Note Worthy Charities

I like to give to charities. I don't ever give much but I do try to give some. However, I am very picky about which charities I give to. I have never been to the Fort O Walmart without being hounded by some kind of a charity. Mostly some little league team or church. That really annoys me. I hate being begged for money by people who don't NEED it. I like to contribute where I feel it is needed, however meager the donation, I like to think every dollar counts. I don't study charities either but here are a few that I really approve of their work and gladly add a dollar or my change to. If possible, more.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: I KNOW that their fast offerings truly go where it is best needed. It is a completely non-profit organization. They send out their funding in many different ways, all the way from natural disasters to a needy family.


Boy Scouts of America: The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nation's largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness.
I love them. I love the program and I always wanted to be one so I am happy to contribute to them.

March of Dimes: Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. We carry out this mission through research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies' lives. March of Dimes researchers, volunteers, educators, outreach workers and advocates work together to give all babies a fighting chance against the threats to their health: prematurity, birth defects, low birthweight.
I was one of those annoying kids who knocked on every one's door and got as many donations as possible for them. I guess that is why I like them. I didn't get a dime from my work and it all went to the children. I don't know how many times I did their fund raisers.

The Salvation Army:The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.
Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Another great one that donates 100% of it's donations. I kind of get excited at Christmas time when they are at the doors ringing their bells. I especially like when the volunteer is extra cheerful and sings Christmas songs.

St. Jude's Hospital: St. Jude is unlike any other pediatric treatment and research facility. Discoveries made here have completely changed how the world treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. With research and patient care under one roof, St. Jude is where some of today's most gifted researchers are able to do science more quickly.
St. Jude researchers are published and cited more often in high impact publications than any other private pediatric oncology research institution in America. St. Jude is a place where many doctors send some of their sickest patients and toughest cases. A place where cutting-edge research and revolutionary discoveries happen every day. We've built America's second-largest health-care charity so the science never stops.
This place is AMAZING. None of the patients who go there EVER get a bill. I don't know exactly how it works but I think they bill the families insurance for their part and then rely on donations for the uncovered bill.

The Candle Lighters: This is to help cancer patients with the other expenses other than hospital bills. House payments, utilities, gas to hospital, etc. It is really cool though because they never give cash. They will ask for your electric bill or whatever and then pay it for you. It is a pretty small organization still so they have some kind of cap per person, $1,000.00 I think. For example, there were like 6 kids in the tristate area of N. GA, TN and Alabama that were diagnosed with really rare cancers. The Candle Lighters contacted the families of each of the diagnosed to try to help with the expenses.

The Shriners: Shriners International supports Shriners Hospitals for Children. They help children up to age 18 with orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palates. There is no financial obligation to families.

I guess my donations only go to 100% profit donations. I get miffed at the thought of paying a middle man. If there are any great ones that you know of, please share.

Fun, Fun, Fun!!!

Lauren, Nick, Michelle, Ashley, and Katie came to visit us for the week. We have had so much fun! We went to the aquarium, to play in a man made river park, the historic Battlefield Park (we saw a civil war gun presentation), played in the pool and just had a great time with family. It is so much fun to get pictures where everyone is there. Unfortunately, Ryan couldn't make it so it was not everyone but we did get pictures will ALL the grandchildren. That is fun. Sadly, I don't think the Winsor side of the family will ever get to experience something like that.






The aquarium was a lot of fun. It had two buildings one for ocean and one for fresh water. 3 hours was not enough time to really enjoy. Everyone loved it but Cole could have spent another 2 hours there. He was fascinated by the whole place. It was really fun to watch the kids expressions and fascination. There is a place where you could pet the sting rays. Cole would put his hand in to pet them and as soon as one would come around, he would hurry and pull it back. Sage was happy to just watch. McKelle, although very tired, was such a trooper. When we were finished, we started out to the cars, parked 2 blocks away, and it down poured on us! We were drenched. That too was fun though.





We had a camp out. We had smores, caught lightening bugs, had fireworks, and told ghost stories. Will let cole hold the "flower" firework while he lit it. Cole sat there watching it and we are all yelling, "throw it Cole!" It took him a few seconds but he finally did, not a second too soon either. Soon it burst into the brilliant colors it is supose too. That was a little too close for comfort. Although he was able to do some more, Will was a little closer and ready to intervene if needed. Nick and I told a ghost story and then Cole and Katie took off with them. It was so funny. Their little imaginations are wild and vey interesting. That was the best part. After all the kids got into the tent, Sage decided she would rather sleep inside with her Daddy. Not long after that (when Lauren and I refused to get Katie some water) she decided to sleep inside with her Mom). Nick, Lauren and I were settled on the tramp when Ashely and Cole decided they would rather sleep on the tramp with us. So I whisper to Lauren that we are going to take the tent down on them. Just as we get to the tent, Cole knocks it over from inside and starts laughing. My plan was foiled but it was pretty funny. It was a long night (as to be expected) but we had a great time.







