Please Pray for my Haitian Friends

I have some friends who are from and live in Haiti. I have been friends with Sorel Mondesir for over 7 years. We have never met in real life. We met actually playing online games over yahoo. We became penpals and the rest is history. We exchange Holiday cards, emails, and Instant Messages. He is also on facebook and  we keep in touch there as well.

Although we have never met irl, he and I became great friends. He has family here in the USA in Florida, and also in Canada. He got married to a beautiful woman named Ruth about 5 years ago, and they also now have a son named Ruud.

Sorel wanted to learn English (he speaks French) and he went to school to learn it. He was able to take classes through his work. I would sit on the computer countless nights and help him learn and do his work. I also was able to “test” my French skills on him. I am not very good.

When he got married he was so happy. I remember how nervous he was to ask Ruth. She is intimidating, as she is beautiful. He was worried he would not have enough money to “keep” a family. I encouraged him and said, if you love her, money won’t matter. (my bright way of thinkin as an American).

Sorel taught me so many things about humanity. How his views of the world are, and how much different things are here than there. I couldn’t understand or fathom what he would say to me. How they all turned electric off every night. How he ate out every day cause there wasn’t any refrigeration to keep food to cook at home. How he would come to America to work with his company, but couldn’t get to stay here, and had to stay on a compound while here most of the time.

How he had longed to come to America and bring his family. How Blessed I am to live here. And how hard he worked to try and earn a citizenship.

He told me of the struggles with governmentt. How horrible things would get down there. How he was worried to goto work at times.

He worked with something to do with cell phones and cables. He used his work computer to communicate a lot. He would tell me how poor the people were there. How the children would not have shoes. How some wouldn’t have food. These things are very easy to “blow off”, especially if you aren’t right there facing it. I know Haiti was like this, but felt this was way to big a problem for me, as I am sure many people think.

I sometimes would send them money. Especially when they had their son and at Holidays. Sorel and Ruth are very religious people. To me, it wasn’t a lot $20 sometimes, but to them, they were very appreciative.

We would talk a lot about the world and everything in it. I love to learn about all the cultures of the world and the people, so this to me was such a wonderful friendship.

The pictures they have been showing on the news the past 2 days are horrific. People lying dead in the streets. Children dead at school. Buildings collapsed. It is all so surreal.

How can this be. I cannot even fathom how in 2010 there can be any ANY place on Earth like this? HOW?

How can people here in USA make millions of dollars (and yes, I know they do help) but life still barely exists like this?

Anderson Cooper said mothers had to feed their children mud pies, REAL MUD PIES to eat, so the children has something. We are here squimishly disgusted when our babies eat dirt.

I yell at my children to get socks on, ones that match, and these poor babies over in Haiti, dont even own a pair of socks or shoes, or even a pair of sandles that we can buy at the dollar store!

How WRONG IS THIS? We are Humans for God’s sake. How can we live a life of luxury knowing that a few hours away there are people who live like this? I just do not understand it.

Wyclef Jean had tweeted that the people there need some clothing. I am going to start a local collection and send it via the red cross to them. I am going to continue to pray and I am going to continue to reach my friends. I am going to donate through the red cross as well. I wish there was more I could do. I feel so helpless.

I am going to do as much as I can for Sorel, Ruth, and Rudd. And if this was their time to go, I will do it all in their names.  For they were on this Earth for a reason. It may have been to teach me. To help me learn more about them. It may have been because God needed a few more wonderful people on the Earth. I don’t know the reason, but I know it was for the good.

This is RUTH MONDESIR – if you know her, and you know any status on her, please email me, comment through my blog, whatever, please let me know if you know how she is?

SOREL MONDESIR. They also have a 4yr. old son named Ruud. I know he has sisters in Florida. Please if you know any status on him, please contact me and let me know.

THANK YOU and God Bless.

The Plus Size Mommy

Please PRAY for ALL of HAITI tonight and as long as you can through this awful disaster.

Constant Prayers

I have a lot of prayer requests that I have been fulfilling lately. I thought I would do a post about them and pass it along so you all can pray along with me. The more Prayers sent up the better I say.

I went to church tonight to pray and also I have lit Prayer candles in everyone’s names. I will lite these candles and say a Prayer every day and night for these people and their families. God can work wonders. I am a testament to this.

Haiti – Pretty self explanatory, if you have heard anywhere about the Earthquake that hit there, you will know that these people of this tiny country need all the Prayers and God Speed to them as much as possible.

