Holidays: Will They Be A Time of Joy - or Of Tragedy? 98

What do you want out of life? What do most people want out of life? Some kind of happiness --- whether that means finding the love of their life; having small attainable goals, or doing something meaningful in society - like working with the hungry and poor.

Throughout life there are a lessons learned and embedded into our psyche; Ones that leave a lasting impression and that shape us as individuals , dictating choices we make for the future.

These impressions come from a variety of sources - the neighborhood we lived in; people in our lives - from our parents, friends or teachers - to that stranger on a street corner. Each memory is a misshapen piece that indelibly will coincide and be interwoven with other pieces to complete the complex puzzle, of the self, in each of us.

Yet it isn't just impressions that shape us - it is more primal than that. Our makeup is derived by genes who are manipulated and tousled, surviving generations after generation. Where do these genes come from? From our descendants - passed down from our families.

For allot of us, even in the most dysfunctional of circumstances - family means allot. Having a need for family to gather around us in celebration is a need that is echoed across cities, states --- for that matter across the globe.

But it can be those same joyous occasions with the right conditions that can trigger a deadly domino effect. When you have a family, their safety is important. When tragedy strikes it can rock your world. No one wants to be affected by an intoxicated driver. Yet everyday in the United States 36 people die and 700 people are injured from alcohol related crashes¹. Those statistics are sobering.

I have first hand experience of a loved one being injured by a drunk driver - It doesn't matter the extent of injuries or there severity. Once an unknowing car is struck - whether broadsided, T-boned ,clipped or Rear-ended ---their lives and their families lives are changed forever.

The scary thing about alcohol is that teen drivers are the most vulnerable. Teens push the envelope when it comes to vehicle safety, there is a tendency to underestimate and not recognize dangerous situations⁴. When any alcohol is involved , teens risk of crash /fatalities is far greater than any older age groups². In 2005, 3 out of 4 teens who were killed in alcohol related crashes were not wearing their seatbelt³ . In 2005, male drivers aged 15-20 yrs old who were involved in fatal crashes %38 had been speeding and %24 had been drinking⁵,⁶.

Because of the importance of educating our teens, MADD - a non-profit organization aimed at giving needed support to DUI victims and preventing underage drinking, has stepped up to the plate this season, conveniently as this December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month to unveil their campaign entitled: The Power of Parents.

Did you know - %74 of teens turn to the parents for guidance on drinking? The Power of Parents campaign aims to give parents of teens tools, and access to resources which can help empower them when talking to teens about underage drinking.

You will find on The Power of Parents site: Expertly written videos, guides and pamphlets available via download. There is also "Ask an expert" section for all your questions, plus an online community where you can network with other parents and share experiences.

Right now as of the recent launch, there is a section specifically for parents of highschool aged teens. But check back soon because there are several sections planned for: Elementary parents , Middle School parents, and College parents.

The site is very user friendly and you can also participate in the conversation via Twitter: @maddparents, or Facebook: Power of Parents Fan Page .


If you have time, I have 2 pamphlets in pdf format, available for download from The Power of Parents campaign.

Download Page


Links for More Information:

CDC:

• Impaired Driving Fact Sheet


• Teen Driver Fact Sheet


• December: National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month


• Teen Driver Resources

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

• Traffic Safety Facts


• Teen Drivers Resources

MADD

• Underage Drinking Statistics


• Drunk Driving Statistics


• MADD Blog


• Highschool Safety Quiz


• Support 21 Survey

The words and opinions expressed here are my own. The facts and statistics all have sources (see below). I wrote this post while participating in a blog campaign (about the launch of The Power of Parents site) by Mom Central on behalf of MADD. A donation was made to MADD in my name to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Hopefully the statistics, and links I provided will help educate you, your family or friends. Be safe this holiday season!

Sources:
¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
² Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Fatality facts: teenagers 2005. Arlington (VA): The Institute; 2006 [cited 2006 Dec 1].
³ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2005 [Online]. (2006b). National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (producer). Available from: URL: http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/yrbss/CategoryQuestions.asp?cat=1&desc=Unintentional.* [Cited 2006 Nov 28]
⁴ Jonah BA, Dawson NE. Youth and risk: age differences in risky driving, risk perception, and risk utility. Alcohol, Drugs and Driving 1987;3:13–29.
⁵ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dept. of Transportation (US). Traffic safety facts 2005: speeding. Washington (DC): NHTSA; 2006a [cited 2008 March 28]. Available from: URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/TSF2005/SpeedingTSF05.pdf.
⁶ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Dept. of Transportation (US). Traffic safety facts 2005: young drivers. Washington (DC): NHTSA; 2006b [cited 2008 March 28]. Available from: URL: http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.govf.

