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Diagnosis Bipolar on HBO

January 7, 2010 By Becca 6 Comments

Last night as I was flipping through the channels I stopped at a documentary titled, “Diagnosis: Bipolar” on HBO.  Being that I have a child who suffers from Bipolar disorder I watched about the last 10-15 minutes of it.  I certainly want to catch it in its entirety.  It was like seeing portions of what we go through everyday on the television.

Bipolar is a brain disorder that severe mood changes occur.  According to www.BPkids.com there are “bouts of extreme and impairing changes in mood, energy, thinking, and behavior.”  Many people are under the misconception that this is a strictly behavioral issue that is easily fixed by behavioral modification.  While behavior modifications are certainly important it is a brain disorder.  I  know that my daughter hits a point where she looses it and is no longer in control.  I do not know how to explain it.  You can see in her eyes when she is gone.  After an episode she immediately becomes very depressed.  She talks about not wanting to live and tells me she hates herself because of how she just acted.  She is unable to explain what is going on in her head at the time.  She clearly feels bad.

As my daughter continues to age it is becoming more difficult.  The fact that she is prepubescent has made her treatment difficult not only for her but also for her Doctor.  She is suffering socially because other children her age do not know what to make of her.  The trouble is that my daughter has a HUGE heart.  She will do anything to help others.  She can be extremely compassionate.  She is wonderfully excited about so many things and very inquisitive.

I certainly want to catch this documentary again.  I am sure that they picked some of the most severe cases to show.  That is what they always do.  I just want to see how these kids have been helped over the course of a year.  For now I will continue to muddle through.  Some days are wonderful and others not so much.  Either way she is my baby girl and all I can do is try and help her in anyway I can!

Becca

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Add new tag, Articles and Research, bipolar, Bipolar disorder, bipolar kids, children with bipolar, Disorders, Health, Mental disorder, Mental Health, Mood, Television

Michigan Mother in Trouble for Helping out Friends?

October 1, 2009 By Becca 4 Comments

The story has been out for two days now!  A mother in Michigan is in trouble with the state for putting three neighborhood children on the bus in the morning.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  Why in the world would this be an issue?  Perhaps people have nothing better to do then to worry about a mom who is helping out.  I am so appalled by this!  With the economy it is more and more important that friends and neighbors use each other as resources.  My parents cannot afford to pay their friends to help out.  It is like a barter.  You help me and I will help you.  So why is this wrong all of a sudden?

A 19th-century example of barter: A sample lab...
Image via Wikipedia

As a mother with three children I certainly ask friends to help out from time to time.  They ask me for help as well.  That is whay friends and family are for.  This woman is not profiting, she is helping.  I am so flabbergasted by this entire situation!  My mother in law is forever talking about “big brother” watching.  I usually blow her off and poo poo the allegations.  Then a story like this comes along and I have to say that I agree!

What do you all think about this case?  Do you think that this mother should be a liscensed daycare because she puts three kids on the bus for FREE?  Join in and let me know what you think.  I am always interested in opinions!

Becca

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Arts, Day care, family, Michigan, Mother-in-law, People, Programs, Television

The Wizard of Oz: Celebrating 70 Years

September 30, 2009 By Becca 3 Comments

This is the 70th anniversary of the “wizard of Oz“.  I watched it on TV the other night for old times sake.  It is a move that has find memories for me.

The first thing is that television when I was a child was not what it is today.  The “Wizard of Oz” was on once a year and that was it.   In our house it was an event.  An even that impacted me for my whole life.  Many times I remember going to my grandmothers and watching it.  We all gathered to share that joy that the movie gives.  The only bad part for me was that Grandpa G would not let us sing!  I love to sing and those are catchy toons.  My cousin and I would develop a show for after the movie where we could let out all of our singing and other talents… tap dancing was always a must!

The Wizard of Oz, filmed in 3-strip Technicolor

Other times we watched it at home.  We would pop popcorn and sit and watch it.  Each year my mother would retell the same story… When I was young we did not have a color television.  It was not until I was married that I understood why they called it the horse of changing color. ..

