This collection of almost completely true short stories spans six decades. Humor is the main ingredient, spiced up with a spirit of adventure, action and high-risk behavior often bordering on disaster. First, the stories delve into author Ross C. Dumoulin’s childhood experiences, firmly entrenched in 1960s mentality and culture. You will read about way too much bubblegum and Ross’s kid-jobs as Paladin and Zorro. And you will learn why he put greasy sausages in his pocket. There is also a confrontation with an evil killer plant and its nasty consequences. Later, the stories move on to family life and moments of panic, such as the day 85,000 L of water tried to make its way into Ross’s basement. We also have a tale of transporting a full can of paint inside his new car. What could possibly go wrong with that? As Ross slides into his 60s, he experiences a series of medical misadventures. You will learn about little gems of highly dubious advice from his doctor and find out why he was labelled as “borderline normal.” The last three stories are of the heart-warming variety, as they relate the author’s volunteer work with children and his efforts in making their lives better. These stories celebrate children, their desire to play and laugh, their joie-de-vivre and resilience. So, if you need a laughter-break from what the world has been going through over the last few years, if you want to escape into a funhouse of thrills and spills, then read on!

Marlene D. Morl is an emotionally troubled Chinese-American teenage girl growing up in Utopia-Zurich, Switzerland. To avoid her drunk, abusive father, who is the Swiss version of Oscar Wilde and her American mother, a has-been soap opera star, who has no interest in her chubby, slant-eyed daughter, Marlene spends most of her time hiding inside the warehouse, which houses the family business, Morl Theatrical Costumier. Preferring life among mannequins, props and costumes, Marlene has created over the years, a life of make-believe, where her imagination runs rampant. Trouble is, unbeknownst to her, she's also created an alter-ego named Bad Egg who happens to be a 'toon' and who wants to eliminate Marlene's personality all together. And to make things worse, Bad Egg has also created an alter-ego ego in the form of Kali, the Hindu Goddess of Sex and Destruction who plans on murdering Marlene's abusive father. Between these three out of control personalities, not to mention, Marlene's difficult circumstances with both parents, the poor girl ends up in a mental institution. With the help of a Jungian psychologist named Dr. Karin Sommerfeldt, Marlene D. Morl's multiple act of misfits finally become solo again. Deflection of Pig-Ponies is a cross between the films, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and American Beauty.

There’s a first time for everything. First time playing quarters. First time spinning the bottle. First totally hot consensual truck hookup with a superhot boy whose digits I forgot to get. First time getting pregnant. Surprised you with that one, didn’t I? Surprised me, too. I’d planned to spend senior year with my bestie-slash-wifey, Devi Abrams, graduating at the top of my class and getting into an Ivy League college. Instead, Mom and I are moving in with my battle-ax of a grandmother and I’m about to start a new school and a whole new life. Know what’s more fun than being the new girl for your senior year? Being the pregnant new girl. It isn’t awesome. There is one upside, though—a boy named Leaf Leon. He’s cute, an amazing cook and he’s flirting me up, hard-core. Too bad I’m knocked up with a stranger’s baby. I should probably mention that to him at some point. But how? It seems I’ve got a lot more firsts to go.

Five children are tricked into visiting a wonderfully magical island, which quickly becomes a hilarious and unexpected disaster. One small boy can save the day, if only he didn't have a gigantic bubble blowing out of his butt! 10-year-old Leo Wriggly lives with his mum and dad who are Professional Competition Winners. In one particularly lucky week, they win a trip for themselves and a trip for Leo to visit a brand new theme park called Friendly Island. As his parents depart, Leo's Aunt Margo arrives to babysit, but unlike his parents, she is a stickler for fine print and happily sends her nephew to Friendly Island 'where chronically misbehaving children are sent to correct their disgusting habits'. Leo arrives on the island with four other children. At first, it seems like Disneyland, there are dolphin rides and monkey safaris! But there's a catch. Each mealtime, the children are tricked into drinking a potion that transforms them. The girl who chewed her hair has grown a bird's nest on her head. The boy who picked his nose has had his brain fall out. Another child who swore too much can now only squawk like a parrot and another girl who stole money now has hands made of glue. And poor Leo Wriggly, whose only crime was to swallow gum, has MASSIVE pink bubbles coming out of his butt. Can this young boy save his friends before the island's Komodo dragon eats them all for supper?

Of the 17 million Americans who have diabetes, approximately 9.3 of that number are women. And it appears that number of women with diabetes is increasing each year. Diabetes is particularly difficult for women in large part due to the hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle, changes that affect blood sugar levels. As a consequence women with diabetes have higher rates of chest pain, heart attack, coronary heart disease and stroke. And women with diabetes face special challenges. The Smart Woman's Guide to Diabetes provides advice, tips, and research from a diverse community of women living with diabetes. It provides practical insight and references for the optimal management of diabetes from women living with the disease as well as doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and educators. Personal anecdotes from nearly one hundred women throughout the book reveal both the good and the bad of living with diabetes, including the frustration, sense of shame, sense of isolation as well as the capacity for strength and the opportunity for growth. The Smart Woman's Guide to Diabetes lets you know that you are not alone but rather it will make you feel like you are sitting in your favorite coffee shop with your friends who share the same disease. Special Features of Smart Woman's Guide to Diabetes include: Personal anecdotes on a wide variety of topics are in every chapter Authentic advice from women living with diabetes Expert tips from female endocrinologists, educators, and nutritionists who are also living with diabetes Comprehensive in scope this books examines all the challenges and issues women with diabetes face Research and statistics are provided for each topic

This collection of almost completely true short stories spans six decades. Humor is the main ingredient, spiced up with a spirit of adventure, action and high-risk behavior often bordering on disaster. First, the stories delve into author Ross C. Dumoulin's childhood experiences, firmly entrenched in 1960s mentality and culture. You will read about way too much bubblegum and Ross's kid-jobs as Paladin and Zorro. And you will learn why he put greasy sausages in his pocket. There is also a confrontation with an evil killer plant and its nasty consequences. Later, the stories move on to family life and moments of panic, such as the day 85,000 L of water tried to make its way into Ross's basement. We also have a tale of transporting a full can of paint inside his new car. What could possibly go wrong with that? As Ross slides into his 60s, he experiences a series of medical misadventures. You will learn about little gems of highly dubious advice from his doctor and find out why he was labelled as "borderline normal." The last three stories are of the heart-warming variety, as they relate the author's volunteer work with children and his efforts in making their lives better. These stories celebrate children, their desire to play and laugh, their joie-de-vivre and resilience. So, if you need a laughter-break from what the world has been going through over the last few years, if you want to escape into a funhouse of thrills and spills, then read on!

BECOMING is better than BEING. I have Bubble Gum Brain. I like to chew on my thoughts, flex, bend and stretch my brain, and expand the way I think! I make great mistakes that help me learn. I have Brick Brain. With me, things are the way they are...and they're probably not going to change much. I am the way I am...and that's just how it is. Meet Bubble Gum Brain and Brick Brain: two kids with two VERY different mindsets. Bubble Gum Brain likes to have fun adventures, learn new things, and doesn't worry about making great mistakes. Brick Brain is convinced that things are just fine the way they are and there's not much he can do to change them, so why try? When Bubble Gum Brain shows Brick Brain how to peel off his wrapper, Brick Brain begins to realize just how much more fun school...and life... can be! This creative story teaches children (and adults) the valuable lesson that becoming is better than being, which can open the door to a whole new world of possibilities! Ready, Get Mindset...GROW!!