Come Back to Jamaica!

I have not been in lovely Jamaica for 24 hours yet and my stay can already be categorized as amazing! Upon arrival I was shown to the Sandals/Beaches Lounge at the airport. I was quickly checked in by a kindly resort host who asked if I was a supermodel - he got serious brownie points for that! - and he let me know that Lorraine and I would have a personal driver for our trip to Negril. While waiting for Lorraine to arrive, I spent time in the lounge enjoying a Red Stripe and the comfy decor of the lounge.

Lorraine checked in, had a Red Stripe too and we were soon escorted to our private transportation.

 Our driver Steve was very helpful and he also had Red Stripe, water and hor'd'evers for our hour long trip.

Once we arrived at Beaches, the Jamaican hospitality continued.

After a quick pit stop, I joined Lorraine in the Suites Concierge for check-in. Our concierge, Udell provided us with sparkling wine and took us up to our Grand Luxe Beachfront room.

There we were greeted with a fully stocked refrigerator, a bottle of wine and a fruit and cheese plate. Beaches really knows how to treat you with style!

We spent some time unpacking (one of us may have packed way too many shoes and clothes...ahem) and then heard the sounds of the Sesame Street parade passing by our door. I tried to get some photos but it was already nightfall so that didn't work out but the live marching band was a sight to be seen.

We had dinner on the beach and my first drink was coconut water - directly from a coconut! I had mine with a splash of coconut rum! After dinner there was dancing, a fire eater, and a limbo king. We soon went back to the room just to relax and watch some television. A late night snack attack hit and I ventured about 50 feet away to Café Carnivale for a veggie patty and a beef patty for Lorraine. After watching Scandal, we both went to sleep, ready for the adventures ahead of us. Reggae Half-Marathon on Saturday and today, a tour of the property! I wish every day my office looked like this.....

Disclosure: I received a media rate for the stay at Beaches Resort Negril. All opinions are my own. 

Friday Dog of the Day: Meet Brady!

It's finally Friday!! After a couple of short weeks for the holidays, having a whole FIVE DAY week to get through was so ruff! I'm looking forward to spending some fun time with my momma this weekend. But furst, we get to enjoy Friday, and that means it's time for a Dog of the Day! This is when I spotlight one of the totally pawesome foster dogs waiting for their furever homes at Legacy Boxer Rescue.

This week, let's say hello to BRADY!

"I just knows my furever home is out there somewhere."

Brady is a fun-loving pup about a year and a half old. Isn't he handsome? Momma said he reminds her a lot of ME when she first adopted me, so obviously he must be the best looking dog in the whole rescue. And he's smart! He loves to play and taught his humans how to throw his toys for him in no time. He's house-broken and crate-trained, though he has a little anxiety about the crate after being in the shelter. He'd much rather be with YOU anyway than in a crate!

"Why would I want to be in a boring crate when I could be snuggling with you?"

Brady is a total love bug and likes to snuggle with his people. He also has a grreat boxer tongue and wants to kiss all your cares away! He's good with kids and other dogs too! Mostly he just wants to play and be loved. Who wouldn't?

"Do you think Santa Paws can fit a furever home under the tree this year?"

If you'd like to help Brady find his furever home for the holidays, go check out his bio page. Then fill out an application and say you need a BRADY under your tree!

Jamaica Bound!!

This week has been a whirlwind! Yesterday I was on Capitol Hill advocating my government representatives and today I am Jamaica bound. I have a full post coming about yesterday's activities and hope to post soon BUT I'm headed to Jamaica as I type!

On Saturday, December 1st I will be running the Reggae Half-Marathon in Negril! This date also happens to be World AIDS Day so while running I'll also be celebrating the advances we've made in prevention, treatment and care! We are on the verge of eradicating maternal to child transmission by 2015 and thus is largely what I was advocating for on the Hill yesterday.

I'm currently sitting on my flight, waiting to depart and Bob Marley's Exodus was playing as I boarded the plane. I'm excited beyond words and hope to be able to update while in Jamaica. But if not, talk to you next week!

It's coming!

