The Bluebird Patch

*This review and giveaway was made possible by  Double Duty Divas  and  Febreze . I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.* When you have pets at home like us, it is very common to become  noseblind,  to the lingering odor they leave behind. We have two dogs, two cats, and we often foster rescues until they are ready to be adopted. The problem of becoming noseblind, is that you always have the  doubt  in the back of your mind that your house smells funny.  I don't know about you but I panic when I know someone is coming over to visit. I clean the house from top to  bottom , but I'm never fully satisfied because I always worry about odor infestation, in other words, what your guests overwhelmingly smell as soon as they walk in the door. Let's be real, we all know that person that can track scents like bloodhound. They can follow the scent trail and no matter how well you clea...

We are obsessed with Annedroids , the latest science-based live-action action-adventure series, designed for 4 to 9 year old children on Amazon Prime. The premise of the series follows the adventures of young scientist-inventor Anne, her friends Nick and Shania and the androids Anne has created, provides rich opportunities for learning about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Watching Anne and her friends conduct their experiments and create their inventions allow viewers to observe the processes of scientific inquiry and technological problem-solving in action while also learning about science concepts and seeing positive attitudes towards learning exhibited. Anne and her friends’ adventures provide many opportunities to showcase the key processes of STEM, which are often not addressed well in children’s television programming. This includes processes involved with identifying problems and asking questions, making plans and creating pr...

If you have ever caught yourself in a downward spiral of negative self-talk about your body, don't feel bad, you are not alone. Negative self talk and body shaming if often the consequence of living in a  society  that reinforces self- condemning  attitudes. Body shaming not only happens to curvy girls, but skinny ones too. Same thing with height. People make fun of you if you are too tall, or too short.  Self - Acceptance  is the  first  step towards a happier life! Both men and women, often feel like their weight, intelligence, talents and personality fluctuates according to the numbers on a scale. Meghan Trainor new Summer jam, is full of body positivity. It teaches others that they can change how they feel about their body by changing their self-talk. Meghan's song inspire others to stop hating their body, and stop letting shame limit  their  life or hinder their potential.

When Guests Buy Select up&up School Supplies, Target Gives Up to $25 Million This is the best week to get school supplies at Target. Why you may ask?  Because for each select up&up brand back-to-school item purchased at a U.S. Target store from July 13, 2014 through August 2, 2014, Target will donate one up&up or Yoobi brand back-to-school item to Kids In Need Foundation; total maximum donation (retail value): $25 million. www.kinf.org.   Through these purchases, Target’s goal is to donate up to $25 million in supplies and potentially impact nearly two million kids as they head back to school.  Types of items donated may include pencils, erasers, notebooks, pencil sharpeners, glue, rulers, folders, scissors, pencil cases, crayons, markers, pens, and/or possibly other items. Actual items donated may be based on classroom need, may differ from items listed/pictured, and may be of equal or lesser value than items purchased.  ...

Featuring the irresistible story and unforgettable songs from one of the most popular Disney films of all time, Disney’s and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical sweeps metro Atlanta with laughter and fun. The Broadway show is opening Aurora Theatre’s   19th   Season Signature Series July 17-August 31 . Co-created by Cameron Mackintosh with additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the musical tells the story of everyone’s favorite “practically perfect” nanny who falls from the sky and into the hearts of the dysfunctional Banks family. With the help of a carefree chimney sweep named Bert, she teaches the family the immeasurable benefits of love, joy and mutual respect for one another one magical lesson at a time. Produced with dazzling theatrical effects and a score that includes  Chim-Chim Cher-ee ,  A Spoonful of Sugar   and  Step in Time , rediscover the Walt Disney classic that has touched the hearts of...

Friends don't forget about Gwinnett Restaurant Week. If you have been postponing visiting one of the participating restaurants now is the best time to make a reservation. For only $21.21 per person you can enjoy a 3-course dinner. I had the pleasure to visit " The Melting Pot ", (it was my first time) and they didn't disappoint me. The portions might seem small, but when you start dipping everything in that smooth glorious golden melted cheese, it will certainly fill you up fast. If you are visiting this restaurant my best advice is to leave room for the last (and best) course, the chocolate founde.  I  highly  recommend the “Flaming Turtle” chocolate founde. Is to die for, and you will need a lot of will power, to restrain yourself to not lick the plate. Is that good! All participating restaurants/menus will be online at GRW’s official website, www.gwinnettrestaurantweek.com . Reservations are required for most restaurants, and are made by contacting...

How to improve your happiness level within minutes " It requires some effort to achieve a happy outlook on life, and most people don't make it ." Author and researcher Gregg Easterbrook Did you know that recent studies suggest that 40% of what makes us happy is within our control? So why not try some of the strategies listed below. You might be pleasantly surprised. 10 Things You Can Do to Imp rove Your Happiness Level (in no particular order) 1. Counting your blessings, expressing gratitude for what you have. 2. Choose experience over stuff. Psychologist Ryan Howell found in his research that people felt “more alive” when reflecting on experiences compared to things—and that experiences led to more happiness in those around them than their purchases did. Howell says, "As nice as your new computer is, it's not going to make you feel alive." Lottery winners report that after a while, money and possessions don’t make them as happ...

780 million people lack access to clean water worldwide Kanga is a proud sponsor of  Trashwater , an Atlanta based non-profit committed to providing innovative clean water solutions through partnerships with communities in developing nations.  Trashwater uses education, filtration, and mobilization to maximize lasting change for those burdened by unsafe water. Kanga is a revolutionary new method of shipping, moving, and delivering things. By drawing upon the power of the crowd, they provide customers with a fast, convenient and affordable solution for on-demand local delivery.  During the months of June and July, 2014, Kanga is donating 20% of proceeds to Trashwater to fund a trip bringing water filtration devices and educational courses to Managua, Nicaragua. To get things hopping, all users who sign up for a new account between June 1st and July 31st automatically receive a $20 credit on their first shipment.  There’s no need to en...

Since the age of 34, Raleigh Callaway a 24-year veteran investigator for the city of Greensboro Police Department, has fought like a warrior against diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease. His commitment to regular exercise, diet management requiring constant measuring of food contents, keeping regular doctor’s appointments and taking all medications as prescribed has allowed him to avoid what he feared most…until now.  At the age of 49, despite all that he’s done to break the cycle, genetics have reared their ugly head and taken over his body, nearly completely. His kidneys are functioning at only 10% which has made him anemic to the point of requiring weekly injections to stimulate red blood cell production. He will most likely begin dialysis within the next 30 days, depending on how soon his port can be placed and how long it takes the port site to heal for daily use. He has opted to dialyze through PD (Peritoneal Dialysis). PD differs from the most ...

It's hard to believe that with all the technological advances in our world, girls are continuously dissipated to stay away from STEM careers. According to t he  National Science Foundation : 66 percent of 4th grade girls say they like science and math, but only 18 percent of all college engineering majors are female. The Iron Yard Academy is  passionate about lowering the barrier for women who want to pursue a career in programming and is currently offering two $1500 scholarships per semester.  The Iron Yard Academy "Women in Tech Scholarship" offers a new possibility to women who want to take their intensive engineering courses. " On many occasions, the mothers, older sisters, and aunts of our students have expressed that they wish programs like ours had existed years ago. Many women we’ve spoken to were  directly discouraged  from STEM when they were younger, being told, “engineering is for men.” Making tech a more welcoming enviro...