Ajoura Waxing Strips Review (Tomoson).

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.


I received Ajoura's Waxing Strips, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The waxing strips also came with wax wipes to remove extra wax, reduce irritation, and moisturize skin.

To use: you warm a pack of strips up with your hands, then peel the strips apart. You apply to your skin, press firmly for 10 seconds, then rip in the opposite direction. You can keep reusing strips until the wax is no longer sticky.

I normally shave facial and body hair, but shaving causes irritation, even witth shave gel or a shaving bar.

I used the wax on mustache hair and chin hair. I just started waxing, the other week. I did have some pain and skin irritation but the chin hair was removed, while mustache hair required more work.

You can check out my demonstration in the video below.

You can purchase the strips, using the link above. The strips are prime-eligible.

Thankgiving Week in Review

Sunday:

My mother, who is my ride to church, spent Thanksgiving in Belize with my youngest sister, great-niece, and nephew. I knew about her trip, weeks in advance, but it did not prepare me for the drama, which ensued. 

I was undecided on whether or not to go to church. On one hand, I don't want to stay at home, the entire week. I also needed a break from my kids. My church has a great special needs program (kids and adults). My church is less than an hour away by bus. One bus takes me downtown and the other takes me to the transit center, across the street from the church. Normally,  we have to do is walk the sidewalk from the transit center to the bridge, then cross over to the church, except the transit center is undergoing reconstruction. 

The second bus let us off across the street from the transit center. We caught the traffic light and crossed over to the bridge. We had 2 more crosses left. Brad decided he wanted to walk off and started pointing at random objects. I don't know what he wanted. 

It is bad when your goal is in sight and you can't seem to reach it. I can see the church. People parking. He started kicking and screaming. He hit me in the front and back of my head. I got kicked in the knees and spit on.  He almost pushed me into the road. Where the red x is on the above map, is where he refused to cross over and started trying to walk off, 

I thought ok, the church has shuttle busses, which pass through here. Maybe I can wave one down. None of the shuttles would stop. I don't know if they can or not but I definitely could have used a lift. My next idea was to call the director of the special needs ministry to see if he can come outside and help. I got a disconnect notice. (I figured out later, I had his right number stored under another listing. I deleted the disconnected number). I also sent him a message on Facebook. 

I had to drag Brad into the grass to get him out of the sidewalk/road. If you are going to meltdown, let's go somewhere safe. A church member and his wife saw me struggling and offered help. Mr. C called the church directly (why didn't I think of this) and asked for the special needs department. He was able to bring Brad and Kalen to his car to drive,  2 seconds across the street, where the director met us and was able to help walk Brad in. 

I am very grateful for my church. Brad has had multiple incidents, where the special needs department stepped into help, versus putting all of us out of the church for his behavior. Houston's First Baptist is a loving environment. Thru the Roof is amazing. 

My mother allowed me to use her credit card to use a Lyft to head home versus trying to cross back over to the transit center. I didn't want another public meltdown. 

I don't think  I will be going to church, on days, when my mother is out of town or if I don't have Uber/Lyft money (It costs about $30 bucks to get from my house to church and vice versa). I am glad I went though. Life Bible Studies and Thru the Roof are closed on Dec 1. I would hate to show up on Sunday and no one was there. That would be another meltdown, waiting to happen. Another option is Metro Lift, which I will be calling, first thing Monday morning, provided my phone acts right and catches a charge. 

Monday:

Brad had a meeting with an insurance transition coordinator. Brad ages out of the pediatric insurance at 21 and the coordinator wanted to prepare me now. I am not ready to leave Texas Childrens Insurance. The doctors are consistent versus his former insurance company, who was losing psychiatrists to Texas Childrens and other hospitals/clinics. Some clinics also stopped taking Medicaid. Another doctor, I visited in Spring Branch (thought about embedding Google Maps but it showed the location of my house and other landmarks) told me he was not a psychiatrist. He didn't know why I was referred to him for psychiatry services, but he was able to write Brad's script for the month. I was going all over Houston and surrounding cities for his monthly appointments and prescriptions.

While she was talking to me about future insurance programs, Brad decided to start screaming. I followed him into my bedroom to calm him down. He started hitting and pushing again. This week is not going good so far. 

