Batty Betty Takes on Bullying Awareness Month

However, getting in shape can also be a punishing and gruelling chore. It can be an endless slog which feels like no matter how much effort you put in you’re simply not getting the results you crave. While the attitude you bring can make a huge difference, the difference between the right and the wrong gym can mean the difference between success and failure. With that in mind here are some fitness centre features that will show you that you’ve found the perfect gym. Make sure your local gym has these before you part with your hard earned money…
Classes that interest and challenge you
It can be really hard to stay motivated when you’re flying solo. Joining classes, however, can help you to stay motivated because you become accountable to the group. Nobody wants to let the side down and we’re likely to push ourselves that little bit harder when working out in a class than when working out alone.
When your prospective gym offers classes that will not only challenge you but bring fun and excitement to your workout you know that you’re on to a winner.
Personal Trainers that will listen to you and know what you need
Every gym has personal trainers helping clients to achieve their fitness goals. However, not every gym has the kind of personal trainers that you need. The kind that will listen to you and help you to determine and clarify what your specific goals are rather than pushing you into a “one size fits all” training regimen. You need the kind of personal trainer who gets to know your body and your mind. The kind who knows what you do well and where you need to be challenged. The kind who will keep you motivated even when the cold, dark and wintry weather gets you down.
An effective personal trainer needs to be attuned to your needs. They need to know when to push and when to praise. When you have PTs who go the extra mile, you know you’ve found a gym with a great client ethic.
Enough of everything
It can be extremely frustrating when you attend the gym and find that every exercise station you need to complete your workout is occupied by someone else. It makes giving up and going home more and more appealing each time you have to wait around at the water cooler for someone to get off the bench or machine you need.
A great gym will have enough of everything for everyone to ensure a smooth and seamless workout.
If a gym doesn’t have this big 3 it’s not worth your time or your hard earned money!

If you’re looking for some really special maternity clothing – even though it’s nine months, why not look fab!, I suggest you check out BellaBlu Maternity – a premier online maternity store. Browse their online store for high-end brands like Japanese Weekend, Maternal America, Olian, Prego, and more! Their line of maternity clothing is vast!! And with fall coming, I have been checking out their huge selection of Maternity Sweaters, Jeans, and cute everyday tee’s… BellaBlu sent me this Rock the Bump Maternity Tee to review, and it’s one of my favorites!! This shirt screams pregnant, and not just bloated, or fat…lol! The shirt is super soft and fits well, it has a snug fit that clings to your expanding belly. I love worn lettering, and Heart & Crossbones…It’s very different from your typical “adorable” maternity clothes..it add so much more personality! I can’t wait to order some of there other fall clothing line…Here are a few I’m looking at:
Just to show a few…I could go on and on….
BellaBlu Maternity stakes their reputation on the quality of the products they carry and their customer service. Every time I emailed them, I got a prompt and courteous reply – so I have no doubt customers are getting answers and communication quickly to meet their needs! If you’re looking for something specific, just email them! What kind of maternity clothing do you need to add to your wardrobe? I bet you’ll find some lovely items at BellaBlu Maternity! ________________________________________________________________________
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You can find BellaBlu Maternity Online at www.bellablumaternity.com
Disclosure: I received a product(s) for review purposes only, however I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. BellaBlu has not influenced the editorial nature of this post, and No other compensation was received. Please see our disclosure policy for more information.