Sorel – A friend of mine, he lives in Haiti, he is a friend for about 7 years now, at least. He lives and works in Port Au Prince, in Petionville.  Right where the most damage is. I haven’t been able to reach him through facebook, twitter, messages, or pager, or cell phone. I am worried for him, and Pray he is okay.

Ruth – She is Sorels beloved wife.

Ruud – Sorel and Ruth’s son , he was 4 in November.

Jennae – Jennae is a fellow blogger who recently had found out that her 4 yr. old daughter has Leukemia. Prayers to them for healing and strength.

Audrey – Prayers needed for her father and her family.

Shellie – her son was in a tragic accident where he drowned and passed away. He was a toddler. Keeping her in Prayers. She is another fellow blogger.

Anissa – she has suffered a major stroke and was in a coma, she is healing and pulling through. I am continuing my prayers for her and her family for strength to endure the road ahead of them. Anissa is also a beloved fellow blogger.

All I can do is Pray the rest is up to God for his will. But I will do my part. Won’t you all chime in with Prayers too. These people all mean a lot to me and this is the least I can do for them all.

If you have a Prayer Request, whether large or small. please leave it in the comments. You can be anonymous, or u can say, Prayers Personal, if you like. God will understand and will know the reason. All we need to Pray is for God to hear you and us.

Thank you all. Your Sister In Christ, and God Bless,

The Plus Size Mommy

Africa’s Elephant Kingdom and Queen Of The Elephants (Animal Planet)* & WIN!!!!

Explore the life and death struggle of the two surviving elephant species when Africa’s Elephant Kingdom and Queen of the Elephants arrive on DVD for the first time October 13 from Genius Products and Animal Planet. In Africa’s Elephant Kingdom, follow the largest land mammal and its extended elephant family as the clan travels across the vast, life-threatening African plains and struggles to find food, water and a place to build a stronger family.  In Queen of the Elephants, conservationists and activists Mark Shand and Parbarti Barua – the only female mahout (elephant handler) in India – draw awareness to the elephant’s plight in a perilous 300-mile journey across the county atop the backs of elephants.  From global warming and environmental changes to human expansion and resource depletion, Africa’s Elephant Kingdom andQueen of the Elephants explore the frighteningly small toehold that the elephant species maintains in the world as its way of life is threatened.  Both specials will be available on one DVD for the suggested retail price of $14.95.

This adorable film by Animal Planet shows the fantastic relationship that humans and elephants can have together. Elephants have always been one of my favorite animals. They are like huge teddy bears to me. Although I know they are wild and can have tendencies to stampede and harm humans, for the most part I believe they are just gentle giants that humans can get in the way of. They are gorgeous creatures. This dvd from Animal Planet is just so joyous to watch together as a family and shows the magnificent elephants in all of their beauty.

Now you can WIN a copy of this DVD for yourself!!! THREE of my subscribers will be eligible to win by following any of  these entry rules :

CLICK here to see how to enter to win 3 WINNERS !!!!!

Winner of Scott Naturals Going Green Gift Pack!!

Congrats to the winner of the Scott Naturals Gift Pack !!!! The winner selected by Random.org is Patti Bright !!!! please email me your home address at xbeth@yahoo.com within 48 hours to claim your prize !! Thank you so much for entering and following my blog ! You will love this Scott Naturals prize ! It makes “going green” that much better!!!!

Enjoy!

The Plus Size Mommy

PS> Please remember, I am going to be chosing winners on giveaways a couple days later than it says on the post, due to my blog being hacked. A lot of comments were lost as well, so if you commented on something and it isn’t showing any comments, then yours was probably lost in the hack and you will need to please repost a comment to be entered. Sorry about this inconvenience!

Paper Culture Stationery*

When asked to do a review on Paper Culture, I jumped to accept the offer. As a lot of my readers already know, I am an office supply freak! Anything to do with paper, pens, office items, I LOVE LOVE LOVE it, the more the better!

So you can be assured that when I received the product sample in the mail, I was delighted at the quality of Paper Cultures note cards ! They are made of ECO Friendly heavy weight paper. This is a truly unique concept to me of these cards, how they are printed and also I think they can be used with or without the envelopes. They are THAT good of quality that they are better than a lot of post cards I have seen out there.

They are made with 100% Post consumer recycled paper and are certified carbonfree ! These are PERFECT for someone like me who uses a lot of notecards and thank you notes to convey messages to people but wanting to keep to a going green as much as possible philosophy.

