You know, one of the really nice things about our world is that it’s full of people who have all kinds of good intentions – including the desire to consistently do what’s right, fair, and just. But, intending or wanting to do something and actually doing it aren’t the same. The difference is action. And the thing that helps ensure action happens is accountability.
Remember when you were in your early teens? We do. We could hardly wait to become adults because we thought it would mean we could do whatever we wanted. Well, we became adults (at least age wise) and we found it meant something much different: Now WE were responsible for ourselves – WE were accountable for our actions. We still are…and always will be.
Certainly, each of us has to answer to the external authorities in our lives like the government, our workplace leaders, and the “higher authority” that exists for many of us. But equally (if not more) important, we need to answer to ourselves. In the real world, others can mandate that we follow rules and laws, but they can’t force us to be people of good character…individuals who remain true to our beliefs and values. Ultimately, it’s up to each of us to choose how we will live our lives, hold ourselves to high standards, and continually evaluate what’s inside the image we see in the mirror.
Empower, Enrich, Live, Learn, Love, and LAUGH
Monday, November 10, 2008
Obesity, Lack Of Fitness And Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
The Better Life Experts | November 10, 2008
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is considered an inflammatory disorder caused by repetitive stress, physical injury, or various medical conditions including hypothyroidism, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and pregnancy.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, being overweight consistently turns up as a risk factor for CTS and may play a direct causal role for CTS. Greater body mass appears to reduce nerve flow speed into the hand. Obesity is also related to poor physical fitness, which may also increase risk. A 2005 analysis indicated that weight is strongly linked to the onset of CTS in patients under the age of 63 years.
CTS is also a common feature of diabetic neuropathy, one of the major complications of diabetes. Neuropathy is decreased or distorted nerve function; it particularly affects sensation. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness, and burning sensations, usually starting in the fingers and toes and moving up to the arms and legs. About 6% of patients with CTS have diabetes.
Since both obesity and Type II diabetes are linked, there may be a causal link between these medical conditions and CTS. These findings make it all the more important to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise every day and avoid being overweight.
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is considered an inflammatory disorder caused by repetitive stress, physical injury, or various medical conditions including hypothyroidism, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and pregnancy.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, being overweight consistently turns up as a risk factor for CTS and may play a direct causal role for CTS. Greater body mass appears to reduce nerve flow speed into the hand. Obesity is also related to poor physical fitness, which may also increase risk. A 2005 analysis indicated that weight is strongly linked to the onset of CTS in patients under the age of 63 years.
CTS is also a common feature of diabetic neuropathy, one of the major complications of diabetes. Neuropathy is decreased or distorted nerve function; it particularly affects sensation. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, weakness, and burning sensations, usually starting in the fingers and toes and moving up to the arms and legs. About 6% of patients with CTS have diabetes.
Since both obesity and Type II diabetes are linked, there may be a causal link between these medical conditions and CTS. These findings make it all the more important to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise every day and avoid being overweight.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Gas- todays health update :)
The Better Life Experts | November 6, 2008
Okay, you’re eating more fruits and vegetables in order to live a healthier life. You’ve even added some soy products to the mix and now you’re paying the price (in gas).
What causes gas? Generally, gas comes from two sources: Swallowed air and the normal breakdown of certain undigested foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the intestines and colon.
Small amounts of air swallowing occur while eating and drinking. However, rapid eating or drinking, chewing gum, smoking or loose dental work can cause some people to take in more air than usual.
Foods that produce gas in one person may not cause gas in another. The balance of bacteria may explain why some people are “gassier” than others.
Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas. Sugars such as raffinose, lactose, fructose and sorbitol are the major culprits. Raffinose is found in beans, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, asparagus and other vegetables as well as whole grains. Lactose is found in milk and milk products such as cheese, ice cream, processed foods, breads, cereals and dressings. Fructose is naturally present in onions, pears, artichokes and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks and fruit drinks. Sorbitol is found naturally in apples, pears, peaches and prunes. It is also used as an artificial sweetener in dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gum. Starches such as potatoes, corn and pasta produce gas as they break down in the large intestines; rice does not produce gas. Fiber in oat bran, beans, peas and many fruits is also broken down in the large intestines. Insoluble fiber passes essentially unchanged through the intestines and produces little gas.
What is a body to do? Health professionals warn against cutting out foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and skim milk products that produce gas – these are healthy products that should be consumed daily. It is also likely that many of the high fat foods we consume contribute greatly to intestinal bloating and discomfort and can be reduced or eliminated from our diets.
We suggest introducing digestive enzymes (available over the counter) to help digest carbohydrates into your diet. Taking digestive enzymes may allow people to eat foods that normally cause gas. Prescription medications for people who have been diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) help to reduce symptoms. Finally, if you suffer from chronic burping, try to avoid chewing gum and hard candies. Eat at a slower pace and get a dental check-up.
Don’t give up on healthy food choices. The benefit derived from eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day far outweighs the side effect of added gas.
Okay, you’re eating more fruits and vegetables in order to live a healthier life. You’ve even added some soy products to the mix and now you’re paying the price (in gas).
What causes gas? Generally, gas comes from two sources: Swallowed air and the normal breakdown of certain undigested foods by harmless bacteria naturally present in the intestines and colon.
Small amounts of air swallowing occur while eating and drinking. However, rapid eating or drinking, chewing gum, smoking or loose dental work can cause some people to take in more air than usual.
Foods that produce gas in one person may not cause gas in another. The balance of bacteria may explain why some people are “gassier” than others.
Most foods that contain carbohydrates can cause gas. Sugars such as raffinose, lactose, fructose and sorbitol are the major culprits. Raffinose is found in beans, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, asparagus and other vegetables as well as whole grains. Lactose is found in milk and milk products such as cheese, ice cream, processed foods, breads, cereals and dressings. Fructose is naturally present in onions, pears, artichokes and wheat. It is also used as a sweetener in some soft drinks and fruit drinks. Sorbitol is found naturally in apples, pears, peaches and prunes. It is also used as an artificial sweetener in dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gum. Starches such as potatoes, corn and pasta produce gas as they break down in the large intestines; rice does not produce gas. Fiber in oat bran, beans, peas and many fruits is also broken down in the large intestines. Insoluble fiber passes essentially unchanged through the intestines and produces little gas.
What is a body to do? Health professionals warn against cutting out foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains and skim milk products that produce gas – these are healthy products that should be consumed daily. It is also likely that many of the high fat foods we consume contribute greatly to intestinal bloating and discomfort and can be reduced or eliminated from our diets.
We suggest introducing digestive enzymes (available over the counter) to help digest carbohydrates into your diet. Taking digestive enzymes may allow people to eat foods that normally cause gas. Prescription medications for people who have been diagnosed with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) help to reduce symptoms. Finally, if you suffer from chronic burping, try to avoid chewing gum and hard candies. Eat at a slower pace and get a dental check-up.
Don’t give up on healthy food choices. The benefit derived from eating 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day far outweighs the side effect of added gas.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Apple Season-
The Better Life Experts | October 30, 2008
It is fall in the great state of Michigan and that means APPLE SEASON. Apples are a versatile and wonderful low-calorie food, have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and contain small amounts of potassium, which may promote heart health, help maintain healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight. We came across this recipe at our local farm stand in Ada and want to share it with you. We made a few changes to the recipe so that it fits into a healthy weight loss/management program. Give it a try and tell us what you think…
Serves 6 as a side dish or main dish w/ other vegetable
Ingredients
6 oz. linguine, cooked and cooled
6 oz. grilled chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 Michigan Apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Dressing
½ cup bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette
¼ cup light mayonnaise
Freshly ground pepper
Nutritional Facts
Calories 340
Fat cal 160
Total fat 18g
Saturated fat 2.0
Cholesterol 40 mg
Sodium 640 mg
Carbohydrate 33 g
Fiber 3 g
Sugars 10 g
Protein 15.0 g
Combine dressing ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.
In large bowl, combine linguine, chicken, apple, dried cherries, celery, tarragon and salt. Stir in dressing, mixing to combine. Season with pepper. Refrigerate 2-3 hours to combine flavors. To serve, top with chopped walnuts and cheddar cheese.
It is fall in the great state of Michigan and that means APPLE SEASON. Apples are a versatile and wonderful low-calorie food, have no fat, cholesterol or sodium, and contain small amounts of potassium, which may promote heart health, help maintain healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight. We came across this recipe at our local farm stand in Ada and want to share it with you. We made a few changes to the recipe so that it fits into a healthy weight loss/management program. Give it a try and tell us what you think…
Serves 6 as a side dish or main dish w/ other vegetable
Ingredients
6 oz. linguine, cooked and cooled
6 oz. grilled chicken breast, thinly sliced
1 Michigan Apple, peeled, cored and coarsely chopped
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup chopped celery
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Dressing
½ cup bottled Balsamic Vinaigrette
¼ cup light mayonnaise
Freshly ground pepper
Nutritional Facts
Calories 340
Fat cal 160
Total fat 18g
Saturated fat 2.0
Cholesterol 40 mg
Sodium 640 mg
Carbohydrate 33 g
Fiber 3 g
Sugars 10 g
Protein 15.0 g
Combine dressing ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.
In large bowl, combine linguine, chicken, apple, dried cherries, celery, tarragon and salt. Stir in dressing, mixing to combine. Season with pepper. Refrigerate 2-3 hours to combine flavors. To serve, top with chopped walnuts and cheddar cheese.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Satisfaction & Weight Loss
The Better Life Experts | October 23, 2008
Most of us who have dieted or who are currently dieting struggle with impulsivity. The need to satisfy a small short term “need” (eating that chocolate doughnut) overpowers our long term goal (losing unwanted weight). Is this the result of nature or nurture?
