Happy New Year! 2018 Is Going To Be Our Best Year Yet!

Happy New Year! 2018 Is Going To Be Our Best Year Yet!
 
HOW CAN 2017 BE OVER?  HOW? 
I suppose the same way my son is almost six and I feel like I delivered him only a couple of years ago. Oh, how time flys when you're trying to raise an awesome little human.  You know... 
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Ready to pack your bags and head somewhere warm, far, far, away from the stress of family and the holidays? Me, too! Need a little escape? Check out this article from Travel and Leisure about the 50 places you should visit in 2018, here.
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I'm hard at work finishing the edits for my Debut novel, The Devlyn Disguise. Read the Synopsis, here.
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If you do nothing else in 2018, please, do this... 
Read what it is, here.





Happy New Year!  This is going to be your best year yet. No. Doubt. 

Everything you need to know about the #NYE Song, Auld Lang Syne. Including The Words



Not gonna lie, if someone walked up to me and said the words, Auld Lang Syne, they would most likely get my confused look. The same look I give mid-way through the song. Ok, two bars in. 
If you're still rocking your confused face over the words, Auld Lang Syne, allow me to fill you in; it's the song you try to sing at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve. While the song's origin dates back to early seventeen hundreds Scotland, it wasn't until 1788 when the Scot poet and lyricist, Robert Burns, put his spin on the 'old song' and birthed the Auld Lang Syne we sing today. 
'For Auld Lang Syne', loosely translates to, 'For The Sake of Old Times'.  

(If you need to know more then my condensed version about the origin of Auld Lang Syne, go here.)

Auld Lang Syne, as it's sung today:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,for auld lang syne.
And surely you'll buy your pint cup!
and surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.And there's a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o' thine!
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

Auld Lang Syne 
heard at most parties I've been to:
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and have a great damn time
lalalalalalalalalala
lalalalalalalaaaaalalalalaaallla
I need more champaign and someone to kiss...  

WAIT! There's a traditional Dance!






Everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a circle. Sway back and forth while singing. At the beginning of the last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right-hand reaches out to the neighbor on the left and vice versa. (See the happy dudes dancing to the above)
When the tune ends, everyone rushes to the middle, while still holding hands. When the circle is re-established, everyone turns under the arms to end up facing outwards with hands still joined. 


NOTE: In countries other than Scotland the hands are often crossed from the beginning of the song at variance with Scottish custom.
How will you sing it this year? Bookmark this page or pin the image below as a refrence.




The Life-Lesson Sue Grafton Shared With Me When She Passed Away


I was sixteen when I was first introduced to Sue Grafton and Kinsey Millhone.  My mother and I were going on a long road trip and rented the audiobooks, A is for Alibi and B is for Burglar, to keep us from going crazy on the road. I loved the storyline instantly. Mid-way throguh the book, Kinsey was my new favorite female heroine. 

When we got home from the road trip, I picked up the next three audiobooks, C-D-E, and walked the track by my house listening to the books. I like to listen to thrillers while walking to keep me going. I have a rule that I can only listen to the book when I'm walking.

When I caught up with the last published letter, I would reread favorites in anticipation of the next installment. I always preordered to get it ASAP. Christmas 2008, my sister gave me a signed copy of T is for Trespassing. I friggin' cried like a baby. Sue Grafton wrote my name! It was the greatest gift of all time. 

I eventually worked up the nerve to go to the signing for, W is for wasted. When my signing group was called to meet Sue, my heart jumped in my throat. I walked through the door of Carmichael's and lost it when I saw her. I was so fangirl-crazy, it was ridiculous. I cried the entire time. (In my defense I was dealing with some gnarly Postpartum Depression. In fact, the hubs was the driving force behind me going, all three of us went to meet Sue. (I wrote about Here.) 