I recently read in our local news that the art of handwriting is getting lost now that the use of technology is so much used. So, I am happy that I still send notes to people I love and friends to stay in touch every now and then.

Although a great feature of Paper Culture is that you can have them print your message right on the card and they will even mail them for you !!! This is amazing to me. This is very very useful for people too busy (like us moms) who want to hold a birthday party for instance but could use an extra few hands to get the invites and/or thank you’s out!

I was totally happy with the Paper Culture sample I received. And from someone who buys gads of these types of items, you can be assured when I tell you this is by far one of the best quality paper products I have ever seen.

I think if you have a chance to use Paper Culture products you too will be throughly satisfied with it as well.

Paper Culture takes great pride in providing stationery without sacrifices including modern designs and premium quality stock paper.  Moreover, their mail and message program allows customers the option of having Paper Culture stuff, address, stamp and mail the cards on their behalf, and until January 1, 2010, the only charge for this service is the actual cost of the stamps!  Holiday cards, anyone?

All Paper Culture papers and envelopes are FSC certified as 100% post consumer recycled paper.    A portion of all Paper Culture proceeds go towards supporting their local community.

This is my absolute favorite, I just love the animals :

WIN with Scott Naturals !!!

Scott Naturals – a new line of green paper products from Scott that I’m trying to get the word out about with giveaways of Green Gift bags – a reusable tote filled with SCOTT Naturals™ product coupons, a reusable water bottle, green light bulbs, and cleaning products from Clorox Green Works.

Scott Naturals Towels –

Get the job done with a sensible blend of 60% post-consumer recycled fiber! The fast-absorbing ridges soak up spills like other branded paper towels, and outperform 100% post-consumer branded recycled fiber paper towels.

The Mega Roll offers 50% more towels per roll than our Regular size, while SCOTT® Choose-A-Size™ eliminates waste by letting you select just the right amount for the job!

Packaged in 20% post-consumer recycled plastic, with cardboard cores made from 100% post-consumer recycled fiber.

The quality you expect from SCOTT®, with a sensible blend of 40% post-consumer recycled fiber! Offering 2-ply softness comparable to branded bath tissue and outperforms 100% post-consumer branded recycled fiber bath tissue products.

Packaged in 20% post-consumer recycled plastic, with cardboard cores made from 100% post-consumer recycled fiber.

Scott Naturals Napkins –

Keeping mealtime clean with a sensible blend of 80% post-consumer recycled fiber! SCOTT Naturals™ Napkins provide strength comparable to branded napkin products, and outperform 100% post-consumer recycled fiber napkin products.

Scott Naturals Flushable Wipes -

Breaks up like dry bath tissue after flushing! These new wipes contain natural Aloe Vera to leave you feeling fresh and clean, are free and clear of dye, contain no alcohol, and are made with 100% post-consumer fibers derived from sustainable resources. Available in 51-count tubs that hold 20% more wipes than the leading brand.

Also, if you visit www.scottnaturals.com right now, you can print valuable coupons for these wonderful Scott Naturals products! While you are there, you can also sign up to win  $500 . There are also wonderful “Going Green” tips to help on this mission and also you can go on the Scott Naturals “Clean Air Green Tour”.

I have teamed up with Scott Naturals to bring to one of my readers a wonderful giveaway.

Green Gift bags - a reusable tote filled with SCOTT Naturals™ product coupons, a reusable water bottle, green light bulbs, and cleaning products from Clorox Green Works.

One of my wonderful subscribers will win one of these Green Gift Bags !

Here is how you can win:

-please note, you MUST be a subscriber to this blog to win.

1. leave me a comment letting me know what you are doing to be more green in your life. = 1 entry

2. comment and share with us a green tip you know of that can help others with going green. = 1 entry

3. visit www.scottnaturals.com and come back and comment with your favorite feature of the new Scott Naturals. = 1 entry

4. follow me on twitter, I am @plussizemommy, comment and let me know u do = 1 entry

This giveaway begins NOW and ends on Sept. 12 at 8pm Eastern time. Winner will be chosen by random.org.

Winner will NOT be emailed but posted to this site by Sept. 13th. Please check back to see if you have won.

Winner has 48 hours to send me your home address at xbeth@yahoo.com so we can send your prize.

Thank you for entering and Good Luck !

The Plus Size Mommy

Kimberly Clark – “Kleercut” campaign

I have big news about forest protection. Kimberly-Clark, the maker of Kleenex, Scott and Cottonelle brands, today announced stronger fiber sourcing standards that will increase conservation of forests globally and will make the company a leader for sustainably produced tissue products. In turn, Greenpeace, which worked with Kimberly-Clark on its revised standards, announced that it will end its “Kleercut” campaign, which focused on the company and its brands.

