Category Archives: Day to Day… and Off the Subject!

Hello, my name is Nina and I’m a Workaholic!

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I wasn’t always like this. At one time, I’m sure I was just your normal average run of the mill kid. I liked to play with my friends, go to the park, have sleep-overs, and all kinds of great things. Then when I took that first job… FoodLand grocery bagger it all changed. I went to school and worked. I liked making money, and actually being able to put gas in my car and buy the things I wanted.

When I started college I went to school full-time (which was like a job), worked on campus part-time, and worked off campus part-time. Not to mention I was in the theatre department and was constantly involved with a show which took up most if not all of my evenings.

After graduating college (in exactly 4 years) I decided to continue to work on campus full-time, and take a few more classes (just for fun) while working part-time at the local high school teaching tech theater and tool safety! Oh yeah, and I was still constantly involved with a show, but instead of it being on campus I was producing, directing, and acting in shows off campus with a theatre troop I helped found.

When I finally moved out to California to try to make it BIG (insert laugh here) I took on a full-time job along with daily auditions and twice weekly acting classes. But, I kept on trucking…

I left Hollywood, and started a family with my amazing husband! Okay, so just because being a mom doesn’t pay – doesn’t make it any less a job. I happen to love being a mom, and it’s a job I wouldn’t trade for the world, but it can be tiring and hard and stressful just like any other job, and you don’t get off after 8 hours of work its a 24 hour a day job for the rest of your life! So, I do that… and a full-time job, and a part-time job, and of course I am trying… when I have time… to be a writer.

Okay, so my progress in the writing field can’t really be seen over these last few months, but it is still a dream.

I have recently sent my latest version of book 1 to my editor Jamie Aitchison (haven’t heard back yet). I am working on book 2 rewrites… I plan to pick it back up in the second week of January. My goal is to have book 2 rewrites done by the end of February. Then I will start back in on book 3. I’ve already written about 10 chapters, but due to all the edits in the first 2 books, I think I’ll pretty much be starting from scratch, oh well.

So, you see… I’m a workaholic! Wish I wasn’t, but there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything I need to do.

If anyone out there can think of a way to add two more hours to my day, let me know.

My Latest Endeavor

Child Care Weather Watch – Understand the Weather!

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The Department of Human Resources (DHR) lays out clear regulations and procedures for every licensed child care facility throughout the state. Regulations include, but are not limited to; size and available space of facility, equipment within the facility, transportation provided by the facility, disciplinary practices utilized within the facility, student to teacher ratios, staffing and qualification requirements of staff and volunteers, health and safety needs of the students and staff, and so much more. The list just keeps going. There are so many areas that are covered through the legal authority of the Department of Human Resources.

As the director of a licensed child care facility I can honestly say that I work in partnership with the Department of Human Resources. I rely on their insight and knowledge in all aspects of my job, and seek out their guidance when necessary. I hope that I am able, through this blog to share some of what I have learned through my experiences as a center/school director, and through working with our DHR Representative.

According to the DHR Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers, all children (Infants/Toddlers and Preschool/School-age) shall spend time outdoors daily when weather permits. With that said, winter time is known for the dropping temperatures and the runny sniffly noses. Although all of our little ones want to play outside, we want to make sure they are doing it safely, and I believe that is what our families want as well. Therefore, it is important that parents remember to bundle your child(ren) up in weather appropriate clothing (layers layers layers), to include a jacket/coat, gloves, and hat.

The information below should give everyone a clear picture of how to understand the weather and what temperatures are comfortable for out-door play during the summer-time and winter-time, and what temperatures are not. I use this guide at home with my children, and at the school with all of our students.

Watching the weather is part of a child care provider’s job. Planning for playtime, field trips, or weather safety is part of the daily routine. The changes in weather require the child care provider to monitor the health and safety of children. What clothing, beverages, and protections are appropriate? Clothe children to maintain a comfortable body temperature (warmer months – lightweight cotton, colder months – wear layers of clothing). Beverages help the body maintain a comfortable temperature. Water or fruit juices are best. Avoid high-sugar content beverages and soda pop. Sunscreen may be used year around. Use a sunscreen labeled as SPF-15 or higher. Read and follow all label instructions for the sunscreen product. Look for sunscreen with UVB and UVA ray protection. Shaded play areas protect children from the sun.

