… and Aerosmith calls for a recount.

But more on that story in a moment...

So another season of America’s Got Talent just came to an end, and with it came a lot of, “Holy $@*&!” and “You’ve GOT to be kidding me!” in our house.

It got so passionate around here that Barry thought about writing a blog post himself, but he knew it would just get him too angry, and the smoke was pouring out of his ears like a Detroit smokestack as it was. He decided it would be best just to walk away.

See, he hates injustice even more than I do (or at least, he’s more demonstrative about it)… and injustice was definitely served on AGT.

If “America” truly did vote for the winners, then “America” certainly is playing it safe these days, and going with the status quo, as well as predictably flocking to underdogs as usual. It’s pretty sad, really, but to be expected.

The winner is 35-year-old unemployed chicken catcher Kevin Skinner, a folksy backwoods kinda guy who tries real darned hard to sing.

He’s been compared to Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent. And I can see why… after all, I wrote an article about Susan, and how people tried to keep her down even after she FINALLY started getting out of her comfort zone…

And when I used her as a perfect example of how people love underdogs, and don’t like people who go out and achieve things on their own, people from around the world called me cold and harsh.

It’s almost like they didn’t read the article, but let their emotions take over and cause an over-reaction, thinking I was putting Susan down when in fact I was commenting on people who wanted to keep her down. Completely different!

And I’m sure if Skinner starts slicking himself up, making himself over into a Garth Brooks or Dwight Yoakam, people will be up in arms again. “Stay like one of us, Kevin!” they’ll all cry, just like they did to Susan.

The thing is, Susan can actually sing… and sing well, regardless of what you think of her style of music.

Kevin Skinner can’t.

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Ya know, when the little one’s growing like a weed, it’s hard for me to think about dressing him fashionably. After all, if he’s just going to outgrow a new outfit in a couple of months… why spend very much money on it?

Just for the photo op?

I used to bartend with a girl about 15 years ago or so, who was the first person my age I knew who got pregnant. She was a real fashion snob, and when she had her child, of course she said, “My daughter only wears Baby Gap!”

I remember smirking at the time. Hey, I’m the girl who doesn’t even get a thrill from shopping for shoes (no, really, it’s true!)

But Konan got some Baby Gap stuff at his baby shower that he’s just now growing into, and it’s pretty darned cute! Little sweat pants and collegiate-looking long-sleeve shirts… they make him look like a mini man, unlike the onesies I’ve been putting him in for the past 10 months (which his daddy calls his “fruity little dance outfits”).

I just bought Konan some similar styles to the Baby Gap collection at Wal-Mart. Hey, value always wins out over label. I also noticed they’ve got some really adorable and affordable stuff at Gap’s sister store, Old Navy, that I’ve got my eye on.

But then TwitterMoms comes along with a Gap Outlet partnership that can save you an additional 10% from Sept. 11 to 24.

Not only that, but if you write a blog post about affordable fashions for the under-5 set, you can win a $20 gift card.

So I think Konan might be getting some more Baby Gap clothes soon!

Happy shopping… and happy writing!

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!

They say we should all teach what we need to know, rather than just what we already know.

And, like everything “they say”, it can be empowering or detrimental, to yourself and others, depending on how literally you take it.

For instance… the concept of “acting as if”, or “fake it till you make it” can be very powerful. If you “be” what you want, and “do” what it takes to get there, you can “have” whatever it is that much quicker.

This be-do-have principle says that if you want to be a singer, you tell the world you’re a singer, and then you sing your little butt off as you practice every day, and then you become a talented singer who can carry a tune across the country and back, smiling every step of the way as you entertain everyone you meet.

And from a journalistic perspective, it also makes perfect sense. If you enjoy investigating and learning what you need to know, and then passing those gems of knowledge on to others by publishing or producing something they can benefit from, you’re empowering yourself and your audience.

For instance, I’ve been writing a lot of parenting articles lately, as you can see from my portfolio. But I’m not claiming to be a parenting expert… I’ve only been a parent for 10 months! What I am claiming to be is a writer who is passionate about researching and discovering new things that can help me on this parenting journey, and sharing that treasure with others in the same boat.

Yes, it’s “teaching”… but I’m not really the “teacher”.

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We almost take brainstorming for granted sometimes, but for kids it’s brand new. Beyond that, it’s an effective way to look beyond the obvious and find creative solutions.

This year as school begins, give your child another tool for success; discover How To Jumpstart Your Child’s Mind with Brainstorming in my article on Education.com

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!

I think it’s really sad that kids don’t get taught the basic of personal development in school, and adults who discover it often act like kids — not doing what they know needs to be done, refusing to take personal responsibility, and sabotaging themselves.

If every child could learn some of the basics early on, they’d grow up to be a lot better off; more accomplished, more confident, and more emotionally intelligent; and adults wouldn’t sabotage their personal development efforts, because it would be second hat by then.

Start this new school year out right. Find out how to Teach Your Child Personal Development in my article on Education.com

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!

