More Birthday stuff…

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So I promise next week I will post more about Disney since I have had some requests (anyone have any specific questions I can maybe help with?), but it’s still my birthday month…so back to me!

“C”lue- I will be spending my birthday working at Kidapalooza on Saturday.  You know you are jealous.  But seriously, if you have kids it’s a great way to get them out of the house after this crazy stupid winter.  More info?  Click here:  http://starpittsburgh.cbslocal.com/kid-a-palooza/

“L”ink- I have been working with a new company at work and they sell party supplies.  Kids, adults, everything.  Plus they are local (right out in Clinton) and they have FREE Shipping on all US orders!  And if you are in Pittsburgh it’s fast shipping too.  Cool company, and you are helping out here locally.  I love to shop online especially when it’s local and free shipping.  http://www.zoomparty.com/

“T”hought-So my favorite birthday “freebie” (for more click here: https://thecltdiaries.wordpress.com/2014/03/22/birthday-freebies/ ) is the $30 from Benihana.  We went Tuesday night and I forgot how much I love it.  I even eat sushi there, well California Roll, but it’s sushi!  If you haven’t been in a while, go.  If you have never been seriously go.

Birthday Freebies!

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If you didn’t know, it’s my birthday month and I celebrate my birthday all of March (and sometimes into April!)

Because I’m going to have a lot of links in here, I’m combining my “C”lues, “L”inks, and “T”houghts this week because one of my goals is to always keep my posts pretty short and easy to read.  Here are some birthday freebies that you can sign up for.  These are my favorites.  There are more, but the rest are just desserts or something small.  If I missed a good one that you know about, please let me know so I can add!

“C”lues, “L”inks, and “T”houghts:

Benihana- $30 off for your birthday!  Sign up here for the Chef’s Table: http://profile.benihana.com/registration/

Bravo- Pick up a myBravo card in store and register it online.  Get a Free Entrée for your birthday!

IHOP- Free Entrée up to $7 for your birthday and Free Entrée upon registering! http://www.ihop.com/my-ihop/create-your-ihop#signupnow

Red Robin- Free Burger for your birthday.  YUMMMM!  Sign up here: https://redroyalty.redrobin.com/find_location

Noodles & Company- Free bowl on your birthday!  Sign up here:  http://www.noodles.com/noodlegram/

Max & Erma’s-6 free cookies on your birthday.  Sign up here: http://www.maxandermas.com/goodneighbors/

Steak & Shake-Free Double burger and fries.  Sign up here: http://www.steaknshake.com/eclub

Mall @ Robinson-Free $10 gift card.  Sign up here: http://www.shoprobinsonmall.com/user/new/?

Mad Mex-Free Burrito. Sign up here: https://secure.madmex.com/bbmadmex/register.aspx  However mine hasn’t showed up this year yet in the mail.  I’m sad!

DSW- $5 off of $5.  Even if you get free socks, it’s a good deal!: https://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/user/rewardsLanding.jsp?&REDIRECTED=true

First Watch- Free Entrée.  Sign up here: http://www.firstwatch.com/eclub/

Atria’s-Free Entrée.  Sign up here: http://atrias.fbmta.com/members/UpdateProfile.aspx?Action=Subscribe

Houlihan’s-Free Entrée.  Sign up here: http://www.houlihans.com/email-club?sid=173

Walnut Grill-Free Entrée.  Sign up here: http://walnutgrill.fbmta.com/members/UpdateProfile.aspx?Action=Subscribe

Moe’s Southwest Grill-Free Burrito.  Sign up here: http://moes.fbmta.com/members/UpdateProfile.aspx?Action=Subscribe&InputSource=W&__utma=57442860.1483593898.1395511657.1395511657.1395511657.1&__utmb=57442860.1.10.1395511657&__utmc=57442860&__utmx=-&__utmz=57442860.1395511657.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-&__utmk=6170103

Qdoba-Free Entrée.  Sign up here: https://www.qdoba.com/users/sign_up

Don Pablos-$10 for your Birthday.  Grab a card in store and sign up here:  http://donpablos.com/

Like I mentioned, there are other freebies from Eat & Park, Arby’s, Buca, even American Eagle if you sign up for their e-clubs, but  with all these Free Entrée who will have time for all the little ones?!?!  Most give you a time limit of the end of the month that your birthday is in or two weeks.  (one before and one after your birthday.