Product Review: I-Spy Memory Game 20

Many occasions on long car trips you may have played I-spy as a child or now play it with your children or grandchildren. Calling out the familiar phrase "I spy with my little eye...", hoping to baffle those trying to figure out what exactly it is that you do spy. Then the triumphant "I know ..." was sounded, signaling your "secret" spy is no longer a riddle any longer, and all at once you are out a turn at spying, and your role becomes the questioning, searching finder.




I Spy Memory Game by Briarpatch captures the thrill of those car games, and magically condenses that spirit into card sized fun.

When I first received this game, I opened the box and was surprised that the cards were not pre-cut. There are sheets of thick card stock that you must push the scored cards out of. The process over all was not to tedious, and my 5 yr old daughter enjoyed seeing what I would pop out next. While doing this I noticed that there were two types of cards:

1. Elaborate Image cards with a blue text background on the bottom.(Memory Cards)
2. Text cards with a red text background on the bottom (Riddle Cards)

These cards are important because there are different options to play the game, depending on your player's skill levels in reading.

If the player is not skilled at reading there is an option to play with just the memory cards themselves. The instructions have a detailed list of images you are looking for to match in pairs, to be read off before the game is started.

This is the option we opted for, as my daughter isn't quite at reading confidently yet, as she will be starting kindergarten this fall.

It seemed a bit overwhelming for my 5 yr old at first, she was really exited to just get to the playing of the game, but once she found her first match she really took to the game. In fact she got the most matches between me and my husband combined.

We all enjoyed this time as a family, and our youngest toddler even got into the spirit of things by holding onto my "matches" pile.

If you are playing with older players who are skilled at reading then the riddle cards will come into play.There are 8 options total to play this game. You are also encouraged to make up your own riddles.

Game Specs:

Number of Players: 1-6
Age range: 5 yrs to Adult

Contents :

• 60 Memory Cards
• 15 Riddle Cards
• Game Instructions

Game Play:

• Option to play memory matching with younger players who aren't proficient at reading.
• Riddles included for older players who are skilled at reading.
• 8 ways to play this game total

Quality:

• Cards are made with very heavy grade matte card stock
• Images are lively and well done
• Instructions are very detailed.
• Riddles are quick to grab players interest.
• Briarpatch will replace missing game pieces w/ description and $1.00 to cover shipping costs.
• I Spy was awarded a Parent's Choice Gold Award.

Over all I would say that this game is a real gem. It promises to create a fun environment for your friends and family. I spy encourages attention to detail while stimulating creativity and problem solving abilities. Fun for all ages. I would highly recommend I Spy.

Parents: 5 Tips for having a Safe and Enjoyable Summer 4

When you are a child, the summers seems to be an mystical time that taunts you throughout the school days, tempting your thoughts with daydreams of water ponds and Popsicles, and with so much daydreaming comes the literal jump for joy that school is done. The thought that a whole summer of possibilities remains waiting around the corner - all for you!

In time school days turn to responsibilities, and you grow into an adult - but there is still something amazing about summer, that makes you believe once again there is a sun filled fun town that may invigorate your hum-drum routine...

Eventually you have a family of your own, and your little ones watch the changing seasons and with eyes of wonder they too are alive with the joys of summer...

But with summer comes allot of responsibility - to keep you and your family safe from the sweltering heat, and UV rays.

Jamie A. Freishtat, M.D and Rachel L. Schreiber, M.D., FAAAAI, are two Doctors who are also parents and together they make up Mommy Docs - a website that provides pediatric info for moms and their colleagues.

Here are 5 tips they recommend for parents to make summer more fun an less about worry...