Tuesday:

Kalen went on the attack. I got hit in the head. He got mad at me for something and went semi postal.  Regular kiddie scream fests. Cooked. Attempted to clean. Went to bed too late. Kids had a lab work appointment on Wednesday. My phone also started having issues. Extra slow to charge. I think Kalen did something. Hopefully, it acts right. I can't afford another phone. 

Wednesday:

I had been dreading this day, for months. Brad needed lab work so his psych can better adjust his meds. She also wanted to test Brad for gynaecomastia. His chest looked weird when she examined him during his well check up/psych appointment. Kalen also needed lab work, so I decided to take them both, on the same day. Hospital appointments can be long and it's easier to schedule some of their hospital appointments together. 

The psych, the lab, and I tried to work together to make this appointment easier for the kids. Brad has a history of violence and aggression at the hospital. Kalen used take lab work and vaccinations like a pro, but over time, he cries and screams. Brad's biggest issue is the food court is next door to the lab. He wants food. We can get food after, but not before, provided, I have money. I did not have money on Wednesday. 

Preparation:

The psych told me to call the lab, 24 hours in advance, so they can prepare for the kids' arrival. I als was supposed to call the lab, 30 minutes before we arrived. Since the phone being stupid, I was not able to call 24 hours in advance. I was able to get enough charge to call 30 minutes in advance and left a voice mail. The clinic does not open up until 8. I wanted Brad to be sedated but his psych recommended his regular meds. I was also told that the food court CLOSED (gate down) between 9 and 9:30. I called medical transportation to schedule the appointment for 9. 

We arrived at the hospital around 9. We got to the 3rd floor.First thing, I noticed was the food court was still open. Brad also noticed. 

I filled out the forms for lab work. I asked for Child Life to come to the lab (they bring snacks, toys, electronics, colors to kids, who are struggling). Brad refused to walk into the clinic. He started screaming. He was hitting the windows at the gift shop. (Food court, gift shop, and lab are all right there together. The only thing, I ever bought was a $40 sweater because I was cold when Kalen had pace maker surgery). The director, who I called, also talked with me, in the lobby. 

The lab called Child Life. They also called security to assist. The Child Life person provided a good suggestion. She will go in with Kalen for his lab work, while I assisted security and lab personnel for Brad. Kalen will go first, followed by Brad. Brad started to calm down then boom, Kalen's turn. Brad did not like his brother, walking off without me or him. He started to scream again. 

Kalen went into the room with child life and the nurse to do his lab work. Brad walked into the room, next door, where the nurse was preparing the chair. Brad started kicking the walls and screaming. Nurse ran out. Security helped Brad into the chair and helped restrain him until the nurse was able to complete the tests. 

Security also escorted me down the garage elevators, versus the main elevators, back to the lobby, until medical transportation arrived to take us home. 

I did learn though, the hospital has a minor lab on the 11th floor. Next time, we are heading to the 11th floor, which will bypass the food court. 

Thursday:

Happy Thanksgiving. Today has not been a great day. Both kids woke up around 6. I am completely exhausted. It's been a long week and I need sleep. I gave the kids, their medications. Brad also picked up on a new behavior, which needs to stop ASAP. Brad already hits walls, doors, and ceilings, with his hands, feet, blankets, pillows, and clothes. He picked up my desk chair (which he has taken over) and hit the ceiling with it. I have small pieces of sheet rock on my living room floor. (I found a big rug near the dumpster, the other day. I cleaned it up, as much as I could, with bleach and laundry detergent, and placed it in Brad's area of the living room). My rug has visible chunks of sheetrock on it. The behavior has been constant, despite medications in his system. He took 2 naps. Woke up and was at it again. This is not the best day to be a special needs parent. I wish I was in Belize with my mother.

I did not cook. I was getting low on veggies and staples. I also don't want to spend a lot of money on one day, when my kids need to eat the whole month. I signed up for Operation Turkey to bring me 3 meals, weeks ago, before I started to run low. I am glad I did. My kids were able to eat a holiday meal, including mine. My sister and niece were supposed to cook but that meal has never arrived, as of today (Dec 2nd).