CONDITION GREEN – Children may play outdoors and be comfortable. Watch for signs of children becoming
uncomfortable while playing. Use precautions regarding clothing, sunscreen, and beverages for all child age groups.

INFANTS AND TODDLERS are unable to tell the child care provider if they are too hot or cold. Children become fussy when uncomfortable. Infants/toddlers will tolerate shorter periods of outdoor play. Dress infants/toddlers in lightweight cotton or cotton-like fabrics during the warmer months. In cooler or cold months dress infants in layers to keep them warm. Protect infants from the sun by limiting the amount of time outdoors and playing in shaded areas. Give beverages when playing outdoors.

YOUNG CHILDREN remind children to stop playing, drink a beverage, and apply more sunscreen.

OLDER CHILDREN need a firm approach to wearing proper clothing for the weather (they may want to play without coats, hats or mittens). They may resist applying sunscreen and drinking beverages while outdoors.

CONDITION YELLOW – use caution and closely observe the children for signs of being too hot or cold while outdoors. Clothing, sunscreen, and beverages are important. Shorten the length of outdoor time.

INFANTS AND TODDLERS use precautions outlined in Condition Green. Clothing, sunscreen, and beverages are important. Shorten the length of time for outdoor play.

YOUNG CHILDREN may insist they are not too hot or cold because they are enjoying playtime. Child care providers need to structure the length of time for outdoor play for the young child.

OLDER CHILDREN need a firm approach to wearing proper clothing for the weather (they may want to play without coats, hats or mittens), applying sunscreen and drinking liquids while playing outdoors.

CONDITION RED – most children should not play outdoors due to the health risk.

INFANTS/TODDLERS should play indoors and have ample space for large motor play.

YOUNG CHILDREN may ask to play outside and do not understand the potential danger of weather conditions.

OLDER CHILDREN may play outdoors for very short periods of time if they are properly dressed, have plenty of fluids. Child care providers must be vigilant about maximum protection of children.

Understand the Weather

The weather forecast may be confusing unless you know the meaning of the words.

Blizzard Warning: There will be snow and strong winds that produce a blinding snow, deep drifts, and life threatening wind chills. Seek shelter immediately.

Heat Index Warning: How hot it feels to the body when the air temperature (in Fahrenheit) and relative humidity are combined.
Relative Humidity: The percent of moisture in the air.

Temperature: The temperature of the air in degrees Fahrenheit.
Wind: The speed of the wind in miles per hour.
Wind Chill Warning: There will be sub-zero temperatures with moderate to strong winds expected which may cause hypothermia and great danger to people, pets and livestock.
Winter Weather Advisory: Weather conditions may cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. If caution is exercised, these situations should not become life threatening.
Winter Storm Warning: Severe winter conditions have begun in your area.
Winter Storm Watch: Severe winter conditions, like heavy snow and ice are possible within the next day or two.

Wind-Chill

30º is chilly and generally uncomfortable
15º to 30º is cold
0º to 15º is very cold
-29º to 0º is bitter cold with significant risk of frostbite
-20º to -60º is extreme cold and frostbite is likely
-60º is frigid and exposed skin will freeze in 1 minute

Heat Index

80º or below is considered comfortable
90º beginning to feel uncomfortable
100º uncomfortable and may be hazardous
110º considered dangerous

All temperatures are in degrees Fahrenheit

Child Care Weather Watch was produced by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Healthy Child Care Iowa. This guide was produced through federal grant (MCJ19T029 & MCJ19KCC7) funds from the US Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration, Maternal & Child Health Bureau. Wind-Chill and Heat Index information is from the National Weather Service.

May I Rant for a Minute?

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There are not a lot of things that get under my skin, upset me to my core, and just plain burst my bubble. I am generally a happy person, and I like to stay that way. I don’t like conflict and I hate to fight (although my husband thinks I like to debate and says I would be a great lawyer). I try every day to go to work with a positive attitude and greet my employees and my customers/families with a smile. So, when I do something, to help someone, with no ill or vindictive intentions and that someone responds by telling me it annoyed them and they have been offended… that upsets me!

Why can’t people just say thank you any more?

I work hard at my job, and to please the people around me. I do it for my family, I do it for my staff, and I do it for the many families we service. I don’t do it for the money, because there just isn’t a lot of money in my line of work, but I do expect to at least leave at the end of the day feeling appreciated. So, a simple thank you when someone has done something nice for you, shouldn’t be too much to ask for!

