Monday, November 30, 2015

Love Local: Wicked Wool Socks

You guys.. I'm not sure if you realized, but tomorrow is December! I almost can't believe it. Most years I really have a handle on the Christmas shopping and decorating and overall preparing, but so far this year I am way behind schedule. I hauled out the boxes of decorations this weekend and got a little start on the mantle, but as for gifts, I haven't got the one. I'm not going to panic yet though.. there is still plenty of time, and I have a few ideas for my special someones.

If you are anything like me and will be looking for the perfect stocking-stuffers, you need to check this out!

https://wickedwoolsocks.com/

Wicked Wool Socks is a 100% Newfoundland & Labrador owned and operated company with a goal to have you 'right cozy' in some WICKED WOOL SOCKS™ sporting your favorite NL sayings.

The company was started by Rob Purchase, a web developer for local small businesses, who also runs some of his own e-commerce sites. He had the idea to make some socks with funny saying to give as a gift to a friend, then realized that they would be popular with many Newfoundlanders!

Here is the product description from the website (http://wickedwoolsocks.com):
"Deez wicked wool socks are made to keep your feet warm and comfortable at work, out and about, up at da cabin, and on da way to yoga. Made from tough wool and fabrics for long wear and can be trown in da washer and dryer."

These aren't just any ol' wool socks.
"Deez are da good kind dat are not too tick and and not too tin and don’t itch your feet." Also, "They are One size fits all adults, so ladies, add a sock under neet if your feet are right small."

Newfoundlanders are all over the place. These socks would be a great gift idea for a loved one living away.. or just buy 'em for yourself! With tons of saying to choose from, you are bound to find one that fits just right! Maybe your Mom always said you were "Stund". They've got that. Maybe your older brother used to call you a "Torment". Got that. Maybe you're always going around like a "Streel", or your boyfriend calls you a "Piece A Gear". Got that, and that. You need these socks.

Here are some of my favourites:

"Yes B'Y"




 "Froze" .. because I was.





"At Da Cabin"



Wicked Wool Socks is offering FREE SHIPPING within Canada until December 31/2015. 
Also, use promo code XMAS20 at checkout for 20% off! Sure, dat’s Wicked!

I hope this helps make your Christmas shopping a little easier! Have a wonderful week!

Check out some of my other "Love Local" posts below:

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Children's Wish: A Season of Giving


It's that time of year again. Everyone is busy writing their Christmas lists, frantically looking for the right gift for a loved one, and planning their busy schedules of holiday events. It's also the time of year when people start to think about how they can give back in some way, and with New Year’s resolutions on the horizon, people often see their charitable side coming out.

There are countless different ways you can create a positive impact in your community - from helping out at a homeless shelter, donating to a charity, or participating in a food drive. These are all ways that a small contribution of your time and effort will have a huge impact in the life of someone else! This holiday season, as you search for ways to help, as you find opportunities to teach your children about gratitude and giving, consider donating to the Children's Wish Foundation, to help grant a wish for a child who is so deserving.

Each year, thousands of Canadian children between the ages of three and 17 are diagnosed with a life threatening illness. The Children’s Wish Foundation is dedicated to granting an exceptional wish to each and every eligible child. Children's Wish is a national charitable organization with chapters in every province. Since it was founded in 1984, it has granted wishes to more than 22,000 Canadian children.



The magic of a Wish provides children and their families with an opportunity to share the joy of a special experience, and an escape from the day-to-day challenges of illness and medical complexities. Children's Wish relies entirely on the generosity of its donors and volunteers to grant children their wishes. Now that the Foundation has broadened their reach to include children with serious genetic and neurological diagnoses, this year the Children's Wish Foundation will be granting more wishes than ever before!

As the parent of a child with severe cerebral palsy, I can only imagine the positive impact that a Wish would have, not just on the child, but on the entire family! As a Wish Ambassador, I am thankful for the opportunity to see the value and the benefit of these wishes up close. I have met a number of amazing "Wish Kids" and have spent enough time with "Wish Families" to know that having their child's Wish granted is a life-changing experience.

The holidays are a magical time of year and the perfect opportunity to give something back, so why not bring the magic of a wish to a child who truly needs it! Donating to the Children's Wish Foundation is one small thing that you can do to create big impact for families of children with life-threatening illnesses and severe neurological conditions.

Be a part of the Children's Wish Foundation's meaningful work this year by donating today!  
Click HERE to donate and support the Wish-a-Thon.


"Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the body's white blood cells. Being told that your child has cancer can be a terrifying experience, and the stress of cancer treatment can be overwhelming for any family. Wish kids often choose to wait until their treatment is over and they are in remission before they go on their Wish trip - in these cases, the wish trip is an important milestone in the completion of a difficult journey through treatment. In other cases, time is of the essence, and kids can’t wait, and their rush wish has to be granted while they are still in treatment. Donate to Wish-a-Thon today to help grant a wish to a child with cancer."


"Cerebral palsy affects muscle tone, movement, and motor skills. It is caused by brain damage that can happen during the fetal stages of pregnancy or between the first 3-5 years of age. There is no cure, but treatment, therapy, special equipment, and, in some cases, surgery can help children with this disease. Modern science and advances in medicine have helped these children live longer and well into adulthood. But it can still make life extremely difficult for these children and their families. Donate to Wish-a-Thon today to help grant a wish to a child living with cerebral palsy."


*****

Another way you can donate this holiday season is through the RCMP Wish Tree Program!

The brave men and women of the RCMP have been lighting Wish Trees in their districts since 1991 in support of the Children's Wish Foundation. The RCMP Wish Tree Program started in the Trinity Conception District in 1991. This year, the goal is to raise $15,000 through the Wish Tree Program to grant wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses across Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Get in on the excitement! Join a tree-lighting ceremony in your community and help create joy for a special child this season.

Below are the dates and locations of this year's RCMP Wish Trees:

November 15 - Bonavista
November 28 - Bay Roberts
November 29 - Harbour Grace 
November 29 - Hopedale 
December 1 - Forteau
December 2 - Lewisporte 
December 9 - Mary's Harbour

A very big, heartfelt "Thank You" from the Children's Wish Foundation:
"It means the world to us to have the generous support of our donors - everyday  people who help us deliver the magical, most heartfelt wishes to our Wish Kids and we never want to take them for granted." - Edie Newton, Director - Newfoundland & Labrador chapter

The world is full of so much good. May we all continue to benefit from both giving and receiving!

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Cool Kids wear KoolKoats

A few months ago, I introduced you to Koolway Sports - a company that designs and manufactures outerwear for people with or without disabilities, enabling them to achieve their maximum level of independence in all aspects of life.

With the changing of the seasons, and the first taste of snow, we are preparing for the long Winter ahead.

We have always had the challenge of getting Brennen dressed for the cold. His little body gets chilled to the bone if he is not snuggled up in a warm blanket, and if he gets cold outside he is NOT happy. Not only are we faced with the issue of keeping him warm enough, but there is also the struggle of getting his arms out through the sleeves of his coat, fighting against his spasticity. Every year, we end up with a tear under the arm and a hole down at least one side of his coat. Not cool.

This year, we invested in a Koolkoat from Koolway Sports and our problems have been solved!

The Koolkoat can be worn as a jacket:


 ...or with the super-warm "blanket" attachment:


My child will NOT be getting cold! 

The wonderful thing about the Koolkoat is how easily it goes on. It goes over the head like a cape, with a front half-zipper, and then zips down the sides. The Koolway sleeve zipper starts at the wrist cuff and goes up under the arm, down the side of the jacket, to the waist. Both sides unzip fully so that there is no struggle with arms in sleeves. Now, instead of trying to fight Brennen's tight limbs into his jacket, the jacket zips up around his arms. It's genius.


The jacket is custom made to order, sized to fit each individual and their custom chair. It is beautifully crafted and shaped to fit the body, eliminating excess fabric in the lower back.

The blanket attachment zips onto the bottom of the jacket, and can be worn over just the legs or over the entire footplate and wheelchair leg framing. It is perfect for when you are going to be spending a longer period of time outdoors - playing in the snow, sliding on the ice, or sitting around a Winter campfire! The black "Slip-Not" on the bottom of Brennen's blanket gives extra protection from the elements such as water, ice and slush, and it is stain and abrasion resistant. The coat and blanket are insulated with Powderfill for extra warmth. It is breathable, moisture-resistant and machine washable.


I am so thrilled that we discovered the Koolkoat from Koolway Sports! I know that Brennen's coat is going to make a huge difference to him this Winter, and that it will allow us to spend more time outside together as a family. Andrew and I enjoy snowshoeing, and we love to pull Brennen along with us on his sled. We have only ever been able to go for short distances, before Brennen would get too cold, so I'm thinking this year we can tackle some more serious trails! I know it's still early November, but I say, bring on the snowy adventures! We are ready!

If you have any questions about the Koolkoat, or any other Koolway products, please feel free to contact me!