I am also thinking about a Thanksgiving cruise, next year. Let the cruise ship cook the food. I don't know which cruise line, I will be with, since Brad is too old for Camp Carnival.  Royal Caribbean is also an option because  of free priority boarding for past guests. I usually get Faster to the Fun , when the kids are with me, for Carnival Cruises, which comes with priority boarding and debarkation. Autism on the Seas costs too much, but they offer respite for staffed cruises. 

Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 

Church was not in session today, for us. Since it is a holiday weekend, the church doesn't have enough volunteers to staff departments. No life bible studies (Sunday school) and no special needs. I tried to watch online but kept having technical issues, such as delayed timing on my phone. When I logged in on the pc, it was minutes behind the phone. I figured, I watch later when kids went back to school and not too many devices are connected to the internet. 

Poop

Brad had an issue of poop. He went to the bathroom, after taking off his diaper. I figured, he wanted me to wipe him. Instead of waiting on me to wipe him, he plopped down on the toilet and finished handling his business in the toilet. I am still in shock. He went a few more times, throughout the day. I still had to rush in the bathroom to wipe him before he put on his diaper. Yay. 

The great kindle take over

He also tried to take over my kindle on Saturday. I have a kiddie playlist for Kalen, on there, for the rougher moments. When my phone started having issues, I thought I could placate Kalen by showing him Youtube on my kindle (big mistake). Here comes Saturday, Brad said a new word, "song". He wanted me to play him, the kiddie play list. No problem, but then, he wanted to watch youtube and find new music. Im like, uhhhhhhhhhhh, he has a weekend ipad from his teacher. He can play games on there. Only issue: no internet. 

Side note: Brad loves technology but he also likes to break technology. I am on my 4th kindle. 1st one, got stolen off my bed, while I was in the hospital with Kalen, for his pacemaker surgery. 2nd one and 3rd one, stopped charging. 4th one, I got on sale for half off. I had it a few months. The kids also have broken 4 of my phones in the past year or so. Brad also has broken multiple tablets and phones in the past (Samsung, RCA, Nabi 2, and Kalen's Nabi jr).  I can't afford a new phone. So my anxiety went high when Brad started wanting more than just the music. 

He sat and listened to the music for hours, versus the ipad. I thought of a good idea to try to put the internet on the ipad. The first ipad, he brought home, months ago, did not allow me to connect to anything. It had restrictions, placed by the school. The one, he has now, I never touched before, but I can try. I first tried to connect it to Xfinity wifi (my mama's account).  but it was denied due to an unsecure connection. Then, I connected it to my ATT and success, he was able to watch Youtube. I did not connect it to my Google though to be on the safe side, but he was able to watch his kiddie skits, while Kalen took back the Kindle and listened to the music and watched his skits. Both kids was out of my hair lol. (Of course, later on, Brad tried to come back to kindle land and Kalen went into the living room and brought back the ipad and started playing on it. No idea how he figured it out because I struggled just finding the settings). 

Connecting the internet reduced the chair throwing and chair hitting the ceiling, headache inducing behavior. I don't want to be put out because the upstairs neighbor, with a baby, complained about noise from the apartment below. That's another level of anxiety. Moving with two special needs kids within a few weeks, like I did last year. 

Have a blessed day. 

They went off to school great this morning. No issues. Glad to finally get a small break, until my 11 am appt. 

Ilansley Wax Warmer Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I recieved the Ilansley Wax Warmer in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. I been interested in the wax warmer kits for a while. I never waxed before. I normally shave or pluck body hairs.

The kit comes with the wax warmer; wide application sticks; small application sticks; pre wax treatment; post wax treatment; 3 bags of aloe vera wax; and a bag of jasmine wax. You also receive a pair of gloves and wax collars (to protect wax from spilling all over).

The aloe vera wax is for coarse body areas, while the jasmine wax is for more sensitive areas, such as facial hair.

I watched youtube videos on how to wax properly. One blogger, who also reviewed this product, said to warm up the wax to 240 degrees, so the wax can melt faster, then turn the temperature down to 160 degrees for application use.

Then, start applying. I have not been a fan of the rip off quickly method. Scares the day lights out of me. I took my time learning how to wax. What I learned was that small, thin strips are best and easier to remove. I can rip those off without too many irritation issues.

When I did bigger, wider strips, they was harder to remove, whether I ripped fast or slow. Another thing, I learned was when I re-waxed areas, the pain was easier to bear.