Yeah, I know, it’s hard to find time these days to be healthy. Hard to find time to exercise, and hard to find time to cook healthy food. Hey, as much as I know the benefits of pure, home-cooked food rather than pre-packaged (and I can bake a mean chicken breast, while Barry’s a steak-grillin’ whiz), we too often end up eating preservative-laden meals that can be popped in the microwave, or even the dreaded fast food.

But it’s important to take self-accountability for your health.

• If you don’t have a fun exercise routine that gets results, that’s your own fault.

• If you find yourself consuming junk more often than nutritious wholesome food, that’s your own fault.

Your body is your most prized possession while you’re here living this life.

Health is its own form of wealth, and physical health is just as important as mental and spiritual health… yet some people put it in last place.

Ya know, there’s a reason people say, “As long as you’ve got your health…”

Now, I don’t subscribe to the notion that monetary wealth doesn’t matter “as long as you’ve got your health.” All kinds of wealth are important, and monetary wealth gives you the time freedom to pursue physical health more conscientiously.

I’m just saying that too many of us tell physical health to get in the back seat.

One key that’s often missing, that can help you achieve your physical goals, is the role of the brain.

If you don’t engage and stimulate your brain with exciting and fun workouts, of course you don’t want to do them. If you don’t tantalize your brain with bold, tasty dishes, of course you don’t want to eat them.

Another way to utilize your brain in your health goals is through brainwave entrainment.

Barry and I just found a new site with some quality brainwave entrainment audios. They’re based on binaural beats, so you have to listen with stereo headphones — but they’re designed to deliver some top results as you silently meditate, by cleansing your mind, removing negative vibrations, and rejuvenating your optimism and confidence.

That increases your concentration and memory power, while prepping your body for optimal health or other functions, depending on what recording you pick. But they’re priced so reasonably, you’ll probably want a few.

The audio mix is very relaxing, with nature sounds and music mixed in for a multi-level auditory experience that I like a lot.

They call the company Unexplainable… but the results are actually explainable through science (I’m not going to unwrap that mystery of life today… you can see more on their site, though).

Check out the Overall Good Health audio, available for immediate download, as well as the other recordings… topics include manifestation, past life regression, ESP, meditation, creativity, weight loss, prosperity, and a whole lot more.

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!

Last week I told you how Konan was getting out of his comfort zone by taking swimming lessons.

Yes, he was scared to try something new… like all of us are.

And it sure was hard to watch him go through it when he cried!

But by the end, he knew how to totally relax while floating on his back, and how to turn from front to back after entering the water.

At 10 months old (just today), he was the youngest in his class by far, and held his own against all the 3-year-olds.

Sure, his skill level wasn’t as advanced as theirs… but he’s a winner because he progressed beyond what he could do before.

That’s why he deserves to wear this star that was given to him for graduating from the class.

You go, Konan — you’re a star, and this is just the first of many awards, medals and trophies you’ll receive!

Daddy and I are proud of you!

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!

I’ve just been sitting here drinking a cup of “healthy” Ganoderma Coffee. You’ve probably heard a lot of hype lately around this lately, and maybe even been courted to join an MLM program to get it.

Hey, there’s nothing wrong with the MLM model — I’ve never been actively involved in it, but I’ve been along for the ride with Barry, who has quite a bit of experience. The problem I see with it is that it can be a hollow business model if you don’t have both consumers and biz opp seekers in your downline… and the latter need to be both, but they are purchasing the product for the biz opp, not necessarily because they love the product.

Of course the products, to support the business model, are high-priced. That doesn’t make them bad products… but the best always become available through other means eventually. Just check your health food store for all the noni, goji, açai, and so forth.

For myself, I’d rather save money on the products, buy what I want when I want, and if I choose to promote something through referral marketing… let my customers do the same thing.

See, “referral marketing” can be network marketing, or it can be affiliate marketing. The first costs you money and has minimums to buy, the second costs you nothing unless you choose to buy…

And the products — the ultimate litmus test — are often just as good either way…

Click HERE To Continue > > >

It can be difficult to find games for your kids that are both fun and educational… or figure out how to help them enjoy school more… or find crafts that you can make with a young child.

And what about fundraising ideas that don’t involve standing out on a street corner trying to convince people to stop for a car wash — or making a bunch of baked goods that will be gone in a few days — but actually stand the test of time?

But I’ve written a few articles recently for eHow that show you how to do all those things:

Arts & Crafts Ideas for a Young Child

Fun Stuff for School

Fun Educational Games for Kids

Kids’ Fundraising Ideas

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!

If you want to teach your child how to use a computer, there are a few simple steps you can take.

Konan’s not old enough yet — all he wants to do is bang on the keyboard — but if your child is, my articles for eHow outline it for you. Start with the first link before moving on to the second, which builds on the lessons:

Computer Tutorial for Kids

Computer Lessons for Children

Keep Unwrapping the Mysteries of Life!