The Aquapocalypse is HERE!

I was awoken this morning at 5:30 a.m. - and YES I was sound asleep!  My Hubby was in a panic because he had just taken a shower (the downfall of working second shift) - and while reading Facebook - there was a big alert to NOT DRINK the water OR SHOWER!  We had a big infestation- if I may, with our drinking water. 

The post said to watch for rash.  I was asleep, clearly, so I was not totally "with" it.  I went back to sleep.

I woke up this morning and the epedemic was ALL over social media.  So, Toledo residents were suppose to refrain from contact with water.  I felt like this was IT.  The Apocolypse!    So I kept reading and found that where Hubby and I live, is OK! (yes, relief washed over me and a little Na Na Na Na Boo Boo to Hubby because THIS is why we LIVE HERE!)

So, I walked into my bathroom, started me OK water and brushed my teeth- without looking back! 

****

It wasn't until this afternoon that the fear started to rise in everyone and everything got out of control! (big time)

The good news came that it was OK for Adults to shower- but warned to keep the water cool, since this is an Algea issue and it grows/multiplies with HEAT.  Freaky!

 

 

Then came the pictures of the greedy people of Toledo, packing their carts full of water leaving shelfs bare everywhere in the area! 

The officials stood behind the city and good people were bringing in water in to help people in need.  THey even set up filling stations to help people who needed water.  It just saddens me that people would grab all they could and leave others to "fend" for themselves!

Sam's Club lines in Holland, Ohio

Sam's Club in Holland with CARTS FULL!

  

Bare Shelves... sad times

As for these stores, I kind of feel sad.  I feel like there should be a LIMIT to how many cases you could get- seriously these carts have anywhere from 12-15 cases! People have lost their minds.

The news has been covering the situation all day- and yes, I have been tuning in- here and there, to see any updates.  This is kind of weird and I had my moment of panic tonight while letting my kids get into their bath.  I fear for them and even though they are saying my water is fine, there stil is an underlying fear that goes there with letting them step into this contaminated water. I AM A MOM!

I thnk that with the tests that have been running on our West Nile Mosquitos and then this, it really could be an apocolypse!  Resturants have closed, due to this! The city of TOledo is literally in an uproar right now because of this situation.

Then it comes to the BIG question...WHY is this happening?  Well, from what the news has eduacated me with, we have blooms of algea, which we have every year, in Lake Erie.  We all know this- I mean this is like the 10th year that Maumee Bay has been closed due to these "blooms" - and somehow it has made it way into Toledo's drinking water.  Now, I guess the conditions that we are all experiencing is to blame, since the warm- but not hot- weather is causing the algea, which normaly lies on the bottom of the lake to lift to the surface. Now, let me tell you that this Algea on the surface is NASTY!  It is swamp thing type stuff!

Mayor Collins briefing the City of Toledo on the water "situation"

Map of City of Toledo and areas of contamination.  (Oregon is YELLOW)

On a side note, my areas Intake for Oregon is in a different location and we are not affected.  The news has been very good at reminding ME of this! 

SYMPTOMS of Algae Contact...

 

This is what people are resulting to...RAIN WATER!

If you LIVE in Toledo, better grab some of these and HEAD to OREGON to fill 'er up..

 

 

 

 

So, it is nearing ten o'clock at night and Toledoans still have NO idea what is going to happen with their drinking water.  The worst part is that the newest release is stating that hot water tanks can be affected by their algae. 

Here's hoping we all survive.  Will Toledo have water within a week? Will it be sooner? Or longer?  The worst part is that nobody knows yet.  The tests have been sent off but still in limbo.  Is this just the beginning? 

#Aquapocalypse

I'm laid back, sipping on clean Oregon Water..with my Mind on Algae and Algae on my mind....

~Kel~

It was just another day...or was it - Confessions of an OLD Birthday

Last pic of ME at #33...

July 29th - the day I was born.  I woke up with and began my day.  Regular routine.  Get kids off safely with Nana and Papa - and off to work I go.

My co-workers knew none the more than it was Tuesday, July 29th, and we were all muddling through our workloads.