You can also reheat the used wax. Since this is my warmer and no one else will be using it, I think it is ok.

I was able to use the wax on my legs, arms, and facial hair. The facial hair, I felt, was the worst to remove. It took a few tries to remove most of my mustache and chin hair. I may try again since it should be easier, the next ime.








You can purchase the warmer, using the link or ad above. The wax warmer is prime eligible.

Amosting Magnetic Tiles Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I received Amosting's Magnetic Tiles, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The set comes with 24 pieces: 8 squares, 8 triangles, and 8 number pieces. The tiles have round angles.

Each tile has a color on each side, which can help with color recognition. The numerical tiles also can teach basic numbers (1-8). I would love if Amosting made some alphabet tiles too.

You also receive a guide on how to build simple to complex pieces.

I got this for my youngest to help improve his play and fine motor skills. I also liked building with the tiles, myself. Kalen hasn't built anything yet, but he likes how the tiles click together.

The tiles also can improve STEM skills (science, technology, engineering, math) by building more complex structures, similar to legos.


You can purchase the tiles, using the link above. The tiles are prime-eligible. Amosting also sells a 56 piece tile set, if you want additional tiles.

Surviving Guardianship

Disclaimer: This post is long.

On October 21, 2019, I was awarded guardianship over my 18-year-old son, Brad. It was a year-long process, filled with delays, but I survived.

The beginning: 

Around October, 2018, I started calling attorneys to start the guardianship process. I had received a list of guardianship attorneys from Harris Health (Mental Healthcare Agency), schools, and the kids insurance company. Some of the lawyers wanted huge down payments, while some was free. I chose South Texas College of Law, Randall O Sorrells Guardianship Clinic, to help represent my case. The college was located downtown and it only took one bus to get there.

The laywer and her students, communicated with me, during the entire process, from phone calls to emails, to Google hangouts, when my phone was dead.



I went in for my inital assessment, where we discussed Brad's disabilities, needs, and why I needed guardianship. I learned a diagnosis does not mean guardianship will be automatically granted. There has to be a need for guardianship. Brad can not read nor write. He is not potty-trained. He can not manage money. Even though he is low functioning, this does not mean, I would be granted automatic guardianship.



The lawyer focused on insurance coordinators, mental health coordinators, and educational facilities requiring Brad's signature on paperwork, simply because he was 18. He is a legal adult but he does not understand signing paperwork. Brad loves to tiny scribble but he doesn't understand signing a document for his monthly mental health visits or an annual eligibility visit.



The case officially started in January. Guardianship, first requires a doctors report. I asked if Brad's psychiatrist could complete the report since he sees her on a regular basis versus a pediatrician, he sees maybe 1x to 2x , a year. Brad does not get sick often. He went to the doctor, last year, for his well check up, plus a walk in visit for ezcema.

The clinic does not have a set pediatrician for each kid. When you go to the pediatric side, you see whoever is available for the day, at your appointment time

The receptionist at the clinic scanned the paperwork in the system (which became a big help later) plus placed the paperwork in the pediatricians inbox. The paperwork was given to the doctor, who saw him for his 18th birthday well checkup visit. This was the first delay. She filled out the paperwork wrong. Luckily, the scanned paperwork was able to be printed out again. Then, she submitted after the deadline, which caused another delay. I asked the receptionist to give the paperwork to Brad's psych. The paperwork was completed within a week. The doctors approval took a few months to be completed.


I was asked to complete a guardianship course, online. I signed up, prematurely. You supposed to sign up, after you get a case number, then complete the course. I completed the course, in advance, without a case number. I did receive an email from the judicial course people, who wanted a case number. I was able to give it to her, a few weeks before guardianship court

The middle:

Next, the lawyer needed a waiver from Brad's dad, plus any siblings over 18, who all live in Georgia. I asked my ex-husband for the addresses, last year, and was able to give the information to the lawyer. When it was time to submit the waivers, they was not signed in time. The laywer did a certified fedex letter to the siblings as an alternative to get the waivers back faster. The dad said he didn't get the letter and the lawyer sent a backup waiver. If he did not sign, he would be served, but the lawyer didn't have a physical address.

