Monthly Archives: June 2012

A Skype 1st For Me: I Added E-commerce To A Blog While On A #Skype Video Chat

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Skype Ambassador programWhen I started working from home 11 years ago, I tiddled with some web design projects for small businesses and now I design my own sites and help my others, including my Dad, with website/blog design and coding development.

Recently my Dad asked if I could help him upload some software packages to his WordPress.com blog and then allow his customers to purchase the software from his blog.

This would require a few things:

  • I had to be able to find the software on his computer in order to get in on my server and then onto his website.  We used DropBox and his WordPress.com for this step.
  • Then, I logged on to his PayPal account to create the payment buttons for each version of the software (Mac, Windows, with data, and without data).
  • I created the payment buttons for the software and linked to each from his WordPress.com blog.
  • Then, he requested that I change some verbiage on the payment and software landing pages.

This is the result:
Skype video call helps with client design jobs
Skype video call helped with this design/coding job

 

By using Skype, I was hundreds of times more productive and efficient than I would have been had he emailed me a list of tasks.   Being on a call, better yet a video call, pushed me to get things done right then and there.  We were in it together and we din’t quit until we got the job done!

Our Skpye call lasted about 2-2 1/2 hours and by the time we completed the call, all four versions of his software were available for download and each version had its own accompanying secure payment button/link.

He and I agreed that Skype is the way to go when working on design and coding tasks in the future!

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More about Skype:

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Disclaimer: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Skype. I received Skype credits to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating.

DaddyScrubs: A Gift of Comfort {@DaddyScrubs Review and Giveaway}

If you are looking for a fun, unique, yet practical, gift idea for the expecting, new, or veteran father in your life, check out DaddyScrubs for a host of gift ideas to celebrate the new arrival, a special Father’s day, or an upcoming birthday.

DaddyScrubs: A Gift of Comfort
DaddyScrubs: A Gift of Comfort

Make sure the man in your life has something special to wear while awaiting the arrival of the newest member of the family. With an easy fit sported by medical personnel for so long, DaddyScrubs are comfortable attire while dad does his thing: provide comfort and support to mom and baby. New daddies can don a pair in navy, green, or khaki to meet their precious newborns. V-

DaddyScrubs
DaddyScrubs blue scrubs

necked tops and drawstring pants also make these utilitarian and cozy, the perfect choice for pajamas during the long night shifts feeding and comforting a new little one. Constructed from a polyester and cotton mix, they wear well and are machine washable and dryable, and the accurate sizing (ranging between medium and double extra-large) ensures a great fit.

Likewise, I’m the Daddy© tees announce a man’s new status to the world in classic, edgy, or vintage designs. Choose from short or long sleeves in navy, white, brown, black, or gray. These t-shirts are made from 100% cotton preshrunk jersey knit for a great fit and long-lasting comfort, a wearable memento for years to come.

Beyond scrubs and t-shirts, this site carries hoodies, hats, and other gift ideas to celebrate this special time. A number of gift sets include scrubs, tees, hats, mugs, pens, stickers, or baby and parenting books. If you are looking for a practical gift for the active father, the Daddy Diaper Pack is a functional, sturdy backpack designed for the daddy-on-the-go.

Whatever the stage of fatherhood, this specialized site has a gift for the dad in your life.

More DaddyScrubs:

Want to win a set of DaddyScrubs?

Use the form below to enter to win.  Entries accepted through July 5th.  Winner will be selected randomly.  The more entries you complete the higher your chances of winning!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I receive a sample of DaddyScrubs for purpose of testing and review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC.  Please view our disclosure policy if you have any questions. 

Momentary Impatience with our Daughter’s Sock Sensory Issue

After you read this brief story about my experience this morning and if you have a child who has sensory issues and doesn’t like to wear socks, clothes, shoes, etc. please leave me a comment with any tips on how to handle this type of issue.  Thank you!

We were in a hurry to get the kids ready for summer camp this morning and Miss M didn’t like the socks she was wearing for camp. She told us this after she was situated in the car, ready to go, which itself took way too long. Miss M was squeamish in her car seat because her socks were so uncomfortable.

child doesn't like to wear socks
These are 2 pairs of socks that our daughter doesn't like

Madelyn has had an aversion to socks ever since we put socks on her for the first time. As a baby she would rub her feet together to get the socks off.  Now, she says that the seam hurts her.  We even buy seamless socks like these.   I never understood why, but after researching the Internet about children with sensory issues, I found that it is very possible that even the seam of a sock can hurt her foot. I found a lot of websites like these here and here on which mothers talk to other mothers about this phenomenon and how socks can actually ‘hurt’ a child.

Madelyn’s dad got very aggravated because he and the kids were already in the car, ready to pull out of the driveway when this drama happened. I was trying to help when I asked if he had any other socks with him or if he knew where some other socks might be and he said “no” as he huffed and puffed while dealing with Madelyn.

I ran inside the house to get her a new pair of socks, came out and handed my husband the socks and I quietly said “these were in her drawer”.  I swear I didn’t mean anything by it except for stating a pure fact. The socks were in her drawer.’  His reply was “was it really necessary to tell me that”?  Kind of startled, I said “no, but I sure didn’t mean anything bad by it”.  I hugged and kissed the kids goodbye and they drove off.

So now I’m thinking of ways we can avoid this situation in the future.  One solution would be for Madelyn to pick out her outfit the night before camp or school and wear the complete outfit so she can make sure it’s comfortable. Have her wear the outfit around the house for 30 minutes or so. Then she would know before the day of, if the outfit is comfortable or not, and we wouldn’t have to spend 30 minutes changing socks, shoes, and shorts because there is something wrong with what she’s wearing.