This past August, when I started writing what would become my first official novel, The Devlyn Disguise, I turned to the alphabet series for help, encouragement, scene set-up, character development and anything else I could tap for encouragement. I finished the first draft of the book in November for #NaNoWriMo, and have been editing my ass of since. Two weeks ago, while in edits, I got frustrated, shut off my computer and went to bed, grabbing my copy of, W is for Wasted, off my desk. 

That night, mid-December, I was mystified by Sue's prose. I was in awe of her work and desperate to be like her. I decided that night I had to express my gratitude to her for so many years of inspiration, escape, encouragement and her philanthropy in Louisville, because there's that, too. 

I spent the next week loosely thinking of my thank you, and how I would send it. I didn't want to publish it for the world, because it was personal, and I didn't want it to get muddied by people thinking it was an act to get help with my book or anything shitty.  I wanted, above all, for her to know just how thankful I was for her, her work, and the years of inspiration, on so many different levels, she's afforded me.

Today, December 29, 2017, I was hit with the devastating news, my hearo and idol, Sue Grafton had succumbed to Cancer and passed away. I felt sick. Complete denial. No way I read the News alert correctly. Sue wasn't dead. No. Fucking. Way. Not, yet. She's 77. Amazing. One book away from finishing the Alphabet. Nooooooo. Please. No. 

I immediately went to Sue Grafton's Facebook Page, and found this posted only moments earlier:



I left this comment in between tears and sobs.


While sitting at my desk, devastated, I was also thankful. Thankful, that on the evening of December 19th, when I was once again overwhelmed with the need to send my thank yous, I did. I reached out through Facebook messenger, where Sue and I had talked a few times over the years.

The following is the end of the message I sent Sue Grafton nine days before she passed away. 

One million, zillion, trillion times over, THANK YOU! You are my, Kenneth Millar. I don’t know if you ever got to thank him for his work and inspiration, but I’m so grateful that I’m able to thank you today. Thank you. I pray your holidays are filled with many, many blessings. Looking forward to ZERO! My deepest admiration, April

**Kenneth Millar was her idol and early inspiration**

I am so beyond thankful I ceased the moment and sent my letter of love and gratitude. Sue Grafton died knowing how much she meant to me. I will carry that with me forever. Had I not reached out, I can't imagine how angry I'd be at myself. (Even in her passing, she is profoundly affecting my life. I'm telling you, she was amazing. Read her books!)


Please, share your love, gratitude and compassion with the people important to you, today. Tomorrow is not promised. Make 2018 the year of love, compassion and hope. 

How Dentistry Can Impact Your Children's Health – 5 FAQs




According to the CDC, 1 in 5 children have at least 1 decayed tooth that is untreated. And 1 in 7 adolescents has at least 1 untreated and decaying tooth. This is jarring news because tooth decay is entirely preventable. And as parents, it is our responsibility to make sure our children learn how to responsibly care for their teeth.



Ready to get serious about your child’s dental health? Here are some of the most common questions from parents along with answers from the experts.

FAQ 1: At what age should I take my child to see a dentist for the first time?


According to America's Pediatric Dentists, take your child to see an accommodating dentist for children as soon as their first tooth appears. Or before his or her first birthday. Whichever comes first.


FAQ 2: Why is my child's first dental appointment so important?


Getting your child comfortable at the dentist can set him or her up for either viewing the relationship with their dentist as a positive one. For example, one where the dentist is a partner in your child's oral health. Or a negative relationship, where the dentist becomes the source of pain and suffering.


Setting the right tone for your child's first dentist appointment can help establish how he or she views oral care for the next several years. You want your child to have firmly established good oral habits that will last through to adulthood. But an essential part of that is scheduling and keeping dental appointments as part of one’s oral health care routine.

FAQ 3: How can I portray a positive attitude to my child about going to the dentist?
As a parent, the feelings and perspective you have on going to the dentist can often be transmitted to your children. Certain comments, although well-intentioned, can have the opposite effect. For example, comments like, "It will be over before you know it," can inspire anxiety instead of calm.


So what should a parent say to their child leading up to the appointment?


