Tonight on the Hallmark channel you can watch the original movie For The Love Of Grace, starring Mark Consuelos and Chandra West. 

For The Love Of Grace synopsis from HallmarkChannel.com says,

With a great career, close friends, and an upwardly mobile fiancé, ‘How To’ book writer Grace (Chandra West) appears to have the perfect life. Meanwhile, local firefighter Steve (Mark Consuelos), having just been suspended for his reckless, yet heroic style, seems to be heading in the opposite direction That is, until a fateful fire rescue fans the flames of attraction and gives them both a new perspective on life. Corbin Bernsen also stars. Watch the sparks fly in this heart-warming Hallmark Original Movie.

I would watch For the Love of Grace purely for Mark Consuelos alone, but it does seem like a great Saturday night distraction. 

I've been a big Consuelos fan from back in the day, when he played Mateo Santos on All My Children.  Where he coincidentally met and married his wife, Kelly Ripa, who played Haley on All My Children as well as in real life.

Also check out the For The Love Of Grace Gourmet Firehouse Cookbook!  You just click on the corner of the book and the pages turn to reveal great recipes.  You can download the cookbook for free.  Or just turn the pages of your virtual cookbook right on your laptop in your kitchen.  That's what I'm going to do!

Tune in tonight, Saturday, August 30, 2008, at 9:00 p.m. EST on the Hallmark Channel and watch For The Love Of Grace.  And be sure to check out the website and join the For The Love Of Grace community and more.

There has been a change in women over the last three decades.  Mostly good and some bad, as I'm sure some would argue; but one of the biggest changes is in the motherhood department.  Or should I say the lack of motherhood. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau report. "American Community Survey 2006 and 2006 Population Survey," today's, U.S. women are having fewer babies, and more women are choosing to be childless.

The data is from the Census Bureau's 2006 American Community Survey and the Current Population Survey.  The surveys aimed to discover how many children are being born, to whom, and what the fertility rates are around the country.  Women aged 15 to 50 were surveyed about fertility between 2005 and 2006.

Although I didn't have my son until I was 38, these findings were astounding to me.

The report finds 20% of women today aged 40 to 44 have no children. That percentage is double what it was 30 years ago.

Here are more statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau report

• The average number of children a woman aged 40-44 will have is 1.9
• 67% of women who recently gave birth worked outside the home.
• 36% of women who reported giving birth for the survey were never married separated, divorced or widowed.
• Mothers in North Carolina, Mississippi and the District of Columbia were the lease likely to have never married.
• Of those 1.5 million mothers who were not married, 190,000 of them were living with an unmarried partner.

The Face of Poverty

• 25% of women aged 15-50 who'd recently given birth were living below the national poverty level.
• Fertility rates were twice as high for those living below the national poverty level when compared to those living more than 200% above the poverty rate.

International Moms

• 20% of all births reported in the survey were to U.S. moms that were themselves born in another country.
• In California, that percentage doubled, with 41% of moms being foreign-born.

So Who is Having the Most Children?

• Hispanic women average the most children at 2.3.  That's higher than for Asians, non-Hispanic whites and African-Americans, although second-generation Hispanic women have fewer babies than their mothers did.

Most Delays in Having Babies are for School

• Women with a bachelor's degree or more college education had the highest fertility rates between the ages of 30 and 34 (133 births per 1,000 women).
• Women who did not complete high school had the most birth rates between the ages of 20 and 24 and 25 to 29 (199 births per 1,000 women and 146 births per 1,000 women, respectively).

It is interesting to see that not only are women having children later in life, but either opting to not have children at all - or by waiting to finish school and start careers, they have missed their window of fertility altogether.

Whatever their reasons...more and more women are foregoing motherhood altogether.  If you have an opinion about these statistics, we would love to hear them.  Hope to hear from you!

SOURCES: U.S. Census Bureau report. "American Community Survey 2006 and 2006 Population Survey." News release, U.S. Census Bureau.