My daughter does not have ‘official’ sensory issues but she has had an issue with socks, shoes, and pants since she was a baby.  She is 6 years old now.  She prefers to wear dresses and sandals all the time so she doesn’t have to deal with socks, shoes, pants, or shorts.

???

Do you have a child who doesn’t like to wear socks or has an aversion to other clothing?
How do you handle it?

An MRI and an Alien Invasion – A Personal Story

 

 

 

MRI Machine
MRI Machine - that's a narrow tube, right?

I was diagnosed with Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine about two years ago.  I have dealt with the pain by doing Yoga, stretching, and laying on a heating pad every night.  I’d like to think that I can tolerate pain pretty well these days.
In April though, I started experiencing more severe pain than usual in my neck and upper back and decided that I needed to see my doctor again.  The doctor checked me out, gave me a shot of something that made it so that I couldn’t drive, and said I needed to get an X-ray and MRI right away.  Party time, right?

The X-ray was no trouble at all.  Quick and easy.

The MRI on the other hand.. quick and easy was not the case.

I am a bit claustrophobic. I don’t like sitting with my back to the crowd because I prefer to always see how I can get out of a room if I need to. I don’t like hanging out in closets, and I prefer not to go through underground tunnels when driving if I can avoid it.

During my MRI this morning I thought I was going to have to push what the nurse called ‘the rescue button‘ for at least the first 5 minutes of being inside the narrow MRI tube.  My heart was pounding what seemed like a thousand beats per minute and I thought I was going to stop breathing because I thought surely I wouldn’t be able to escape from the narrow tube if I needed to or the tube was going to collapse on top of me.   In hindsight I know that if I really needed to get out of the tube I could have scooted out of the tube and that the chances of the tube collapsing on me were very slim.  Those facts were not at all reality while I was inside the MRI machine.

The alien space invasion

alien invasion sounds
This is the alien I was visioning while stuck in the tube.

After I got over the claustrophobia issue, I felt like I was in the center of an alien space invasion.. for 30 minutes.  The noises that came out of that machine were insane!   There were loud booms, ticks, and zappy sounds for the 30 minutes I was inside the machine.

After 30 minutes the nurses voice came through a speaker and he said  “It’s over now.  That wasn’t so bad, was it?”.  It’s like he had no idea that I was just zipped into another dimension for 30 minutes.  Really, how could he not know?

Want to know more about MRI and Degenerative Arthritis of the Spine?

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Baby proofing

4 Baby Proofing Products Every Home Should Be Equipped With

Baby proofing
Even this cute baby (my daughter) got into things she shouldn't!

Before a baby even starts to crawl, parents should begin baby proofing the home.  Speaking from experience, there are many things an infant can get into. Many parents, like myself 12 years ago, wonder where to start when it comes to the safety of their child. I quickly learned that power cords, a sharp table corner, cabinets, electrical outlets and the pool if the family has one, are some of the dangers parents may want to start baby proofing first.

Parents can baby proof electrical outlets by using plastic outlet plugs. Outlet covers are cheap and available in any store that sells baby items.  Electrical outlets are extremely dangerous.  I should know.. I put a bobby pin in one when I was a child.  It is very important to baby proof all outlets in your house by using outlet plugs.  Outlet plugs are difficult for a baby or toddler to remove but parents are able to remove them easily.

Safety 1st Deluxe Press Fit Outlet Plugs
Example: Safety 1st Deluxe Press Fit Outlet Plugs
There are table corner protectors to soften sharp edges of coffee tables, end tables and counters.  My daughter, now 6, has had her fair share of head-to-table encounters if you know what I mean.  She has always been on the more clumsy side than my son was so we went all out on the baby and child proofing supplies during her clumsy years.

Safety 1st Expandable Table Edge Bumper
Example: Safety 1st Expandable Table Edge Bumper
Cabinet safety locks and latches keep small children out of cabinets that contain dangerous products. Cabinet locks can be found in the baby section of most retail stores and are easy to install.  Cabinet safety locks are relatively easy to install and make it so that parents and older children are able to get into a cabinet easily while babies and toddlers aren’t. 

Dreambaby cabinet Safety Latches
Example: Dreambaby Cabinet Safety Latches
Baby gates keep toddlers from going into areas they don’t need to crawl around in, like the backyard where the family pool is. The great thing about baby gates is that they can be stretched to fit different sized doorways. They can also be moved around to any doorway, insuring infant safety.  At one time we had four safety gates installed around our house, including one on our front porch.  You never know where your baby or toddler will venture off to so it’s better to be safe than sorry and install a baby safety gate wherever you think your baby should not wander off to.

safety baby gate
Example: Dreambaby Extra Tall Swing Close Gate

There are also products to baby proof and conceal power cords that can be found in hardware stores and retail stores.

If parents still aren’t certain they have covered all the basics then they might want to consider contacting a local baby proofing company. The company would provide parents with all the products and materials they needed to make their home a safer environment for their child.Children get into trouble all the time. They are always sticking things in their mouths, taking a tumble down the stairs, poking hair pins into outlets and knocking their heads on sharp corners. This is why it is so important to make sure that the home environment is a safe haven before the baby becomes mobile.

Alicia Hagan, Editor
* Some links featured in this article are affiliate links.  If an item is purchased using affiliate links, we may receive a small commission.