Alright, I’m sorry for the rant. I am done.

I hope everyone out there has a beautiful, rewarding, and family filled day.

School Uniforms / Dress Codes – For or Against?

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As a mom of both a five-year old in elementary school and a three-year old in preschool I can say that the morning routine of picking out what my kids are going to wear every day can be daunting. Not to mention picking out my own clothes.

My daughter has to pick out her own clothes, and honestly often doesn’t match. However, I figure there are worse ways to express yourself than striped pants with a flower print top, and calf high pink boots. My son doesn’t really care what he wears as long as it isn’t to tight, to baggy, to long, to short, to hot, to cold, to… you get the picture.

When I was young I would have screamed if I was told I had to wear a uniform, but now I wish my job required me to wear the same thing every day. I envy women who get to work in doctor’s offices where cute colored scrubs with tennis shoes to work. Instead I, like my daughter stare into the abyss I call a closet and fumble through the same ten outfits every weekday going, “Geesh, I have NOTHING to wear!!!”

But, enough about me – I AM FOR SCHOOL UNIFORMS!

Why? Because, not only would it make my morning routine easier, for both me and my kids, but I am of the belief that it also helps children to feel like they fit in among others in their class. When everyone is dressed alike, no one can be singled out because they can’t afford the latest fashions or don’t have the newest shoes, etc. Putting kids on the same level so they can’t compare each other via their monetary value allows them to remain kids for just a little longer.

Besides, being the Director of an Early Childhood Education Private Preschool, I also know that Uniforms or Dress Codes, like the one we have, are also used to maintain safety within the center/school.

How? You ask. Well, take our infants for instance, children once they start pulling up to a stand, are required to wear shoes at all times. The reason for that is because when they first learn to pull up and take those initial steps their legs are what I like to call “Puppy legs.” They fall, a lot, and slip easily. Shoes, with rubber soles, help to prevent at least some of those possible slips and falls.

We also prohibit our students from wearing belts and necklaces. The reason, although it should be obvious, often escapes people. We don’t allow belts and necklaces because they are possible strangulation hazards. That is true also for drawstring pants and hoodies. Now, do parents heed these warning? Not always, but we do try to catch them when we can.

Finally, clothing is to be worn! NOT costumes or dress-up outfits. Why? Because it isn’t appropriate for a child to dress in a thin dress-up princess costumes and plastic high-heels when bringing them to school. Besides clothing should be age appropriate, covering everything that needs to be covered, fit correctly, and of course be weather appropriate. Shorts and a t-shirt with sandles in the middle of winter is just as bad as jeans, boots, and a wool sweater in the middle of 98 degree summer weather.

So, yes I am all for uniforms, or at a minimum dress codes.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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Many of us know someone in our lives who has suffered or died from Breast Cancer. I’ve heard one out of every three women will contract breast cancer in their lifetime. That means between my mother, my sister, and myself it is likely that one of us will get breast cancer before we die. I’m not sure how realistic those statistics are, but if they are anywhere near the truth, then those are scary odds.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month! With that in mind I wanted to tell you about two of the most amazing, vibrant, enthusiastic, heart warming women I know. They are my role models, my inspiration, and above all else the strength that has gotten me through so many hard times throughout my life! I don’t know where I would be without their constant love and support.

My sister a truly amazing woman has not only a full-time job as a lawyer at her own law firm and a family to care for; and my mother a woman who doesn’t know the meaning of surrender, who will never let herself or anyone else settle for being a victim have devoted much of the last year to helping raise money to find a cure for breast cancer, and plan to do the same this year.

With your help they can reach far beyond their combined goal of raising $4800 toward the 2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day (60 miles in 3 days all to raise money for breast cancer research).

I will be donating again this year! WILL YOU?

Donating is easy. You can donate online at the3day.org by searching under the team name (Step by Step).

If you own your own company, or think the company you work for would be willing to match your donation or do a corporate sponsorship please forward this information on. They are looking for corporate sponsors willing to donate $250 or more. They will even have corporate sponsor’s names put on the back of the shirts that she will be wearing for the 2012 walk.

