The Ambler Warning - By Robert Ludlum - A Book Review

Robert Ludlum is a book writing machine. It cracks me up that the pictures of the author make him appear to be one of his characters. However, having said that... his books never fail to captivate me. This book is no different.

The Ambler Warning is a journey. The reader and the main character journey through a believeably explained (albiet fictional) series of events that have led to the main characters lack of identity. Now, I'm no specialist on high level covert operations, but the story is fast, fun to read and slightly mind bending.

The ending was great.

Yes Yes, I guessed the ending about 1/2 way through... and you may guess it too, however the story was so riveting that I couldn't put the book down. I needed to find out if my guesses were correct.

This book is a nice walk down the fictional lane of government espionage and high level covert activity. Like a weekend vacation, this book was an 8 hour furlough from the drudgery of my uneventful soccer Mom life into the action packed fictional life of the larger than life characters that Ludlum loves and creates so well.

I give this book two chubby thumbs up!

Missing Child in Florida -- Not for the faint of heart

This is one of the reasons that I don't watch the news often... and although I can be accused of being an ostrich, I just don't have enough in me... I just can't afford to give out all those little pieces to people I don't even know. And so, without further adieu.... This tragic story

Casey Anthony age 22 had a 2 year old daughter. According to the Local Channel 6 coverage, about 5 weeks after anyone had last seen her daughter she finally reported her missing.

The many articles that have run since July 21st, detail the lies and false reports that Casey Anthony told the police as they first attempted to help her find her daughter and then attempted to get her to admit what actually happened.

The reoccuring theme is that her young 2 year old was "stolen" by the babysitter and that the young mother spent 5 weeks waiting for her to be returned. According to the newspaper reports, the young mother has repeatedly lied and misled police regarding the disappearance of her young daughter.

The most recent reports indicate that a famous bounty hunter leonard Padilla and his nephew Tony Padilla (a bail bondsman) have paid the bail to have Casey Anthony released from Jail. In reading the newspaper article it seems like the two men believe ... given enough time with the young mother they will be able to get to the truth.

Here are the headlines for the previous stories published... keeping in mind it is a newspaper... but it's still so sad.