Satisfaction derived from eating is probably a combination of the two. We are hard-wired to eat when the opportunity presents itself as part of our survival instinct. That’s the nature part of the equation; we eat to meet the basic need to survive. But, what we eat is choice-driven – our decision about which foods to eat is based upon their availability. Apple or doughnut? Salad or french fries? Double Deluxe hamburger or grilled chicken pita sandwich? That’s the nurture part of the equation, and the part that we can control.
What if one of the keys to losing weight is to avoid giving ourselves so many choices? After all, the body is just as satisfied with an apple as it is with a doughnut (probably more so since it’s easier to digest). Try limiting your options by avoiding restaurants, vending machines, and the break room if you are tempted by fattening foods. This simple strategy can help limit extra calories eaten throughout the day that are avoidable, unnecessary, and pack on unwanted pounds.
Most of us who have dieted or who are currently dieting struggle with impulsivity. The need to satisfy a small short term “need” (eating that chocolate doughnut) overpowers our long term goal (losing unwanted weight). Is this the result of nature or nurture?
Satisfaction derived from eating is probably a combination of the two. We are hard-wired to eat when the opportunity presents itself as part of our survival instinct. That’s the nature part of the equation; we eat to meet the basic need to survive. But, what we eat is choice-driven – our decision about which foods to eat is based upon their availability. Apple or doughnut? Salad or french fries? Double Deluxe hamburger or grilled chicken pita sandwich? That’s the nurture part of the equation, and the part that we can control.
What if one of the keys to losing weight is to avoid giving ourselves so many choices? After all, the body is just as satisfied with an apple as it is with a doughnut (probably more so since it’s easier to digest). Try limiting your options by avoiding restaurants, vending machines, and the break room if you are tempted by fattening foods. This simple strategy can help limit extra calories eaten throughout the day that are avoidable, unnecessary, and pack on unwanted pounds.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Give Your Faith a Voice
Today's Scripture
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
(2 Corinthians 4:13 KJ).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Every believer has been given a measure of faith. In order to see the promises of God come to pass in your life, you have to give your faith a voice. You must declare what God says about you in His Word. Those seeds of faith inside you are activated when you speak them out into the atmosphere. Thats why the scripture tells us, Let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich. When you give your faith a voice and send forth the Word of God out of your mouth, the Bible says that He watches over His Word to bring it to pass in your life.
Dont dig up your seed by speaking against His Word. Dont allow words of defeat or negativity to come out of your mouth. Instead, water your seed by continuing to declare the Word of God. When you wake up every morning, thank Him that His promises are coming to pass in your life. As you do, you will see those things come to pass, and you will live the life of victory God has prepared for you.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, I humbly come before You giving You my thoughts, my actions, and my words. Help me to activate my faith by speaking Your Word daily. May my words and thoughts be pleasing to You always. In Jesus Name. Amen.
We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
(2 Corinthians 4:13 KJ).
Today's Word from Joel and Victoria
Every believer has been given a measure of faith. In order to see the promises of God come to pass in your life, you have to give your faith a voice. You must declare what God says about you in His Word. Those seeds of faith inside you are activated when you speak them out into the atmosphere. Thats why the scripture tells us, Let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich. When you give your faith a voice and send forth the Word of God out of your mouth, the Bible says that He watches over His Word to bring it to pass in your life.
Dont dig up your seed by speaking against His Word. Dont allow words of defeat or negativity to come out of your mouth. Instead, water your seed by continuing to declare the Word of God. When you wake up every morning, thank Him that His promises are coming to pass in your life. As you do, you will see those things come to pass, and you will live the life of victory God has prepared for you.
A Prayer for Today
Father in heaven, I humbly come before You giving You my thoughts, my actions, and my words. Help me to activate my faith by speaking Your Word daily. May my words and thoughts be pleasing to You always. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Stress—Controlling It Before It Controls You, Part 3
The Better Life Experts | October 21, 2008
The Aggressor
The person who lashes out at others seldom initiates the experience and usually doesn’t enjoy it. Since the Aggressor would probably prefer to avoid these highly stressful situations, adequate preparation would probably lead to a more desirable outcome. Here’s where meal planning can be very helpful. Whereas some foods tend to have a calming effect, other foods frequently have a stimulating effect and should be avoided if we are stress-prone or are facing a stressful situation.
Foods that give sudden bursts of energy should be avoided. These include high-sugar foods like pastry, soda and candy. Alcohol should also be used in moderation, if at all, due to its tendency to release inhibitions. Fruits are a good substitution for those who enjoy sweets because the fructose in the fruit is absorbed in a way that does not exaggerate your mood. Similarly, sugar-free snacks and those containing lean protein provide a slow-release of energy into the bloodstream, sustaining us throughout the day. A diet containing fish such as tuna or salmon twice per week also keeps the protein level at a healthy level. See Stress-Less Food Choices at the end of this series for tips.
The person with aggressive tendencies can appear similar to the Denier since both tend to be outgoing and active. However, while the Denier frequently seeks out stimulating experiences, the Aggressor is usually reactive to them. Obviously, some people seek out opportunities to exercise their aggressive nature; but for those individuals who tend to strike out at others impulsively when under stress, food choices can go a long way toward keeping aggression under control and channeling the energy to your advantage.
The Denier
The person who seeks out high risk behaviors and excitement is often attempting to increase their dopamine level through inappropriate means. The same is true of individuals who engage in addictive behaviors. However, when levels of dopamine are too high, a person can experience a panic attack.
Foods that can safely increase dopamine are snacks such as nuts and seeds, and tyrosine-rich proteins found in salmon, tuna and shellfish. The obvious benefit of elevating and maintaining a higher dopamine level via this method is that these foods are highly nutritious and tend to remain in our system longer.
Since the Denier also tends to experience bouts of depression, foods that increase the serotonin level can help level off the mood swings. Serotonin is found in complex carbohydrates (e.g., oatmeal, Wheat thins and whole grains). Dairy products and protein-rich foods like white flaky fish, chicken and turkey can also raise the serotonin level. During times of stress, foods such as avocados, soft cheese, red meats and coffee should be avoided. Since Denier’s are prone to be compulsive eaters, it would be important for them to keep on hand snacks that are closest to their natural form rather than those high in sugar, additives and refined ingredients. Supplements such as fish oil and flaxseed can also help to keep mood swings in check.
The Withdrawer
The person who copes by withdrawing frequently struggles with anxious depression. Easily overwhelmed by expectations and stressful situations, the Withdrawer lives in constant fear of being negatively evaluated by others. Unfortunately, this behavior provides fewer opportunities to the person to attain the skills needed to become competent and successful. Their preferred coping strategy is to be controlling and perfectionistic, but when that isn’t possible, the person often resorts to withdrawal. Since these individuals often find comfort in food, they are more likely to suffer from eating disorders and/or obesity.
The Withdrawer would benefit from a diet that avoids the so-called comfort foods (e.g., fried foods, sweets, foods high in carbohydrates) since they tend to have a short-term benefit of relieving anxiety. However, the temporary benefit is quickly replaced by heightened depression, not only because of the biochemical “crash” following carb-loading and the sudden intake of sucrose, but because this strategy frequently leads to weight gain.
Foods high in proteins and those that help maintain the stress hormone balance are better able to counter the wearing effects of stress on the immune system. By including fish in the diet two or three times per week along with daily servings of cruciferous vegetables, you can help boost the immune system. Additionally, taking supplements such as flaxseed and fish oil as well as antioxidants on a daily basis can also be beneficial.
The Aggressor
The person who lashes out at others seldom initiates the experience and usually doesn’t enjoy it. Since the Aggressor would probably prefer to avoid these highly stressful situations, adequate preparation would probably lead to a more desirable outcome. Here’s where meal planning can be very helpful. Whereas some foods tend to have a calming effect, other foods frequently have a stimulating effect and should be avoided if we are stress-prone or are facing a stressful situation.
Foods that give sudden bursts of energy should be avoided. These include high-sugar foods like pastry, soda and candy. Alcohol should also be used in moderation, if at all, due to its tendency to release inhibitions. Fruits are a good substitution for those who enjoy sweets because the fructose in the fruit is absorbed in a way that does not exaggerate your mood. Similarly, sugar-free snacks and those containing lean protein provide a slow-release of energy into the bloodstream, sustaining us throughout the day. A diet containing fish such as tuna or salmon twice per week also keeps the protein level at a healthy level. See Stress-Less Food Choices at the end of this series for tips.
The person with aggressive tendencies can appear similar to the Denier since both tend to be outgoing and active. However, while the Denier frequently seeks out stimulating experiences, the Aggressor is usually reactive to them. Obviously, some people seek out opportunities to exercise their aggressive nature; but for those individuals who tend to strike out at others impulsively when under stress, food choices can go a long way toward keeping aggression under control and channeling the energy to your advantage.
The Denier
The person who seeks out high risk behaviors and excitement is often attempting to increase their dopamine level through inappropriate means. The same is true of individuals who engage in addictive behaviors. However, when levels of dopamine are too high, a person can experience a panic attack.
Foods that can safely increase dopamine are snacks such as nuts and seeds, and tyrosine-rich proteins found in salmon, tuna and shellfish. The obvious benefit of elevating and maintaining a higher dopamine level via this method is that these foods are highly nutritious and tend to remain in our system longer.