I don't know his physical address either. He had been using a post office box, as long as I known him. The laywer sent an email, saying she will run his name through a database to find his real address ti serve him. I sent him the email and the waiver came back. I had a court date within a few days of the waiver returning.

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ad-litem

Brad also was appointed an   ad-litem. An ad-litem represents the interests of the child. My laywer came from the college, while I believe Brad's lawyer came from the state. The ad litem also determines if Brad will appear in court or not. She had a spiel, she had to read to him, whether he understood or not. Brad could speak for his self in court, if he could. He could tell the ad-litem, his wants and needs, if he could. Brad paid the ad-litem, no attention. He was screaming, but not aggressive. She recommended he should not appear in court because of his history of violence. I did not want him to appear in court either because I was not sure how long court lasted. You also can't be on your phones or devices in court. Brad can't sit still too long without a device.

Next, once the court date was set. A background check was run on me. I passed.

Court Date: 

A few days before, I started getting, back to back, calls from the lawyer and ad-litem. The lawyer wanted to go over testimony to ensure guardianship would be granted. We was assigned, a tough judge. She told me to answer the questions, truthfully, but limit any explanations, unless asked. Do not wander off. Do not elaborate, unless asked. Yes maam/sir, No maam/sir. The background check had to be quickly submitted (delay). The ad litem also had to submit a report before Monday. The insurance coordinator also called me to ask me to tell them to stop calling her for medical information. The psych also called because the lawyer and ad-litem called her, confirming last minute information, and she couldn't give out information without my permission. My nerves was bad.

I am a big fan of answering the phones, let alone back to back, but it was for a good cause.

On the court date, I caught the bus downtown. I left my house about 7 am. I was going to leave about 730, at first, but glad I did not. My niece helped put the kids, on the bus, while I went to court. It was raining bad, that morning too. I got downtown early, around 730. I had to meet the laywer, in front of the courtroom at 830. Guardianship court opened at 9 am. I stopped in CVS for snacks and coffee. The courthouse is a 10 minute walk from the bus stop, so I had time.

I walked to the courthouse and survived security. I had to take shoes off, jacket off, and give up the coffee. I didn't realize, I couldn't bring glass bottles into the court house. That darn Starbucks coffee. I received a ticket, to collect my coffee, after court. I did ask if the courthouse had coffee (they did. It was in the basement of the courthouse). I took the escalator, downstairs, where I discovered a dang Starbucks, in the food court, plus a Lubys. I laughed because if I knew the courthouse had coffee, I would have just bought snacks at CVS. I got coffee plus breakfast tacos and headed upstairs to eat my food, while waiting on the laywer.

By the time, I got upstairs, it was already 8:15 am. The laywer arrived minutes, after me. She also left early because of the rain. The ad-litem also showed up early. We talked and went over testimony. The laywer also checked the docket to see, where I was. I was 2nd, but she reminded me, if something happened to the 1st person, I could easily go first.

Inside the courtroom: 

I walked in the courtroom, with my purse and my coffee. I was once again asked to ditch the coffee, even if it was in a cup. I finished up my frappe and went back inside the court room. I did bring soduku, to work on until 9 am. The lawyer and ad-litem sat at the lawyers bench, while I sat in the audience section. I also talked with a few law students, who came in to watch the proceedings. 

The judge arrived. We stood. The court announcer/desk person/assistant called the first case. The lawyer for their case said the plaintiffs was still parking their car, which means I ended up being first. The judge immediately called for my son's case. I walked up with the laywer and ad-litem. I was sworn in.

My lawyer went first. She discussed Brad's disabilities and why he needs guardianship. The judge asked me questions about Brad's daily behaviors and the role, I played in his life. I parent. I cook; clean; dispense meds; bath him; diaper him; wash clothes; help him with laces, zippers, buttons, snaps; I am his voice. We go to the doctor. The judge asked about what services he receives through his doctors and mental health.

The ad-litem focused on his aggresive side. The holes in walls. The stains on the ceilings, I can't reach because I am short. She discussed how he responded to her with the nonresponsiveness and screams.

The judge went through a spiel, repeating what each lawyer said, plus my responses, and granted me guardianship. The process took less than 10 minutes. The judge also told me how much bond, I needed to pay. My lawyer told me, I needed to bring $50 bucks, for the bond money, but the judge said $25. The bond helps you receive guardianship papers, faster.