August 15, 2008: No Credible Information On Kidnapping Theory In Missing Girl Case, Sheriff Says
August 12, 2008: Missing Girl's Family Threatened Every Day; Mom Cancels Visits
August 11, 2008: Psychic-Led Team 'Blind Driving' Central Fla. To Find Missing Girl
August 10, 2008: Orlando Mystery 'Eerily Similar' To Portugal Missing Girl Case, Attorney Says
August 9, 2008: Grandfather Apologizes For Outburst; 'Safe House' Considered In Missing Girl Case
August 9, 2008: Grandfather Rips 'Sensationalizing' Media About Missing Girl Mystery
August 8, 2008: Local 6 Locates, Talks To Zenaida Gonzalez In Missing Girl Mystery
August 7, 2008: Home Searched For New Direction In Missing Girl Case, Source Says
August 6, 2008: Crime Scene Investigators Swarm Home In Missing Girl Mystery
August 6, 2008: Grandmother: Gas Cans Taken To Look For Other People's Fingerprints
August 6, 2008: Missing Girl's Family Threatened; Charges Are 'Good Thing', Grandmother Says
August 6, 2008: Charges Filed Against Mother Of Missing Girl; Search Continues
August 4, 2008: Immunity For Mother Discussed In Missing Girl Case, Attorney Says
August 4, 2008: 'She's Close,' Missing Girl's Mom Says; Timeline Now In Question
August 3, 2008: People Magazine Article 'Blindsides' Missing Orlando Girl's Family
August 2, 2008: Gas Cans Removed From Home In Missing Orlando Girl Mystery
August 2, 2008: Bags Of Evidence Taken From Home Of Grandparents In Missing Girl Case
August 1, 2008: FBI Talks With Missing Girl's Grandmother; Mystery Letter Being Written
July 31, 2008: Family Of Missing Girl's Mom Meets With Investigators For 6 Hours
July 31, 2008: 'Who To Trust?' Missing Girl's Mom Asked On New Jailhouse Call
July 30, 2008: Request To Reduce $500K Bond For Missing Girl's Mother Denied
July 30, 2008: Ex-Boyfriend Has Missing Girl, Mother Allegedly Tells Inmate
July 30, 2008: Inmate's 'Ex-Boyfriend Has Missing Girl' Story Can't Be Verified
July 30, 2008: Photos Allegedly Show Missing Girl's Mom At Club After Disappearance
July 29, 2008: Judge OKs Release Of Mom's Jailhouse Calls In Missing Girl Case
July 29, 2008: Mother Is Only Obstacle In Finding Girl, Say Frustrated Investigators
July 29, 2008: Released Calls Of Missing Girl's Mom Hurt Investigation, Attorney Says
July 29, 2008: 'In My Gut, She's OK,' Missing Girl's Mother Says In New Jailhouse Call
July 28, 2008: Missing Orlando Girl's Mother Wants To Talk With Local Investigators
July 26, 2008: Missing-Girl's Family Begs For FBI; Mother 'Doesn't Trust' Local Detectives
July 26, 2008: 'Blame Yourself For Telling Lies,' Daughter Told In Jailhouse Call
July 25, 2008: Missing-Girl's Mom Begs For More Search Time In New 911 Call
July 25, 2008: 911 Calls Show Inconsistencies In Orlando Missing-Girl Mystery
July 25, 2008: 911 Call: 'Daughter's Car Smells Like Dead Body'
July 24, 2008: Series Of Missing Girl Sightings Reported In Georgia; Investigators Urge Caution
July 24, 2008: Attorney For Missing Girl's Mom Grilled; Family Negotiating Jail Release
July 24, 2008: 'Credible' Tipster Questioned In Missing Girl Mystery; Mom's Release Conditions Change
July 23, 2008: Source Of Decomposition Smells In Yard, Car Possibly Moved In Missing Girl Mystery, Detectives Say
July 23, 2008: $225,000 Reward Offered In Missing Girl Mystery
July 23, 2008: Missing Girl May Be Dead, Detective Says; Mom's Car Smelled Of Decomposition
July 23, 2008: 'Credible' Tip Of Missing Girl On Flight Surfaces; Investigators Checking
July 22, 2008: Family Likely Threatened In Missing Girl Case, Grandmother Tells Nation
July 22, 2008: Mother Wants Out Of Jail To Help Investigators Find Missing Daughter
July 21, 2008: Grandmother: Daughter Knows Who Has Missing Central Florida Girl
July 21, 2008: Hundreds Of Leads Checked For Missing Girl; Caylee Just Called, Says Grandmother
July 19, 2008: Dig For Missing Girl Abandoned; Caylee Alive, Says Grandmother
July 18, 2008: Search Expands For Missing Girl; New Location Leads Checked
July 18, 2008: Crews Digging Up Yard After Cadaver Dogs Zero-In On Areas In Missing-Girl Search
July 17, 2008: 'Lies' Plague Missing-Girl Search; Investigators Checking Phone Tips
July 17, 2008: Girl Missing 5 Weeks Never Reported Lost; Mother Says Doing Own Search


Finally here is the link to the Local 6 News Link.
http://www.local6.com/news/17202414/detail.html

Top 10 Favorite Daydreams

Although I am not the type of person that will spend $100.00 of a $150 dollar support check on lottery tickets... I do like myself a nice daydream.

I have arranged my daydreams in the order of importance, with 1 being the lowest but still wouldn't turn it down, and 10 being the best, daydream on the planet!

1. The team from DIY shows up on a nice saturday morning and surprises me with plans for planting, landscaping and privatizing my large backyard.

2. Stacy and Clinton from "What Not To Wear" happen to be at the quick chek while I am buying my morning coffee and take pitty on myself and my girls and take us all on a world wind shopping spree....(pssst. Stacy we are right here in NJ, and don't get insulted being only #2)

3. I clean out my closet and find an old scratch off that hasn't been scratched... and I win a large amount of money, not life changing... but enough to help with the bills.