The highlight was when the Orkin man showed to spray for spiders. (Real exciting Kel!)

Gardening Table

Hubby ran out the door after one to pick up kids and disappeared until 3 pm with the girls saying, "we were not doing anything, Mom."  Um, hmm...

Hydrangea Plant from my Kids!

Off work I go, to the front porch- where my little family was anxiously awaiting my arrival.  I sat down and was handed awesome cards from my loves! Then whisked to the back of my car where i was instructed to CLOSE MY EYES!  I opened them to a beautiful hydrangea plant my girls picked out for me and a gardening table my hubby got me.  Awesome gifts!

I love these three people so much!  It was a bummer getting older, and I have been dreading it so much!  But, it was good to see how excited my girlies were and to watch my Hubby work with them to make my day special.

I was then taken to dinner by my Parents and Grandma (again, I might add- because we did Dinner on Friday night) - and it was just a really good birthday.  I guess I don't feel my age, so that is helping in this slump I am in.  I hate birthdays, I hate getting old. MAKE IT STOP already!  I get older, my kids get older and it is an endless cycle!  I think that you really don't realize you are getting older UNTIL you have kids, either!

 But, Happy Birthday to me.  I wish for many  more, no matter how much I dislike celebrating them.  To another year, hopefully I am a little wiser with this new age, and to the life that will once again be!  (living in rehab is tough- it is coming along though!!!)

My girls playing in the Gardening Planter Box... Who needs TOYS?

All the FUN of turning #34.

I would like to say a SPECIAL THANK YOU to my FAMILY!  My Mom and Dad for dinner at Cousino's & Apple Bee's.  My awesome Vera Bradly bag and pouches.  My outdoor dishes, pitcher and bowl for entertaining on the deck I hope to have soon and the awesome lantern!  My Grandma for the dishes that I LOVE! I can't wait to get some stuff going in m Kitchen to bring it to life with those dishes!  And the awesome gift cards.   My Uncle for the Star Bucks Card.  My Grandparents in Washington, Thank You for the awesome Cheryl's goodies!  

I want to say Thank You to my Hubby, who got me the best two cards so far in our marriage!  I also love the garden table, and was so needed. (I know, I am late in the game- but I have stuff to transplant) and my girls for the beautiful, big hydrangea plant!  We need to find the perfect spot for it!  And it is super special because they picked it out themselves!

I also want to extend a huge Thank You to all my friends and family, who took time out of their day to recognize mine.  It means a lot to get all the Happy Birthdays on Facebook, makes a girl feel real special!

Thank you everyone!

Cheers to another year!  Let #34 be better than #33!

~KEL

(learning to embrace this!)

AVON Lady calling for Wednesday, July 30th 2014

Hi, it's your AVON Lady with great specials going on now, for July 30th 2014.

Right now, my Direct Delivery Customers- who visit my Avon Independent Rep website at: www.youravon.com/kelamstutz  will get a FREE Extra Lasting Lipstick with your $45 purchase- while supplies last!  (Celebrate National Lipstick Day!)

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includes:  

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True Color Eye shadow Duo- perfectly matched shades

Extra lasting Eye shadow ink- 18 hour worry free wear

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Ultra Color Lip Crayon  Rich creamy color and liner in one

Eye Dimensions Eye shadow- silky color with infinite dimension

Extra Lasting Lip Stain + Balm  Hours of beautiful wear

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AVON Lady for Monday, 7/28/2014

www.youravon.com/kelamstutz

C17 AVON deals and steals for July 28th 2014:

Soak up some Relaxation! Bubble bath is ONLY $5.99! (your choice) Reg. $8

AVON Bubble Delight Bubble Bath is dermatologically tested (and not on animals)  24 ounces.

1) Endless Ocean (breezy & marine)              326-180   *new scent!

