Have you ever run into a kid with a face like this? Does that kid happen to live with you? Do his intense negative feelings sometimes confuse / frustrate / enrage / sadden you? If so, keep reading.

I was going through our bookshelves yesterday (looking for books to leave behind when we move) and I came across two books that I had forgotten about. Both were written by a man names Jerry Wilde and both contain lots of practical information on helping kids deal with difficult feelings (namely anger, stress, depression, and low self esteem).

In any case, I reread the books last night and was amazed at how perfectly written they were. The books were written for kids to read (not little kids but middle age to teen age kids) with the help of an adult. Wilde starts each book by defining negative feelings. His approach is direct and easy to understand- I like that. I think it is especially helpful for people with limited time. He then give several ideas for modifying thoughts and behaviors. Lastly he provides a series of exercises for the adult and child to go through together that help solidify each idea. The exercises are short but very effective. Both books are remarkable- well thought out and easy to use.

In anycase, the books are called Hot Stuff to help Kids Chill-Out and Hot Stuff to help Kids Cheer-Up. If you are struggling to help a child (yours, one you teach, one you counsel or just one you care about) I highly recommend these books!

Three days a week I teach early morning Seminary so I wear a skirt or dress. And since I really despise doing laundry and changing my clothes multiple times a day means I have to do more of it- I often stay dressed up all day long. Anyway, yesterday was one of those days.

Shortly after lunch Spencer and I headed to the store for groceries. I wasn't thinking much about my clothes until I got out of the car and my skirt flew up over my head (I am NOT kidding- it literally flew up into my face)! Of course, I was embarrassed but I was between two cars and my car door was open so I figured no one really saw me. I got things under control (or so I thought) and headed across the parking lot for the store entrance. I didn't think it was a particularly windy day and I certainly wasn't standing over a grate but my skirt flew up Marilyn Monroe style about 52 times before I got inside. It was really embarrassing! The funniest part though, was Spencer's reaction. He was absolutely mortified and angry with me! (like I was doing it on purpose!?!) He finally forgave about the time we got to the check out stand- just in time for it to happen all over again on our way back to the car.


Anyway, I love the skirt and hate to get rid of it but my experiences yesterday are definitely a result of its poor design. I am afraid the skirt must go- I am just not a cute as Marilyn when a gust of wind comes my way!

Have I mentioned lately that I love road trips? The boys are just at a great age where road trips and fun and exciting. Give the boys a game to play, a video to watch, a book or two to read and a few snacks and they are happy as can be all day long. It is great! Needless to say, I was so super excited to spend this weekend road tripping again in Italy- this time to Sicily. It was with high hopes that we packed a lunch, loaded our bags in the car and headed out of town at 5 am Friday morning.

The trip from Naples to Sicily was supposed to take 7 hours 30 minutes but around 7 am it started snowing. YES, snowing! We were pretty perplexed as it doesn't really snow near the coast in Southern Italy. We thought it was a freak storm that would dump a little snow and blow over BUT it didn't. I snowed and snowed and snowed and snowed. And around 8:30 am we were told we could go no farther on the road we were traveling without chains on our tires. AAARRGGG- our snow chains were at home!

So we pulled out the map and found another route, right along the ocean. It took us more than an hour to get to the coastal road. Once we were there we started off for what was supposed to be only 50 K until we could get to another road. But the road was very narrow and winding and right on the cliffs edge and though it was beautiful (and better than driving in the snow) it took WAY longer than we were expecting it to. Then 2 K from the interchange we were looking for- the road closed because there had been a landslide. Mama Mia! We had to turn around and head back the way we had come.

More than four hours after the first detour we found the third and last road that headed the direction we needed to go. It was a one lane road and because of the weather our average speed was 34 miles per hours. It took forever to get the 230 K we still needed to go!

Around 5 pm (hours and hours later than we anticipated) we finally made it to the ferry terminal, got across the water and on the road again in Sicily. 15 1/2 hours after we started, we pulled into the Hotel tired but grateful for our safe journey.

Anyway, it is beautiful here and I am glad we came...But man, did our trip yesterday test our patience and faith! We are hoping and praying for better weather / driving conditions / luck on the way home!

After my "Sundance Affair" post- my Mom recommended that I check out the necklaces sold on line by a woman named Lisa Leonard. So, I did and oh my heavens I fell in love with everything I saw! Honestly, there was not a single thing she sells that I didn't LOVE. Her prices are high but her jewelry is high quality and incredibly posh. And in my opinion totally worth it.

Anyway, if you are looking for a fantastic necklace or bracelet- check out Lisa Leonard Designs. You will love it!

Here are a few of my favorite necklaces.

If you love scented soaps like I do- you have got the check out my friend Caroline's new blog and soap store. Her soaps are amazing and her prices can't be beat! Honestly- I am so excited about her products. If you start getting soaps for your birthday, anniversary and Christmas gifts- you will know why.

This is her all natural chocolate orange soap. Doesn't it look fantastic?
And I am told it smells and feels even better!

I love, love, love this necklace! I know it is overly simple but I that is what I love about it. I love the simplicity if Sundance Jewelry- even if it is ridiculously over priced! And just in case the heart and love charms weren't enough to convince me of its absolute perfectness, the little round ball charm is a garnet (my birthstone)!