Category Archives: Other

Dec 29 2011

What is your car buying style?

I drive a compact car. I really enjoy the gas mileage. I really, really enjoy the gas mileage. On my trips back and forth to Cleveland I can easily get 33 or 34 miles per gallon.

I used to have a minivan. My then 4 year old had a nickname for it and everything. She doesn’t have a nickname for my current car. Oh, I loved it. It was so convenient for picking up larger things and for running around town with my kids’ friends in the car. It was great for longer trips since it had a built-in DVD player. The leather seats were nice when it came to spills, but was horrible in this hot, hot weather we have here in SC.  But the gas mileage wasn’t great. I didn’t need to haul things or people in it too often, plus it was starting to break down. It was a 2005, didn’t have power sliding doors or 2nd row windows which opened. And it was starting to cost me a LOT of money in repairs.

Before kids I had an SUV. I enjoyed it. I liked sitting high, it wasn’t the soccer mom vehicle like the minivan was, and it had lots of space in the back. And it was nice to be seen in it. I’m not a car person, but I liked being able to drive around in that vehicle.

And right before I bought my compact car I actually test drove an SUV at a local Jeep dealership. I told the salesperson I wasn’t really looking for a new car, but had he simply asked me if I would consider buying a car, I would have let him talk me into it. The same way I got talked into buying my current car. I’m not really interested in the sales person at the car dealership being pushy, but at the same time I do want them to ask me for my business. I went to three different dealerships before someone asked for my business. And I gave it to him.

How do you shop for a car? Do you go in having done a lot of research and you already know what you want? Or do you wander in looking to see if there are any good financing deals?

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Dec 4 2011

I received this email from an author who needs your help!

I voted – and you can too! Thanks in advance!

Dear Blogger,

Hello! You might recognize me as Claudia Gray’s Assistant, but may not be too familiar with me as an avid children’s book writer. Recently, I received good news I just had to share! Two of my picture books were accepted in an online contest through MeeGenius.com!

Round 1 is currently underway!  Please help me in voting for my stories by following the links below and clicking “Like”. (Voters must have a Facebook login). The Grand Prize Winner will have their story published online and on digital devices, receive $1,500, and a publishing contract!

http://www.meegenius.com/challenge/weedem-and-reap-by-katie-sparks

http://www.meegenius.com/challenge/the-double-trouble-twins-by-katie-sparks

Please note that Round 1 ends on December 18th, so every vote counts! Should I make it to Round 2, my stories will be illustrated online in a second round of voting, leading to a Grand Prize Winner! Please feel free to share the above links with your readers and other bloggers.

I would very much appreciate it if you could help me reach my goal of publication!

Thank you in advance, and have a warm and cheerful holiday!

Best,

Katie Sparks

Please follow me!

OnceUponASpark.blogspot.com

Twitter: @KathrynSparks

Dec 1 2011

Ask Meth Project

I know nothing about drugs. Nothing at all. I do know that I saw my aunt’s neighbor run into the street, in the middle of the night, in the middle of winter, with snow on the ground – butt naked – screaming and yelling and talking to his demons. He was high on drugs. I know what it’s like to see my cousin carry a can of soda to work – only the soda has been replaced with wine, and it’s 8 o’clock in the morning. And I recently had another person ask me to give them some wine at 9 o’clock in the morning, in place of the water they originally asked me for.

With all 3 situations I was amazed, flabbergasted, and confused. I don’t understand how a person begins a substance addiction, and I’m sure that trying to end it seems hopeless when you’re that person.

I would love for my children to remain blissfully ignorant of drugs and their affects on the people we love. I would love for them to never give in to temptation if their friends try to talk them into trying them, experimenting.

But that’s not realistic. So my goal is to talk to them, stay active and interested in their school activities and their school friends and do all I can as a parent to make sure this doesn’t happen to them. And it scares the hell out of me that I might fail.

Meth is short for methamphetamine. Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug. And The Meth Project has created four new, hard-hitting videos that are also part of the Ask MethProject.org campaign. In "Losing Control," a teenage boy reflects on how his Meth addiction has driven him to steal from his family and turn violent on his little brother. Just taking a few minutes to learn about the issues which may affect your kids or their friends could save a life. It’s worth it.

Losing Control: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jQAEVRSVRg

Can you imagine what it must be like to lose control over your own life? Had the boy in that video only known the dangers of methamphetamine addiction before trying it his life would not have gone in the direction that it did. Had he only had the knowledge, or known of a place to gain the knowledge…. If only he had been able to make an informed decision.