Some of you may remember our totally pawesome 11-11-11 event last year. Well, it's back and better than ever!! LBR will be holding a big Facebook event on 12-12-12. We'll be encouraging our fans to donate just $12 on the day, and we'll have lots of activities all day on FB. Don't worry, I won't leave out my good furiends here in Blogville -- the Legacy Chronicles will be having some very SPECIAL posts that day!

Please keep an eye on LBR's Facebook page for more information!

How can I be wordless...

When BABY AUSTIN HAS BEEN ADOPTED?!

He's found his furever family at last, and they LOVE HIM just as much as we do. I'm so, so, so happy for him... but I'm going to miss that little guy!! I hope his new family realizes that they promised REGULAR UPDATES when they signed that adoption contract.

Good luck with your happily ever after, Baby Austin!!

Jingle Bell Run!

Hey folks, Cinderella wanted me to remind everyone that her BIG DAY is coming up soon! She will be the 2012 Dog Hero for the Fort Worth Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis on Saturday! She's very excited about it and keeps fussing with her outfit for the day.

If you're local, there's still time to register! Just go to their website to register online through Thursday at 6pm, or register at the event on Saturday starting at 2pm! You can join Team Legacy Boxer Rescue if you want. We'll have several volunteers pawticipating. Tune in to the Chronicles next Monday and I'll share lots of pictures of the day!

Mindful Eating Tips for the Holidays- Video Post

I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Michelle May. She is author of "Eat what you love, love what you eat." During our conversation, she provided some very useful tips about mindful eating - which I had never done before but she walks me through the process as I enjoy some popcorn. The basic premise is that you can eat EVERYTHING in moderation, as long as you savor the flavor and enjoy your food, you will eat "mindfully" without over indulging. Watch her video for some great tips that will be especially useful in the midst of holiday season!




And if you'd like a copy of her book, simply let me know in a comment with your email address and the first person to do so will win her book!

Disclosure: I also received a copy of Dr. May's book and as usual, all opinions are my own.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it's officially the BEST season of the whole year. It's CHRISTMAS!! After we got back from my grandparents', Momma and I spent the rest of the weekend decorating our place for Christmas. I had a tough job snoopervising to make sure Momma did everything right.

Start fluffing out those branches, Momma!

Eventually, things started to take shape. We hung the stockings by the chimney with care.

 

From left to right, it's Momma's, mine, Cinderella's, Scribbles's and Pigeon's!

And we got the tree up! Momma even has most of the gifts under it already. She still has a few left to get, and she won't put any dog presents under the tree. I wonder why? BOL!

 

Then Momma wanted Cinderella and me to pose for our traditional picture under the tree. Well, that didn't go so well at first. Cinderella was grumpy because her brand-new Mrs. Claus outfit is, um, a little tight. They apparently don't make girly stuff for the linebacker-sized boxer gal!

But things went better when Momma let us change. Here we are, complete with kitty photobomb!

Finally, of course we had to start preparing our Christmas cards! We all posed for a grreat picture at Grandma's house, and Momma got the cards ordered and picked up yesterday. Now we just have to spend a few days addressing them and stuff. We're going to wait until next week to send them, since Thanksgiving was so early this year!

I'm all ready for that visit from Santa Paws... I can't believe I have to wait a whole MONTH!

Egg White Delight #spon

The holiday season is in full swing! Last week I was running around like a mad woman trying to have everything I needed for Thanksgiving. And now I must quickly transition to a bit of Christmas shopping, travel and for Christmas I'm sure I'll be cooking again! On days when I am not able to get it together enough to pull out the blender and make my morning breakfast shake before dropping my son off at school, I now have an alternative. Atlanta area McDonald's are currently carrying the Egg White Delight McMuffin. Each Egg White Delight McMuffin is prepared with 100 percent egg whites, freshly cooked on the grill with melted white cheddar, a slice of extra lean Canadian bacon and served on an English muffin, made with 8 grams of whole grain. And at only 260 calories, it is truly delightful!