The laywer and I left the court room. Said goodbye to the ad-litem and the students, and headed to the payment office to pay the bond. I gathered my things, headed downstairs, collected my coffee, and headed home. Guardianship was over.

My guardianship papers arrived, a week later. I survived guardianship.

Sup House Dry Erase Board Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

SupHouse Dry Erase Board

I received SupHouse's dry erase board, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The board can be used as a calendar, planner, a temporary note keeper, etc. The board has 8, blank, spiral-bound,  two-sided pages, and has a built in stand. The dry-erase board also comes with 3 dry-erase markers (red, blue, and black), in addition to a cleaning cloth.

I wanted the board to track appointments, notes, kids' medications, but I also discovered my youngest loves to doodle on the board. Some of his drawings are in the post. Kalen has autism, adhd, plus 10 other diagnoses. Doodling kept him calm for part of the day. I was very surprised at how creative, his doodles was.

On the other hand, Kalen figured out how to remove some of the pages from the spirals. I was able to quickly put them back in place.

You can purchase the board, on Amazon, using the link above. The dry-erase board is prime-eligible.

Upcoming meetings and appointments

Pending Grocery List

Artwork by Kalen

Artwork by Kalen. 

Body Mate's Compression Brace Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I received Body Mates's Compression Brace, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. The brace helps relieve muscle, hip, joint, and other types of pain. The brace is made from breathable, neoprene.  The brace fits waist sizes 32-44 inches. The brace can be worn over and under clothes. I have done both since receipt.


I wanted the brace to help me with lower back and hip pain. I wake up at 530, on school days. My youngest's bus comes at 630 a.m., while my oldest's, (Brad), bus comes between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Brad does not always want to go back inside the house between busses, so I am outside for over an hour to sometimes two, if the bus is late, standing on my feet or sitting on a rock wall. When it's time to get up, my legs, back, hips, are sometimes in moderate to major pain. I have used the brace, while sitting down outside, waiting for busses.

To use the brace, you have one section, which wraps around your waist/lower hips, while another section wraps around your upper thigh. It takes a few minutes to get the hang of adjusting the velcro straps. I wrap it around my lower hips first, then reach down to adjust the two, velcro straps, which wrap around the thigh.

You can purchase the compression brace, on Amazon, using the link above or the widget below. The compression brace is prime-eligible.

iMustech Green Tea Paper Cups Review (Tomoson)

Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links.

I received the Imustech Green Tea paper cups, in exchange for honest review from Tomoson. 20 cups come in a sealed bag. The paper cups are similar to a tea infuser. The tea is contained in a food-grade safe, mesh compartment, inside a paper cup. The mesh helps keep the tea leaves from entering your mouth. The cup is made out of virgin, wood pulp and no pollutants. The lining was designed not to release any harmful materials into the water. 

The tea contains "strong antioxidants, vitamin b, and vitamin E, which can slow down the aging of the skin and to help moisturize and tighten the skin."

You add hot water to the cup and let it steep. You may also add sweetners, such as sugar or sugar alternatives to the cup.

I made about 3 cups, back to back, using the same loose tea. The tea tastes good, hot or iced.

I do wish the cups was individually sealed, also, as an extra precaution. Make sure to seal the bag, after removing a tea cup. I also would love the tea in extra flavors, such as a black tea, lavender, or a calming, sleep tea, for the kids.

You can purchase the tea cups, using the link above. The cups are prime-eligible.

Stacie's Cruising Tips

On my last two cruises, My behavior and mannerisms seemed to attract many first-time cruisers, looking for assistance, not including the man on my last cruise, behind me in the lunch line, who voiced his concerns about my internet package lol. I decided to write a blog post, for first-timers, who cruise. I also picked up a few new things on my last cruise, I noticed others was doing. It was like, why didn't I think of this before.


Photos ( I can't figure out how to embed from Google Photos).