4. I meet a nice successful, handsome 40 something man, who doesn't mind staying in and hanging out on the deck, cooking burgers, while the kids run around.

5. Becoming suddenly famous as a blogger or a writer and earning a good living writing or consulting.

6. Earning a living playing around on my computer for 6 hours a day.

7. Winning a life changing amount of money, to be paid in large generous sums for the rest of my life and the life of my children. (realizing of course, that money doesn't buy happiness, however it certainly makes it easier to live comfortably)

8. Invent something and be able to market and sell it for a comfortable residual income.

9. Earn a living reading popular fiction and writing reviews

10. Raise my three daughters to be happy, smart, empathetic, hard working independant thinkers, productive participants in society and healthy energetic adults.

Yup that's about it.

You will notice I didn't mention Brad Pitt. If what I read in The National Enquirer is true, then he and AJ are on the rocks... and quick frankly, I'm not interested in a 2 time loser.

Using New Blog Tool - Adobe Contribute

adobe creative suite 3

This will be a short short blog entry.  I'm just toying with new blog tools.  This particular tool came with my adobe Creative Suite 3 - Web Premium... I decided it was time for me to put to work some of the premium web features!  :)

So far, this tool seems like it's just simply a blog entry tool.  I was hoping for something a little more dynamic. 

I'll keep you posted as I wind my way through the 15 applications can came in the suite.  ( I know your are thinking ... GEEK... A flower by any other name...)

Have a great day

Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (Silent Acid Reflux) and Asthma

Last night I was reminded how everything in your body works today. I was reminded until 2:00am in the E.R. with my 7 year old who was complaining of a feeling like someone was sitting on her chest.

I was relieved to find that her EKG was normal, her chest X-ray didn't show anything unusual and the Doctors didn't hear anything at all when listening. But still, she complained and seemed to need to take periodic deep breath to relieve the pressure.

In the end, the E.R. gave her Motrin and sent us home, explaining that maybe during the stomach virus she had 2 days ago she pulled or strained a muscle that is just now starting to hurt.

I remain dubious.

I'm glad they didn't find anything with the methods that they used... I'm disturbed that my daughter has a problem breathing and we haven't located the cause.

My allergist maintains that my daughter suffers from something called: Silent Acid Reflux

Silent Acid Reflux also called Laryngopharyng Reflux is different then regular acid reflux because it may not present any feelings of heartburn or may be very mild heartburn. However, other symptoms include:
Dry Cough
Hoarseness or voice loss
Postnasal drip
Sensation of lump or something stuck in the throat
Sore Throat
Chronic Throat Clearing

Here's another reason my allergist likes the silent acid reflux theory.... Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is often present with a chronic cough that can mimic the cough associated with asthma. AND believe it or not, is often misdiagnosed as asthma, acid reflux or gerd.

I found it highly unusual that an Acid Reflux could be misdiagnosed as asthma. As it turns out, the standard asthma treatments also relief the breathing and coughing symptoms of LPR.

Yes, there is a way to determine if you have LPR, any Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor can take that little tiny scope and take a look at your larynx and tell right away if it has been bombarded with silent acid reflux. Unfortunately, my 7 year old wouldn't let the doctor take a look.

During the 10 minute office visit the ENT Doctor observed my daughter and felt that it was highly likely that she had LPR, based on her clearing of her throat, and slight cough.. and the other recurring symptoms we described.

How is LPR treated.
One way is with Previcid. So, he prescribed 2 previcid a day. (what? that's what I said, 2 ant-acids a day for my 7 year old) Well, I did for a while, but then got slack and ended up in the emergency room last night. You can bet your bottom dollar I will be giving her a previcid this morning!

Other ways to treat LPR are:

Avoid smoking
Avoid tight fitting clothing around the waist
Avoid eating at least 3 hours prior to bedtime
Avoid large meals at night
Lose weight
Elevate the head of the bed by 6 inches to decrease reflux significantly at night
Avoid the follow foods and beverages: caffeine, cola drinks, citrus beverages, mints, alcoholic beverages, cheese, fried food, chocolate, eggs

In closing, if you have read any of my other blog or hub pages, then you are aware that my daughter is scheduled to be tested for some food allergies and then off to see a nutritionist.
Hopefully, this will bring me closer to the answer to her weight issues and breathing breathing problems.