See what I mean we all have memories of this movie.  It is MAGICAL.  For all of the negative during production it has lived in all of our hearts year after year.  When Abigail turned 1 I bought a DVD copy of the movie for my father.  I wrote a note saying that this movie was always something special and now we can make the same memories.  Although all of the girls like the movie it is just not the same.  It can be watched any day of the year now.  It has lost a little bit of its magic.  It will forever be in my heart as a time when I was happy…  The hours of my life I have watched “the Wizard  of Oz” are full of joy!  Until the flying monkeys came and got you in your dreams that is.

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Arts, Entertainment, Movies, Shopping, Television, Television movie, Winged monkeys, Wizard of Oz, Wizard of Oz 70 anniversary

Paula Abdul Says Goodbye to American Idol Via Twitter

August 5, 2009 By Becca 1 Comment
Paula Abdul, Red Dress Collection 2005
Image by The Heart Truth via Flickr

American Idol has lost one of their judges.  As the show is swinging into it’s 9th season something will be missing.  No it will not be Simon Cowell and his obnoxious comments.  No it will not be the auditions where people chose to get up and sing their hearts out even though they have no talent.  It will be Paula Abdul.

On Tuesday Aug. 4, 2009 Paula Abdul said that she will no longer be a judge on the show.  I think that over the years Paula Abdul has grow tired of the gig.  After 8 seasons she is ready to head back out into the world and bring us mew and better things.  I remember loving her as a tween.  She was my Hanna Montana.  The music videos were great and her dancing was awesome.

Paula chose to leave in an odd way though.  She twittered about it!  I guess that it shows that twitter is gaining more and more popularity!  I wish the millions of people who follow Paula Abdul also followed me.  Perhaps all I need is a singing career, the ability to dance like a star and to be a judge on American Idol first!

Paula your fans cannot wit to see what is ahead for you!

Becca

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Filed Under: Becca's Babblings, Main Tagged With: AmericanIdol, Arts, Paula Abdul, Programs, Reality-Based, Simon Cowell, Talent Shows, Television, tweet, Twitter

Susan Boyle: The New Image

July 23, 2009 By Becca 4 Comments
Viral singing sensation Susan Boyle
Image by feastoffun via Flickr

As I was watching TV yesterday I noticed something.  Susan Boyle can look beautiful.  I always find it amazing.  They took a rather homely looking woman who could sing and made her look beautiful.  I mean no disrespect.  I too can be homely looking.  My amazement is in the fact that make up can do all of that.  I am not a person who often uses makeup.  I just looked at Susan Boyle today and thought that she has gone through quite a transformation.  I can only imagine that with all of the attention she is not only feeling exhausted but she must be feeling beautiful.

I must say that it makes me think that perhaps a little more often I should put on some lipstick and eye shadow and feel good.  Perhaps I should care a little more.  As mothers we all let ourselves go.  We say we do not have the time.  We say we do not have the money but perhaps if we all gave ourselves a half hour a day we would look and feel a little better in the end.  I think that I am going to give it a try.  I will let you all know how it goes.

Becca

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: britains got talent, Health, Kids and Teens, Look and feel, Singing, Susan Boyle, Television

Jon & Kate Plus 8: The Drama

May 24, 2009 By Becca 2 Comments
Rouge le Fou (163.365 7.16.08)
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I know that my sister in law watches this show.  I have missed it.  I have been swept up into the real life drama surrounding this show lately.  The trouble is that I just think we should not care so much.  Is Jon cheating on Kate?  Is Kate cheating on Jon?  Why do we care?

I think that a lot of people get too wrapped up.  We all watch a reality show or two.  We look at these people and feel as if we are a part of what they are living though at the moment.  The thing is that these people are not on camera 24 hours a day.  These are shows.  The tapes are edited for added drama to an otherwise simple everyday life.

So why do we care if someone is cheating.  They are two people with a lot on their plate.  They have 8 children!  They are suddenly TV stars.  They are a family just trying to make it.  I think that even if they are cheating it is nothing we should worry about.  They owe us nothing.  They let us into a part of their lives.  That part of their lived has to do with how  to deal with 8 kids.  How do they go to the store and shop for food?  How do they get all of those kids to bed before 12AM?  The question is not about them but their family.  While cheating does effect family life I really feel that it should be out of the public eye.  The preasure of being a star has to be a huge strain.  Add to that 8 children and I may also want to run away with my body guard.

I pray that they work it all out.  I think of all of the kids and womder how one person can do it.  I am sure that neither one of them will be able to keep it together on their own.  Perhaps they just need a little time without all of us passing judgements!  Perhaps they need to disconnect for a while to reconnect!