Does your child enjoy learning about the world of Digital Media? My 12 year old loves to assist when I’m taking photos, and him & my 9 year old are getting into computer programming, robotics & graphic designs…With summer just around the corner, why not encourage their interest and check out the Digital Media Academy!
Founded at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy is ranked as one of the ten best summer camps in the world. Kids and teens learn computer programming, app development, 3D modeling, robotics, graphic design, filmmaking, and much more. DMA summer camps are one or multiple week experiences taught by industry experts and tech professionals.
Campers get hands-on experience creating projects using the latest hardware and software from Apple, Canon, Adobe, and more. Give your teen a pre-collegiate experience or build a child’s confidence through project-based learning. 25 locations at top universities throughout the U.S. and Canada. Camps are filling fast, register early to save $$$ and stay off the wait list. Save $125 off summer camps at Digital Media Academy with code DMAUSFG15 at www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org when you register by Feb 18
Call 1(866)656-3342 to speak with a Guest Service Representative or email at [email protected] Mention the US Family Guide Special Offer
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Our mother is our modern day hero. She never failed to take care and protect us from the time we were born until we are capable of our own. She reared and guided us to become the person who we are today. Mother’s Day is the special occasions where we give to our mothers back all the love and care that she showered us. Lots of mothers will say that they have everything they need, and there is no need for a gift. However, giving gifts to her is one way to show that we love and care for her. Moms can be very difficult to shop for. Hence, Mother’s Day gift baskets are the perfect solution for this situation.
Well-chosen Mother’s gift baskets will surely bring a smile to the face of our mother. When we speak of gift baskets for Mother’s Day, luxury items are always a popular content. If you have a mom who loves her kitchen so much, then giving gourmet items such as exotic fruits, rare cheeses, imported chocolates and find wines are sure to make great happiness to her. Meanwhile, a gift basket that contains soaps, upscale lotions and perfumes are a popular choice for people who like to pamper their mothers with beauty products. Moreover, a basket containing gardening tools and hand lotions will surely be appreciated by a mom who is a gardener.
The most efficient way to purchase Mother’s Day gift baskets is through online retailers. There are countless numbers of retailers that specialize in gift baskets for Mother’s Day and let buyers choose a customized selection of gift items to be included in the gift basket. Lots of these online retailers specialize in gift baskets that are specifically made for women, particularly mothers. These online retailers can creatively design a gift basket that will surely leave a lasting impression and create good memories to your mother.
You can get many advantages when you shop online. There are large selections and competitive prices that makes the shopping for Mother’s Day gift baskets easy and fast. Moreover, you don’t have to fight traffic and wrestle crowds. With a click of your mouse, you can choose and buy a gift basket for your mother delivered right at your mom’s doorstep. Online shopping is very convenient for those whose mothers are far away or residing overseas.
Mother’s Day is where we express our love, care and appreciation for our mothers. A gift basket that is delivered to her is a great way to say “thank you for everything”.

The next adventure in the Anthology series of Star Wars films will be directed by Christopher Miller and Phil Lord, whose credits include the critically acclaimed The LEGO Movie, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street and 22 Jump Street. Among the most sought-after filmmakers working today, the two have proven a formidable duo in film and television and are looking forward to applying their unique sensibilities to the Star Wars Universe.
“This is the first film we’ve worked on that seems like a good idea to begin with. We promise to take risks, to give the audience a fresh experience, and we pledge ourselves to be faithful stewards of these characters who mean so much to us. This is a dream come true for us. And not the kind of dream where you’re late for work and all your clothes are made of pudding, but the kind of dream where you get to make a film with some of the greatest characters ever, in a film franchise you’ve loved since before you can remember having dreams at all” said Miller and Lord.
The screenplay is written by Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan. The Han Solo Anthology Film story focuses on how young Han Solo became the smuggler, thief, and scoundrel whom Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi first encountered in the cantina at Mos Eisley.
Lawrence Kasdan, the writer and director known for Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Big Chill and Grand Canyon, is familiar to Star Wars fans for having co-written the screenplays for The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens. His son Jon Kasdan wrote and directed The First Time, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, and In the Land of Women, as well as writing for the television series Freaks and Geeks and Dawson’s Creek.