• Book Early. Pay it off early. Budget for any deposits. Budget for monthly payments to pay off the cruise before the deadline. Stalk the websites for good sales, such as reduced deposit or BOGO. 
• Prepay for anything you can. This includes gratuities; internet packages; drink packages; water; soda, etc. Prices go up, once you board. 
• Complete the on-board check in before you board. You can complete the form online for all your guests. 
• Don't forget your identification and sail and sign card, when leaving the ship for port days. 
• Bring a pen or highligher to highlight things, you want to do on the Fun times or other cruise material. Carnival also has the Carnival Hub, where you can favorite things, you want to do. You also can chat with others, roomed with you. You device will get notifications when it's time for the event to start. The app also has a map, if you have a tendency to get lost, like Stacie. You can also grab a paper map at customer service. 
• Bring a lanyard (and hole punch) to hold your id and sail and sign card. You can also get your card, hole punched, at customer service. You can clip your sail and sign to your keys, for example, or a lanyard. 
• Turn off your data once you board. Put your phone and other devices in airplane mode to avoid roaming charges. Even though the ship has not moved yet, it is easier to remember when you board, rather than forget later, after the ship is in international waters. 
• After you cruise, sign up for the VIFP program. You earn points with every cruise. As you level up, you earn perks. 
• Get a water package. Carnival water, for example, is the only water, you can take on and of the ship. My mama and I got two jumbo bottles of water, in the room, but we also order 12 packs of water to drink. 
• Please attend the Muster Drill. The drill will show everyone, what to do, in case of an emergency, such as how to use your life jacket and where the life boats are. 
• If you need to communicate with people, back home, get an internet package. I used Facebook, Twitter, and Marco Polo to communicate with niece (who was watching my kids) and to show a friend of mine, who never cruised before, around the ship. I also went live during a few shows to share the experience with others. I prefer the premium package to make sure everything works. I also want to stream my music and movies, at night. I watched a lot of HGTV in the room, when we was there. 
• Bring a refillable cup for drinks around the ship. If you take it off the boat, you may have to dump out contents, when returning on ship. 
• Fill out the room service card for breakfast each morning and put it your door slot stuff holder, if you want breakfast delivered versus going to lido or formal dining.
• If you want a free facial, go to the spa wellness event. They showed everyone how to use the elemis products and passed around the products, for people to use. 
• If you want a free pendant, the fun shops offer a free pendant for everyone. Prepare to wait in a long line. 
• If you want free glass of wine, attend the art auction.
• You can say no to the professional photographers. I been on multiple cruises. Sometimes I get the nice photos. Sometimes, I don't. If they are taking photos of people at dinner, you can say no. 
• You can order as many free appetizers, entrees, and desserts, for formal dinner. This is the tip, which helped many people, who sat at the table with me, on the last two cruises. If you want a melting cake and a cheese plate, feel free. 
• Go to Guys and get the fries. They are so good. You can even ask for the toppings on just the fries, versus the burger. The burger is good, but those fries.. Amazing. 
• New tip: bring along hair clips or any clips, to clip towels to chairs, to keep the towels from moving. 
• New tip: When going through the Lido deck for food, use a napkin to cover your food. It is open air and bugs are flying. I had a massive bug fly into my breakfast taco at Blue Iguana, after the server, handed me my plate. 
• New tip: Take photos of your crew members' name tag. Their salary depends on customer surveys, after the tip ends. Using their names helps them achieve recognition and a raise. 
  
  
  
  