Managing My Motherly Melt Downs

Yesterday for (seemingly) no apparent reason....... I could have cried.

I didn't

But I could have...

In fact, as I was trying to evaluate my state of mind (aka sanity) I tried to locate valid reasons to prompt the tears... and it was utterly unexplainable. However, the more I analyzed my state of affairs, the tearier my eyes became and less able to swallow the lump in my throat. (even describing it now, brings that stinging to my eyes) And so.... I believe I have not managed my time properly and so have not managed my stress.

In fact, I think I need to schedule some stress relieving activity on the days that my ex-husband takes the kids and work towards reducing the stress in my life, where I can.

Because (in my not so professional opinion) it is the stress that is doing me in. Thankfully, my life is not rife with huge stresses and melodrama (well, no more than can be conjured by three lively daughters) but it is the constant push and pull of responsibility that acts like the ocean wearing away at a wooden log. AND since I am wood, not some prefabricated material impervious to the constant battering ... something has to give.

Keeping with my wood analogy, I can see how some might just snap under the pressure... thankfully (thus far) I am simply... wearing away.

AND SO... Enter the plan

Reduce Stress

The key to reducing stress is to locate stressful things that you can actually control.

Paying bills is HUGE... but guess what... if you are doing the best you can, then put that stress bomb aside and address other areas that you control but are not.

In my case: scheduling and appointments

Yesterday I purchased a 14 month calendar, which in essence covers the school year plus some extra. It's small enough to fit in my purse, but big enough for me to write several appointments in each day.

Although this manual calendar is NOT what I would have liked (being a geek and envying anyone with a Crackberry's and/or those who can afford them) it will remove the burden/stress of always keeping appointments in my head. (I missed 2 birthday parties this summer and was late for another)

Now that Music lessons, swim lessons, school holidays, school 1/2 days and misc Dr.'s appointments commence, I have reduced that particular stress by getting organized.

Clean the House:
Ok, for you clean freaks this is a non-issue... for me... the anti-clean freak it's a big stress inducer. I'm sure I could find some statistics, but instead I will just ask you to... metaphorically close your eyes:

Imagine a room filled with the clutter of three lively children. Couch pillows on the floor, dolls, strewn about, completed puzzles -- 1/2 completed puzzles on the hardwood floor, and empty water bottles on the coffee table with the big box of wholegrain goldfish.

Now

Imagine the same room, with not a toy in sight, the coffee table cleared of debris, the couch cushions tucked neatly into place and the pillows propped decoratively at the ends. The faint hint of lemon pledge wafts through the room, the floor recently vacuumed and hardwood gleaming from the mop.

Which scene promotes calmness... and which scene create the feeling of havoc?

And so... as much as I would put off straightening up, in order to reduce my stress ... I am in fact, going to muster the gumption to get it all cleaned up and tidy. Thus creating an air of calmness and tidiness in my house.

And Finally.... Exercise.
Each week my ex-husband takes the kids either Saturday or Sunday. In the past, I have used these days to do the grocery shopping and other errands without the company of my three young children.

Today... (you can mark my words) I vow to put aside an hour for exercise. I'm not much of a walker, I'm not going to the gym (although with my recent YMCA membership, that's not a bad idea) In fact, I am going to borrow a bicycle. I LOVE bicycle rides. Nice leisurely little jaunts. I will be working towards acquiring a bicycle forthwith (it's a good day, when you can use forthwith in a sentence... )

Well, friends that is my plan.

As it turns out I will be home today with the kids, instead of at work, because we are circulating a stomach virus. The virus has now commenced it's torture of my 7 year old, who is a professional puker and has had her own puke bucket since the age of three. (this is much better then the last two days where my 4 year old battled her angry stomach refusing to give in... but instead laid around moaning)

I will be taking care of completing the update of my handheld calendar, and cleaning the house and will put out my feelers for a used bicycle.

I bid you adieu

(I already feel better just having a plan)