Tomorrow, July 31 2015, is World Ranger Day. You might be familiar with their flat hats and uniforms, but a day in the life of a park ranger can be as different as the 408 parks themselves. One year away from the Centennial of the National Park Service, August 25, 2015 marks the 99th birthday of the National Park Service, and fee-free admission into more than 400 parks across the country for everyone. As you can see, America’s parks go far beyond the traditional landscapes you might normally think of.
I was able to get with Dr. Donna Shaver, Chief of the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at my local National Park, Padre Island National Seashore & ask how her park is celebrating the Centennial and all the ways people can get up, get out there and find their own connections with the parks, which preserve and protect America’s unique landscapes, history and culture.
Dr. Donna Shaver is the Chief of the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore, with the US National Park Service. She specializes in sea turtle research and conservation, winning the Harte’s Heroes Award last year for her efforts in the recovery of critically endangered species.
In addition to helping develop the Department of Interior’s restoration activities for sea turtle nesting, she has initiated a widely acclaimed sea turtle program that integrates conservation, research, and public education activities. Dr. Shaver is a member of the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Working Group and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Marine Turtle Specialist Group. From 2002-2011, she worked with the Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Team that prepared the revised Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle Recovery Plan to guide future restoration and research efforts for this species.
The boys and I love going to Padre National Seashore, so I asked Dr. Donna Shaver, What makes Padre National Seashore special?
Padre Island National Seashore preserves the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island beach in the U.S. This very special place protects nearly 70 miles of beautiful Gulf of Mexico beachfront and preserves it in perpetuity for future generations.
Padre Island National Seashore is an important habitat for a wide diversity of plants and animals. It is the most important nesting beach in the U.S. for the critically endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle. Padre Island National Seashore staff and volunteers have worked with partners in the U.S. and Mexico for more than three decades to re-establish nesting by this species at the National Seashore and involve the community and public in our related restoration, research, and education programs. The National Park Service has been committed to this restoration program since the mid-1970s, and when we celebrate our Centennial it is very fitting to celebrate our decades of commitment to preservation of this magnificent species.
Sometimes we just want to help out and take out trash, even if it’s not ours. Dr. Donna Shaver had this to say about ways the public help her out?
The public can aid with our sea turtle conservation and research efforts by being alert for nesting Kemp’s ridley sea turtles when they are on the beach, and immediately reporting any that they see so that we can document and protect them and their eggs. Kemp’s ridleys nest mostly during the day, when most of our beach visitation occurs. In addition to helping with reports of nesting, there are also actions that people can take to avoid inadvertently harming the nesting turtles or their eggs.
Most Texas beaches are open to driving by the public, so if you drive on the beach during the nesting season please watch carefully for nesting and adhere to posted speed limits. If you see a nesting Kemp’s ridley turtle, let her nest undisturbed, protect her from others, and make sure that she safely re-enters the water after nesting. Carefully place an identification marker next to the nest so that rangers can quickly find it and protect the eggs. You can help by filling in any holes that you dig in the sand so that the nesting turtles do not become trapped in them. You can also make the beach a safer place for nesting turtles, people, and other wildlife by aiding with beach clean-ups and removing all of your beach equipment and trash when you leave the beach.
What made you want to work with the park and be a turtle conservationist?
During undergraduate school, I majored in Wildlife Biology and was very interested in conservation of endangered species. I read about the work with Kemp’s ridley sea turtles at Padre Island National Seashore and applied to be a Student Conservation Association volunteer aiding with that work here. I was selected for the position and this opportunity provided me with my first glimpse of the ocean and of a sea turtle. I was “hooked” on the spectacular vistas at the park, the friendly people of south Texas, and of course the opportunity to help save the world’s most endangered sea turtle species.
What is some little known history about the park?
The first published record in the scientific literature of Kemp’s ridleys nesting anywhere in the world was a Kemp’s ridley that nested here in 1948, years before this land was designated as Padre Island National Seashore and a unit of the National Park System. This record was published in 1951 in the scientific journal Zoologica. This was more than a decade before scientists learned the location of the primary nesting beach for the species, near Rancho Nuevo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, and published that information.
I know there happens to be turtle releases, where can the public learn more about this program?
The public can learn more about our sea turtle program and our hatchling releases by viewing our Facebook page titled Padre Island NS Division of Sea Turtle Science & Recovery, our website, or our YouTube Channel.
Watch our #FindYourPark video
This video celebrates the Centennial and #FindYourPark. We made it to help spotlight our hatchling releases and the long-term commitment of the National Park Service and Padre Island National Seashore to the restoration of this species, during this important occasion of the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. We hope that our video will inspire many more people to Find Your Park and watch a hatchling release here in the future. Many people plan a vacation to Padre Island National Seashore around the opportunity to see a release. Releases are soon coming to an end for this year, but will begin again next year starting in late-May or early-June.
Don’t forget to check out FindYourPark.com and use the #FindYourPark hashtag to share your stories!!