1. Have a Sun Protection Strategy: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sunscreen with a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15. Look for products that provide "broad spectrum" coverage to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Use this sunscreen routine with your child--daily application 30 minutes before going outside and reapplication every 2 hours (or sooner if swimming, toweling off, or sweating). Creating a routine will establish good habits for the future. In addition, don't forget a wide brim hat, sunglasses with 99-100% UVA/UVB protection, and sun protective clothing.
2. Keep Pests off Your Little One: In the summer, many insects can bite or sting your child. For pesky mosquitoes and ticks, consider a DEET containing insect repellent. Apply sparingly to exposed skin (avoid backs of hands and around the eyes and mouth) and/or to clothing once a day. As the percentage of DEET goes up, the duration of action increases. To prevent unnecessary exposure, always use the lowest percentage that will last for the planned length of time spent outdoors. Never go above 30% or use on children under 2 months old.
3. Keep the Pool Cool and Clean: Small yard pools provide a great way for kids to have fun and cool down when the temperature rises, but they can also harbor germs, such as bacteria. To keep the pool free from unwanted "swimmers," after each use disinfect it with bleach by cleaning with a solution of ¾ cup regular bleach to one gallon of water, then rinse well and dry thoroughly. Safety must: Always supervise children regardless of age when they are around any water; whether it's a bucket, a small backyard plastic pool, or the local community pool.
4. High Heat Means Hydrate: Excessive heat exposure may cause your child to experience a heat-related illness such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or even heat stroke. How to prevent this: take breaks in the shade, avoid playing outside during peak sun exposure hours, and drink, drink, drink! Make sure your child is taking in plenty of fluids before he become thirsty.
5. Rid Rashes and Relieve Itchies: Running through the yard in bare feet, taking a nature walk on a trail, and picnicking in the park are some of the joys of warmer weather. But all of this outdoor activity can expose your child to a host of plants including those which cause poison ivy, poison oak or poison sumac. If an allergic reaction occurs, ask the pediatrician about an oral antihistamine and/or a topical skin care product such as a steroid cream or calamine. If the rash is extensive, looks infected, or is not getting better, call your doctor right away
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Uncommonly Cute : Infant & Toddler Clothes 18

Uncommonly Cute is an infant and toddler clothing e-store run by a husband & Wife team hailing from New York. They pride themselves on cute & cool apparel that is unique, which expresses your baby's individual personality. I am especially enamored with the site because they support two great causes :
R Baby Foundation (proceeds of 50% from this page go directly to R Baby Foundation) and Room To Grow. It is great when businesses give back to their community or country.

...Got A Bun
In your tum?
...soon to arrive

Freshly Baked?
Get this tee for your New Arrival.

This website is what the name implies.
A fabulous line of newborn, baby onsies and toddler
tees, that will make you smile. Baby clothes come
in size newborn - 2T. In a choice of gender
specific colors.

I especially liked the newborn onsie that has
"freshly baked" across the chest. For a baker
such as myself, not only is it funny but very cute.

Many a joke has been had at a pregnant
girl's expense referencing her "bun in the
oven". This simple statement is both endearing
and laughable. Your child is an Artisan made
creation, after all. Celebrate your handy work!

And for the geek in you - why not
check out this "famous on facebook"
tee, Deck your child out in some Social
Networking vanity goodness.

The funniest tee I saw was the"Elmo is my homeboy" shirt. Hilarius. This would go great with some Infant / Toddler Adiddas or maybe Infant / Toddler K-swiss .Teach your baby to embrace his or her's dopeness.

And for those political types, infant and toddler tees & onsies that say "I'm a Democrat" or "I'm a Republican". 2008 is an Election Year after all , babies may not talk - but they sure can scream and what is better than a screamer ? A screamer who supports his or her political party! Aww the magic moments of parenting.

To see the above tees and more...Visit the website to view all the baby goodness.

Food Sensitivities, Particulates, Allergens --- Oh MY! 2

Am I a gluten for punishment? Living in the Pacific Northwest ^w is wonderful, but behind every wonderful there is an unsavory side, and for me that is the dampness that gives us our lovely moss covered forests and temperate climate.

When dampness is prevalent --- so is mold, spores, pollen, dust mites....Unfortunately for me and the 9 million+ inhabitants of the PNW, we are living in an allergen nightmare. Not only do we have mold, but pollens specifically found only in this Northwest corner of the United States.

Throughout the late years of my teens and into my adulthood I have been on a roller coaster ride of allergen induced symptoms. From skin to respiratory to full on facial swelling, which recently, of course led to an emergency trip to the ER. All these symptoms were caused by a growing list of things that either fall into one of these
categories: animal, vegetable, chemical, mineral or environmental. that I am "sensitive" to or painfully allergic to.

Needless to say this has caused me to have to document any symptoms I have. I urge anyone who thinks they, or their child has an allergy to document :

1. Symptoms ? Be descriptive - whether or NOT you feel they are related to an allergy.
2. The symptoms duration - How long do these symptoms last?
3. Where were you when the symptoms occurred? The environment (inside / outdoor) (was it sunny or wet) etc. Be descriptive!
4. What were you doing when the symptoms occurred? Be descriptive (eating - what? / sleeping- on? /petting cat - long hair?) [ The product you were using (hair gel / chemicals)]

These documented events will help your doctor narrow down the cause of the allergy. And it will help you to notice any patterns - such as "wow, frank gets itchy when he chews on rutabagas..", so that you know what things to avoid, and what triggers outbreaks or symptoms.

