Ladies... Don't Be Afraid to Touch Yourself!

Hey y'all,

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A time set aside for education, engagement and early detection of this deadly disease.

According to The American Cancer Society in 2013, an estimated 232,340 new cases of invasive breast cancer were expected to be diagnosed among US women, as well as an estimated 64,640 additional cases of in situ (abnormal cells inside a milk duct in the breast) breast cancer.

That year, approximately 39,620 US women were expected to die from breast cancer. Only lung cancer accounts for more cancer deaths in women.

Breast Cancer is real. It effects so many families, it goes beyond color lines, social economics, religion etc. It is a destroyer of families and is not to be ignored or discounted. As I do every year I write about Breast Cancer and the effect it had on my family. The loss of two of my aunts and most recently the disease has reared it's ugly head into my generation and touched my beautiful sister in law. Thankfully with knowledge and aggressive medial and spiritual measures my Sister is on the mend. God is certainly good and His mercy endures forever!

Please self test and be aware of the changes your body may be going through.
According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. The best way to fight breast cancer is to have a plan that helps you detect the disease in its early stages. Create your Early Detection Plan to receive reminders to do breast self-exams, and schedule your clinical breast exams and mammograms based on your age and health history. Everything has gone digital so please download this app with reminders etc.

Self Exam Directions...
1) IN THE SHOWER
Using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.

2) IN FRONT OF A MIRROR
Visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead.

Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling of the skin, or changes in the nipples. Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles. Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women's breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

3) LYING DOWN
When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.

Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.

This year I am making these cute Breast Cancer Awareness earrings and will donate a potion of the funds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Inc.  in honor of my Aunt's Ruby and Betty. Please show your support at Leah Simone Designs.

Until next time.... be safe.
MUAH!

We Did It! Hooray!!!!

Hey y'all,

As of 2:50 pm this afternoon 9/20 we have completed 2 full weeks of school!!!! We survived back to school night, Myles is his class Mayor, Leah has a boyfriend (a boy that's a friend) and Erick has been wearing his glasses consistently and got an 85% on his first test AND he signed up to play the trumpet!!!!

To say it's been a whirlwind of activity in our house is an understatement. I am a lunch/snack packing pro now and have the cookie cutter sandwiches down to a science. I'm tired however of them eating salami sandwiches everyday so next week I think I'm going to shake their lunch bags up. Wondering how they'll do with some friend chicken, baby carrots etc. Not sure but the sandwiches can't continue into next week.

So grateful that we are in a great school system with small class sizes we are blessed. Hoping that your first couple weeks of school have been successful.

Until next time...
MUAH

Wordless Wednesday: Back to School 2013

Hey Y'all,

We did it. Our children started school today! I shed a few tears but I made it through! Cannot believe all three of my little ones are in school!

Until next time...
MUAH!

Back To School Fashion (CRISIS)

Hey Y'all,

Why oh why can't everybody make their children wear uniforms? I know I wrote about trying to get Erick to wear uniforms to school when it wasn't a rule but now I have three little people to send off to school and I can't figure out what they should wear. I want my little ones to have their own fashion identity and not look like everyone else specially since they aren't wearing uniforms. But if I'm not mistaken I'm sure just about every mom in the northeast will be visiting Children's Place for their back to school fashions! Although I love their jeans I really don't want Leah to end up having the same shirt on that her desk mate is wearing. What pray tell should a budget conscious mama do?

I know what they won't be wearing....

What style will your kiddies sport this year?

Until next time...
MUAH!

Suicide Watch...

Hey Y'all,

While scrolling my Facebook timeline I saw the image of Lee Thompson Young, the former star of late '90s Disney Channel series The Famous Jett Jackson, and current star of one of my favorite TNT shows Rizzoli & Isles, the caption was about his self inflicted gunshot wound. He is dead. 

Although the following information is dated the numbers are daunting and I know they are higher today.
According to the CDC:

• Suicide was the tenth leading cause of death for all ages in 2010.