Keep an air of open curiosity about the appointment and excitement about spending some one on one time with your child. Pose outward questions about the things you see and observe around you. Bring some play material for your child to keep boredom away in the waiting room.
FAQ 4: Why is it important to take care of baby teeth if they will fall out anyway?


Your child's baby teeth are a placeholder for the adult teeth that will come around the age of six. If they fall out too soon due to decay, the placement of the adult teeth can become skewed. Teeth placement often will shift forward as a result, and the front teeth can become crowded. Your child might need braces eventually when the adult teeth come in.
This is often the reason that dentists will recommend fillings for baby teeth that have cavities. As simply pulling the decaying tooth and leaving it at that can lead to other problems.


Another reason goes a bit deeper into teaching children overall self-care. When a child is taught to take care of his or her appearance by using good oral health habits. And through other aspects of taking care of oneself, he or she will take those habits with them into teen and adulthood.


FAQ 5: What foods can I feed my child for healthier teeth and gums?


Cheese has been shown to raise pH levels in one's mouth after consumption. Which lowers a person's risk of tooth decay. Cheese also contains high amounts of calcium and protein, both essentials for strong teeth. Also, while most sweet foods are a no-no for teeth health, apples are an exception. Apples require vigorous chewing, which results in more saliva in one's mouth. Saliva helps to wash away food particles as well as bacteria.


Other foods your child might enjoy that can help with oral health include almonds, carrots cut up as veggie sticks, and yogurt.


Do This ONE Thing To Change Everything In 2018



We all have that one dream. The BIG Dream. The dream of all dreams. The dream that makes your heart smile and flutter when you think about it. I'm not talking about winning the lottery. I'm talking about the dream that gives your life purpose. The dream that gives you a life so fulfilling, you jump out of bed every morning stoked to cease the day. 

My ultimate dream is to author bestselling novels that weave messages of hope, encouragement and life lessons into brilliant storylines--sort of like a subliminal self-help book. Last August, I started chasing that ultimate dream when I wrote the first words of, The Devlyn Disguise.

With each word I laid down, my heart would leap for joy. The feeling was crazy. I was following and living my dream, and it felt amazing. I am now so fully addicted to that feeling of having a purpose and following my dreams, what feels like all four hundred and twelve rewrites and edits to the book since finishing the first draft in November for #NaNoWriMo, have been exhilarating, too! 

Quite possibly, the true meaning of life is following your dreams.





What about you? What’s your ultimate dream?

Not sure? Figure it out. 

Whatever you do, in 2018, please, follow your ultimate dream to the ends of the earth and back. It's so worth it and feels AMAZING. You only get this one life, live it according to your dreams and aspirations. Not, your, 'someday I will...'



Below are a few great tips for following your one big dream in 2018.

1. Figure out what your one dream is, and visualize it. See what it looks like, how it will change your life. Allow yourself to dream and believe, don't hold back. Let yourself get a taste of what your life WILL be like when your dream becomes a reality.  It's magical. Do it. Your heart will get hooked on that feeling and help drive you to the finish line. 




TIP: Read the book or watch the movie, The Secret. The Secret has personally helped me, my family members and many of my friends- and millions and millions of people around the world-- Take what you can from it. It’s often free on Netflix or Amazon. Definitely worth the watch if nothing else.




2. Make a game plan. What is the first step to realizing your one big dream? Do you have to go back to school? Move? Change jobs? Figure out the first step, and how you can take it. Write down the plan for step one. Focus on accomplishing it. Do that with each step. Don't get overwhelmed, just follow the dream. 


3. Set an alarm that goes off every day at a time you know you’ll be free that says, Follow your dreams, and spend an hour doing it.


4. Tell people about your dream and your plan to make it a reality in 2018. Get people to help hold you accountable.

5. Beleive in yourself, the dream and it coming true with all your heart and soul. The power of the human mind is insane. If you can dream it, you can do it. 

What are you waiting for? 


Happy New Year. Make 2018 your best year yet. 