Since the Denier also tends to experience bouts of depression, foods that increase the serotonin level can help level off the mood swings. Serotonin is found in complex carbohydrates (e.g., oatmeal, Wheat thins and whole grains). Dairy products and protein-rich foods like white flaky fish, chicken and turkey can also raise the serotonin level. During times of stress, foods such as avocados, soft cheese, red meats and coffee should be avoided. Since Denier’s are prone to be compulsive eaters, it would be important for them to keep on hand snacks that are closest to their natural form rather than those high in sugar, additives and refined ingredients. Supplements such as fish oil and flaxseed can also help to keep mood swings in check.
The Withdrawer
The person who copes by withdrawing frequently struggles with anxious depression. Easily overwhelmed by expectations and stressful situations, the Withdrawer lives in constant fear of being negatively evaluated by others. Unfortunately, this behavior provides fewer opportunities to the person to attain the skills needed to become competent and successful. Their preferred coping strategy is to be controlling and perfectionistic, but when that isn’t possible, the person often resorts to withdrawal. Since these individuals often find comfort in food, they are more likely to suffer from eating disorders and/or obesity.
The Withdrawer would benefit from a diet that avoids the so-called comfort foods (e.g., fried foods, sweets, foods high in carbohydrates) since they tend to have a short-term benefit of relieving anxiety. However, the temporary benefit is quickly replaced by heightened depression, not only because of the biochemical “crash” following carb-loading and the sudden intake of sucrose, but because this strategy frequently leads to weight gain.
Foods high in proteins and those that help maintain the stress hormone balance are better able to counter the wearing effects of stress on the immune system. By including fish in the diet two or three times per week along with daily servings of cruciferous vegetables, you can help boost the immune system. Additionally, taking supplements such as flaxseed and fish oil as well as antioxidants on a daily basis can also be beneficial.
Monday, October 20, 2008
TEMPLEtuesdays
OK... MOM's unite!!
We have some feedback for the babysitting swap...
Laura Franklin, Krista Lundell, Julie VanNess, and Kirsten Dasilva all said they would like to swap...for a morning at the temple.
We have some feedback for the babysitting swap...
Laura Franklin, Krista Lundell, Julie VanNess, and Kirsten Dasilva all said they would like to swap...for a morning at the temple.
In the HUNT for Christmas gift ideas..
SHAUNA's RESPONSE
------------------------------(I sent the pix on email)
I heard you talking on Thursday about possibly wanting to do some of the vinyl lettering projects. I've included some photos of the ones that I did on tiles with the quotes listed below.
In all of living, have
much fun and laughter.
Life is to be enjoyed,
not just endured.
Gordon B. Hinckley
Never be afraid to
trust an unknown
future to an all
knowing God.
------------------------------(I sent the pix on email)
I heard you talking on Thursday about possibly wanting to do some of the vinyl lettering projects. I've included some photos of the ones that I did on tiles with the quotes listed below.
In all of living, have
much fun and laughter.
Life is to be enjoyed,
not just endured.
Gordon B. Hinckley
Never be afraid to
trust an unknown
future to an all
knowing God.
NOV 6th we are supposed to be making some of our Christmas gifts... WE NEED
YOUR IDEAS... Melissa Brewer- rumor has it you have some cool
ideas...HELP!!!
NOV 13th we are supposed to be taking our little ones on a field trip... WE
NEED YOUR IDEAS... HELP :-) NOV 20th for those of you who misses our first
HFPE... We have talked Karen Rich into helping us with our control journals.
Bring your binder, read up on www.flylady.net THIS IS ALSO OUR RECIPE
EXCHANGE...SLOW COOKER SOUPS...BRING YOUR FAVORITE SOUP TO SHARE AND THE
RECIPE FOR US TO STEAL :-)
----------------------
HERE IS MELISSA BREWER'S RESPONSE
WHO SAID SUCH THINGS?? And what are they saying? Because I don't know of
anything that I can make that people would know about!!!!
Im working on a new bracelet. Its got a picture charm on it that's NO SOLDER
and super easy!!! But it might be kind of crazy since I don't have enough
beads for everyone. Um... I can teach how to do it? Or maybe I can make a
few and people can pick one to make and give me the money ahead of time? But
I don't even know if theyre cute yet. I got to show them around and test
them out to see!!! I can make mixing spoons too? See the 2nd to the last
post here... http://retromommies.blogspot.com/ Theyre cute for a small gift
paired with like a sauce and some noodles or cookie mix packaged cute.
OOOOH! maybe we could focus on small gifts... Like the ones you give to kids
teachers or trade with family friends. I was planning on making smore making
kits this year. Its all about presentation you know. Anything can be
fabulous!
Um so yah. Ive got small ideas. Nothing that's good for like a HERES YOUR
BIG CHRISTMAS GIFT- GIFT.
YOUR IDEAS... Melissa Brewer- rumor has it you have some cool
ideas...HELP!!!
NOV 13th we are supposed to be taking our little ones on a field trip... WE
NEED YOUR IDEAS... HELP :-) NOV 20th for those of you who misses our first
HFPE... We have talked Karen Rich into helping us with our control journals.
Bring your binder, read up on www.flylady.net THIS IS ALSO OUR RECIPE
EXCHANGE...SLOW COOKER SOUPS...BRING YOUR FAVORITE SOUP TO SHARE AND THE
RECIPE FOR US TO STEAL :-)
----------------------
HERE IS MELISSA BREWER'S RESPONSE
WHO SAID SUCH THINGS?? And what are they saying? Because I don't know of
anything that I can make that people would know about!!!!
Im working on a new bracelet. Its got a picture charm on it that's NO SOLDER
and super easy!!! But it might be kind of crazy since I don't have enough
beads for everyone. Um... I can teach how to do it? Or maybe I can make a
few and people can pick one to make and give me the money ahead of time? But
I don't even know if theyre cute yet. I got to show them around and test
them out to see!!! I can make mixing spoons too? See the 2nd to the last
post here... http://retromommies.blogspot.com/ Theyre cute for a small gift
paired with like a sauce and some noodles or cookie mix packaged cute.
OOOOH! maybe we could focus on small gifts... Like the ones you give to kids
teachers or trade with family friends. I was planning on making smore making
kits this year. Its all about presentation you know. Anything can be
fabulous!
Um so yah. Ive got small ideas. Nothing that's good for like a HERES YOUR
BIG CHRISTMAS GIFT- GIFT.
Schedule change
Hi Ladies,
I wanted to let you know we rearranged our schedule a bit for MIDweek.
This coming Thursday 23rd... We are going to be sharing ideas on how to SAVE money in this economy... bring your ideas. Kirsten Dasilva will be leading the
discussion.
Next thursday 30th... We are going to be learning about and possibly organizing the opportunity for freezer meals. Laura Franklin will be leading the
discussion.
Don't forget Tuesday night Kirsten Dasilva is opening her home for anyone who wants to learn how she uses coupons... I will say she bought 6 items a few
days ago and made $.16 in the process. 8 pm -
I wanted to let you know we rearranged our schedule a bit for MIDweek.
This coming Thursday 23rd... We are going to be sharing ideas on how to SAVE money in this economy... bring your ideas. Kirsten Dasilva will be leading the
discussion.
Next thursday 30th... We are going to be learning about and possibly organizing the opportunity for freezer meals. Laura Franklin will be leading the
discussion.
Don't forget Tuesday night Kirsten Dasilva is opening her home for anyone who wants to learn how she uses coupons... I will say she bought 6 items a few
days ago and made $.16 in the process. 8 pm -
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
The Dreaded “Middle Age Spread”
The Better Life Experts | October 13, 2008
Most of us are familiar with this phenomenon – as we get older our proportions of fat to body weight tends to increase. Extra pounds tend to move in around the midsection of our bodies as the ratio of fat to lean tissue shifts and fat storage begins to take a liking to the upper body, hips and thighs. So much so that even if people don’t actually gain weight in middle age, they may still gain inches at the waist.
What should we do about our tubby tummies? For starters, we need to begin to bring weight under control (generally) and engage in waging war against abdominal fat through regular moderate intensity exercise. Strength training for men and women helps to fight abdominal fat; spot exercising, such as sit-ups, bent leg crunches, straight leg crunches and push-ups can help tighten abdominal muscles; 30 minutes of aerobic exercise helps to burn calories and stored fat. Finally, a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and mono/polyunsaturated fats will help curb the expansion of our waistlines and even reduce inches if adopted as part of a lifestyle change.
It sounds so simple - and it is, but no one ever said that it was easy to make necessary changes in our lives. Remember the maxim “exercise more and eat less”; your waistline will thank you for it.
Most of us are familiar with this phenomenon – as we get older our proportions of fat to body weight tends to increase. Extra pounds tend to move in around the midsection of our bodies as the ratio of fat to lean tissue shifts and fat storage begins to take a liking to the upper body, hips and thighs. So much so that even if people don’t actually gain weight in middle age, they may still gain inches at the waist.
What should we do about our tubby tummies? For starters, we need to begin to bring weight under control (generally) and engage in waging war against abdominal fat through regular moderate intensity exercise. Strength training for men and women helps to fight abdominal fat; spot exercising, such as sit-ups, bent leg crunches, straight leg crunches and push-ups can help tighten abdominal muscles; 30 minutes of aerobic exercise helps to burn calories and stored fat. Finally, a diet that is high in complex carbohydrates, lean proteins and mono/polyunsaturated fats will help curb the expansion of our waistlines and even reduce inches if adopted as part of a lifestyle change.