Most of us know someone who has died from, or survived breast cancer. In the memory of those that have passed away and to secure a future for those survivors and those yet to be diagnosed please know that every penny helps. Even if all you can give is $5, know that it can make a difference!

All donations are tax deductions. You will receive a printable receipt via email after you have made your online donation.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Below you will find a letter from my sister explaining her experience during the 2011 3-Day walk and why she is so passionate about continuing to dedicate herself to the fight to find a cure!

Hi everyone,

For those of you who do not now, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and since I am dedicated to helping find a cure, I am doing it again – I signed up for the 2012 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®! I had such an incredible experience doing the 2011 3-Day for the Cure just one month ago that I’m going back for more. I’m so excited about this event, even though this time I really know what I’ve gotten myself into.

Just in case you missed my account of the 2011 event, it was an amazing event. This event isn’t easy, but I promise you, I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t believe 100% that it was worth every muscle ache, weary night and training walk!

I need your help. I am planning on surpassing the $2300.00 that you – my friends and family – gave so generously last time around to help end breast cancer. As such I am looking for 40 of you to donate just $60, a dollar for every mile I will be walking, to help me meet my goal. For those that want to donate more, I am looking for corporate sponsors willing to donate $250 or more. I will have corporate sponsor’s names put on the back of the shirts I will be wearing for the 2012 walk.

Donating is easy. You can donate online at the3day.org by searching under my name and team name (Step by Step). You can also donate by printing off the donation form that can be mailed in.

I want to thank you in advance for your generosity. If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I’m doing, I love talking about the event. Thanks for all of your support. I’m incredibly lucky to have people like you in my life!

Love,
Nicole Smith

P.S. Don’t wait – donate today. One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States. We don’t have time to wait to find a cure, we need to act now!

Been a While…

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Okay, so I’ve been gone, from my blog, from my book, from anything and everything creative that has to do with writing. I guess I’m just not feeling very creative in that area of my life. Oh well… it happens… life goes on!

I did however complete my goal of moving through all of my tiny little bottles of hotel shampoo and conditioner. With the sad realization that I absolutely did not do blogs on all of them, but what I found was they really were not blog worthy. I wonder if the companies that supply the hotels just don’t put out as high quality products for hotels, thinking that quantity outweighs quality.

Oh well, I am still on a mission, and I do plan to find the perfect hair care product for my crazy, think, curly, and almost always frizzy hair!

Next stop… WEN hair care by Chaz Dean. A coworker of mine recently started using it, and can not stop raving about it. Maybe my search should have started there. However, the price isn’t really what I had hoped to spend! That’s right, price does play a role in my decisions on hair care. Actually not only hair care, but clothing, entertainment, just about everything.

Where don’t I penny pinch? My children’s education, the health of my family and myself, the safety of my family and myself. I’m sure there are other areas, but really I think that penny-pinching is one of the special qualities that make me who I am. What I really wish is that I could figure out how to “coupon” shop. People are saving hundreds at every visit to the grocery store, and yet I can’t seem to save more than 4%. What is the secret? Where does someone learn to do that? How?

Oh yeah – just watched the first episode of ‘Ringer’ with Sarah Michelle Geller, LOVED IT!

This blog post has just been one big random purging of information, sorry. I just needed to type and this was what came out!

Bath and Body Works Signature Collection

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Okay, first off I have to say sorry for being gone… I needed a break after my editor’s letter and notes. I haven’t really written anything since. Though, I am ready to Rock & Roll, soon. Tomorrow… maybe.

As far as my hair goes, I have been using the Bath and Body Works Signature Collection Coconut Lime Verbena Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner these last few days. So, are you thinking what I thought, “Coconut and Lime? Really?” If you are, let me put your mind at ease… they actually work together. Honestly, the coconut made me feel like I was on vacation and the lime, well that just woke me up every morning.

Now, I don’t often reach for the ‘Volumizing’ products, because I have all the volume I think my hair needs, but I didn’t buy it. I acquired it free with my over priced hotel stay, and therefore I could not turn it down. Free is free and that is good in my book.

This isn’t a product I would use if I was showering at night, or even a scent that I would want to use on a daily basis. However, as a occasional use product, I like it!

It lathers up pretty good, and my hair seems to react alright to it, nothing special. All in all its shampoo and conditioner with a twist of lime.

So… my journey continues.

Kudos to Kudos Spa..