All four videos were directed by Darren Aronofsky, who most recently directed “Black Swan” with Natalie Portman.

ER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59EeyOfjy60

Deep End: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WnKY6PYyOg

Desperate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aZ2PRNXr-8

FACT: Did you know that the majority of US counties report Meth as their most serious drug problem—more often than cocaine and marijuana combined? Or how about the fact that 45 states reported a 90% increase in Meth-related crime from 2004-2007? Meth, or methamphetamine, is a highly addictive synthetic stimulant that affects the pleasure centers of the brain. It is considered even more addictive than heroin. Meth can be swallowed, snorted, smoked, or injected. Because of these statistics and other information we must do everything we can to educate ourselves as parents as well as our children in an effort to protect their future.

MethProject.org is a new highly interactive site designed to answer teens most frequently asked questions about Meth. No sugar-coating. Just factual answers to important questions. You can check the site out at www.methproject.org. It’s very visual and dramatic and there’s an area, "Speak up" where teens post their own content.

Jun 29 2011

Did you find out the sex of your baby while you were pregnant?

I didn’t. I wanted to be surprised! And I was! It was an awesome experience finding out when the baby was born.
I realize that I’m in the minority. The vast majority of soon-to-be-parents find out if they’re having a Boy or Girl beforehand. I get it. It’s exciting to know. It’s fun to paint the nursery in “boy” or “girl” colors and by “boy” or “girl” clothes and accessories. I really do get it.
Gender Test, Gender PredictorMost people take some type of gender test, and there’s a free gender predictor available.
I’ve never personally taken a gender test, except for fun, and to pass the time while waiting for testing at the hospital. Twice when I was being tested for gestational diabetes the nurse in charge did some sort of needle and thread test on me and both times it predicted a girl. When I told her the first time my first baby was a girl, she sent me a handmade knitted blanket. It was gorgeous! I was so surprised. The second time she sent me a card. She was sweet.

So what’s your story? Did you find out the sex of your baby beforehand? Why or why not?

Oct 14 2010

Greening the Pink of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – the Environment’s Impact on Breast Cancer

About the Breast Cancer Fund

The Breast Cancer Fund works to connect the dots between breast cancer and exposures to chemicals and radiation in our everyday environments.

We translate the growing body of scientific evidence linking breast cancer and environmental exposures into public education and advocacy campaigns that protect our health and reduce breast cancer risk.

We help transform how our society thinks about and uses chemicals and radiation, with the goal of preventing breast cancer and sustaining health and life.

We find practical solutions so that our children, grandchildren and planet can thrive.

My Thoughts on Breast Cancer Fund

I like that their prevention tips steer families towards using more natural products in their homes. From using chemical-free makeup and cleaning products, to avoiding bottled water and non-stick cookware in the kitchen, they provide many different ways to reduce the use of cancer-causing chemicals. Breast Cancer Fund does not suggest that you should try implementing all of their suggestions at once. Trying that will likely lead to failure, and that defeats the purpose.

You can go to their website and watch a 2 ½ minute video from supporters and survivors. It’s very interesting to watch. And the facts they provide are chilling.

Disclosure: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received no compensation of any kind in relation to this post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Oct 12 2010

Paleo Cookbook Review


The Paleo Diet is a diet which appears to follow the diet of our ancestors who were hunters and gatherers. This diet does not include refined sugars, carbohydrates, processed foods, trans fats, etc.

My dad has diabetes and high blood pressure. So does his mother, his late father, his older sister, and several of his younger siblings. One of his younger brothers passed away, and he also had both diabetes and high blood pressure. While I’ve never been told that I’m at risk for either disease based on my own personal history, genetics plays a huge role in diseases and I really do need to start concerning myself with disease management or disease avoidance.

And while I think that we tend to eat a decent diet, we could certainly stand to do better. Much better. There are some diets that I read about and immediately know that they are not for me. I’m kinda drawn to this one especially since it appears to address specific health concerns, and doesn’t try to be a catch-all for all people.

I should really study up these different health plans. I do know that the only way I’ll be able to lose weight, and keep it off, is to make sure that I understand it is a lifestyle change – not a temporary measure to lose several pounds quickly. This Paleo Diet appears to be a step in the right direction. Even if the end result is that I simply find some good Paleo recipes (which I’m always looking for). If you go to Paleo Cookbook Review, you will see what Lee says about how this cookbook changed his life as a top chef.

Disclosure: Disclosure of Material Connection: I received no product samples in relation to this giveaway. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”