It's about that time again.  It is hard to believe that this will be season seventeen of Survivor.  I got hooked on Survivor the very first season and will never forget Rudy, Susan and the winner, Richard (the nudist and later tax evader).  Season two was/is my favorite season because a hometown girl Tina Wesson was the winner.  And I have always been a big fan of Survivor's host Jeff Probst.

There have been a couple of seasons that were downright boring and there have been competitors I loved, didn't care too much for and those I loved to hate.  I hope this season proves to be as good as last season, where it was the fans vs the favorites, and the women dominated the game.

Season 17 of Survivor is being billed as taking place on Earth's Last Eden, at Gabon in Africa.  A place not touched by humans and where wild animals roam.  They have announced the competitors; check out this YouTube video and see if you can predict who will Outwit, Outplay and Outlast.

Survivor 17 Earth's Last Eden premiers in its regular time slot on Thursday night at 8:00 p.m. September 25, 2008 on CBS.

If you wake up in the mornings feeling bloated and achy, you may want to try these tips that were discussed by Hoda and Kathie Lee on The Today Show this morning. 

Things to do to keep that bloating down are:

• Eat less salt - salt causes us to retain water.
• Drink plenty of water - water flushes out impurities.
• Eat plain yogurt - don't get the sugar/fruit already added.  Eat plain yogurt and add fresh fruit to it if you like.
• Lettuce - eating lettuce is good to eat if you have bloat issues.  It has lots of water.

Things to avoid or ingest in small amounts:

• Beans - beans are great for you but if you are prone to getting gas or bloat, don't eat in large amounts.
• Sugar - honestly there is nothing good about sugar.  They break down too quickly and ferment contributing to gas/bloat.
• Carbonated beverages - any carbonated drink will cause gas and/or bloat.
• Eat slower - eating fast contributes to gas and bloating.
• Chewing gum - when you chew gum you are swallowing a lot of air; which in turn, can cause bloat.

I hope that if you do happen to be one of the millions of people that suffer from bloating, you'll be able to find these tips helpful.  Here is a great site that includes a diet for gas and bloat prevention.

'America's Toughest Jobs' is a new extreme competition series that will test 13 men and women who venture out of their safe and comfortable careers and are injected into some of the most challenging, dangerous and demanding jobs on earth.

Tonight NBC premieres their new show 'America's Toughest Jobs'.  There will be four special Monday night shows starting August 25, 2008 and then it will move to its regular time on Friday, September 19. 2008.  America's Toughest Jobs will be hosted by Josh Temple (TLC's Backyard Nation).

From logging high in the Oregon forest to oil drilling on the Texas range, and driving icy roads to extreme fishing – each job requires guts and stamina, and the competitors will have to live up to the same standards as the pros.

At the end of each episode, their new boss and co-workers will determine success or failure, and those who don't make the grade will be sent home. Upping the ante, the annual salary of each job will be thrown into the pot until the finale – where one rookie will take home the well-earned cash, according to America's Toughest Jobs homepage on NBC.com.

The Jobs:

• Crab Fishing
• Trucking
• Gold Digging
• Monster Trucks
• Oil Drilling
• Bullfighting
• Logging
• Mountain Search

Get more information about the jobs.

Of the jobs listed above they say that logging is the most hazardous industry in the United States and has the highest number of fatal injuries.  Yet the average salary for a logger is only $44,000.

Meet The Contestants:

• Amy Brodsky
• Ben Coleman
• Bryce Frazier
• Christopher Young
• Eric Waterhouse
• Michaela Clemence
• Phil Kolarczyk
• Rick Broider
• Rie Heffron
• Rommel Gargoles
• Sandy Gabriel
• Senta Burke
• Steven Hopper

Check out their bios.

Just from their pics and bios I will predict Eric Waterhouse or Steven Hopper to be the big winner.  I do however, exercise my right to change my mind, at least until I have watched tonight's episode.

Tune in tonight August 25, 2008, to NBC at 9:00 p.m. EST, and see if you think you could do America's Toughest Jobs!

The actor and his wife share their story for the first time on television to draw attention to hospital mistakes that kill as many as 100,000 Americans a year, according to CBSNews.com.