It sounds so simple - and it is, but no one ever said that it was easy to make necessary changes in our lives. Remember the maxim “exercise more and eat less”; your waistline will thank you for it.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Is Halloween Candy Safe For Our Kids?
Is Halloween Candy Safe For Our Kids?
The Better Life Experts | October 9, 2008
On Monday, September 29, 2008, the Cadbury Candy Company, one of the largest candy empires in the world, recalled 11 types of their candies manufactured in China from store shelves due to suspected melamine chemical contamination. Cadbury’s ordered their recall because tests done on milk chocolate in its Beijing factory have “cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China”.
What is melamine? Melamine is a nitrogen based product used in fertilizers, glues, and other industrial materials. This substance has been blamed for the deaths of at least 4 infants in China, and is suspected in the hospitalization of over 50,000 others. Melamine was also behind the recall of pet foods in 2007 that killed and sickened many dogs and cats in the United States.
The contaminated candy was distributed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. The FDA has not issued a general recall for Cadbury candy distributed and sold in the United States. HOWEVER, a particular brand of Cadbury candy that has been sold in the United States, and MAY be made with contaminated dairy products is sold under the brand name of WHITE RABBIT CANDY. The FDA recommended last week that consumers do not eat White Rabbit Candy and retailers remove the product from store shelves. So, if your child comes home with any White Rabbit Candy on Halloween, do not eat it and do not throw it away! Contact the authorities, and turn the suspected candy over to them! GOT IT?!?!
Okay, now the good news! The Hershey Candy Company of Pennsylvania and The MARS Company have released statements saying that they do not purchase dry milk from China and that both Hershey and MARS Company candy is safe for Halloween Trick or Treaters.
We all want our children to have a fun time with lots of Halloween adventures. Make sure your child’s adventure is also a safe one by checking all the contents in their “goodie bags” – screen for suspected candy and other food items before anything is eaten.
God Bless and Happy Halloween.
The Better Life Experts | October 9, 2008
On Monday, September 29, 2008, the Cadbury Candy Company, one of the largest candy empires in the world, recalled 11 types of their candies manufactured in China from store shelves due to suspected melamine chemical contamination. Cadbury’s ordered their recall because tests done on milk chocolate in its Beijing factory have “cast doubt on the integrity of a range of our products manufactured in China”.
What is melamine? Melamine is a nitrogen based product used in fertilizers, glues, and other industrial materials. This substance has been blamed for the deaths of at least 4 infants in China, and is suspected in the hospitalization of over 50,000 others. Melamine was also behind the recall of pet foods in 2007 that killed and sickened many dogs and cats in the United States.
The contaminated candy was distributed in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia. The FDA has not issued a general recall for Cadbury candy distributed and sold in the United States. HOWEVER, a particular brand of Cadbury candy that has been sold in the United States, and MAY be made with contaminated dairy products is sold under the brand name of WHITE RABBIT CANDY. The FDA recommended last week that consumers do not eat White Rabbit Candy and retailers remove the product from store shelves. So, if your child comes home with any White Rabbit Candy on Halloween, do not eat it and do not throw it away! Contact the authorities, and turn the suspected candy over to them! GOT IT?!?!
Okay, now the good news! The Hershey Candy Company of Pennsylvania and The MARS Company have released statements saying that they do not purchase dry milk from China and that both Hershey and MARS Company candy is safe for Halloween Trick or Treaters.
We all want our children to have a fun time with lots of Halloween adventures. Make sure your child’s adventure is also a safe one by checking all the contents in their “goodie bags” – screen for suspected candy and other food items before anything is eaten.
God Bless and Happy Halloween.
GIRLS IN MY CIRCLE
When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.
One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
Another friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.
But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ..
Those are your best friends.
It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
a couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbour,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.
Thanks for being in my circle.
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.
One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
Another friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.
But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself ..
Those are your best friends.
It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
a couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbour,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.
Thanks for being in my circle.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
STRESS - yuk
Stress—Controlling It Before It Controls You, Part 1
The Better Life Experts | September 23, 2008
Stress – what is stress?
We think of stress in basically two ways — the pressure we experience from external sources, and the internal experience that we feel when pressure is placed upon us. For our purposes in this series, we will be referring to stress as the way we experience pressure and how we respond to it.
Stress, as we experience it, is a common physiological reaction to pressure, strain, anxiety, constant worry and tension. Everyone experiences stress – it is part of our biology. The human nervous system is complex and many factors affect the ways in which the parasympathetic (relaxation) and sympathetic (fight or flight) structures interact. We can quite literally make ourselves sick from stress, especially if it remains uncontrolled and untreated. Your body cannot force you to deal with stress in the most obvious sense, but it can make you aware of “system errors” through varied means.
Stress in the workplace and stress at home. . . . It is important to recognize and acknowledge your stress before you lose your job or personal relationships due to major health issues or inappropriate behavioral responses.
What are some physiological reactions to stress?
Headaches
Fatigue
High Blood Pressure
Weakened immune system (increase in colds, flu, etc)
Heart attacks
Strokes
Blood sugar fluctuations
What are some common behavioral responses to stress?
Throughout this series on stress, we will “lump” behavior into three categories and discuss some characteristics that are commonly found in each behavioral category. We will examine coping strategies and find ways to modify and improve responses through the use of lifestyle change.
The Aggressor, the Denier, the Withdrawer – which one are you?
Characteristics of the Aggressor:
Tends to take stress/anger out on others
Can be physical – throwing things, hitting objects (or people/animals), slamming doors
Verbally attacks self and others; finds fault and blames others
Extreme irritability
Shows poor judgment under stress
Characteristics of the Denier:
Fails to acknowledge there is stress
Experiences increased energy, activity and restlessness
Has racing thoughts, jumps from one idea to another and talks fast
Denies that anything is wrong; only sees the positive side to a situation
Uses poor judgment
Engages in thrill seeking behavior
Intrusive behavior (doesn’t respect other people’s boundaries)
Keeps a tight lid on feelings; reactions are often not in line with what other people reveal or admit to feeling
Characteristics of the Withdrawer:
Attempts to reduce or remove stressful feelings through escapism
Tends to feel depressed
Shuts down and retreats from people, activities or relationships
Retreats as a means of control and establishing a safety net
Assumes passive role
Becomes sedentary and secretive
The Better Life Experts | September 23, 2008
Stress – what is stress?
We think of stress in basically two ways — the pressure we experience from external sources, and the internal experience that we feel when pressure is placed upon us. For our purposes in this series, we will be referring to stress as the way we experience pressure and how we respond to it.
Stress, as we experience it, is a common physiological reaction to pressure, strain, anxiety, constant worry and tension. Everyone experiences stress – it is part of our biology. The human nervous system is complex and many factors affect the ways in which the parasympathetic (relaxation) and sympathetic (fight or flight) structures interact. We can quite literally make ourselves sick from stress, especially if it remains uncontrolled and untreated. Your body cannot force you to deal with stress in the most obvious sense, but it can make you aware of “system errors” through varied means.
Stress in the workplace and stress at home. . . . It is important to recognize and acknowledge your stress before you lose your job or personal relationships due to major health issues or inappropriate behavioral responses.
What are some physiological reactions to stress?
Headaches
Fatigue
High Blood Pressure
Weakened immune system (increase in colds, flu, etc)
Heart attacks
Strokes
Blood sugar fluctuations
What are some common behavioral responses to stress?
Throughout this series on stress, we will “lump” behavior into three categories and discuss some characteristics that are commonly found in each behavioral category. We will examine coping strategies and find ways to modify and improve responses through the use of lifestyle change.
The Aggressor, the Denier, the Withdrawer – which one are you?
Characteristics of the Aggressor:
Tends to take stress/anger out on others
Can be physical – throwing things, hitting objects (or people/animals), slamming doors
Verbally attacks self and others; finds fault and blames others
Extreme irritability
Shows poor judgment under stress
Characteristics of the Denier:
Fails to acknowledge there is stress
Experiences increased energy, activity and restlessness
Has racing thoughts, jumps from one idea to another and talks fast
Denies that anything is wrong; only sees the positive side to a situation
Uses poor judgment
Engages in thrill seeking behavior
Intrusive behavior (doesn’t respect other people’s boundaries)
Keeps a tight lid on feelings; reactions are often not in line with what other people reveal or admit to feeling
Characteristics of the Withdrawer:
Attempts to reduce or remove stressful feelings through escapism
Tends to feel depressed
Shuts down and retreats from people, activities or relationships
Retreats as a means of control and establishing a safety net
Assumes passive role
Becomes sedentary and secretive
Thursday, September 18, 2008
for those of us GETTIN'healthy
Cravings
The Better Life Experts | September 18, 2008
Most of us think about craving as a call to action – stuff something (preferably salty, sweet or fattening) into our mouths. But, as we see from the Miriam-Webster Dictionary definition below, craving is a noun (a person, place or thing) and not a verb (action word).
Main Entry:
crav•ing
Pronunciation:
\'kra-vi?\
Function:
noun
Date:
1633
:an intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing
Sometimes a craving will occur when the body requires certain nutrients that our diets are not providing and we need to pay attention to this valuable hard-wired signal that alerts us for dietary deficiencies. Many times, however, what we perceive as craving is really habit. We may feel an intense desire to eat chocolate, but our bodies do not need chocolate to function properly. Learn to separate your nouns and verbs: desire or longing is a thing; eating chocolate is one of hundreds of possible things we can do to satisfy craving, not the only one.
The Better Life Experts | September 18, 2008
Most of us think about craving as a call to action – stuff something (preferably salty, sweet or fattening) into our mouths. But, as we see from the Miriam-Webster Dictionary definition below, craving is a noun (a person, place or thing) and not a verb (action word).