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Kudos to Kudos Spa…

I have spent the last two days nourishing and conditioning my hair with the products of Kudos Spa!

At first glance the nourishing shampoo and conditioning milk look RICH!!! I love the packaging, simple yet elegant. My first thought was that at only 1.1oz. per bottle they wouldn’t be good for more than one or two uses, at least not with all of my hair. However, I was pleasantly surprised when the shampoo lathered up the second it touched my hair, and that just a quarter size amount was able to completely wash all of my hair. The conditioner was the same, coating my hair in a smooth cream with only a minimum amount.

Although the fragrance is a little more masculine than I tend to like, the overall outcome has been great. My hair feels silkier, and it is less frizzy than it has been in a while. I would buy this product if they sold it at Target!

The sad news is that I have looked online, and the only place I have found it so far is through hotel supply companies. Since I am not in the market to buy 300 little bottles of shampoo and conditioner, I guess this isn’t the right stop for me. I shall continue my search of the perfect hair products, and hopefully what I end up with is an easy to find, reasonably priced product that really works!

Crabtree and Evelyn

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For the last two days I have been using La Source Original Formula Shampoo and Conditioner by Crabtree & Evelyn. You can find it at http://www.crabtree-evelyn.com

Crabtree & Evelyn products are generously supplied by Hilton Hotels, at least the ones I’ve stayed in. The bottles are simple thin containers with pop up tops. The light blue color is relaxing and welcoming. The full-bodied fragrance is wonderfully refreshing, especially in the morning when all you really want to do is crawl back into the comfy Hilton bed, and hide under the big fluffy comforter.

So, the real question is how did it do with my hair? Unfortunately, not so well. It took more than half the bottle to feel like I got shampoo throughout all of my hair, and even then the lather was miniscule. The conditioner was no better… I used over half the bottle, and still couldn’t get my fingers through my hair without finding tangles.

My thought… well, at least my hair will smell great!

I did hope that after using the rest of the conditioner bottle that my hair would be left smooth and silky, but after four hours when my hair finally dried I was left with frizzy dry scary hair. Hair that you can’t do anything with, except pull it back into a bun, and longingly wait for tomorrow’s shower.

All in all… not impressed with the Hilton provided Crabtree and Evelyn shampoo and conditioner.

On another note… The Crabtree & Evelyn body lotion that Hilton provides is AWESOME! That I would spend my own money on!

Hotel Shampoo and Conditioner

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Throughout the past year I have found myself a very frequent flyer… The  reason for said travel doesn’t really matter in the context of this text, but what does matter is the travel regulations that state only 3 oz. bottles of shampoo and conditioner can be carried in your luggage.

I have long… curly… dry hair, and I need my shampoo and conditioner, but I have grown used to not carrying it with me on trips. With that said, I have used the same shampoo and conditioner for about ten years now, if not longer. My shampoo and conditioner of choice… drumroll please… Pantene Pro V for Curly Hair!

Now, I love Pantene, or at least I have no complaints against it. My hair isn’t overly dry, nor is it oily, it just is the way it is! So, nothing to write home about, but nothing to complain about either.

However, I, like so many people, love the tiny little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and even mouthwash that hotels provide! I like to walk around with them, pretending to be a giant! Yeah, yeah, scoff if you must, but you know deep down that you do it too!

Anyway, I have from time to time, like every time I travel… collected my unused bottles and brought them home with me. I like to put them out when I have visitors at home, making them feel like they are staying at a high-class hotel… or just a small guest room with pretty smelling shampoo and conditioner in the guest bathroom. lol

Although, we don’t have over-night guests very often. Thus, I am left with quiet an assortment of tiny little bottles! Because I stay at the same hotels over and over I have multiples of the same brands, but last night I looked through my little bottles, and discovered that I have 12 different types of shampoo and conditioner. This lead me to wonder how each of these different products would treat my hair. Thus my twelve day hair challenge!

I will be using a different hair product each morning, for the next twelve days, and blogging about how it affects my hair. WooHoo… So much fun, for me anyway. I won’t be able to tell you what hotels all of the products came from, because I’m not that anal… I didn’t keep a list, but some of the hotels mark their bottles with their names, so I will provide that information when available.

So, stay toned… tomorrow you will hear all about my experiences with La Source Original Formula Shampoo and Conditioner by Crabtree & Evelyn!