I have been to the Spa at Pinehurst a few times over the last 6 years to pick up gift cards for other people but I have never gone there myself.  For my 40^th birthday a very good friend gave me a gift card to go there.  The other night I went and had a manicure and pedicure.   It was very, very nice.  The only way it could have been better was if a friend had been with me.

I've only had a few pedicures in my life and I've realized why - I don't really enjoy pedicures.  I LOVE the results, but don't like getting them.  Thereis 1 spot on my feet that is very ticklish.  Then I have a pinky toe that was broken and hurts just enough to be annoying when she did the massage.  Then there is the big toe that supposedly didn't break but it still hurt just enough  to be annoying when she massaged it.  And finally, just for this special occasion, I had 2 fire ant bites that still hurt.  One on my ankle that didn't really hurt that much but worried me enough that I couldn't relax.  The one between my toes (at least it wasn't by the broken toe) hurt a bit when it was touched.  So with all that going on I couldn't really relax and enjoy it.  The results are so great, though, that I will do it again. 

The manicure was another matter.  I could fall asleep while they do my hands.  Especially the massage.  You get that boneless feeling....Sigh.....and the bonus is she cleaned my rings, too!

There was so much that I didn't get to take advantage of, too.  When you get any treatment done at the spa, even if its only a manicure, you get to use the lap pool, hot tub and sauna for as long as you want before and/or after your treatment.  There is a drink bar in the pool area with lemon-water, 2 kinds of juice and hot coffee or tea.  You can order a light dinner from the Spa menu which is pretty reasonable.  I would have loved to sit in the hot tub for a while, get my manicure/pedicure and then order some dinner.  But it just didn't seem like it would be that much fun all by myself.

The moral of the story is - next time, and there will be a next time, I'm going with at least one friend and planning to spend a lot more time there!!!!  Oh yeah, and there is a 20% discount for area residents on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday!!!

• Read More »

Thank You Rollie, I am a single mother of 2 small children and I am not employed as of right now I just graduated so we are sort of penny pinching right now.

 

Did you know that I am also the program coordinator for Family Support Network of the Sandhills?  www.fsnsandhills.info

An organization that I am proud to be a part of! Check out the link and see what I can offer you and your family!

 

We got home just a few hours ago. So now I am decompressing from our long weekend and telling you about it!

Scott's doctor was worried about his growth rate. Scott is and has always been on the small side. He is below the average BMI for his height. He should be between 18 and 22. Scott is at a BMI of 13.

She became even more worried when she noticed in his chart (in May) that he had not gained a pound of weight in the last 6 months. Not even 1 single ounce! She called it "failure to thrive." Definately something any parent should be concerned about. Scott also has acid reflux as well as incredible constipation. Scott has not had a regular bowl movement in the last 2 years! Could you imagine? He has to have a weekly dose of Myralax to help him. So it was a good thing to get the referral.

So she referred us to Chapel Hill. If you have had to go the Chapel Hill for any kind of specialty appointment you know about the waiting lists. When I called to schedule his appointment, the next available was in October. That was 5 months of waiting! To long for him to have to wait.

So I started to call around to all of the Pediatric Gastrointerology Clinics (GI) from here all the way to DC. It was a hard find since those clinics also had to be in the TRICARE network. TRICARE-a whole other post in itself!

So after about 2 days of phone calls, a clinic in DC had the closest available appointment in July. That was great! I was excited to have found an appointment closer than October. My son's health was at risk and could not wait 5 months!

So now to walk you through our day in DC.

I was so nervous about having to drive to Washington DC.  I know about all of the congestion and accidents. Afterall I grew up around there.

According to the expedia.com directions-it was a 1 hour drive. So we left 2 hours before his appointment time. This would allow us time to be stuck in traffic. The directions were very confusing. We were going to Georgetown University Hospital. I had never been there before so I had no directional experience to go from. My sister who commutes there everyday said to be sure to not stop on side streets and to keep our doors locked! It was a good thing that we studied the directions and the map before we left. Had we gone without reviewing-we certainly would have missed the turns. It was one turn right after another. Boom Boom Boom! And then we were in front of the hospital. It was kind of neat to drive right by the Pentagon. I had never been that close before.

So after we found a parking spot in the parking garage we made our way inside the hospital. 

All went well.

The doctor was very nice and very comforting. Scott however did not
want to be examined. No surprise there.

The doctor wants to start with the least evasive and easiest of treatments.

We are going to address the constipation issue first and he thinks
that the rest should correct itself. He thinks that since he has never really been able to dump out his meals after consuming them that this is why he does not have the best appetite. So then he may still feel full and not eat. Makes sense to me!

We are going to have to "clean him out" first. He said we would be
doing it as if he were preparing for a colonoscopy!

He will take this laxitive four doses each day for 2 days in a row.
FUN FUN FUN!! He said it is going to be very messy. So I am going to
wait to do this on Friday so that he will have all weekend to
recover.