Main Entry:
crav•ing
Pronunciation:
\'kra-vi?\
Function:
noun
Date:
1633
:an intense, urgent, or abnormal desire or longing
Sometimes a craving will occur when the body requires certain nutrients that our diets are not providing and we need to pay attention to this valuable hard-wired signal that alerts us for dietary deficiencies. Many times, however, what we perceive as craving is really habit. We may feel an intense desire to eat chocolate, but our bodies do not need chocolate to function properly. Learn to separate your nouns and verbs: desire or longing is a thing; eating chocolate is one of hundreds of possible things we can do to satisfy craving, not the only one.
Monday, September 15, 2008
TIP to add to HFPE in September
The Kitchen Sponge
The Better Life Experts | September 15, 2008
According to the USDA Department of Agricultural Research, the average kitchen sponge is saturated with mold, bacteria and yeast, giving food pathogens free range to roam on kitchen countertops, dishes, small appliances and eventually enter your mouth. The result is often downright distasteful – stomach pains, cramping, and diarrhea.
Should a sponge be used once and thrown away? Not if you have a microwave or dishwasher. The USDA team who investigated different methods to clean dirty sponges found that microwaving sponges for one minute or running them through a dishwasher on a heated dry cycle killed more than 99% of bacteria, yeast and molds. Bleach solutions, lemon juice or deionized water killed an average of 37-87% of these pathogens.
So give your sponge a second chance. I can’t wait to get home and test out this study.
Reference: Sharma, M., Eastridge, J.S., Mudd, C.L. 2007. Effective disinfection methods of kitchen sponges [abstract]. Institute of Food Technologists. Control No. 3310.
The Better Life Experts | September 15, 2008
According to the USDA Department of Agricultural Research, the average kitchen sponge is saturated with mold, bacteria and yeast, giving food pathogens free range to roam on kitchen countertops, dishes, small appliances and eventually enter your mouth. The result is often downright distasteful – stomach pains, cramping, and diarrhea.
Should a sponge be used once and thrown away? Not if you have a microwave or dishwasher. The USDA team who investigated different methods to clean dirty sponges found that microwaving sponges for one minute or running them through a dishwasher on a heated dry cycle killed more than 99% of bacteria, yeast and molds. Bleach solutions, lemon juice or deionized water killed an average of 37-87% of these pathogens.
So give your sponge a second chance. I can’t wait to get home and test out this study.
Reference: Sharma, M., Eastridge, J.S., Mudd, C.L. 2007. Effective disinfection methods of kitchen sponges [abstract]. Institute of Food Technologists. Control No. 3310.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
DAYtrip
Come one! Come all!
We are meeting at the church @9:30 Saturday morning and then going to the Shaker Forest Festival.
The Shaker Forest Festival is annual 18th century arts and crafts event that features a wide variety of crafts with demonstrations of wood crafts, porcelain and pottery, quilt making, toy making, jewelry design, painting, stained glass designing, metal crafting, musical instrument making and much more.
The highlight of the Shaker Forest Festival is interacting with the craftspeople who are dressed in Shaker-period attire. Enjoy live entertainment, a petting zoo, pony and horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin decorating and lots more. Be sure to sample and take home an assortment of foods from the Shaker Kitchen.
Dates and Times:
September 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2008.
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location:
Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road.
Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Admission:
$6 in advance, $7.00 regular admission
Children 10 & under are free
For more information, visit the official site or call (866) 972-1244.
We are meeting at the church @9:30 Saturday morning and then going to the Shaker Forest Festival.
The Shaker Forest Festival is annual 18th century arts and crafts event that features a wide variety of crafts with demonstrations of wood crafts, porcelain and pottery, quilt making, toy making, jewelry design, painting, stained glass designing, metal crafting, musical instrument making and much more.
The highlight of the Shaker Forest Festival is interacting with the craftspeople who are dressed in Shaker-period attire. Enjoy live entertainment, a petting zoo, pony and horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin decorating and lots more. Be sure to sample and take home an assortment of foods from the Shaker Kitchen.
Dates and Times:
September 13, 14, 20 & 21, 2008.
10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Location:
Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road.
Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Admission:
$6 in advance, $7.00 regular admission
Children 10 & under are free
For more information, visit the official site or call (866) 972-1244.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
HAPPYbirthday
BIRTHdays
8th Tina Benhaim
8th Sue Matthews
11th Laura Robinson
12th Reeshemah Williams
13th Catherine Watson
14th Suzanne Moulton
16th Cathryn Ballou
16th Katy Childers
20th Alison Hearne
25th Aida Ancheta
8th Tina Benhaim
8th Sue Matthews
11th Laura Robinson
12th Reeshemah Williams
13th Catherine Watson
14th Suzanne Moulton
16th Cathryn Ballou
16th Katy Childers
20th Alison Hearne
25th Aida Ancheta
2 more CHOICES
Interfaith SHAREprogram
ppl buy voucher w/ cash $19 (approx), donate 2 hours of service
receive $40-$45 (approx) worth of groceries
approximate dates:
order 9/15 pick up 9/27
order 10/13 pick up 10/25
order 11/10 pick up 11/21
order 12/8 pick up 12/20
we will confirm exact info.
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November 29
Day trip
Allenberry Theatre
Boiling Spring, PA
ALL families invited
Dinner and a Christmas Show
*Further details, cost and time to follow
contact person: HELEN HARVEY
ppl buy voucher w/ cash $19 (approx), donate 2 hours of service
receive $40-$45 (approx) worth of groceries
approximate dates:
order 9/15 pick up 9/27
order 10/13 pick up 10/25
order 11/10 pick up 11/21
order 12/8 pick up 12/20
we will confirm exact info.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
November 29
Day trip
Allenberry Theatre
Boiling Spring, PA
ALL families invited
Dinner and a Christmas Show
*Further details, cost and time to follow
contact person: HELEN HARVEY
introducing MIDweek as a CHOICE
We are 'hearing you' - We would like to experiment between now and the end of the year by offering you the choice to come, associate, and develop yourself in a positive and uplifting environment - free of gossip and complaining!
Starting the first week of October we have filled the calendar with things that we hope will be of interest to many of you.
We will meet on Thursdays - from 9:30-11:30.
Each week will have a consistent agenda so if you want to come once a month or every week you can develop your personal calendar so that you fill your bucket with the things that would add value to the season of life you are in.
MIDweek
1st week - develop a talent
2nd week - field trip
3rd week - round table discussion
4th week - exercise
5th week - play group/round table/talent/you decide
Keep your ears open because there will be more to come. You will see that once a quarter the "WISE AND WONDERFUL" will have the opportunity to invite a date with them to dinner - could be their spouse.
You will also see more wonderful day trips as a 'choice'.
Thank you for your feedback... please keep it coming.
we love you!
Starting the first week of October we have filled the calendar with things that we hope will be of interest to many of you.
We will meet on Thursdays - from 9:30-11:30.
Each week will have a consistent agenda so if you want to come once a month or every week you can develop your personal calendar so that you fill your bucket with the things that would add value to the season of life you are in.
MIDweek
1st week - develop a talent
2nd week - field trip
3rd week - round table discussion
4th week - exercise
5th week - play group/round table/talent/you decide
Keep your ears open because there will be more to come. You will see that once a quarter the "WISE AND WONDERFUL" will have the opportunity to invite a date with them to dinner - could be their spouse.
You will also see more wonderful day trips as a 'choice'.
Thank you for your feedback... please keep it coming.
we love you!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Old Age, I decided, is a gift
I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long.
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be mes sy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ..... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.
And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)
I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend.
I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be mes sy, to be extravagant.
I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon?
I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ..... I will.
I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver
As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
So, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be.
And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
A List To Live By
The most destructive habit,..................................Worry
The greatest Joy,............................................Giving
The greatest loss,...........................................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work,....................................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait,...............................Selfishness
The most endangered species,.................................Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource,.............................Our youth & our elderly
The greatest “shot in the arm",..............................Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome,............................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill,............................Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease,..........................Excuses
The most powerful force in life,.............................Love
The most dangerous pariah,...................................A gossiper
The world’s most incredible computer,...................The brain
The worst thing to be without,...............................Hope
The deadliest weapon,........................................The tongue
The two most power-filled words,........................“I Can”
The greatest asset,.............................................Faith
The most worthless emotion,..................................Self-pity
The most prized possession,..................................Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication,...........Prayer
The most beautiful attire,.....................................SMILE!
The most contagious spirit...................................Enthusiasm
Our Greatest teacher..........................................Experience
To the world, YOU may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world!!
- anonymous
The greatest Joy,............................................Giving
The greatest loss,...........................................Loss of self-respect
The most satisfying work,....................................Helping others
The ugliest personality trait,...............................Selfishness
The most endangered species,.................................Dedicated leaders
Our greatest natural resource,.............................Our youth & our elderly
The greatest “shot in the arm",..............................Encouragement
The greatest problem to overcome,............................Fear
The most effective sleeping pill,............................Peace of mind
The most crippling failure disease,..........................Excuses
The most powerful force in life,.............................Love
The most dangerous pariah,...................................A gossiper
The world’s most incredible computer,...................The brain
The worst thing to be without,...............................Hope
The deadliest weapon,........................................The tongue
The two most power-filled words,........................“I Can”
The greatest asset,.............................................Faith
The most worthless emotion,..................................Self-pity
The most prized possession,..................................Integrity
The most powerful channel of communication,...........Prayer
The most beautiful attire,.....................................SMILE!