5 Sanity Saving Tips For Family Holiday Travel






After dragging my son around the world and back, I feel pretty solid about sharing a few tips for meltdown free family travel. So, if you're dreading heading to Grandmas for the Holidays, or even trading bitter temperatures for warm sands, I can help make the trip not suck, because regardless of the mode of transportation or destination, one thing remains the same, the kids are coming and you need to prepare. 

1. Pack as light as possible. Between the gadgets, toys, clothes, blankets, bedtime bears and favorite pillows, it's easy to over pack. Very easy. Combat this by making a list of essentials for each family member, and stick to it. It's not like you're leaving for good, it's a week! 

Road Trip Tip: Check to make sure the headlights and taillights are working. Give em' a wipe while you're at it. Double check tires' air pressure and tread and look for nails or debris that could be potentially dangerous. You may want to invest in an air freshener too!

2. Snack Attack. Whether it's a hungry kid or a chatty kid, snacks will come in very handy.  Skip the traditional sandwiches for bento box lunches to keep kids busy.  Also, have a bribe treat. The go-to to your kid won't turn down. Like a scooby-snack. This is your miracle worker. Don't leave home without it.




Road trip snack TIPFreeze small bottles of water and use them in the cooler instead of ice. The frozen bottles will keep things cold and the cooler from filling with melted ice that sloshes back and forth with every turn, begging to pour out all over the floor of the car.

3. Floors Are For Feet Only. Let's face it, the floors can be valuable real estate when traveling, but not so great for the person losing the foot space. Free up the foot space by hanging bags on the back seat. Backpacks fit nicely over the 'shoulders' of the seat or secured by the headrest. When in flight, slip things over the back of the tray table to free floor space.




4. Check Your Tech. Before embarking on any trip, check your tech; replace the batteries in your camera, charge everything, and bring a car charger. Pack all tech stuff in the same bag. When it comes to a crying kid over a dying tablet, the last thing you'll want to do is search four bags to find it. 

5. Set expectations very low. With all the planning, comes high expectations. Kill them. Now. Expect everything to go wrong. Make sure the children think they are on their way to hell and it will take hours to get there. The lower the expectations and understanding that shit happens, the happier everyone will be. 

Road trip tip: Whether you're traveling with a child or not, invest in a box of baby wipes. The pre-moistened wipes clean messy faces and surfaces in a pinch, and without stinky harsh chemicals! Not to mention, those little wipes will be a lifesaver at those grimy roadside and airport bathrooms that haven't seen an attendant in at least a decade.

To The Parents Struggling To Make Ends Meet, I get it. This Might Help








To the parent struggling to make ends meet this holiday season,

I’m sorry. It sucks. 

I get it.

The fear and anxiety of just paying the bills and feeding your family are keeping you awake. Smothering you. 

As if that’s not bad enough, you have beautiful children you’re desperate to shower with holiday cheer and gifts. Oh, wait...  AND pay for the holiday events, class party supplies, teachers gifts and still be able to buy a few gifts for under the tree.

It’s a terrible fucking place to be.

Terrible.



Keeping the normal family budget on track month-to-month is hard enough, but doesn’t have to stay this way. You can and will survive this. I did. Here's how.


You have two choices:


1. Ignore it. Continue to wake up at 3am crippled by debt, stress, and anxiety. Day in. Day out.

2. Face the motherfucker head on. It’s a fact. You’ve got this debt. Not only is it going to go away on its own, It’s not going away before Christmas, however, if you make a plan the stress and anxiety will.




So, what's this plan I speak of? 





1. Get Your Head Around The Facts. It’s time to look at your budget over the next three months. Start a spreadsheet and get your head around everything. Look at it, and tell yourself, this time next year, I will be in a much better place. Now, believe it. 

2. See Where You Can Save. Go through each bill and see if there is a way to lower it. THINK: If your cell phone bill is more than $65 you might want to look around because so many major carriers offer $50 plans with high or unlimited data. Do this with each bill. Just saving an extra $20 a month will add up. In a way, it will pay one of your electric bills. Call the credit card companies and ask for a lower interest rate. Yes, it works.