Becca

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Bodyguard, family, Jon, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Kate Austen, Kids and Teens, Personal life, Reality television, Television, TLC

Kris Allen Wins American Idol

May 20, 2009 By Becca 7 Comments
LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 20: Contestant Adam Lam...
Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Just a few hours ago the dreams of two young men hung in all of our hands.  American Idol was wrapping up this season with a bang!  With almost 100 MILLION votes cast it was announced that Kris Allen has taken away the new American Idol title.  That is not to say that  Adam Lambert will be left in the dust.  We all know that American Idol runners up have great success as well.  Either way Kris Allen is the one with the record deal and the “American Idol” title.  Allen was not the judges favorite but the American Idol fans picked up their phones, emailed and texted in their votes.

I think that Kris Allen winning sends a message to the American Idol people.  We as Americans are looking for a little different sound.  Kris Allen with his Folky music has found a place in America’s hearts!

All of the hype over the American Idol finale is making me more and more anxious for Susan Boyle to reappear this Saturday.  I know that million, maybe even more, will be waiting to hear how she makes out.   I am just anxious to hear her angelic voice yet again!

Either way dreams have come true tonight.  I often wonder what we are all attracted to in shows such as American Idol and Dancing with the Stars.  I think that, for me, it is the hope of my dreams coming true.  No matter how big or small these shows show us each and every day that dreams really can come true!

Congratulations Kris Allen!  Enjoy the ride!

Becca

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Susan Boyle: A New Craze

May 3, 2009 By Becca 9 Comments
BLACKBURN, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 21: Susan B...
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If you are anyone who watches television, surfs YouTube or listens to the radio you have heard the name Susan Boyle in the past week.  She is a craze that is sweeping the world.  I am so motivated by this story.  Perhaps it is because I am overweight and always cheer for the underdog, perhaps it is because she is a woman who would not take no as an answer in the past, perhaps it is the complete love for singing.  Either way I completely relate to her.

Susan Boyle sang on Brittan’s got talent last week.  Before she sang there were sneers and comments conming from the judges and the audience.  I personally would have cried and walked off the stage.  I guess that is why I am not the one we are all talking about this week.  Susan Boyle held her head up high and said she wants to be a professional singer.

From that point people began to snicker and be disrespectful.  Even the judges were sceptical.  They were down right rude!  Then Susan Boyle opened her mouth and began to sing.  The audience was shocked and I cannot even think of a good enough word to describe the judges.  I have NEVER seen Simon smile while someone was singing.  By the end he had to say that he knew she would be that great.  If he had said anything else he would have looked like he had no clue of his entire job.

I guess I am so excited for Susan Boyle because she showed people that we are all different.  Some of us have pretty faces.  Some of us have good bodies.  Some of us have the perfect hair and others have a great smile.  Susan Boyle has a beautiful voice.  She sounds better then then Broadway cast I heard sing the same song.  She is amazing and someone to watch!

Becca

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Arts, becca, boyle, Brittan's got talent, Brittan's got tallent, Radio, Robert Boyle, Simon Cowell, Singing, susan, Susan Boyle, Television, YouTube

Dr. Phil Guests Get Caught… Eaton’s Awaiting Next Step

April 4, 2009 By Becca 6 Comments
Image representing Associated Press as depicte...
Image via CrunchBase

I was reading an AP article about Dr. Phil Guests.  In this article it states that a couple who was on the show in the Fall is in hot water with the Secret Service and members of a multi agency Fraud Task Force stormmed the Eaton’s house.  The seized toys, a car and other unlisted belongings.  Now here is the kicker.  This family went on the Dr. Phil show, bragged about stealing $100,000 worth of merchandise, video taped themselves shoplifting from stores with their three children in tow, and then admitted on television that they sell the stolen merchandise on Ebay.

Let me start by saying that the Eaton’s are not all that bright!  They had a good thing going for them.  They were making $100,000 with little work.  Yes there is risk but they were obviously willing to take it.  This part of their plan was semi bright but when they went on a nationally broadcasted show and bragged about getting away with it they had to have known that they  would set some flags soring.  Was the local police department and all of the people in their town just suposed to say, “good for the Eatons?”  How did they not know that by going on a national television show such as the Dr. Phil Show that it would not be long before their little plan began to ravel?  I just do not understand the criminal mind and why it is so stupid!