The most contagious spirit...................................Enthusiasm
Our Greatest teacher..........................................Experience
To the world, YOU may be one person; but to one person, you may be the world!!
- anonymous
a 2DO List for Life
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. Its OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14 If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years will it matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone for everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your family will.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
The author is unknown.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. Its OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14 If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years will it matter?”
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone for everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your family will.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
45. The best is yet to come.
46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
49. Yield.
50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.
The author is unknown.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
FILL YOUR many BUCKETS
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH 9 AM - 11 AM
We are getting closer to our Home Family and Personal Enrichment activity coming up this Saturday 9am.
I am in need of one wonderful volunteer to help us with a very SIMPLE skit (script in hand)... any takers?
Here is the homework assignment prior to breakfast.
TREASURE CHEST:
if you are bringing things to give away... please bring at 8:30 so it is set up and ready to go by breakfast.
THE BUCKET LIST: (fill your emotional/relational BUCKET)
Bring your thinking cap, ideas, needs, that are relevant to your season etc... decide what discussion you want to be a part of...
1) JUST GETTIN' STARTED- young adults; single, recently married, and/or with toddler children
2) IN THE THICK OF THINGS- if you have kids - they are somewhere between elementary and High school
3) LIFE IS CHANGING AROUND- if you have children they are in high school or older
*this is not age dictated but season of life or depth of perspective
THE CONTROL JOURNAL (fill your temporal/practical BUCKET)
Bring a 2"/3ring binder, about 20 sheet protectors, a printed emergency preparedness packet
a completed wallet card (from packet - optional)
I STAND IN HOLY PLACES (fill your SPIRITUAL BUCKET)
A desire to be proactive with the spirit you bring to your home.
The theme is ...come to FILL YOUR BUCKET. There are many tools available to FILL THE BUCKETS
in our lives... come gather some of the tools.
We are looking forward to sharing and hopefully enriching our lives together!!
We are getting closer to our Home Family and Personal Enrichment activity coming up this Saturday 9am.
I am in need of one wonderful volunteer to help us with a very SIMPLE skit (script in hand)... any takers?
Here is the homework assignment prior to breakfast.
TREASURE CHEST:
if you are bringing things to give away... please bring at 8:30 so it is set up and ready to go by breakfast.
THE BUCKET LIST: (fill your emotional/relational BUCKET)
Bring your thinking cap, ideas, needs, that are relevant to your season etc... decide what discussion you want to be a part of...
1) JUST GETTIN' STARTED- young adults; single, recently married, and/or with toddler children
2) IN THE THICK OF THINGS- if you have kids - they are somewhere between elementary and High school
3) LIFE IS CHANGING AROUND- if you have children they are in high school or older
*this is not age dictated but season of life or depth of perspective
THE CONTROL JOURNAL (fill your temporal/practical BUCKET)
Bring a 2"/3ring binder, about 20 sheet protectors, a printed emergency preparedness packet
a completed wallet card (from packet - optional)
I STAND IN HOLY PLACES (fill your SPIRITUAL BUCKET)
A desire to be proactive with the spirit you bring to your home.
The theme is ...come to FILL YOUR BUCKET. There are many tools available to FILL THE BUCKETS
in our lives... come gather some of the tools.
We are looking forward to sharing and hopefully enriching our lives together!!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
I'm Reading AGAIN
I have so much to learn and so little time...The 2 books I have chosen for this new month are:
1)Love and Respect (The love she most desires/The respect he desperately needs)by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
and
2)Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
--------------------------
I have never read Love and Respect but it comes highly recommended by my business coaches. I love learning how to better all of my relationships... and this would be the one that is most important to me next to my relationship to my Heavenly Father.
Here is the Message: A wife has one driving need - to feel loved. When that need is met, she is happy. A husband has one driving need - to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy. When either of these needs isn't met, things get crazy. Love and Respect reveals why spouses react negatively to each other, and how they can deal with such conflict quickly, easily and biblically. Based on over 3 decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr Eggerichs and his wife have already taken the LOVE AND RESPECT message across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other. What do you want for your marriage? want some peace? want to feel close? want to feel valued? want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some LOVE AND RESPECT.
-----------------------------
I have read Think and Grow Rich... Napoleon Hill has written several mind boggling books that speak the truth. It is amazing what our minds can comprehend and achieve. Because I own a business that to be successful you help others succeed... I am definitly interested in learning everything I can to make that so. THINK AND GROW RICH represents the distilled wisdom of distinguished men of great wealth and achievement. Andrew Carnegie's magic formula for success was the direct inspiration for this book. Carnegie demonstrated its soundness when his coaching brought fortunes to those young men to whom he had disclosed his secret. This book shows you what to do and how to do it. If you learn and apply the simple basic techniques revealed here, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success.
1)Love and Respect (The love she most desires/The respect he desperately needs)by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
and
2)Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
--------------------------
I have never read Love and Respect but it comes highly recommended by my business coaches. I love learning how to better all of my relationships... and this would be the one that is most important to me next to my relationship to my Heavenly Father.
Here is the Message: A wife has one driving need - to feel loved. When that need is met, she is happy. A husband has one driving need - to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy. When either of these needs isn't met, things get crazy. Love and Respect reveals why spouses react negatively to each other, and how they can deal with such conflict quickly, easily and biblically. Based on over 3 decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research, Dr Eggerichs and his wife have already taken the LOVE AND RESPECT message across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other. What do you want for your marriage? want some peace? want to feel close? want to feel valued? want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some LOVE AND RESPECT.
-----------------------------
I have read Think and Grow Rich... Napoleon Hill has written several mind boggling books that speak the truth. It is amazing what our minds can comprehend and achieve. Because I own a business that to be successful you help others succeed... I am definitly interested in learning everything I can to make that so. THINK AND GROW RICH represents the distilled wisdom of distinguished men of great wealth and achievement. Andrew Carnegie's magic formula for success was the direct inspiration for this book. Carnegie demonstrated its soundness when his coaching brought fortunes to those young men to whom he had disclosed his secret. This book shows you what to do and how to do it. If you learn and apply the simple basic techniques revealed here, you will have mastered the secret of true and lasting success.
Monday, August 18, 2008
FOR A GOOD LAUGH!
THE COPING DIET
Only for woman, for they alone can understand it. This is specially formulated diet
designed to help them cope with the female stresses that build during each day.
Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole wheat toast
1 cup skim milk
Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey's kiss
Afternoon Snack
The rest of the Hershey kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips
Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars
Late Night Snack
1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)
Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts.
Send this to four women and you will lose two pounds.
Send this to all the women you know (or ever knew)
and you will lose 10 pounds.
If you delete this message, you will gain 10 pounds immediately.
That is why I had to pass it on; I didn't want to risk it.
Only for woman, for they alone can understand it. This is specially formulated diet
designed to help them cope with the female stresses that build during each day.
Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole wheat toast
1 cup skim milk
Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey's kiss
Afternoon Snack
The rest of the Hershey kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips
Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars
Late Night Snack
1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)
Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts.
Send this to four women and you will lose two pounds.
Send this to all the women you know (or ever knew)
and you will lose 10 pounds.
If you delete this message, you will gain 10 pounds immediately.
That is why I had to pass it on; I didn't want to risk it.
Monday, July 28, 2008
HFPE - Sept. 6 (9am - 11am)
Hi ladies,
We are working out the details and I am VERY EXCITED!!!
Here is what we have so far...
We are starting PROMPTLY at 9 am.
BREAKFAST to be served is going to be DELICIOUS!!!
We will have buffet style:
fruit / yogurt parfaits with granola and CHOCOLATE pieces
Crepes - (complements of Helen Harvey THANKYOU!)with fruit, cool whip/sour cream
(depending on where you were reared :-))
Muffins - in a variety of flavors
To drink: grapefruit juice and orange juice
We have a fun SKIT planned during breakfast that fits right in with the Prophet's counsel to BE prepared!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have 3 mini classes - choose to go to all 3 or which ever ones interest you.
1) The BUCKET LIST (Emotional preparedness): We are serious when we say we want to create activities that would interest YOU! This is interactive... we will be offering a 20 minute chat... so put your thinking caps on. We will be divided by age/ or should I say season of life.
-------We want to know if there are things you want to do as a group of women... can be social, can be learning, can be eating :-), can be spiritual, that will fill your BUCKET - You tell us!!!
2) The CONTROL JOURNAL (or Control Center as I like to call it)(Temporal preparedness)... You are in for a treat... Karen Rich has agreed to teach this mini class. Listen as you learn how she accomplishes so much in her day. Her home is immaculate, her emergency preparedness is farther along than most, her ideas just astound me. We will be giving you the ingredients to make this class a success.
3) I STAND IN HOLY PLACES (Spiritual preparedness)... another serious treat. Nancy Richardson is teaching this one (don't remind her that her daughter is getting married soon - don't want her to realize she has a lot on her plate :-)). She is going to give us a list of 10 things we can do to make our homes a piece of heaven.
This list will enable us to always stand in holy places - because we make it so!
and if that isn't enough for ya...
We are offering THE TREASURE CHEST - bring what you want to get rid of and see what others have brought that you want to take back home with you... what is left will be donated.
We will also be introducing - the COMFY COUCHES...
We will have a peaceful place set up with soft music, 'style' ideas, organizational ideas, a nail center for a bit of color, a paraffin bath for your hands to feel soft and supple... basically a place to sit, relax, pamper yourself and visit at any time during HFPE
YEAH!!! it is going to be great! Looking forward to visiting with you then.