2) Coconut Water (refreshing & tropical)        657-436

3) Cucumber Melon (fresh & sweet)               326-543

4) Soft Pink (classic florals)                          615-745

5) Lavender Garden (soft & soothing)            326-486

6) Vanilla Cream (warm & creamy)                326-467

7) Pomegranate & Peony (lush & floral)         326-290

8) Sensitive Skin (with chamomile)              326-414

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BLACK                                      411-360

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BLACKEST BLACK                   269-046

$10

Most Popular Avon's #1 Liner- Glimmersticks for eyes, brows and lips!  Long-wearing, retractable, self-sharpening.  Each, .01 oz. net wt.

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Glimmersticks Eye Liner

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7) Nude 774-224

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9) Pink Cashmere  774-353

10) Clear 774-148

11) Pink Bouquet 774-152

12) Chocolate 774-210

TIPS-  Brown liner softens your look for more natural definition that's perfect for daytime and looks great on a myriad of skin tones!

Most Brilliant  Show off your artsy side with a fun, high-shine mani!

High-Shine Mani without the UV Light- gel finish 7 -in- 1 Nail Enamel  .4 fl. oz.

reg. $7

Lowest Price EVER!  $4.99

1) Parfait Pink  135-567

2) Very Berry  136-745

3) Royal Vendetta  135-940

4) Barely There  134-867

5) Mudslide  135-552

6) Envy  134-871

7) Glimmer  135-055

8) Inked Up 135-366

9) Roses are Red 135-590

10) Lavender Sky  135-442

11) Sheer Love  136-491

Don't forget your AVON Emery Board- shape nails like a PRO!!

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ONLY 99 cents!!!

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Thanks!

~Kel

Will you achieve 40 years of marriage?

I would like to start with a Special Congratulations 

this goes out to my Aunt and Uncle who celebrated 40 years of marriage yesterday.  

Also, another Congratulations needs to go to my very own Parents, who are embarking on 38 years of marriage.

How do you get to 40 years?  How do you get there Happy?  

In Today's DAY and AGE, it isn't easy!  I mean, pick up the paper and read the Divorces granted section. It grows by the day.  It is amazing to me, seeing the names on the paper, seeing their reasons for ending their marriage without any insight as to how long they had been in marriage "bliss" or the leg that their relationships started on.  It is in these moments that my heart aches.  Relationships are tough, they aren't supposed to be easy.  I just think that Divorce is, in some cases, an Easy Out. 

I married with a solid foundation.  Hubby and I discussed the events that could cause our relationship to end.  We talked about ways to make it last, and have worked on the communication points and are even working on taking our relationship back to the bricks that the whole thing was built on.  I think the difference for us, in year 8, almost, of our marriage, year 13 of our relationship, is that we understand that not every day is going to be happy, butterflies in our stomachs, smooches in the dark, love and simple and easy going.  Reality was apparent from the start.  This is NOT to say that we have had problems since the beginning, but we approached our relationship more realistically than most might.  We started as friends, dating, laughing, having fun. (torture for yours truly)  And built upon that.  We were married, enjoying just one another for three years before introducing our children.  Now, our kiddos are getting older and we are learning to date one another again, which is exciting, and fun and something that is helping our relationship continue to grow. 

How do we get to 40 years of this type of marriage?  Ask yourself this same question as you are rolling into the years of your own marriage.  

I stopped and looked at my life the other day, almost as if I was not myself, but a stranger looking in and I have to say that while we have had struggles, we have had hard time, we have had hit or misses along the way- our life is damn good.  We understand one another, we work together (for the most part) and we provide a good balance to the other..most of the time.

What are some of the issues you and your spouse struggle with? 

I can tell you, hands down, our struggle is parenting.  We have completely different styles and it leads to not so pretty moments at times.  It is a battle that we are both trying to have patience with and trying to figure out. 

I know that for some it is money.  We have a balance on this issue.  I freak out, normally, once a month about money.  Not to the point that I am screaming and yelling, but I tend to hyperventilate or worse, have an anxiety attack. Hubby calmly tells me that it will be OK and explains why.  I still panic here and there, silently, but at the end of the month, everything works out and it is all OK.  I think that hits on Communication and that whole balancing one another out. 