I am not a meat eater, so I had mine sans the bacon but I must say that I certainly will be returning to have another! It truly was tasty and a great on the go breakfast for those days when I just can't get it together. I had an entire meal, so not only did I have the sandwich but I had hashbrowns and orange juice. A good wholesome breakfast for me and I was not hungry for hours!

This review if just one of a series of posts I will be writing about keeping off the pesky holiday pounds this season. Be on the lookout for more in the future. And if you want to try out the Egg White Delight, for now it is only available in Atlanta and Austin, Texas for the remainder of the year.

I know it is McDonald's but as I always say- everything in moderation and you can make healthier choices even when fast food is on the menu!

Disclosure: This series of post is sponsored by McDonald's Atlanta. All opinions are my own.

Snuggly Sunday

Cinderella and I are really tired after spending the holidays at Grandma and Grandpa's house! I hope everyone had a grreat Thanksgiving!

Aussie Alternative to Black Friday

If you're down on the Mornington Peninsula (Australia) this weekend, you won't want to miss this! Gorgeous Aussie artists Leisa Wharington, glass-blower and Flick Pope, jewelry-maker, and a host of other vendors open up their Studio in the bush for a yearly pop-up shopping event.  Indie creativity abounds!  ( http://www.facebook.com/events/386081194804218/),
Hop on over, and tell the gals I sent you. You'll see more than kangaroos!
Marjorie

Gummy vitamins are not just for kids! #spon

One of the things that I don't do as regularly as I should is take vitamins. Although I have vitamins lining my bathroom counter, I just don't do it. However, I am much more consistent with giving my son his vitamins.  This is largely because he will actually come to me and ask to take them!  Yes, my son is all about the vitamins because he sees them as a "treat." I have always given him gummy vitamins and he enjoys taking them.  I wish I had the same interest in taking vitamins as he does. Trying to swallow a large multi-vitamin with an after taste is just not my idea of fun!

But now I've been introduced to Target's  up & up multi-vitamins for children and adults. My son did not need to be enticed to take his vitamins. As a matter of fact, today I told him to bring them to me and he said "I've already had mine" he asks grandma for his daily dose! I must say that after trying my gummy vitamins, I can totally relate to my son. I know that not only will taking my vitamins no longer be a chore but actually a "sweet treat" in my day. And at only 15 calories and 3 grams of sugar, I have no feelings of guilt for this good for me indulgence!

My son's gummy vitamins are also 15 calories but only 1 gram of sugar. We will both continue to take these vitamins, obviously my son was already sold on gummies but now I am too. With the lower pricing for the Target up&up brand and the great taste, what is not to like? In addition to multi-vitamins, the Target up&up brand has over 1,000 high quality, low priced products.

If you want to try the adult or child gummy multivitamins, here is a coupon for you. Let me know if you are a convert too!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post all opinions are my own.

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Card Outtakes Edition

PeeS:

Momma and I were SO sad to hear this morning that our dear furiend Sammer of the Three Little Pugs blog was hit by a car last night and went to the Bridge. His momma and daddy are devastated, and poor Stella Rose is the last of the three little pugs. :( We're sending his family lots of love today to get them through this very difficult time. Please stop by their blog and give them some love.

Need help with yardwork?

It's autumn! The air is crisp and cool, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and there are leaves falling ... and falling ... and falling! Baby Austin and Aspen are training hard to start their own yardwork business to raise money for LBR! How do you think they're doing?

 

I think they're doing a grreat job! Keep an eye out for flyers as these kids get their business off the ground. :)

Thanksgiving Cleaning - Giveaway

Messy Kitchen, a photo by lynn.gardner on Flickr.

The holidays have creeped up and now there are only 2 more days until Thanksgiving! This year I am cooking and have invited friends and family over for a meal to give thanks for all of our blessings. I certainly have a lot to be thankful for and it has been a long time since I've cooked a Thanksgiving meal. I am both excited and apprehensive because I know I have hours ahead of me in the kitchen. 