Eliminating those allergens in your life can sometimes be overwhelming and frustrating to think about. But if you stick to an allergen journal - slowly things come into perspective, and it makes this task allot easier.

The research about allergies is staggering.


Allergy Facts:

• it is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions.^(S)
• The cost of allergies in the United States is more than $10 billion dollars yearly.^(S)
• Allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) affects about 35 million Americans, 6 million of whom are children.^(S)
• Asthma affects 15 million Americans, 5 million of whom are children.^(S)
• The number of cases of asthma has doubled over the last 20 years.^(S)
• Dust Mites & their waste can remain airborne for 15 minutes, after being disturbed.
• The male/female ratio for asthma is 3:1.
• Asthma accounts for almost 5,000 deaths a year

There are some ways to combat Allergies, I have found some interesting links with some good info on allergens. Here are a few quick tips I have found helpful.

Simple Ways To Combat Common Allergens:

• Keep the home cool (between 68 and 72 degrees F);
• Maintain a low humidity (between 40 and 50%);
• Make certain there is good ventilation.
• If you have allergies - don't vacuum, if you must use a mask.
• Stay out of the vacuumed area for 1 hour.

Also - You can invest in a air filtration system - you can find these in varying prices and strengths, they really do work! In both portable versions or One installed into the duct work of your home. One example is AccuClean™ Whole Home Air Filtration System, According to their website :

Key Benefits:

• Removes over 99% of the common flu, or influenza A virus, from the filtered air in your home.
• Removes up to 99.98% of allergens from filtered air
• Catches particles even smaller than .1 micron in size
• 8 times more effective than the best HEPA room appliance
• 100 times more effective than a standard 1" throwaway filter or ionic-type room appliance
• Delivers cleaner air, and more of it
• Reusable filter is easy to vacuum or wash

See more info here: http://www.americanstandardair.com/HomeOwner/Products/AirCleaners/AccuClean.aspx


Links to Further Your Allergy Knowledge:

• Allergy Treatment Begins At Home
• How can people with allergies ideally control the air quality and climate in their homes?
• Worst Cities for Spring Allergies
• The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
• Drug Allergies- All you Need to Know about Allergic Reactions to Medicines
• Allergies and Intolerances
• Asthma in Children
• Allergy Sufferers, Allergy Triggers at Home
• Asthma/Allergy Childcare Setting Quiz
• allergies a-z list
• Allergy Center - MayoClinic.com
• Allergies to Pets | The Humane Society of the United States
• Seasonal Allergies , Allergy Relief, Pollen Forecast - weather.com
• Allergy Discussion Group, Prevention, Self-Care, Mutual Help

I have reason to believe I have food allergies also , and later I will going to an allergist for the first time and most likely go through a series of allergy tests. Since this is a food blog I wanted to highlight the dangers of food related allergens. I am a mom and I am amazed that not more parents are aware of food sensitivities and the symptoms.



Food Allergens - A Growing Trend

In the last twenty years, the US has seen an epidemic increase in allergies, asthma, ADHD and autism, including a:

400% increase in food allergies

300% increase in asthma, with a 56% increase in asthma deaths

400% increase in ADHD

Between a 1,500 and 6,000% increase in autism.

The male/female ratio for food allergies is 2:1

An increase in the number of people with Celiac's Disease (a wheat allergy).

See more info here.

Signs of Food Allergy

Food allergy symptoms can range from mild to life threatening and may include:

• hives
• itching
• rash (eczema)
• behavioral/temper changes
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue and/or eyes
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• cramps
• itching and tightness of throat
• difficulty breathing (asthma)
• wheezing
• in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylactic shock is a severe allergic reaction that often includes swelling of the face, lips, mouth and throat and it can lead to a drop in blood pressure, shock and unconsciousness. If not treated immediately with epinephrine, anaphylaxis can be fatal.

Links to improve Food Allergy Knowledge:

• Defining Food Allergies
• Recommended Food Allergy Resources From AllergyKids.com
• New Ways to Fight Nut, Milk Allergies
• The Food Allergy Initiative
• Food Allergy Awareness, Support and Training
• AllergyFree Passport - How to Eat Out with Food Allergies
• Robyn O'Brien on Food Allergy Kids & Advice for Parents
• Food Allergy
• allergies a-z list
• The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
• Food allergy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Ask the Dietitian - by Joanne Larsen MS RD LD - Allergies (Food)
• US FDA/CFSAN - Food Allergies Rare but Risky
• Grocery Shopping for a Food Allergic Child: tips for success

Hopefully these links will help someone take control of the allergies that are plaguing them or a family member. Educating yourself should always be the first step to controlling any condition.