A video celebrating Kimberly-Clark’s move as well as a history of Greenpeace’s campaign can be found at www.greenpeace.org/kleercut.

Kimberly-Clark has set a goal of obtaining 100 percent of the company’s wood fiber for tissue products, including the Kleenex brand, from environmentally responsible sources. The revised standards will enhance the protection of Endangered Forests and increase the use of both Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified fiber and recycled fiber. By 2011, Kimberly-Clark will ensure that 40 percent of its North American tissue fiber is either recycled or FSC certified — a 71 percent increase from 2007 levels that represents 600,000 tones of fiber.

Also by the end of 2011, Kimberly-Clark will eliminate the purchase of any fiber from the Canadian Boreal Forest that is not FSC certified. This forest is North America’s largest old growth forest, providing habitat for threatened wildlife such as woodland caribou and a sanctuary for more than one billion migratory birds. It is also the largest terrestrial storehouse of carbon on the planet, storing the equivalent of 27 years worth of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Furthermore, the revised standards reinforce Kimberly-Clark’s long-standing ban on use of wood fiber from illegal sources; adds a preference for post-consumer recycled fiber; and supports expansion of recycling initiatives and the identification, mapping and protection of areas that have the potential to be designated as Endangered or High Conservation Value forests.

The Plus Size Mommy

Green Peas Kids* – giveaway!

Eco-Friendly Children’s Clothing Becomes Fashionable, Fun, and Affordable
Green Peas Kids Launches with styles in bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp

Moss Beach, CA—June 30, 2009–Green Peas Kids, eco-friendly children’s clothing designed with imagination for every day fun, today introduces its debut line of fashionable, fun, and affordable styles in bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp for babies and children 0-24 months. Colorful hemp dresses adorned with ruffles and embroidery ($59-$65); handmade hair clips ($12 for two-pack); and blankets ($30-$35) are now available at www.greenpeaskids.com. Separates ($20-$40)  for boys and girls will be available in July, 09. The company is the brainchild of Founder and CEO Sebastian Salvado who noticed a huge gap in the marketplace for cute, colorful and reasonably-priced, eco-friendly clothing options for boys and girls when he shopped for his daughter Lorena, two-year-old company muse and model.

“I was surprised to discover that eco-friendly children’s clothes were largely restricted to brown, off-white and sage and were usually very expensive,” said Salvado. “I knew that there was a large market for fun as well as affordable options, which would ignite and encourage a life full of imagination for Lorena and her contemporaries. A chance encounter with an adorable and colorful bamboo sweater designed by one of my friends gave rise to a new business idea, and Green Peas Kids was born.”

The company took its name from Lorena’s favorite food: sweet, fun-to-eat, bright green and healthy, green peas make her laugh, dance and giggle, precisely what Salvado and his team wished to accomplish with their children’s fashion line. Green Peas Kids clothes are designed and produced in the US and Europe using eco-friendly bamboo, organic cotton, and hemp which are known for their natural content, breathability and protective nature to minimize irritation from chemicals. All fabrics used are soft to the touch and have natural properties. Orders are placed in a re-usable tote that bears the company name. All continental US orders are shipped for free.

Management team includes wife Masha Salvado who runs daily operations. Lorena, now two years old, is their inspiration and their first model.

__________________________________________________________________________________

My REVIEW :

When we received the blanket (which I was excited to get because I love the feel of bamboo items) I was so thrilled at the packaging. It was beautiful, this would definitely make a wonderful baby gift. It is sooooo soft and cuddly. I gave it to my daughter who is 1 year old. She has been sleeping with it ever since. I think this will be her cuddle blanket, most definitely. It is very well made and just the perfect blanket for any baby. It feels like it will be nice and warm as well, I wish they made them in my size!

The combination of the fleece and bamboo is so gentle feeling. I have never felt a blanket quite like it. I knew bamboo is soft and I know fleece is soft, and so you can imagine how soft the two fabrics together is. A perfect fabric pair for babies and children. I am hoping a lot of clothing especially for winter will be made out of this. And maybe a pair of sweat for me (lol).

I was totally amazed at this blanket. I think you will be too. You can order yours by going to www.greenpeaskids.com The cost is $30 – $35 depending on if you get the basic or textured blanket.