The one thing that I am not worried about is the clean-up. Although I am NOT a domestic diva and on any given day my kitchen is likely to look like the one above, my pre-Thanksgiving preparations take care of it in a snap. I am not sure how or when my kitchen table became the depository for mail, random papers, etc but it has. And over the past few days I've been tackling the job of cleaning up my kitchen in increments. 

I've found that this is the best way for me to clean. I will spend a few minutes every day doing one chore in the kitchen. 

For instance:

10 minutes for cleaning the table

5 minutes to fill the dishwasher

2 minutes to empty the dishwasher

10 minutes to mop the floor

5 minutes to clean out the refrigerator

And to make job pleasant, I will clean will listening to music that is fresh and cool like Gain's Icy Fresh Fizz scented products. My favorite station to listen to is called the Neo Soul Cafe and I love the music so much that not only will I use it to clean but I also run, play  it in the car and anywhere else I can stream the station. 

Holiday cleaning is tedious I know, but you can make it easier and more manageable by implementing my tips. And to help make your household chores both easier and Fresh smelling, I have a giveaway! 

GIVEAWAY

The 5 winners of the giveaway will receive:

$10 in coupons for Gain products

To enter: 

Leave a comment for 10 entries and you have 10 additional entries in rafflecopter below. You can also enter daily! 

Giveaway ends 12:01 am Wednesday, November 28th. Good luck! 

Want to increase your odds of winning? Check out these posts from other moms too! 

   

·         In the Kitchen with KP 

          Mundane Magic 

·         The Giveaway Gals 

·         Black Love Forum 

·         Cinco Mom 

·         Stress Free Baby 

·         The Mommy Insider 

·         Atlanta Moms 

·         The Divine Miss Mommy 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post and I have received product and/or compensation. All opinions are my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Outstanding Achievements

Well done to this term's "Outstanding Pupils," who have worked particularly hard and made remarkable progress.

Ben, Outstanding Key Stage One Writer

 

Sophie, Outstanding Key Stage Two Writer

 

Ethan, Outstanding Reader

 

Robert, Outstanding Mathematician

Cyber-Learning

Last week we were delighted that our new IT system was installed and we now have great flexibility in the way we use computers to enhance our learning.

In total, we have 21 new desktop computers and 30 laptops which we can use on our wireless network.

Sky-High, 3G Style!

Last week our Year 6 pupils visited Kingswood Centre, Dukeshouse Wood, Hexham.

They had the adventure of a lifetime, quad-biking, rope-climbing and free-falling!

The unanimous favourite activity, however, was the 3G swing. A thrill-seekers delight!

To Infinity and Beyond!

We know our school is unique and that we have the chance to take part in many exciting activities, but our latest adventure is truly a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

One hundred years ago, the very brave explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott and his team undertook a long and difficult journey to the south pole. 

Scott took his favourite soft toy for company, Ponko the penguin.

They sailed in the Terra Nova and many schools made collections for the expedition. Children were particularly interested in raising money for dogs and ponies who would take part in the journey which was to explore the part of Antarctica around the Ross Sea, discovered in 1841 by Sir James Clark Ross. The adverturers also wanted to find out more about the animals, weather and geology of the Antarctic. Sadly, after reaching the south pole, Captain Scott and his colleagues were unable to battle the dreadful weather and died on their return journey. Ponko was found amongst Scott's possessions and is now in the National Maritime Museum

During 2013 Sir Rannulph Feinnes, modern-day explorer, hopes to retrace the steps of Captain Scott and will journey to Antarctica.

This will be the first winter crossing of the continent and for six months the journey will be in the dark, when temperatures will plummet to -90*. The expedition is therefore called The Coldest Journey.

Mrs Hargreaves has been part of the team who has written resources for schools to use to learn about the expedition and we are very proud that she was selected to take part in this prestigious project.

Most exciting of all, Sir Ranulph has been invited to take Mary Mouse, our school mascot, with him to the south pole. Mary was made by Serenna's gran and her winter clothing was made by Sarah, Mrs Hargreaves' daughter.

 

 

We hope Mary will be able to make the journey and we look forward to tracing her steps. Maybe one day she will even have a home in the Maritime Museum, alongside Ponko!