towards the right, you might want to skip the following joke.

Honestly, who wouldn't want to yell that?! Just too perfect!

Really though, why the double standard?

And the next one is another political joke & may possibly offend?  Skip or read at your discretion.

Who is this guy running against?  I'm reserving my right to vote for the other canine.

Life can get so serious.  Make sure you find time to look at the funny things in life and enjoy laughter!

Burger King Teaches a Lesson on Net Neutrality

So, I've been told that these are not actors--that they really did film this piece on unsuspecting customers who genuinely just wanted to eat.  I have to admit, I cringed a few times at their reactions. LOL! But I appreciate the lesson and message.  
Thanks for joining the fight Burger King! LOL!

I thought this was an interesting breakdown of where certain groups stand on Net Neutrality.

Net Neutrality has been officially repealed by the FCC.  But the fight is not over.  Continue to be informed, speak out and be involved.  If it's important to you, work for it--fight for it!
Source: The FCC Just Killed Net Neutrality. Now What?