Or you can win one Right here :

To win this blanket, the following rules MUST be adhered to, if the mandatory entry is not fulfilled, another winner will then be chosen.

MANDATORY ENTRY :

1. Go to www.greenpeaskids.com  and sign up for the mailing list. Comment and let me know you have = your first entry

2. Go to www.greenpeaskids.com and look around. Come back and comment to me How much the Apron dress costs PLUS one other item you like from there. = your second entry

3. You must be subscribed to this blog by either rss or email subscription, comment and tell me you are  = your 3rd entry

the three above mandatory steps must be fulfilled to be able to enter any bonus entries.

Bonus Entries:

1. Comment and tell me what the name of the founders 2 yr. old daughter who is also the model for the sights name. (www.greenpeaskids.com) go to site to get the answer. = 1 bonus entry

2. go to www.greenpeaskids.com and look up, where are ALL of their clothes designed and mad? comment with the answer = 1 bonus entry

3. follow me (@plussizemommy) on twitter- comment and tell me you do = 1 binus entry

4. blog about green peas kids on your blog, send me link and comment and tell me you did = 1 bonus entry.

5. follow green peas kids on Facebook (group name is green peas kids)  or twitter : http://twitter.com/GreenPeasKids comment and tell me which or both you follow at and get 1 bonus entry for each way, two separate comments please.

6. Tweet this on Twitter for another bonus entry, leave me comment with tweet thread for verification.

“Win Green peas kids organic blankets on @plussizemommy ’s blog! #greenpeaskids  http://www.theplussizemommy.com “  & follow @greenpeaskids

This giveaway starts NOW and will end on Aug. 10, 2009 at 10Pm winner will have 48 hours to get in touch with me with their home address of where blanket should be shipped to. If I do not hear back within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. Winner will be posted to this site by Aug. 11, 2009. I will NOT be emailing the winner, so you will need to check back here please.Winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Winner will win a set of 2 receiving blankets like in the picture above.

Made with organically-grown, pesticide-free cotton, this 100% Organic Cotton receiving blanket in flower print is ideal for your baby’s sensitive skin. Two-pack.

100% Organic Cotton Approximately 30″ x 30″ / Two-pack Color: Off White / Flower Print Machine Washable Made in USA

Thank you for entering and Good Luck!

The Plus Size Mommy

winners winners and more winners

The whole Blogher trip to Chicago threw my whole timing off. I apologize for the delay in getting these winners posted. If I have your emails, I will also notify you through there :

Don’t Bite Me Patch -  Comment #5 =  Jessi

Sock Gram – Comment #2  = Gina

Chex Mix Bars – Comment #1 = Gina

Little Debbies 100 Calorie snacks (3 winners) – comments #5, #12, and #28  (Alisha, Rebecca, and Angie)

Congrats to all of the winners!!! Please claim your prizes by emailing me your home addresses within 48 hours!!

my email is xbeth@yahoo.com

THANK YOU,

The Plus Size Mommy

Transparentcy & Bloggers

You may have recognized lately that I have started to include an  ” * ” asterisk in some of my posts. Usually these are the posts where I do a review on a product. Then I tell you a bit about the product and what I liked about it, and sometimes what I didn’t.

Recently there has been a big bru ha ha about bloggers and especially mommy bloggers and transparently and the FDA.  Well to conform to be as transparent as possible with my readers I am now adding the ” *  ” asterisk symbol to any products that I review on my blog, where the company has actually sent me the product to review and tell you about. Or if they gave me a trip or provided a service for free. I usually include  in my posts that the company sent me “xyz” anyways, but now it will be real clear to everyone!

I will still be truthful in my posting as always. If I feel the product can be better or have some changes made to it, to make life simpler, I will still be letting you know. I will still be reviewing products or services that I believe will benefit you, my reader, or help others, such as a fundraising event or cause.  Just because a company sends me a free product to review doesn’t mean I am going to lie and give it hype it doesn’t deserve. After all what good would that do ?  You may go purchase that product, get it and it wont live up to what I said, all that will do is make you quit subscribing from my blog. Therefore not helping me in the long run either. Then if we don’t let companies know what changes ( in a constructive criticism way not destructive) than how can they know how or where to make changes to make us, the consumer happy ? They wouldn’t…

So, I will still be blogging about everything I usually blog about but to be transparent to you and the FDC in case they follow me, you will now just see the asterisk up in the titles of my posts. This is like a little footnote letting everyone know, that yes, I did get this product (or service) to try free from the company to review for you.

Thank you for reading this public service announcement !

The Plus Size Mommy

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