NOTE: With credit card bills always round up twenty to fifty dollars minimum in your budget, you have got to pay that off. Look into a Balance Transfer. I got the The Chase Freedom Card for our Balance transfer. It offers 15 months no interest and free balance transfers. This means EVERY PENNY YOU PAID goes to paying off the debt. Make sure you CLOSE the old card once you transfer. Two maxed out cards is not the goal here.

3. Set Your Spending Budget. Add up your bills and subtract the total from your income. Divide it by four. That is your weekly budget. Is there enough to feed your family, have a little fun on the weekends and save 5%-10%?  That's the goal. If not, go back to step two and try to shed a few more dollars. 

4. Go Debt free. If you stop adding to your debt each month, then you are going in the right direction. As long as you pay the bills, stick to your monthly budget then you have essentially stopped the bleeding and set your family on a course to financial freedom. That alone will help you sleep through the night. 

5. Play Mind Games. Once you have a clear picture of your financial situation, and a plan to get on track, I know this is gonna' sound crazy, but, tell yourself you are officially out of debt. Tell yourself you’re not going further into debt. If you can’t afford it, you can’t have it. That includes cable and huge cell phone packages. 


Make 2018 the year you get a hold of your finances. Stop the bleeding, be accountable, make a plan and stay focused on no longer being in debt. And last, please, enjoy this holiday season with what you have and the people you love, because that's what's important. Tell yourself next holiday season will be a blowout, just be happy today and don't let debt ruin this time, it's supposed to be magical and filled with miracles.




To learn more about the Chase Freedom Card click here. They did not pay me to tell you about it. It worked for me. Bottom Line, balance transfers can be HUGE if you have credit card debt, look into it. 


Tips To Keep Your Home + Family Safe And Secure



Providing our family with a healthy, yet safe, environment to live, laugh, and play in, is one of the most important jobs many of us will ever have. Making our homes and properties safer and more secure is often the first steps in providing our families with what they need for a bright future. With simple modifications, and thought out planning, this can be easily achieved. In many cases, we find ourselves implementing the most apparent safety measures, but keeping an open mind when it comes to additional ideas will make your family’s lives easier as well as safer in the long run.


Protecting Your Home

Home security is often the first step in making your family safer inside the home. It takes more than a family guard dog, to truly protect your family from harm. Finding local home security providers who will discuss all your options, as well as explain the installation process, will allow you to quickly add a level of protection to your home and property that you previously were without. Adding these types of protection for your family against break-ins and fire will provide them with a comfort they may not have realized they needed as well as grant your peace of mind when you are away from home.

Pool Fencing

What family doesn’t love the pool? A backyard pool is a great way of bringing families together and providing them with quality fun time. Unfortunately, they can also be a hazard for the young children in your family. For their protection, it is important to have a pool fence installed. These fences allow your children access to the backyard for play, without allowing them access to an unattended pool. Keeping your fence secured when the pool is not in use, will provide the entire family with an ease that comes from knowing accidents are being prevented.

Proper Railings

When designing our homes, safety should be one of our main concerns. Stairways and balconies can be hazardous to anyone who accesses them. Making sure your home is equipped with proper railings and banisters will help alleviate the possibilities of injuries occurring from the use of the stairs and balconies. Handrails are a great way to keep your family safe when they are accessing the stairs. They provide a firm handhold, for even the smallest child, to maneuver more efficiently. The same can be said for properly placed railings. Railings around balcony and loft areas help keep all your family members safe from accidental falls while still providing the ability to take in the beautiful scenery that is often enjoyed from these perches.

Tub Safety

Another way to ensure your families wellbeing is by providing proper tub safety. Accidental falls often lead to emergency room or doctor’s office visits, which everyone hopes to avoid. The installation of slip-resistant mats to your tubs will help members of your family, no matter their age, stay safer when in the tub or shower. For additional security, shower railings are another great idea. These railings provide a person who may struggle with mobility the chance to shower with ease and confidence while helping them stay safe.