We are working out the details and I am VERY EXCITED!!!
Here is what we have so far...
We are starting PROMPTLY at 9 am.
BREAKFAST to be served is going to be DELICIOUS!!!
We will have buffet style:
fruit / yogurt parfaits with granola and CHOCOLATE pieces
Crepes - (complements of Helen Harvey THANKYOU!)with fruit, cool whip/sour cream
(depending on where you were reared :-))
Muffins - in a variety of flavors
To drink: grapefruit juice and orange juice
We have a fun SKIT planned during breakfast that fits right in with the Prophet's counsel to BE prepared!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have 3 mini classes - choose to go to all 3 or which ever ones interest you.
1) The BUCKET LIST (Emotional preparedness): We are serious when we say we want to create activities that would interest YOU! This is interactive... we will be offering a 20 minute chat... so put your thinking caps on. We will be divided by age/ or should I say season of life.
-------We want to know if there are things you want to do as a group of women... can be social, can be learning, can be eating :-), can be spiritual, that will fill your BUCKET - You tell us!!!
2) The CONTROL JOURNAL (or Control Center as I like to call it)(Temporal preparedness)... You are in for a treat... Karen Rich has agreed to teach this mini class. Listen as you learn how she accomplishes so much in her day. Her home is immaculate, her emergency preparedness is farther along than most, her ideas just astound me. We will be giving you the ingredients to make this class a success.
3) I STAND IN HOLY PLACES (Spiritual preparedness)... another serious treat. Nancy Richardson is teaching this one (don't remind her that her daughter is getting married soon - don't want her to realize she has a lot on her plate :-)). She is going to give us a list of 10 things we can do to make our homes a piece of heaven.
This list will enable us to always stand in holy places - because we make it so!
and if that isn't enough for ya...
We are offering THE TREASURE CHEST - bring what you want to get rid of and see what others have brought that you want to take back home with you... what is left will be donated.
We will also be introducing - the COMFY COUCHES...
We will have a peaceful place set up with soft music, 'style' ideas, organizational ideas, a nail center for a bit of color, a paraffin bath for your hands to feel soft and supple... basically a place to sit, relax, pamper yourself and visit at any time during HFPE
YEAH!!! it is going to be great! Looking forward to visiting with you then.
I'm READING
HI Friends,
For anyone looking for a couple good books to read ...
This month I am reading 2 books...
I have to warn you... I am a self help reader... One day I may take the time to read for sheer pleasure... SO if that doesn't interest you... close your eyes for this post :0)
1) Og Mandino's THE GREATEST MIRACLE IN THE WORLD
2) Robert Kiyosaki's RICH DAD POOR DAD
I have read them both before but like to reread some of my favorites every couple years.
I love Og Mandino! He uses a story format to teach a great principle. In this book A publisher encounters a wise old man and, as a result of their mystical relationship, receives from him his laws for finding happiness and success.
I love Robert Kiyosaki's book, in it he argues that a good education and a secure job are not guarantees for financial success, and describes six guidelines for making money work for you. One of the principles he talks about is the importance of paying a tithe... go figure - tithing and prosperity go hand in hand!
Let me know if your are joining with me!
Kristin
For anyone looking for a couple good books to read ...
This month I am reading 2 books...
I have to warn you... I am a self help reader... One day I may take the time to read for sheer pleasure... SO if that doesn't interest you... close your eyes for this post :0)
1) Og Mandino's THE GREATEST MIRACLE IN THE WORLD
2) Robert Kiyosaki's RICH DAD POOR DAD
I have read them both before but like to reread some of my favorites every couple years.
I love Og Mandino! He uses a story format to teach a great principle. In this book A publisher encounters a wise old man and, as a result of their mystical relationship, receives from him his laws for finding happiness and success.
I love Robert Kiyosaki's book, in it he argues that a good education and a secure job are not guarantees for financial success, and describes six guidelines for making money work for you. One of the principles he talks about is the importance of paying a tithe... go figure - tithing and prosperity go hand in hand!
Let me know if your are joining with me!
Kristin
operationFIRSTresponse.org
THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! We are up to 20 blankets made for our wounded heroes and their families.
I do believe we will make it to our goal of 50. 2 more sets if material was donated to the cause on Sunday. SO we will have more soon.
I do believe we will make it to our goal of 50. 2 more sets if material was donated to the cause on Sunday. SO we will have more soon.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
MR.PREPAREDNESS
Just a reminder for those who want some support in being prepared... that is a different feeling than having to react out of fear because an emergency has come our way...
email mr.preparedness@hotmail.com ... he is sending out the family emergency plan packet but he is also sending out information about water storage.
Happy days of preparation :-)
email mr.preparedness@hotmail.com ... he is sending out the family emergency plan packet but he is also sending out information about water storage.
Happy days of preparation :-)
Friday, July 4, 2008
BRAGGINGwrites
We have our first BRAGGINGwrites... Marshall Butler was just featured in the gazette.
Here is the link... I know you are one proud mama Terilynne
http://www.gazette.net/stories/061808/gaitnew211654_32370.shtml
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Third-grader makes book bags for his classmates
by Patricia M. Murret | Staff Writer
Summer reading got off to an early start at Rosemont Elementary School in Gaithersburg this month, where schoolchildren toted pleasure reading books in handmade pouches sewed by a third-grader.
Marshall Butler, who turned 10 on Monday, gave the bags to more than 40 of his schoolmates so they could carry their favorite books. The last day of school was Thursday.
‘‘Like if we had recess, or if we had a break in the hallway, we could just pull them out where ever and start reading,” he said.
Marshall made his book bag — an 8-inch by 10-inch pouch with a crocheted shoulder strap — from a pair of old blue jeans last year. He learned to stitch in kindergarten.
His handiwork took off three weeks ago, following a visit to Rosemont by Brandon Mull, author of ‘‘Fablehaven,” a fantasy series starring two children in a world of trolls, witches and fairies.
More than 30 ‘‘Fablehaven” books sold at Rosemont’s book fair the week of Mull’s visit. Some students attended a book signing. Then Marshall brought his ‘‘Fablehaven” books to school in his handmade pouch and kids began clamoring.
‘‘It started with just one or two friends and it spread through the rooms,” said PTA president Jane Rice.
‘‘I would wake up to the sound of the sewing machine,” said Marshall’s mother, Terilynne Butler. ‘‘He’d be cranking them out left and right.”
Marshall, the second oldest of six children, has three sisters at Rosemont: Amanda, 11, Katy, 7, and Emma, 6. After 18 of his classmates requested bags, their friends filed orders too.
The third-grader quickly realized he would not have enough blue jeans — or time — to crochet 40 two-inch-wide handles. His mother spent more than $100 on fabric and cotton straps.
On Thursday Luciana Rodriguez, 8, carried four Hannah Montana books in her pink bag; Cosimo Cortesi, 9, toted Star Wars. And seven classmates carried ‘‘Fablehaven.”
For days Marshall sewed, but he would not have had things another way.
‘‘It took, like, every morning from 6 to 8,” Marshall said. ‘‘I would make, like, six, every morning ... I would promise them one and then I would make it because you have to keep a promise.”
Here is the link... I know you are one proud mama Terilynne
http://www.gazette.net/stories/061808/gaitnew211654_32370.shtml
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Third-grader makes book bags for his classmates
by Patricia M. Murret | Staff Writer
Summer reading got off to an early start at Rosemont Elementary School in Gaithersburg this month, where schoolchildren toted pleasure reading books in handmade pouches sewed by a third-grader.
Marshall Butler, who turned 10 on Monday, gave the bags to more than 40 of his schoolmates so they could carry their favorite books. The last day of school was Thursday.
‘‘Like if we had recess, or if we had a break in the hallway, we could just pull them out where ever and start reading,” he said.
Marshall made his book bag — an 8-inch by 10-inch pouch with a crocheted shoulder strap — from a pair of old blue jeans last year. He learned to stitch in kindergarten.
His handiwork took off three weeks ago, following a visit to Rosemont by Brandon Mull, author of ‘‘Fablehaven,” a fantasy series starring two children in a world of trolls, witches and fairies.
More than 30 ‘‘Fablehaven” books sold at Rosemont’s book fair the week of Mull’s visit. Some students attended a book signing. Then Marshall brought his ‘‘Fablehaven” books to school in his handmade pouch and kids began clamoring.
‘‘It started with just one or two friends and it spread through the rooms,” said PTA president Jane Rice.
‘‘I would wake up to the sound of the sewing machine,” said Marshall’s mother, Terilynne Butler. ‘‘He’d be cranking them out left and right.”
Marshall, the second oldest of six children, has three sisters at Rosemont: Amanda, 11, Katy, 7, and Emma, 6. After 18 of his classmates requested bags, their friends filed orders too.
The third-grader quickly realized he would not have enough blue jeans — or time — to crochet 40 two-inch-wide handles. His mother spent more than $100 on fabric and cotton straps.
On Thursday Luciana Rodriguez, 8, carried four Hannah Montana books in her pink bag; Cosimo Cortesi, 9, toted Star Wars. And seven classmates carried ‘‘Fablehaven.”
For days Marshall sewed, but he would not have had things another way.
‘‘It took, like, every morning from 6 to 8,” Marshall said. ‘‘I would make, like, six, every morning ... I would promise them one and then I would make it because you have to keep a promise.”
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
BREWSTER's ICEcream
Ok - here is my last attempt at getting your minds moving on things you can be doing and inviting others to come along with you.
have a great summer.
FREE ICE CREAM FOR KIDS UNDER 42 INCHES AT BREWSTERS ON 355
have a great summer.