Family Game Review : The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures 5

I am reviewing this The Tuttles PC Game, in hopes to spread the word for a worthy cause. Proceeds of the $20 dollar purchase price is being donated to Starlight Star Bright Children's Foundation. Fifty percent of the retail proceeds from game sales and 75 percent of the proceeds from the downloads at http://www.tuttlesfamilygame.com/ go to Starlight.

...Play for pleasure

Purchase
The Tuttles Madcap
Misadventures
Help a worthy cause..

Game History:

This game is a first of it's kind -
a game designed specifically with
a charity in mind. Starlight Star Bright
Children's Foundation Partnered with
Legacy Interactive to come up with
a new way to drum up funds for a chari-
table cause . Legacy Interactive just got
done rolling out a Facebook "Friends"
promotional contest designed
to help spread the word about The Tuttles
Madcap Misadventures: Starlight Charity
Challenge. The animated arcade-style game
is being sold with a first-of-its kind national
fundraising campaign benefiting children
with chronic and life-threatening illnesses via the Starlight Star bright Children's Foundation

The Tuttles Madcap Misadventure was voted "2007 Kids Game of the Year" by Game Tunnel,
and received a Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award 2008; and Iparenting Awards "2008
Excellent Product/Video Game".


Produced By: Legacy Interactive.

Legacy Interactive is a leading developer and publisher of casual games for people of all ages. Entertaining customers since 1998, the company has built a reputation for developing intelligent, realistic and engaging games for a broad audience. Located in Los Angeles, Legacy is known for its TV-branded games, such as Law & Order and The Apprentice, as well as for its popular simulation games Pet Pals: Animal Doctor,
Emergency Room and Zoo Vet.

Legacy has ongoing distribution, marketing and content strategic partnerships with a number of companies, including Vivendi Games, Universal Studios, Ubisoft, Mindscape, Majesco Entertainment, and Scholastic.

Developed By:

Legacy Interactive http://www.legacyinteractive.com/

Divo Games http://www.divogames.com/

Animax http://www.animaxent.com/

An original comedic script and characters designed by Emmy Award-winning Dave Thomas and Starlight. In addition to being a well-known actor, writer and director, he’s also creative director and co-founder of Animax Entertainment, which has a long history of working with Starlight. Animax developed the award-winning “Coping with Chemo” webisode series for the organization, and most recently helped redesign its online social network for seriously ill teens called Starbright World.

All of these companies have worked on major gaming platforms, and have produced industry leading content for some time. Their great work on other kid friendly content within other projects is what ties these companies together, enabling them to create a game that both graphically and intellectually interests both kids and adults.

Game Specs:

Game Play: This game plays very smoothly, there is enough action and humor to peak anyones' interest. You can choose to play as any of the 4 characters in the Tuttle family. They all have their own unique game scenarios and experience. There are 40 levels that you must over come and these levels are divided between 6 main themes - Island, desert, mountain, Under Sea, tropical jungle, and sky.

Game Interface: The Download of The Tuttles Madcap Misadventures was seamless. It installed well on my pc. My operating system is Windows XP, with Service Pack 3.

The desktop icon is pleasant and easily seen. When clicked, you are taken immediately to a
full screen, where you can watch the story of The Tuttles family unfold.

There is both keyboard or mouse support. I chose to use my mouse, it was more comfortable. The characters are controlled by pointing the mouse cursor in the direction you want your character to go. If you want the character to crouch down, you move the mouse toward the bottom of the screen. If you want your character to jump you move the mouse upward. And so on. The artificial intelligence communicated well with my mouse cursor. There was a learning curve however, to familiarize myself with exact positioning of my character. When I chose to be the mother character, I especially liked being able to wallop anything that was in my path with my purse - it packed a powerful punch!

Everything is very visible - the option icons, help points and save points, required objects and objects that rack up points - all are very clearly defined, and almost larger than life.

Artificial Intelligence & Enemy Specs: The artificial intelligence of this game is pretty relentless, I could liken the enemy element to many popular platforms of arcade style games, more specifically Nintendo's Super Mario Brother's. Each Level has it's own that are suitable to the environment - for example the desert is littered with swooping bald eagles, stinging scorpions and poison cactus. There is something always raining in from the sky, crawling up from the ground or rolling in to your character, so you need to be on your toes constantly.

Most levels have a predetermined amount of special items you must find, before you can pass the level. There is also an abundance of points that are decided by the environment of the level you are in, such as a first aid kit for extra life , you find in the desert.

You get 3 lives for each level. Each enemy or hazard removes points from your life. There are special items you can pick up that will boost your life - they aren't always apparent - so look hard. Each level has special save points, resembling a book, which allow you to pick up where you left off when you restart the game.