The water park place we went was back at the aquarium. It is just a little stream that they have made that runs though cement rock things. It was really fun and perfect for all the kids. The ones who don't like the deep water like it and the ones who do like the deep water like it too. It is free so the parents like it. I found a meter to park but I wasn't supose to pull in, only back in. Which I didn't know. A waitress told me. I am not good at backing in and this was a very busy road. I was just going to leave and find somewhere else to park but an older man was listening and offered to repark my car for me. I was thrilled because I didn't want to look for a new space because this one had taken me 15 min. to find without having to pay $5.00. A big shout out to people who help strangers!








Last but not least is the time in the family pool! I love when everyone gets in and swims. There were people sliding down the little slide, people squirting eachother, people getting tossed into the air, floating on floats, getting dunked, everthing you would expect in a pool. Ashley was squirting Will. She is scared of the pool. She kept on and finally he got out, grabbed her, and jumped in. She screamed like a banshee! He of course never let go but it was still terrifying for her. A day or two later Lauren, Nick and I were sitting on the deck watching the kids squirt at things (no one was swimming) and Ashley leaned out to far and fell in. Nick jumped in and rescued her. Yes, his camera was in his pocket. He had already broken his phone in the rainstorm from the aquarium. Man, this was an extra expensive trip for him. He never complained though and we are all very glad he was here. Hopefully the rice will help his camera even though it failed his phone. It did save my phone though.

Attention!!!

I am starting a new blog. It is going to be called "Yes, I am THEIR Mom". The website is: yesiamtheirmom.blogspot.com I am going to keep this one up but it is more of things that are happening with our family and things I am thinking about. The other blog will be experiences with my children only. Kids are hilarious and I need to remember what they do and say and since I am not a journal writer, this will be a great way to do it. It will be great for me to remember all the things they do: sad, sweet, mean, funny, etc. I thought about this because there are tons of moms who write only things about their kids day to day lives. Then, I read my sister in laws blog and she had a contest for best blogs. One of the ones that won was, "Serene is my name not my life". I really liked the blog a lot. She just writes things but doesn't make her life sound crazy, just like life. She seems happy and not too stressed out. I became an avid reader of her blog. Not very normal for me to follow people I don't know. I don't know who reads me but it is fun for me regardless. Here is the catch: Once a month, I will do a prize for the best "yes, I am THEIR mom" story. I will post the day I will be taking the competing enteries. The gifts will be made by me. It won't be anything expensive or fantastic, just a little something to say thanks for enjoying your kids. I hope this works and if it is going to, I need people's input...actually, I guess if only one person responds, they get the present. Read on and enjoy!

My name is Polly...

Hi, my name is Polly and I like to buy off of infomercials....
Ammon was telling me how Atlas loves to watch infomercials and then will get all excited and repeat it all word for word. I witnessed this while we were there and it was really funny. I am the same way. I love to watch infomercials!!! I have bought my fair share of the hot items and some have been great and others not so much. Here is a small list of the items I have purchased and my review:


Bumpits $10.00: work but I already have kind of a lot of body in my hair so they are not needed very often.

6 second abs $40.00ish: also works but takes too long to do one crunch that I didn't use very often and dreaded it when I did. I was sore after the use but I would rather do crunches or something.

Bette Crocker cake decorating set $9.99: waste of money. they work but I really don't like them. They seem to be messier and I waste more frosting than when I use the Wilton. I use my sister in laws set of metal ones instead. I have used my $15.00 (plus s&h) worth but would not recommend.

Total Gym: Didn't buy but have used one quite a few times and I must say, I really liked it. I don't know how much they are but I would say that if you would work out at home, it would be worth the investment.

Bow Flex: Same as above and the same answer as above.

Ab Roller $40.00: Works well and I use to use it but now I have problems with my lower back and I can't use it anymore. It is much to painful. It is easier than just a wheel though. It has a spring back so when you are rolling back, you don't have to control very much.

Thigh master $5.00: I like it for those times I am just getting back into shape and it is a decent work out but when I am already kind of toned, it doesn't do anything for me. My kids love to play with it though.

DecaSlim $69.99: Total Waste of money. It made me sick and jittery but I still had an appetite and didn't loose a pound. It does come with a 100% money back guarentee though so I am not sad I bought it.

P90X $50.00 (bought on craigslist): It takes about an hour and a half a day (which, I can't do unless my kids are not around me). I have not done the whole program but fully intend to sometime. The workouts I have done though have rocked!!! I am not sorry about this purchase and am still excited for the day when I can hit it strong and watch the results. I have no doubt they work because I have really been sore with what I have done.

Magic Bullet (received for Christmas so don't know the cost): This has been by far my favorite product. I love it! I go in spurts where I use it all the time. I highly recommed this item to everyone.

Today I purchased the Oil of Olay rx face cream set. I am pretty sure that this will be a great name because Oil Of Olay makes really great products. Also, it comes with a 100% money back guarentee also. You can't really go wrong with those even if you do pay shipping. At least, it cures my curiosity and it is worth the shipping for that. I am excited for this product (not that I have many wrinckles but I would rather prevent than not.)

I know I have bought more but I can't think of them now. I am curious to know what products any of you have bought loved/hated etc. Please post.