Quaid says that more people die from hospital mistakes than aids and traffic accidents, yet it doesn't get the same attention.  His goal is to bring these medical mistakes to the forefront. 

The Quaids, who welcomed their twins, Boone and Zoe, on November 8, 2007,brought their babies to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center later that month because they were suffering from a staph infection.  While hospitalized, the babies were accidentally administered 1,000 times the necessary dose of a blood thinning medication (Heparin) used to flush out IV lines.

"We all have this inherent thing that we trust doctors and nurses, that they know what they're doing," Dennis tells '60 Minutes,' "This mistake occurred right under our noses ... the nurse didn't bother to look at the dosage on the bottle. It was avoidable, completely avoidable."

This is so true, especially when it comes to our children.  If our children are hurt or sick we have to trust our doctors, nurses and hospitals to care for them. 

Of course doctors and nurses are human, and unfortunately accidents can happen...but when it comes to life and death situations our hospitals need to be diligent in doing everything possible to NOT let mistakes happen!

You can read the Quaid's story at CBSNews.com from March 2008; and tune in tonight, August 24, 2008, to '60 Minutes' at 7:00 p.m. EST and watch the Quaid's interview.

You can watch Jane Seymour as Dear Prudence in the new Hallmark Channel movie airing tonight on the Hallmark Channel, at 9 p.m. EST.

Seymour, 57, was last seen on Dancing with the Stars, and will always be remembered for her starring role in the series 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'.

The cool thing about the movie Dear Prudence is that the Hallmark Channel's website has a Prudenceonline.com show page.  There is Pru's Blog and  Pru's Pointers, plus much more.

In 'Dear Prudence', Seymour stars as Prudence McCoy, a humorous, Martha Stewart-like TV personality, well known for her Heloise type tips, pointers and home remedies for a variety of life's little problems.

Prudence goes on vacation where a murder takes place and Prudence plays detective.

If you love Jane Seymour or looking for something different to watch tonight, tune in to the Hallmark Channel tonight, August 23, 2008, at 9 p.m. and see if Prudence solves the mystery.  And be sure to check out Prudenceonline.com.

Yesterday morning, August 21, 2008, just before school was to start, fifteen year old Ryan McDonald was shot and killed in his high school's cafeteria.  At 8:11 a.m. Jamar Siler, a fifteen year old fellow student at Central High School shot Ryan McDonald in the chest.

Central High School is located in North Knox County in Eastern Tennessee, a community that is still reeling over the recent church shootings approximately three weeks ago.

You can go to WBIR.com and read the timeline of events as they occurred today as well as read more about the case.  I want to use this time and place to talk more about my thoughts and feelings in regards to this tragedy.

I am a mother, so as soon as I heard that there was a shooting in of all places, a school, I felt a sense of panic.  My son just started kindergarten this year, he wasn't in school on Thursday because he only attended one day this week and starts full time next week, but I could imagine how I would have felt if he were not with me. 

I know every parent who had a child in Central High School yesterday must have been beside themselves with worry.  It was I know, a very scary day yesterday for thousands of parents, grandparents and other relatives of the approximately 1200 students that were at the school yesterday. 

Just as I'm sure is the case anywhere that something like this has happened, people start talking about taking their kids out of public schools and either homeschooling or enrolling them in private schools.  I absolutely understand and have had the same feelings and discussions with my husband.  However, I have to be logical and realistic.

What I mean is that for one - I will not live in fear or project that fear onto my son.  That does not mean I won't teach my son to be cautious.  We should all listen to our instincts and be aware of what is going on around us.  And another thing is that this could have happened anywhere!  As I mentioned above just three weeks ago there was a shooting inside a church.  And you hear of people being killed in their own homes, shopping malls and various other public places all the time. 

So does this mean I just keep myself and my family locked up in our home away from the world?  No.  I can't or won't do that.  I just have to hope and pray that my son will be safe when he is away from me. 

That being said, I want our schools to be safer!  I want to know that my son's school is doing EVERYTHING humanly possible to protect him and keep him safe.  I do feel confident that my son's elementary school does take all the precautions to do just that. 