• Cheers is worth it. I love liquor. I want coffee. I want milk shakes. If you can afford it, get it. I can't get it when Im cruising with just my mama (she does not drink. Everyone over 21, in the room, has to purchase it), but when it is me and my kids to a room, yep Cheers is worth it. 
• Faster to the fun: If you got kids, especially special needs kids. Book early. Get FTTF. It gives you priority embarkation and debarkation. You get to use the customer service line for diamond and platinum people. 
• Camp Carnival: If your kids are young enough, sign them up for Camp Carnival. My kids loved it. I have no idea what to do with Brad, now that he 18. The next family cruise with him, is undecided, unless I do Autism on the Seas, but AOTS is expensive. They offer respite though. When sign ups for camp open, go there asap. I received a phone because I am a special needs parent, so camp can communicate with me. Camp does not change diapers or dispense medication. 
• Anytime Dining: If you book early enough, you can dine anytime versus early or late dining. Great for when the kids are acting up and you can't make it to a set time. Lido is always open 24 hours for pizza, ice cream, and a few other places. 
• It is ok to ask for help when debarking. Brad has a hard time, getting off the boat, even with FTTF. The first family cruise, I was frustrated. The hallways and some elevators was blocked off for crew. I could not find my way to the gangway to save my life. I asked for help. I was put in a wheel chair, with Kalen in my lap, and rolled to the debarkation area. The next cruise, he went into meltdown mode. We was going to the debarkation area for FTTF people. Brad saw my mama and wanted to be with her. I asked for help. I was walked to the front of the line. They let me off the dang boat, without showing any form of identication because of Brad's behavior
• Cash is King. Bring cash for your spending money on boat. You can load the cash at customer service or one of the many kiosks, around the boat. If you use a credit card, there is a $100 dollar hold. It may take a few days, after you come back home, for the hold to clear. 
• You don't have to bring money on a cruise. I didn't really bring money until I started bringing the kids. My first cruise, we had $500 in room credit because our original destination was changed because of a hurricane. I prefer to build up room credit with price matching versus bringing cash or a credit card. Call your cruise line a few times a week, after you pay off the cruise, to see if prices are lower. Room credit. 
• Customs rules have changed. Attend the session for debarkation so you can know what to claim and not to claim. 
• There is clean family shows and there are adult shows. Pick your poison carefully. The last adult comedy show, I attended, was making jokes about celebrities, who committed suicide. Adult karaoke is nice though. Great to facebook live lol. There are the good singers and there are those, who know they sing bad, and will get there anyway. 
• You can never go wrong with extra undies. Anything can happen. 
• Roll your clothes. I love travel organizers for this purpose. You can hold more stuff, but don't overpack too much. You have to carry this stuff on and off, if you don't place your luggage out for staff. 
• Don't forget your soap, deodorant, diapers, wipes, mattress pads, body wash, tooth brush, medications, power strip, feminine supplies. You do not want to buy them in the shops. The ship's bathroom body wash is nice, but nothing like your own stuff. 
• Bring a power strip, not a surge protector. My last cruise, had 1 USA outlet and 1 European outlet. I have to charge phone, laptop, and kindle. My mama also had to charge her phone. 
• Charge your power banks for your devices before you board and during down times. 
• Bring along a few extra plastic bags for wet and soiled clothing. 
• Download a few movies and music to your devices , before you board, to calm down your kids, especially when it is late at night and you don't want to take them out anymore lol. 
• Don't run away with the cruise ship's stuff. Don't take the robes. Don't take the blue, Serenity towels. Don't take any towels.Leave the sheets and blankets alone.  You will be charged. The stuff is for sale online and in the fun shops. 
• If you don't like smoke, stay away from the Casino. 
• Settle your account, each night, if you have a cash account, if you went over. You don't want to be in the long line of people, removing tips, on the last night, if you are not FTTF. If you have a credit card, your card will be charged for transactions, on the boat. 
• You will hear The Theme to Titantic, multiple times, during formal dinner and other places on the boat. Get used to it lol .

• Well these are all my tips, I can think of. Share any other tips in the comments section on the blog or the social media posts. Thank you for reading. 

FlexClip Review (Pearl Mountain Technology)

I reviewed FlexClip, in exchange for honest review. FlexClip is a video editing program. It comes with pre-built templates; stock images; stock videos; and various fonts and music for your project. It also lets you log in with Facebook.

I struggled with the program, the first few times, I tried to use it. There are limited instructions, so you are on your own. To upload your own photos, there is a button, which if you click on it, says upload. There is also a world button for stock images and videos. To edit text, double click (I clicked multiple times) to get the edit text box to pull up. Two lines of text will appear. Upper text goes on top. Lower text goes on the bottom.

To drag photos and videos down, click on the photo or video, and drag it down.

I created a quick video of my kids, called #thisisautism. The text box would let me type in the hashtag, but the hashtag did not appear in the video.

I wish it connected to Google Photos or my other photo clouds to be able to pull photos and videos quicker. For the project, I had to download each photo/video from Google and upload to the story board. Also, just like any other video editing program, such as iMovie or Premiere Pro, final processing times can vary. The video, I created took a few minutes to final export.

I also had issues with my pc, not loading up the website.

You just have to play around with the fonts, music, stock choices, and your own photos/videos to create, export, and upload a final project.

You can check out the website, using the link above.