Game Plot: The main plot of the game is The Tuttles family trying to make it to their vacation via road trip to The Alamo (not limited to travel on the road, but also through their specialized van equipped with jet propulsion and wings for flight, and a submergeable body for deep underwater adventures) . Along the way they encounter many hazards, such as their beloved van crashing, deep jungle skirmishes and under sea foibles - all the while sticking it out like a loving family would. The mantra for the game is "getting things done, by doing good".

Each family member is a hero, in their own right : the goofy father Barry, the spunky mother Barbara, the typical teen age, social obsessed daughter Jess and young Zach, who can't wait to be grown up. With each character choice you gain a unique perspective into the dynamics of the game. The Tuttles Madcap Misadventure is a linear game - meaning 3 bad mistakes and your game level is over. Each character must use their wits to defeat enemies and hazards both environmental , physical or animal related. As the game progresses - the difficulty and level of hazards increases.

Game Graphics: The graphics are flash based, and comic book like. They are designed with a kids perspective in mind. I found the color scheme to be very likable and there were no overwhelmingly garish colors, the designers stuck to earthy,warm natural tones. They looked lively on my 17 inch 1280 x 1024px resolution, 32 bit CRT monitor. I have a VIA/SG3 UniChrome IGP.

Visually the level scenes have allot going for them. There are plenty of details in the foreground, which sucks you into the game, making the setting believable. The terrain is textured and they hazards are very detailed. When a player's character encounters an hazard - the character wavers from opaque to semitransparent, alerting you to the fact that contact with the hazard has been made.

You have 6 nicely rendered settings: desert, ocean , jungle, island , sky and mountains.

Animation: The character animation is not quite true to life. The characters are whimsical and a little goofy. Their actions and interactions are pretty lifelike though. You can see a character gripping for a ladder, or jumping to reach a save point etc. Scorpions move like in real life, eagles glide.

Some more whimsical features of the game include Special objects that levitate in mid air. Spiderwebs become bounce able trampolines that allow you to jump out of spear lined pits; Once enemies have been defeated (by being stomped or walloped) - they disintegrate into nothing and become bundles of money / gold or a character specific reward (i.e a "worlds greatest dad" trophy for Barry).

Come to think of it I thought that Barry (the dad) looks very much like Max Weinberg, the drummer from Late Night with Connan Obrien.



Theme Music: The theme music is pleasant. Each character has their own specially catered theme. Each level has a specific theme based on the environment the level takes place in.

Character Voices: The amazing cast of characters can be heard sharing witty one liners
and carrying out the crazy adventures of The Tuttle family : Bob Saget voices father Barry,
Jamie Lee Curtis is mother Barbara, Ashley Tisdale plays teen daughter Jess, and Dominic Scott Kay voices young son Zach. Other characters include Dave Thomas as The Australian, Dave Coulier as The Islander and William Shatner as the voice of the souped-up mini van that transports the family. The voices are very well suited for each specific character. They make the game a very fun experience.

This game is full of witty banter and parent vs. child humor. This game never wanes with a comedic script written with 300 lines, from the creative genoius of Dave Thomas.
There are mini shorts throughout the game featuring humourous interaction between the Tuttle family.

Sound effects are true to life. The rumbling of the van's engine, the hissing of a snake, the thundering echo of a rolling boulder, these are all concrete examples. Each level has it's own charm. And the characters each have their specific sounds, if running you hear gasping, or if hurt you hear wincing pain - all in keeping with the games momentum. I found the mother's exclamation of "Oh we NEED that" or "scratch that off the list", while in the mall were very funny and almost too realistic.

Game Utilities: All games are managed by player name - you are asked to enter your name when you start a new profile, and your top score is saved. When the game is loaded you choose your specific player profile. The game memory is only limited by your amount of hard disk space.
There are no options for difficulty. The game merely increases difficulty as the game progresses. This is a one player game.

Game Rating:E for everyone. Has mild cartoon violence.

Over all this has been a real fun gaming experience. I let my 5 yr old watch me play, and I felt the violence was mild in comparison to many other popular kids geared games. I look forward to much more game play with The Tuttles in the future. If you are looking for an engaging game for your children, that isn't too violent and that promotes family - this is a great choice.

Purchasing this game helps a great cause.