My husband and I discussed homeschooling our son; and decided for our son, at this time, it would be better for him to have the social aspect of school.  And we already agreed that when he enters middle school we will re-evaluate this decision.  If at anytime we are not satisfied with our child's education or have concerns regarding his safety we will pull him out and home school.

Before leaving I want to say one other thing about Knoxville.  It seems we have had a lot of press/media lately; with the church and now school shooting.  But I want people to know that this is a community of faith-based people.  A community that cares and will be the first to step up and help others in need.  We have suffered some senseless tragedies lately but we will over come it and come out stronger.

My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan McDonald's family, the students and faculty of Central High School and their families.

On Monday, August 25, 2008, ABC will announce the celebrities for Season Seven of Dancing with the Stars.  There is speculation that Adam West, Lance Bass and Denise Richards to name a few, may be the next celebrity contestants on Dancing with the Stars.

This got me to thinking of who I would like to see on Dancing with the Stars.  My main criteria is that they are not dancers or have ever had dance lessons.  They should truly be amateurs and judged on how well they improve each week.  With that being said... this is my list:

• Donald Trump - maybe his toupee would fall off and we would finally have proof that The Donald wore a rug.
• Helen Mirren - I can't think of another almost senior citizen that could pull off wearing those costumes.
• Steve Carell - I think he is one of the funniest men so watching him dance would provide many laughs.
• Tina Fey - for the same reason I want Steve Carell, she would be funny to watch.
• Ozzy Osbourne - I will predict he will be the first male to go.
• Amy Winehouse - I will predict she will be the first female to go.
• Kiefer Sutherland - it could prove to be dangerous to be Kiefer's dance partner being that on 24 anyone close to him dies.
• Holly Hunter - just because I'm a big fan of Saving Grace.
• Matthew McConaughey - need I say more!
• Angelina Jolie - for they guys.
• Michael Phelps - America's sweetheart!  I think he would probably win hands down.
• Leryn Franco - the Olympic javelin thrower from Paraguay would probably have the best chance to win among my choices of women.

I think my picks would provide tons of entertainment!  And I don't believe any of them are dancers.  Something that bothers me about Dancing with the Stars...they always have at least one celebrity that knows how to dance.  This isn't fair to those celebrities that have no dance background.

Well on Monday, August 25, 2008 we will know who the twelve contestants for season seven of Dancing with the Stars will be; and I am sure that not one of my twelve will be among them. 

Do you have a celebrity you would like to see on Dancing with the Stars?  If so we would love to hear it!  Hope to hear from you.  Enjoy life!

Young Brenden Adams towers over his entire 6th grade class.  In fact, Brenden Adams towers over his entire school! 

On Primetime Medical Mysteries last night they covered a story featuring Brenden, the boy who can't stop growing.  He is a kind and lovable twelve year old; normal in all aspects but one.  And Brenden IS the only one of his kind.

It seems that he has a defect in his 12th chromosome that is causing his unusual and rapid growth.  It has affected his teeth; at 4 months he already had all his teeth.  He has had to have several removed to make room in his mouth.

When Brenden was first born he seemed normal.  However, at his three month check-up the doctor told them he was unusually long.  It didn't stop there he just continued to grow.

It is difficult on his joints, face and teeth.  He says that it get uncomfortable and painful for his joints sometimes.  He can't completely straighten out his arms and legs.

With his height and size 18 shoes he has difficulty getting into the family SUV and he would love a bed like Shaquille O'Neils'. 

Brenden has some good news now though.  His geneticist and doctors think they have come up with a way to halt and hopefully permanent stop his growth.  They inject him with testosterone.  The reasoning behind this is that testosterone will speed up the puberty process. 

As for now it is working.  Brenden has stopped growing, at least for now.

Brenden will more than likely always be the tallest boy in his class.  And his classmates and friends all say he is "normal" to them.

Check out this YouTube clip to see Brenden Adams and you will get a brief glimpse at an amazing twelve year old boy.  You can also read all about the story at ABCNews.com.