STATEN ISLAND LIVING

Kids & families, health & fitness, cooking & food, lifestyles and pets

Advance photo/Jan Somma-HammelNovember, 2008: The Seaman Cottage in its home at 441 Clarke Avenue in Richmond.

Finally, a happy ending.

Some preservation stories do end happily for all concerned. Take the tale of Staten Island's Seaman Cottage.

Originally built at 218 Center Street, circa 1837, the Greek Revival cottage was one of many homes built by developer Henry I. Seaman across the Island.

I just turned 35- which means- at least for me- my baby making days are over! Yes, it is bittersweet--I think the longing for a sweet-smelling, fuzzy headed warm baby bundled in miniature sweat suits or frilly party dresses- is probably going to be with me for years to come...In honor of my love of all things baby- and support of all women courageous enough to sport that bump- - every once in a while I'll be blogging about companies who offer products for t moms to be that I think are worth the investment.

First up...Georgie Designs

Pardon the pun, but the "push" is on for push presents - that gift husbands give to their wives after having a baby. Some get flowers and others a piece of jewelry. But, the flowers die and that necklace gets old. So how about the gift that truly does keep on giving all year-round?

Georgie Designs has figured it all out for them. They have a "Ring of the Month" club. Now, you can send someone you love a new ring each month of the year. Georgie Designs offers clubs in 3, 6 or 12 month plans at an amazing price. From Amazonite to Calcite and Honey Jade to name a few; the ring of the month club will "push" anyone into loving the giver all year long. And don't worry men; knows you might not know the right ring size. Your loved-one will first receive a card telling her about the gift first. Then she will then receive her first ring about a week later.

Georgie Designs sells a variety of unique, beautifully handcrafted jewelry. They use only the highest quality materials like sterling silver and semi-precious gemstones... Check out their luscious line of jewelry at http://www.georgiedesigns.com/

New discovereies may lead to novel treatments for age-related macular degeneration. AMD affects nearly two-thirds of all people 80 years of age or older.

One of the genes thought to cause age-related macular degeneration has been identified by scientists at the University of Southhampton, according to a recent report by the Journal of Life Sciences. A study published in the British medical journal The Lancet suggests the discovery could ultimately lead to novel treatments for the disease.

Hewlett PackardThe HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition -- also known as the Digital Clutch -- will be available in time for the holidays.

Due to huge demand, Hewlett Packard is moving up production of the Digital Clutch so techno geeks with a sense of style can be carrying it in time for the holidays. The HP Mini Vivienne Tam Edition debuted during Fashion Week in Manhattan in September and was originally forecast for a 2009 release.

Reserve one today by clicking here.

The notebook's high def display is 10.2 inches. Carried in the hand the clutch is under an inch thick and weighs just over two pounds. The cost is $699.99 and the unit comes with a protective Vivienne Tam silk sleeve.

To see new pictures of the interior and exterior, click here.

Associated PressComedian Ellen DeGeneres, left, and actress Portia de Rossi took advantage of the changed law in California and got married in August. Portia recently told People magazine they "go back and forth" about the prospect of having children.

In yesterday's Relationships section of the Staten Island Advance, we highlighted the issue of gay marriage and parenthood in "The Game of Life Is Changing." Features reporter Andrea Boyarsky spoke to gay and lesbian teens to learn if they hope to get married and have kids in the future. Most of them do.

Some people, I've learned from recent discussions, are having a hard time embracing this idea, particularly the issue of lesbians and gay men becoming parents. Marriage is one thing, they told me, but parenthood, that's a whole different story.