Happy Freebies All!

Migraines…

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I have had migraines since I was at least 16. And Migraines with aura from around that time too, however at the time I didn’t know it wasn’t normal to sometimes see colored flashing lights when you had a headache. A few different people sent me the link this week about the new band that is out that you put on your head to help keep migraines at a minimum. My opinion is still out. It kind of freaks me out that you aren’t supposed to use it for more than 20 minutes but then doesn’t go on to explain why not to.

“C”lue-A migraine isn’t just the headache. It’s the nausea, light sensitivity, the sensitivity to smell, the aura….and other symptoms people get. When I’m getting a bad one I can’t talk or think and my brain kind of shuts down. I can’t remember names, or get full sentences out. The other night I was getting one and didn’t realize it until Dan and I were talking and I couldn’t get some/thing out. I still didn’t get it until he asked, “Are you having a migraine?” There are times I have become desensitized to them. My pain tolerance is pretty high and I sometimes will block them out until the pain is so bad and it’s too late to take my meds. Speaking of meds…I take Imitrex to handle all the symptoms and and anti-inflammatory called Etodolac at the same time to help with pain. I have tried daily meds to help keep them at bay and the only thing that has seemed to help is actually magnesium. And that really just helps keep things like the aura shorter & and my bounce back time shorter, nothing for the pain.

“L”ink- The best doctor I have found? Dr. Robert Kaniecki with the headache center in UPMC. His office is amazing and there is over a 6 month wait to get in. If you think you suffer with migraines, he will help. http://www.neurology.upmc.edu/faculty/kaniecki.html

“T”hought-I have found that going to bed and sleeping at night with ice on my head truly helps keep the migraines to a lesser quantity. If I go to bed with one, ice on my head will help lessen it and even sometimes make it go away by morning. There is an ice pack brand that is called Cryo-max. I give it a 10 out of 10. Best one I have found and lasts 8 hours. You can buy at some drug stores and on Amazon.

Sunshine and Butterflies…

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So, I’ve been trying to think happy thoughts this week and think sunshine and butterflies…It’s working some of the time.  Then I walk outside and it is still under 50 degrees.  I hear sunshine and 50 though on Friday.  We can hope!

 

With my focus on sunshine and spring, there comes the time of year that I have all my yearly or semi-annual doctor appointments scheduled.  The dentist…the neurologist for my migraines…a physical…and of course my dermatologist.  I have a history of basal cell cancer on my Dad’s side.  My grandmother, father, and aunt have all had spots removed and two years ago I had my first basal cell spot removed.  It’s not a fun time.  I have a fabulous dermatologist in the South Hills that I love and have recommended her to my family (mom, dad, grandfather, and Dan go there) and have recommended her to a bunch of my friends.  However, we lovingly call her the “cutter”.  Because that’s what she does.  She usually takes a few samples of spots that look suspicious and most times she can fix any bad spots in her office.  Thankfully she has caught my spots before they have gotten out of hand.  With that all said, I beg you to use sunscreen…and I wish when I was younger I didn’t believe the old wives tale that you need that “base tan” so you should use a tanning bed before the summer or vacations.  You don’t.  Maddy was dipped in sunscreen all last summer and I will continue to do it to her.

 

“C”lue-If you need more reasons to uses sunscreen here are 5.  I took them from this article:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/sunscreen-benefits_n_3464687.html

 

1. The ozone layer is depleting and your body needs shielding from harmful rays.

2. Skin cancer rates are on the rise and sunscreen has been proven to decrease the development of skin cancer.

3. It helps to prevent facial brown spots and skin discolorations.

4. It also helps to reduce the appearance of facial red veins and blotchiness.

And most importantly…5. It slows down the development of wrinkled, premature aging skin…Who wants to look older than they are??

 

“L”ink- I posted this website before, but here is a link directly to sunscreens:  http://www.ewg.org/2013sunscreen/best-sunscreens/best-beach-sport-sunscreens/?tag=2012SunscreenAd&gclid=CNOgjJee_rwCFYuXOgodJHsAIw Lots of good sunscreens. 

 

“T”hought- We used Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Kids Mineral Sunscreen, SPF 30 on Maddy last year.  I give it a 9 out of 10 for the little ones.  Only because it’s thicker, so a little hard to apply sometimes.  This year as she is more active, I will probably pick a spray sunscreen for most of her body and pick a lotion or stick for her face.