I hope that they loose everything have to pay money to the stores the merchandise came from and go down!  It is people like this who take things that they are not intitled to receiev who have driven up the cost of everything in this great nation.  I can perhaps excuse a package of diapers or milk being stolen.  Only if the mother has no money and really needs them.  But to make an entire Ebay business out of your shoplifting is just worng.  You and I pay for that each and every day!  We pay for that in taxes, we pay for that in the stores and we pay for that on ebay.

I love ebay as much as you do!  I just think twice when a deal looks too good to be true.  Imagine if these people were to put their minds to something constructive.  Perhaps they should have to spend their time in jail helping stores better reduce the shrink levels.  Perhaps they should spend their time in jail with someone who steals from them.  When you shoplift you are stealing from the people in this country who work so hard for the things that they have.

Either way the Eatons are most likely going to loose their children and as far as I am concerned nothing is worth this punishment.  No amount of money would matter when the end result is the fact that I have endangered my children and their lives as they know it.  So I will sit here in my rented house, with my run down cars and my dreams.  Nothing would be worht me loosing my babies!  NOTHING!!

Click the link below to view a clip.

http://drphil.com/shows/video/?XMLPath=%2Fvideo.xml%2F%3FShowID%3D1171%26Type%3DShow

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Addicted??

February 22, 2009 By Becca 8 Comments
television
Image by Walt Jabsco via Flickr

All this makes me think of is: might as well face it your addicted to… love, right?  Well not in this case.  My family is addicted to TV.  If the boob tube is on they are off.  I find it to be very amazing.  How could three people be so addicted to something so stupid?  Don’t get me wrong.  I love a good show or movie as much as the rest of them.  There are just a few things that I do not understand about the television and it’s powers!  Some examples of my lack of understanding are…

  1. Why is it that once the television goes on it cannot go back off.  They all just sit there.  It is like they have a been entranced and will be hurt if they were to look away even for a moment.
  2. Even though there is often nothing good on they will still watch.  I flip through the channels and see that nothing I want to watch is on and then I do something quite odd… I turn it OFF!
  3. WHy does it have to be on all of the time and loud?  This is perplexing to me.  I just do not understand why three people, with perfect hearing, need to listen to the television so loud.  This is such a problem that I even had Abigail’s hearing tested.  I really thought that she was deaf.
  4. Why can’t they hear?  I call and I call and I call and nothing.  It is not until I turn the television off that they seem to be able to hear again.  Once I have done this tensions are running high in our house again!
  5. Once I turn the television off, you know after I have called them all for about a half of an hour.  This causes arguing close to a person who is addicted to crack!  The thing is that this is usually the only way I can get their attention.

All in all I just have trouble figuring out what makes the television so addictive?  I just do not get it.  I would so much rather be playing a game with them.  I would rather be doing just about anything with them.  This television addiction has become so bad that we have had to establish some rules in our house.  These rules are followed most days although I am not perfect.  There certainly are days that it is just not worth the fight!  So here are the rules which yes as I had stated are sometimes lax.

  1. NO television in the morning before school.  I think that without this rule we would never make it to school on time.
  2. In the evening they can watch 2 30 minute shows. after this the television should go off.  The problem seems to be when I turn it off they get angry.  I mean ANGRY!!!  Abigail will start screaming and throwing a fit, Rob decides that I have committed a sin and will not talk to me and Emma whines.  I know it makes you wonder why I turn it off at all!  Some days I wonder too.
  3. The television cannot be louder then 30.  If this rule is broken it is simply turned off.
  4. The kids are only aloud to watch certain channels and only certain shows on those channels.  They can watch Disney channel, PBS, Nickelodeon (depending on the show), and HBO family.  Rob is not allowed to watch anything rated higher then pg when the kids are awake. I know that this seems to be a no brainer but you would be amazed that the things he tries to watch when they are running around!

All in all I have to say I hate television.  I wish that we could cancel cable and just be done.  I think that it would make my life so much easier!

Becca

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Filed Under: Main Tagged With: Abigail, Arts, ask becca, askbecca, becca, children and tv, Disney Channel, Emma, Hearing, kids and television, kids shows, Nickelodeon, pbs, Public Broadcasting Service, Television, tv, tv shows, tv shows for kids
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