Fire Safety

Another way to protect your family is to do whatever you can to prevent, yet be prepared, in the event of a fire. Having properly installed and maintained fire alarms is key to fire prevention. These alarms, along with alerts provided by your security systems, will alert you and your family in the event of a fire breaking out in the home. Having a proper evacuation plan in place, that is known by all members of your family, is another important element. This will have every member of the household on the same page when it comes to exiting the home in case of emergency, and where to safely meet one they are outside. The installation of a sprinkler system, as well as properly maintaining wiring systems, are other additions you can add to your home’s safety to help prevent fires from occurring.


These are just a few ways to help keep your home safe and secure for you and your family. These strategies will help all of you on the path to a happier, safer, life.

Free Shipping Friday: Everything You Need To Know #FreeShippingFriday







It's here, FREE SHIPPING FRIDAY! The ONE day of the year hundreds of online retailers offer no minimum free-shipping AND a guarantee of delivery by Christmas. Here are a few things to know, and seriously consider, about the National Shopping Day. Yes, Free Shipping Friday is totally a thing, just like, Black Friday.


1. Obviously, don't buy another thing online if you're paying for shipping until Friday, December 15, 2017.


2. Stores that you would never think of, with awesome stuff, are participating, so browsing FreeShippingDay.com (the official page) for participating stores, is a great way to find something special for that special someone, or asshole brother that's impossible to please.





3. The stores are going to be battling it out for your money. Deals, coupons and One Day Only Sales (And I'm not just talking about Macy's) are going to be crazy.

These are actual offers for Free Shipping Friday. To see more, go to Freeshippingday.com


4. Clearance your ass off! With no minimum free shipping, plow through your favorite store's sale section, and buy cat socks for eighty cents or stemless wine glasses for a dollar each. This day is the day to think about everything you need or want, and find it on clearance, go crazy and find a coupon code. See just how much you can buy for five bucks.






5. Imagine running through the mall at light speed, buying your favorite things at bargain prices, and having them delivered to your house, free. THAT is happening on Friday, except you get to stay home in your PJs. I'm telling you, nearly every online retailer is jumping on this boat, don't deny yourself the clarence sections on Friday. Call it your own little Christmas miracle.


Hanukkah Fun Facts Because, #Hanukkah





My step-grandfather was a fabulous, Jewish man. His name was Herman, but everyone called him Hy. He threw a medicine ball at me everytime I walked through the door, then made me Matzo Bread smeared with butter. Every year he gave us little gifts for Hanukkah, and on Christmas a dollar for each year of our life.

I remember the year my mom got thirty-nine one dollar bills. I'd never seen so much cash in my life. I was sure she was rich and we were getting a new car. God, I love that man!  Sadly, at the ripe age ninety-four, he left this world. My Presbyterian grandmother joined him a few years later. While not a day goes by that I don't still think of them, it's the holidays I miss them the most. So in honor of my wonderful grandfather, who welcomed me into his faith, and shared his love and stories with me, I present a Few Hanukkah Fun Facts, because #Hanukkah is awesome, Just like Papa Hy.


So, what the Deal?



How big of a deal is Hanukkah?


What's the Candle thingy? Menora or something?





What's up with eight days of gifts?



The eight days of gifts sort of came about due to the proximity to Christmas and those spoiled little Christian kids having all the fun. That's why the gifts given are more like small little tokens of blessings, not PlayStation, cars, and wardrobes.



What's with the spinning game?









What about the food?! And all that oil it's cooked in. Sounds dreamy...





If you've never been treated to a Jewish Hanukkah, then I'm sad for you. Latkes, made four billion different ways. Donuts filled with yummy gooey goodness like cream or jam. Beef brisket that will turn a vegetarian. Chocolate coins wrappers blowing through the house as the kids go running by on their chocolate high. Bread, booze, good times. DO THIS~