System Requirements :

OS: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista - there is a Mac version available (see below)
CPU: 600 Mhz RAM
Downloads:

You can Download The Windows Version Here: Windows Download



There is a Mac compatible version available here: Mac Download


Starlight Star Bright Children's Foundation : When a child or teenager has a serious medical condition, everyone in the family is affected. For 25 years, Starlight Star bright Children's Foundation(TM) has dedicated itself to helping seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

Starlight's programs have been proven to distract children from their pain, help them better understand and manage their illnesses, and connect families facing similar challenges so that no one feels alone. Through a network of offices, Starlight provides ongoing support to children, parents and siblings in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces with an array of outpatient, hospital-based and Web offerings. Programs are also delivered internationally through affiliates in Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom. To learn more visit http://www.starlight.org/.

On Mothers 0

These are my smiling little children - The boy on the left is 12 months and the girl on the right is five years. Time has passed so quickly. It is funny I can look at them both and see them just as they were in the hospital - cradled in my arms for the first time. Their eyes squinting and unadjusted to the light all around them - unaware and scared of the world they had entered into. So tiny and red. Wrinkled and scented with what seemed the essence of purity itself.

I can recall flashes of memories, mainly feelings that awaken in brief instances. A mishmash of events carried out in a haphazard fashion, standard things every mother and father goes through.

In the begining the feelings of creating such a beautiful new life overtake - the tiredness, the aching, stress. All the agony and pain of labor seems to have washed away during this brief period.

Yet as the weeks progress, like in some cruel joke, nature inflicts upon us what seems like some maddash through parental basic training - unfortunately it is not a Drill Sargent you encounter, no, it is a screaming inconsolable infant.Which in some ways is worse. And slowly you feel the sleepless hours start to take there toll.

Your body is not in the physical shape you need it to be - you are ill equipped to be inching your way through mountains of laundry and dishes. You aren't ready to shimmy up the stairs, now starting to feel like a rope climb. Nor do you want to do laps around the house for forgotten infant equipment, that you think will somehow (hopefully) appease this baby. Nights turn into days as this baby turns your schedule topsy turvy. He has needs, and yours are trivial at best.....
And he has made his presence known.

But just like everything else, days turn into weeks and then into months, and that little screaming bundle of chaos grows into a babbling, toddling little person. One who can add the sweetest moments to your daily ritual. The days and nights slowly regain there proper momentum, and bedtimes are now a real thing to look forward to. Even though the demanding has changed from screaming into a more direct form, it somehow makes it more palatable.


I feel something that must be what only a mother's love can feel like --- the light in my children's eyes now blankets my heart, like I once swaddled and blanketed them. And when life's struggles and stresses creep in, and disrupt my mood - I can look at their faces and feel an instant wave of warmth, of joy rush over me and I can soldier on another day.

I am a frikin baking zombie! 0

Thursday was a great day. Not only was there harmony in the bakery but there was an overall anticipation.

Wed. was test day, much earlier than other stations. But I was at ease,
for the most part - I did get a little careless on my center cuts, but for the
most part the end product was good.

As the day progressed, I scaled liquids for the days formulas, started mixing my first formula, (a coffee cake)that would make (14) 9" pans. I was happy to grab the mixer "collar" [used to convert the 60 quart to a 40 quart] that did not dance & girate violently once the bowl was agitated. There were no obnoxious grinding sounds and the soft rythmic echoes of paddle on bowl were almost soothing. I thought about the 4 a.m wakeups, for I was in the early morning station, and how today that would all cease. It was a good feeling. I had been getting 5 hrs of sleep a night, with a lingering cold {3 weeks}, sinus is agitated, my ears are plugged up so communicating is very interesting. All this stress on my body & taking care of the family, was making me turn into some kind of zombie.

When you have a toddler - rarely do they just go to bed when you want them to. My daughter is no exception. So most nights she has trouble sleeping & wants to climb into bed with us. Well she doesn't lay there light a rug, no she thrashes all over the place in her sleep - It is like being in the ring, her eyes shut, somewhere a bell goes off, she starts throwing punches , elbows fly, then in a martial arts fashion - legs & feet make quick jabs, lethal to anyone near enough for the sparring to make contact. And I am usually victim - no part of my body is immune. Needless to say, I wish she would sleep in her bed.

Blurb: Parental Anxiety, torrential Rains | uncomplimentary tastes 0

"Twenty, Twenty - four hours to go....I wanna be sedated...." [---Sung by The Ramones. ] And inevitably the theme song for my night of Hell.....

Well when I last left the blog, my daughter was very ill. Now, the intermittent fever of 104 ° F had ceased, she was medicated. And best of all she was driving mommy nuts in her oh-so-cute-toddler fashion, which is normal and pleasant. So we were relieved, and feeling out of the danger zone.

And that is why, when a friend invited us to stay at their family beach house in Seaside, Oregon - I gleefully excepted. It was going to be fun : good friends, laughs, drinks - all on the Oregon coast. Oh adult conversation and the like - where could we go wrong?