I would like to think that we will make it, as we keep moving, keep growing and as we keep finding more things to fall more in love with one another.  I think we are on the right road, and finding the right formula for us.  I also am not unrealistic to think that every couple married for forty years have never had a fight here and there, or hard times.  I think that each couple is different in their own way, in the way they chose to love and the way that they project their life.  We are what we are and I am always clear in that statement.  Times are happy and good and times are sad and hard.  That is real.  I wouldn't trade any of them because they have truly made me the person I am today, the wife and mother that I am and that is something in itself. 

I congratulate the 40 year couple, as you are an inspiration to both my and my Husband. What you have achieved, the people that you are, it is a great accomplishment for both of you that probably came easy! (as it should!) 

For my own Parents, embarking on 38 years, I have watched the growth, and watched you continue to grow and am so glad to call you both my Parents.

To my own Hubby, you are my strength, my light and hold the whole of my heart. I could not do this life without you, nor would I want to, as I am blessed to have you by my side and try not to forget that daily!

I love you!

~KEL

Our Disney List...Summer Fun

It's a Disney kind of day!

I was sitting here with my 3 and 5 year old daughters, watching none other than "Spy Kids"  on Netflix - when my 5 yo asked, "Mom, why aren't the Disney movies on Netflix?"  

She is a sharp one!  So, I had to explain that Disney is a BIG place and they hold the rights to their movies and went on to go in some depth about how there is the dang vault that keeps movies until they decide to open it again and release them. 

(Still waiting for Beauty and the Beast here!)

So, we are sitting there and she proceeds to ask me which Princess is my favorite.  Well, for me this is pretty simple..see above... Belle of course!  My 3 yo shouts, "Me too, Mommy."  

I ask my 5 yo who her favorite princess is and I get crickets... Obviously, she is deep in thought about this question.  She then stands up and says, "Well, I love Rapunzel and that is my favorite Princess, but my favorite is Queen Elsa."  She is so technical!

So, I asked the girls what their favorite Disney movie was and in sync they both shouted "Frozen".  duh Mom, right!

So we went through a list of questions, that I wanted to share! 
I have our list and answers listed- try this at home and see what your kids come up with!


1. Favorite Movie  - Frozen

2. Favorite Princess-  Belle & Rapunzel - Queen Elsa

3. Favorite Prince-  lots of discussion here - between Ariel's Eric and Christoff - but he is not a prince!

4. Favorite Song-  Demi Levato

5. Favorite Kiss-   This one got an "eww" response.

6. Prettiest Princess - Ariel

7. Favorite Castle - Cinderella's

8. Saddest Moment-  When Elsa & Anna's parents don't come home.

9. Favorite Couple-  I got blank stares here!  They both agreed Anna and Christoff

10. Best Hair-  Elsa's when she becomes a Queen.

11. Favorite Animal Sidekick - Clover- Sofia's bunny

12. Favorite Non-Animal Sidekick -  I get BLANK stares here!

13. Favorite Outfit-  This one was easy for them- Elsa's Dress when she became the Snow Queen

14. Favorite Villain- Hans

15. Favorite Singing Voice-  Elsa's voice

16. Best Eyes-  it was a toss up between Elsa/ Anna/ and Rapunzel

17. Favorite Name-  Belle and Elsa

18. Favorite Soundtrack- they both LOVE the Tinkerbell soundtrack & Frozen

19. Funniest Moment- they both agreed that Anna was hilarious. They were discussing the part when Anna wanted to marry Hans and she was silly!

20. Bravest Princess- they thought Meridian (Brave) was the bravest.

21. Most Magical Moment- When Anna froze to block Hans from freezing Elsa and the love unfroze her.

22. Favorite Happy Ending- They liked when Christoff came to Anna.

I think that hands down- my girls Favorite movie was Frozen - I mean, they did ONLY see it like maybe 200 times since its release! (and twice in the theater!)

I hope you take this list and ask your kids- I love hearing little answers to these questions and seeing their thoughts form! It's a great exercise for their minds as well!

Happy Friday ALL!

~KEL~