Turkeys Salt & Pepper Shakers - $11.95
Turkey day is almost here. Are you looking for a way to season-up your holiday table? You need the Turkeys Salt & Pepper Shakers from the NeatoShop. This delightful set of turkeys is made of glazed ceramic. Get yours today before they are all gobbled up.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more deliciously fun Salt & Pepper Shakers.
Tinker Bell Treasure Chest - $47.45 (front and inside shown)
Are you looking for a very special place to store your favorite lost things? You need the Tinker Bell Treasure Chest from the NeatoShop. This beautiful collector piece features Tinker Bell squeezing out of the center of a lock. Open up the box and you will see the rest of her hidden inside.
The Tinker Bell Treasure Chest is a highly detailed sculpture and features exquisite hand-painted details. It makes the perfect gift for any Disney lover.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more Collectibles.
How do you balance death, dying, and playdates? You don't. You will try and you will fail, but that's okay. Death might be fact of life, but there is nothing normal about it.
As Mommies, many of us are taught to believe that life is all about balance. We keep strict calendars and schedules. Our time is filled juggling activities, playdates, doctors appointments, volunteering, kids' schoolwork, homework, outside-the-home work, inside-the-home work, workouts, and more work, work, work. Sure it's exhausting, but we mostly love it. Then one day someone close to you tells you that they are dying and your balance is shifted. All those balls you are juggling start to fall one by one. The funny thing is you won't notice how many balls you dropped until the whole expierence is over. How do I know this? My Dad died of cancer on November 10, 2011.
My Dad was diagnosed with cancer around May of 2008. That Mother's Day, he presented my sister and I with matching shiny necklaces. He said he wanted us to always have something from him. It was a gesture I will always treasure.
During the first few years of my Dad's illness, I believed my Dad when he said he was going to get better. My Dad would drive himself to chemo and then to work. On days when the chemo made him feel really bad he would make my Mom drive him to work and pick him up. Even when they cut his throat open to remove lymphnodes he went back to work the very day he was released from the hospital. This was not a man who was going to let cancer kill him.
My Dad fought valiantly. The cancer was just stronger.
In August of 2011, my youngest daughter turned 2. The day of her birthday party was seared in my mind. That was the day I knew my Dad was losing his war with cancer. I threw a small birthday party at my house. My Father looked thin, pale, and sad. He was also in a great deal of physical pain. I could see in his eyes that he knew this was the last family function he would attend.
From August 2011 till his death that November, I tried desperately to pretend things were normal. I didn't want the kids to suffer. I wanted their life to remain as orderly as possible. I was delusional. Nothing about those months were remotely ordinary or routine.
I planned and accepted playdates for the kids, but those playdates were abysmal failures. Playdates are supposed to be lighthearted events, with witty banter and minor complaints about significant others. They aren't supposed to include the rants of a mad women droning on and on about her Father's cancer. Intense discussions about death and dying are conversations you have with your therapist or best friend not with strangers. This kind of talk frightens people. Needless to say the playdate invitations stopped coming. The funny part is, I was at a loss as to why people didn't want to hang out with us.
My Dad's lengthy hospital stay required us to drive hours daily to the city. Everyday after work, we would pack the kids in the car and head out to UCLA's Santa Monica hospital. My husband would drop me off at the hospital and take the kids to eat. Afterwards he would be pick me up, we would put the kids into pajamas and drive home. Going to see my Dad in the hospital was just part of our routine. I tried to pretend there was nothing unusual about it, but it turned out I was a terrible actress. My Dad often called me out on my fear. In a typical fatherly fashion he always tried to make me feel better. He would tell me that everything would be okay.
The children went to school, but all extracurricular activities went missing. Weekend outings to the zoo and natural history muesum were replaced by drives to visit Papa. The kids never complained.
When my Dad was moved into a convelescent home in the Valley, I still visited everyday, but I started going alone. My Dad began to change. He became more fearful and more frightened about the road ahead. My protector started to look to me for protection. My Mom and I put on a brave face as we talked to him about being transferred home for hospice care. He would be more comfortable and he might even start to get better. I believed my own lies.
The cancer moved quickly once he went home. He was heavily medicated for the pain. He stopped eating. The last words he said to me were, " I love you." The next day he stopped talking. He lingered in a state near death for weeks.
My kids would on occassion come to see my Dad. They would spend time playing in my old room as my Mom, the caregiver and I talked. We sometimes joked and laughed. We almost always cried. This strange existence became a familiar scene.