Yes where? When? Funny how the human body sneaks up on you. After the rainy drive through Portland...



now some of you are thinking , Isn't Portland & the Pacific Northwest in general - rainy? ultimately yes, but we have had a very dry Winter. Also the temperature has not dipped under 55°F in the last month - even elevating to 75°F , with plenty of sun.

....The mists were dense on the mountains and made the coastal forest appear ghostly and mysterious. Water littering the concrete spilled out into the cracks and red clay that made up the forest floor.

Water was streaming up my passenger side window - pushed outward from the sheer force of wind, intensified by the speed at which we were traveling.



We traveled onward, ever nearing the small coastal towns that lined the hilly forest scape, with names like "Mist" and "Veronia".

Once we did arrive in Seaside, the streets were sparsely inhabited. Locals & a few gutsy tourists braved the Gail force winds, plummeted by rain. We arrived at the house - a big beautiful craftsman, with a river stone facade and stereotypical low lying porch with columns. The inside was light and airy, it had a 1930's cabin feel. The kitchen was my favorite - large and tiled from floor to ceiling. There was a large island with range top, overhead a pan rack hung strung peppers, garlic & herbs. Every appliance you would want in a modern kitchen was there. Then you could walk into the dining room - a long heavy rectangular table & comfortable wicker lined captains chairs lined the room. Over head a rustic candelabra hung low, making for an intimate dining experience.

The house was full of windows. Full of big overstuffed Italian leather chairs - inviting you to lounge, while the waves could be heard crashing outside. The View from the Eastside of the house provided a look out onto the sand dunes, beyond was a view of the ocean. Nothing else to inhibit the view.

We settled in to the guest bedroom - complete with it's own living space & bathroom. Everything was going fine. The weather however had made up it's mind to send out the banshees - to howl their mournful, threatening cries. To thrash the waves about, making them swell into a woeful threatening mess. Sand was now a weapon furled at unsheltered victims - stinging flesh.

As the night wore on we made stir fry, unfortunately someone had purchased sweet potatoes & Thai peanut sauce for the dish. Now I have nothing against either ingredient, but when paired together - they do not complement each other, especially if added to a host of other ingredients: broccoli, onions , garlic, red peppers, Tofu, hot pepper. What happened is the sweet potato broke up & the starch encased all the other ingredients. The peanut sauce dampened by the sweet potato was not good at all. It had a bitter after taste.

If I had had my way I would've used teriaki sauce, omitted the sweet potato all together.

My daughter was screaming at the dining table, and I got up to take her to our room. She starting having stomach cramps and intestinal troubles. I couldn't get her to sleep. Finally after 2 hrs of trying,she layed down on the bed and fell asleep. Once she was secured I went upstairs to have some espresso and Baily's Irish Cream. As the night wore down, we realized that the weather wasn't improving, and there was a scramble to get the DVD player connection working. Unfortunately the surround ect. Was much more complicated & we didn't have the correct cables.

My daughter woke up, 2 hours later, screaming and the events that followed were quite scary indeed. She was writhing at times in pain. And her diapers were horrible. I was up with her, trying to settle her until 6 a.m. She would not lay down & would scream violently. We decided to wait it out until the morning - then if she wasn't better we'd go to urgent care. She had no fever, which told me it was something viral.

Sure enough by morning she was more herself - I let her sleep until noon. But even so she still wasn't doing well. I wasn't much for company - I couldn't stop fretting over my daughter's health. Plus I hadn't that much sleep and I was emotionally drained. I told my husband we should leave. We packed and said our goodbyes, I felt frustrated that we couldn't stay. I didn't want such "mommy" duties to get in the way.


Coming home....

Wire whip depth of field 0

Wire wipe depth of field
Originally uploaded by abstract2concrete.

My experiments with Depth of Field.

Click on either link to learn more.

My little girl is very sick and needs her mom! Posting will have to wait, sorry.

Please read some of the archives, if you haven't already : March / February / January /December.

Some of my better writing is included there anyway, also formulas & baking theory notes.

Tommorow is my birthday...At 4:10 A.M Feb. 8 th 0

So I am a quarter of a century. Yet I still feel like a kid. Time is a very unusual thing. I have no plans just survive another day. Hopefully no one makes a big deal.

There is a point in your life when birthdays lose their "specialness", and the thought of another birthday makes you shrug.

But when you have a child all things "you" are pushed aside. The child becomes first priority. And celebration of your birthday wanes in comparison --- because everything is so new for the child.

Not that I mind this. But there is still a yearning sometimes for things that scream "ME"!