After the "cleanout" session he should then be on a regular daily
laxitive, myralax, which will keep him on a regular bowl movement
cycle. Daily which is what he/we should be doing.

Once this is done than the doctor feels that since his colon is
emptied on a regular basis that he will start to eat more which will
then lead to weight gain. If after about a month Scott has still not
gained a sufficient amount of weight, then we will dig deeper into that
issue.

Just one of the many perks to Autism!!

 

• Read More »

I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the ( stuff the bus ) project.

I am looking for a baby sitter that can come to my home to watch my 18 month old son and my 5 year old daughter.  Should anyone know of any reliable and reputable people to fill this need, please contact me via my home number 910-255-6671 and/or email: kroberts002@nc.rr.com.  Thank you for all of your help!

Katherine Roberts 

 

The next concert at the Postmaster's House in Aberdeen will feature a cake baking contest with an under 12 categorey. Even if you don't bake, the concerts are great fun, and children under 12 are free. Adults are $8. Pack an easy picnic and come listen tothe music of the Mad Tea Party, July 22nd, 204 E. South St. See contest rules and entire schedule at www.theroosterswife.org

I'm not usually an overprotective mom and for the most part feel very safe living in Moore County. However, I had a conversation with a friend the other day and was once again reminded that even the safest communities have hidden dangers.

My friend had taken her children to the Sandhills Optimist Field a few weeks ago for a sporting event. As she was talking to a friend as they were walking to the field, she realized that her older child (9 yrs old) had fallen back. According to her, her mom radar told her something was wrong and she turned around.

What she saw almost stopped her heart. You see, a man was talking to her child and offering her candy as he led her between two cars. My friend immediately started running to her daughter and yelling at the man to leave her alone. Once he saw her coming, he took off running through the cars. She never got a good look at him.

Her daughter stood their confused and dumbfounded. She had no idea what the commotion was about or what she had done wrong. Even thought my friend's husband is a police officer and they have had many discussions about the danger of talking to strangers with their children, this man had made her daughter feel safe enough that not only did she speak to him but she accepted candy and started to follow him.

For me it was a reminder that even though we live in a great community as parents we need to always keep an eye on our children. My friend had only turned away for a moment and that is almost what it took for her daughter to be taken.

There are currently 21 registered sex offenders in our area. To find out if one lives near you go to www.familywatchdog.us where you can search by street address, town, state or zip.

• Read More »

Like most moms, a trip to the ER is part of life with kids. I've have spent many an evening or early morning holding a sick child waiting to be seen by a physician. I've come to the conclusion that when all is going well, someone is bound to end up taking a road trip to the local hospital.

What I don't plan for is that someone being the family pet. So what happens at 8 pm on a Sunday night when you find yourself needing an Emergence Room trip for your four legged-friend?

Well, that was what I was faced with this weekend. You see our newest addition, Buddy,was playing with our other dog, Guinness, and somehow ended up with a 3 inch gash down the side of his rib crib. After a quick look and short deliberation, my husband and I realized that the injury required professional attention. I called our vet and was referred to the Small Animal Emergency Services located in the Town and Country Shopping Center behind Babcock furniture. You're probably wondering if a Pet ER actually exists and I will tell you that not only do we have one, but they were actually very busy!

We arrived a few minutes after 8 pm and found ourselves in a waiting room with several other injured pets. The staff was helpful, friendly and directed us to a patient room as soon as one became available. After a quick assessment by the vet tech, we were seen by Dr. Turner who discussed our options for treatment. We were even given a estimate for treatment so we would know how much the visit would cost us.

Although the office visit for Buddy was twice the cost of a trip to the vet during the day (which I expect for an after-hours vet trip), the rest of the services (stitches, sedation, medication) where similar to a regular office visit. In fact, we'll return in two weeks to have Buddy's staples removed for free.

To make a long story short, Buddy received wonderful treatment and even received a complimentary nail trimming. I have to say, Dr. Turner and her staff offer quality care for each and every pet that comes through their door. So, take the time to write their contact info in your phonebook next to your other emergency numbers. You never know when you'll need it.

Small Animal Emergency Services offers after hours care from 6 pm - 8 am and all weekend. They are located at 1335 N. Sandhills Blvd. Tel (910) 944-0405.

 

• Read More »

My name is Shelbi O'Brien and I am the new Program Coordinator for Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Department.  I am attempting to reach as many moms and kids as possible to help our youth programs for the Town of Aberdeen grow and become successful.  I have established 6 different summer camp programs for kids beginning in July.  We do however have limited space availible for each of the different camps so it is very important to call the office right away and sign up.  910-944-5902.

We have wonderful camp counslers that are on staff.  And I will personallybe checking in regularly at the camps.  I have listed the camps on the calender, so they should be viewable for everyone.

I am asking that everyone get involved in our wonderful community and help me make Aberdeen's youth program successful.

Make sure to call for camp details right away. SPACE IS LIMITED. 910-944-5902

• Read More »