The amount of pain and suffering my Dad endured was shocking. I honestly thought that once he passed, most of the pain I felt would go away and be replaced by relief. But it didn't. The pain actually got worse.
It took me well over a year to learn to accept my Dad's death. He was an amazing man and I still love him with all my heart. I miss him everyday, but I am so thankful that he was my Dad for 37 wonderful years. I am not okay with the fact that he died or how he died, but I know I will all be okay. He told me I will be okay, and I believe him. Everyday I am learning to deal with his passing a little better. How do I know? The playdate invitations are starting to come again.
Naughty Nice Socks - $9.95
Santa's watching. Have you been naughty or nice this year? Go ahead and admit to being a little bit of both with the Naughty Nice socks from the NeatoShop. This festive pair of socks is a great way to embrace the holiday season.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more fantastic Footwear.
Deep Tea Diver Tea Infuser - $14.95
Do you know someone who has the heart of a true adventurer? Encourage them to explore new great loose leaf teas with the Deep Tea Diver from the NeatoShop. This delightful tea infuser, shaped like a deep sea diver, is perfect for sinking into cups of hot water.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Coffee & Tea items.
Oliver Martini Ornament by Patience Brewster - $51.45
Are you looking for a fun way to add a little holiday cheer to your home? Behold the toast worthy Oliver Martini Ornament by Patience Brewster from the NeatoShop. This deliciously fun collectible is part of the 2012 Krinkles Collection. The ornament is handmade and has amazing hand-painted details.
Cosmopolitan Girl Ornament also available.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Christmas stuff.
Hedgehod Phone Holder - $9.95
Do you have trouble keep track of your cell phone? You need the Hedgehog Phone Holder from the NeatoShop. This adorable plush doubles as a phone stand for your favorite smartphone. It has a fabric lined pocket and super soft fur.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Mobile Phone & Tablet Gadgets.
Jack Skellington Aviator - $19.95
Attention The Nightmare Before Christmas fans! Are you excited that Sandy Claws in on his way? Show off your holiday spirit with the Jack Skellington Aviator hat from the NeatoShop. This devilishly fun hat features pin-striped ear covers with bow tie bat at the end.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great The Nightmare Before Christmas items.
Gingerbread Zombie Family Christmas Ornament Bunble - $53.73
It's a little known fact that zombie's love Christmas. This year celebrate the holidays with your favorite zombie family. This deliciously gruesome Gingerbread Zombie Family Christmas Bundle from the NeatoShop features 6 adorable gornaments that are meticulously handcrafted by local artisans.
Not sure how you feel about that many zombie relatives hanging around your house? Ornaments are also sold separately.
Be sure to check out the Neatoshop for more great Christmas items and lots of Zombie fun.
Rilakkuma Tote Bag - $30.95 (front and back shown)
Attention Rilakkuma fans! Behold the very charming Rilakkuma Tote Bag from the NeatoShop. This delightful purse features an adorable Rilakkuma face and wonderful embroidered details. Note the faux zipper on the back. This bag is perfect for heading out to your favorite pancake spot.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Bags & Totes and more fantastic Rilakkuma items.
Edward Scissorhands Plush - $11.95
Don't be shy. Come over here and check out the very adorable Edward Scissorhands Plush from the NeatoShop. Despite his appearance he is actually perfect for cuddling up with on cold snowy nights.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more fantastic Plush Toys.
Babe Magnets - $14.95 (sold individually)
Are you on the prowl for a hot desk accessory? You need the Babe Magnet from the NeatoShop. These attractive magnets are perfect for organizing a messy desk. The man and the woman are both magnetic. The base is heavy enough to act as a paperweight. Babe Magnets are available in both man and woman.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Office Supplies.
Jane Austen Bandages - $4.95
Provide a little tenderness of the heart to your boo-boo with the Jane Austen Bandages from the NeatoShop. This charming set includes a tin with 15 large bandages printed with Jane Austen art and text. We are sure that you will find them pleasantly pleasing.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Health and Wellness items and fantastic Stocking Stuffers.
Cocoa Trimming Kit - $5.45
Boy it's getting chilly. Are you looking for a fun way to dress up your favorite cold weather beverage? You need the Cocoa Trimming Kit from the NeatoShop. This deliciously delightful kit includes 5 snowman-shaped marshmallows and 5 red-and-white striped stick candies. Sorry, cocoa not included.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more Holiday Entertaining ideas.