• There were 38,364 suicides in 2010 in the United 

• States--an average of 105 each day.

• Based on data about suicides in 16 National Violent 

• Death Reporting System states in 2009, 33.3% of suicide decedents tested positive for alcohol, 23% for antidepressants, and 20.8% for opiates, including heroin and prescription pain killers.

• Suicide results in an estimated $34.6 billion in combined medical and work loss costs.

Warning Signs of Suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die

• Looking for a way to kill oneself

• Talking about feeling hopeless or  having no purpose

• Talking about feeling trapped or  in unbearable pain

• Talking about being a burden  to others

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

• Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Withdrawing or feeling isolated

• Showing rage or talking about  seeking revenge

• Displaying extreme mood swings

• The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.

What to do if you see these signs:

• Do not leave the person alone

• Remove any fi rearms, alcohol,  drugs or sharp objects that could  be used in a suicide attempt

• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention  Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)

• Take the person to an emergency  room or seek help from a medical  or mental health professional

My prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of this amazing young man. I pray that if you are feeling like there is no hope and your life isn't worth living, that you would contact someone. Reach out to a family member, friend, clergy, your local hospital or even police station to get the help you need.


Until next time...
MUAH!

STRANGER DANGER: What would your child do?

Hey Y'all:

We have had the stranger danger talk with our children. Don't go with strangers, don't talk to strangers etc. but if you take a look at this video let me know what you think your children might do when a cute dog and a 'safe' looking man is involved.



Baby my heart was in my mouth after watching this. How do we really teach our children about strangers and who they should and should not trust? Check out Raising America with Kyra Phillips on HLN tomorrow 8/2 at Noon.

How have you handled this discussion with your children? Please leave comments.

Until next time...
MUAH!

5 Must Do's with Your Girlfriends (sister friends, gal pals, bff's etc)

Hey Y'all

Today is National Girlfriend's Day.
Girlfriends or sister friends as I refer to mine; are the women you can always depend on. Whether you call on them to share exciting news, need a shoulder to cry on, someone to pray with, hang out, babysit etc. a true Girlfriend has your back! I recently lost one of my girlfriends and will miss her dearly. Some of the things on this list are activities that we shared and I'll miss doing them with her but will make sure I hang out or catch up with my living girlfriends more often.

5 Must Do's With Your Girlfriends

Watch a chick flick. Send the kids and your honey out for a play date, call up your girls and watch the eight films I've listed below. You know as you watch, laugh and cry they'll hand you tissues.

1. The Notebook
2. The Secret Life of Bees
3. Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (1&2)
4. Titanic
5. Steel Magnolias (the original)
6. The Women of Brewster Place
7. Waiting to Exhale 
8. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Throw a Party. Doesn't have to be a special occasion just a reason to get together. Throw a tea party, dress up and have a blast. Parties are always a good way to get all your friends in one place at one time. 

Go Shopping. Who doesn't love some good retail therapy? I don't know about you but I rearly shop for myself these days. It's either about the kids or the house, never really for me. So going on a little shopping trip with your girlfriends might just get you into Victoria's to pick up a secret. What might be even more fun is doing a clothes,shoe and accessory swap. Clothes Swap is a new trend and all the rage these days. Why not hold a clothes swap with your girls.Clean out your closet and accessory box of items you no longer wear bring them to one location and make the swap. It's fun and a great way to keep money in your pocket.

Take a Road Trip. Doesn't have to be anywhere far but a nice getaway with your friends is always a positive. Now let me caveat this... do NOT go anywhere with your freeloading friend (we all have one) make sure the girls you invite are gainfully employed and won't have any issues with expenses. 

Capture A Memory. If you watch a chick flick together document it, if you throw that party make sure you get a picture with all your girls, going shopping snap a pic and on the road trip make sure you document the adventure! Pictures are truly worth a thousand words so make sure you have a lasting memory. 

Until next time...

MAUH!