FREE ICE CREAM FOR KIDS UNDER 42 INCHES AT BREWSTERS ON 355
Monday, June 30, 2008
100 Things to Do With Kids in Washington DC
What's crazy is that this list is only the tip of the iceberg! There are oodles of incredible, fun activities for families in Washington, DC and the surrounding areas of Maryland and Virginia. I hope you enjoy this list of field and day trips, and that it inspires you and your kids to explore something new.
1. Call your Member of Congress and obtain White House tour tickets
2. Visit Mount Vernon
3. Hop on a trolley tour of the Washington, DC monuments
4. Touch a real piece of the moon at the National Air and Space Museum
5. Dig in to Ethiopian food with your hands in Adams Morgan
6. Squeal over the pandas at the National Zoo
7. Delve into the basement of the Department of Commerce and visit DC's National
Aquarium
8. Cheer at a Nationals Game on T-Shirt Tuesday
9. Pretend you're Orville or Wilbur at the College Park Aviation Museum
10.View the fireworks on the National Mall or wave a flag at a fun local 4th of July Parade
11. Pick your own seasonal produce at a nearby farm
12. Ride the carousel at Glen Echo Park
13. Smell the roses at a Family Day event at the U.S. Botanical Gardens
14. Tour the Bureau of Engraving & Printing and see money printed
15. Take the gargoyle tour at Washington National Cathedral
16. Ride Metro to Union Station and burst through the main doors like Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
17. Witness the changing of the guard at the Tombs of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery
18. Eat fish and chips at The Dubliner or Kelly's Irish Times
19. Hike around Roosevelt Island
20. Sit in Albert Einstein's lap
21. Paddle around the Tidal Basin
22. Rent canoes or kayaks in Georgetown and paddle down the Potomac
23. Play tourist and see the monuments by boat or Duck tour
24. Check out the view from the top of the Washington Monument
25. Play tag in the Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden
26. Play secret agent at the International Spy Museum (and FYI, FBI tours are currently closed)
27. Make peace with the creepy crawlers at the Orkin Insect Zoo at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
28. Drive through the Shenandoah's Skyline Drive and take a family hike along the Appalachian trail
29. Play in the rocket garden of the NASA Goddard Visitors Center
30. Get lost in the hangars of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Chantilly
31. Ride the miniature trains at Wheaton or Cabin John Regional Parks
32. Take the Old Town Alexandria ghost tour
33. Listen to free concerts at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
34. Explore Luray Caverns
35. Fly a kite on the National Mall
36. Ride the rails at the National Capitol Trolley Museum
37. Feed the animals at the Leesburg Animal Park
38. Enjoy a voyage down the Potomac in a real riverboat
39. Hum along with history at the The Star Spangled Banner Flag House in Baltimore
40. Admire the majestic beauty of Great Falls
41. Go train-crazy at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore
42. Shiver your timbers on a Pirate Adventure Cruise in Annapolis
43. Go eye to eye with a shark or a dolphin at the National Aquarium in Baltimore
44. Have a free, old-fashioned playdate at one of the wondrous local playgrounds
45. Catch a kid-centric show at the Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo Park
46. Take family or butterfly photos amongst the beauty of Brookside Gardens
47. See a children's show at Wolf Trap's Theatre-in-the-Woods
48. Nosh on crab cakes on Kent Island
49. Go fishing in Little Seneca Lake
50. Frolic on the farm at the Agricultural History Farm Park
51. Make figure 8s at local ice rinks
52. Tour the inspiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin
53. See why they called him Stonewall Jackson at Manassas National Battlefield
54. Hike a portion of the Underground Railroad
55. Learn about the life of an American slave
56. Cool off at the South Germantown Splash Playground
57. Get a hole-in-one at a local miniature golf course
58. Go camping at a local campground
59. Salute our nation's veterans at Arlington National Cemetery
60. Remember Iwo Jima at the National Marine Corps Memorial
61. Walk through the Depression and the New Deal at the FDR Memorial
62. Hum the Star Spangled Banner from Fort McHenry
63. Play mad scientist at Maryland Science Center in Baltimore's Inner Harbor
64. Rent a cabin in the Virginia countryside
65. Schedule a dinosaur dig
66. Step back in time at a historic manor home
67. Take a free morning bird walk with the Audubon Naturalist Society in MD or VA
68. Cheer the Washington Mystics as a member of the Kids Club
69. Practice your acting skills at a Round House Theatre Free for All Friday
70. Take a horseback ride through Rock Creek Park
71. Eat cotton candy at a nearby county fair
72. Ride the kiddie rides at Six Flags America
73. Walk around historic Annapolis
74. Walk around historic Fells Point, MD
75. Walk through the Friendship Archway in DC's Chinatown
76. Build and play at the Building Zone at the National Building Museum
77. Tour the US Capitol via the public tour or by private tour conducted by your Member of Congress
78. Experience the beginning of American history at the National Museum of the American Indian
79. Hear a story or see a performance at the Discovery Theatre
80. Kick up your heels at a Folklore Society of Greater Washington Family Dance at Glen Echo
81. Talk to the animals at the Reston Zoo
82. Solve a mystery as a Plantation Sleuth at Gunston Hall
83. Play, eat and enjoy wallet-friendly design at a nearby IKEA
84. Chow down on dim sum
85. Time travel to 1771 at Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run
86. Get soaked (in a good way) at Splashdown Waterpark
87. Drive out to Virginia's Dinosaurland
88. Go on safari at Virginia Safari Park
89. Get interactive at the Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore
90. Report live from the Newseum
91. View sites of the city from a bicycle
92. Satisfy your very hungry bookworm at the Library of Congress
93. View the documents of democracy at the National Archives
94. Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael's
95. Build a sand castle at Sandy Point State Park
96. Grab weekend brunch on the Georgetown Waterfront
97. Tour the historic 1876 synagogue with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
98. Tour the gardens and re-creation of Christian holy sites at the Franciscan Monastery
99. Tour the Route 11 potato chip factory.
100. Eat and shop your way through Eastern Market
Posted by Jessica McFadden
1. Call your Member of Congress and obtain White House tour tickets
2. Visit Mount Vernon
3. Hop on a trolley tour of the Washington, DC monuments
4. Touch a real piece of the moon at the National Air and Space Museum
5. Dig in to Ethiopian food with your hands in Adams Morgan
6. Squeal over the pandas at the National Zoo
7. Delve into the basement of the Department of Commerce and visit DC's National
Aquarium
8. Cheer at a Nationals Game on T-Shirt Tuesday
9. Pretend you're Orville or Wilbur at the College Park Aviation Museum
10.View the fireworks on the National Mall or wave a flag at a fun local 4th of July Parade
11. Pick your own seasonal produce at a nearby farm
12. Ride the carousel at Glen Echo Park
13. Smell the roses at a Family Day event at the U.S. Botanical Gardens
14. Tour the Bureau of Engraving & Printing and see money printed
15. Take the gargoyle tour at Washington National Cathedral
16. Ride Metro to Union Station and burst through the main doors like Jimmy Stewart in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
17. Witness the changing of the guard at the Tombs of the Unknown at Arlington National Cemetery
18. Eat fish and chips at The Dubliner or Kelly's Irish Times
19. Hike around Roosevelt Island
20. Sit in Albert Einstein's lap
21. Paddle around the Tidal Basin
22. Rent canoes or kayaks in Georgetown and paddle down the Potomac
23. Play tourist and see the monuments by boat or Duck tour
24. Check out the view from the top of the Washington Monument
25. Play tag in the Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden
26. Play secret agent at the International Spy Museum (and FYI, FBI tours are currently closed)
27. Make peace with the creepy crawlers at the Orkin Insect Zoo at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
28. Drive through the Shenandoah's Skyline Drive and take a family hike along the Appalachian trail
29. Play in the rocket garden of the NASA Goddard Visitors Center
30. Get lost in the hangars of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Chantilly
31. Ride the miniature trains at Wheaton or Cabin John Regional Parks
32. Take the Old Town Alexandria ghost tour
33. Listen to free concerts at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
34. Explore Luray Caverns
35. Fly a kite on the National Mall
36. Ride the rails at the National Capitol Trolley Museum
37. Feed the animals at the Leesburg Animal Park
38. Enjoy a voyage down the Potomac in a real riverboat
39. Hum along with history at the The Star Spangled Banner Flag House in Baltimore
40. Admire the majestic beauty of Great Falls
41. Go train-crazy at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore
42. Shiver your timbers on a Pirate Adventure Cruise in Annapolis
43. Go eye to eye with a shark or a dolphin at the National Aquarium in Baltimore
44. Have a free, old-fashioned playdate at one of the wondrous local playgrounds
45. Catch a kid-centric show at the Adventure Theatre in Glen Echo Park
46. Take family or butterfly photos amongst the beauty of Brookside Gardens
47. See a children's show at Wolf Trap's Theatre-in-the-Woods
48. Nosh on crab cakes on Kent Island
49. Go fishing in Little Seneca Lake
50. Frolic on the farm at the Agricultural History Farm Park
51. Make figure 8s at local ice rinks
52. Tour the inspiration for Uncle Tom's Cabin
53. See why they called him Stonewall Jackson at Manassas National Battlefield
54. Hike a portion of the Underground Railroad
55. Learn about the life of an American slave
56. Cool off at the South Germantown Splash Playground
57. Get a hole-in-one at a local miniature golf course
58. Go camping at a local campground
59. Salute our nation's veterans at Arlington National Cemetery
60. Remember Iwo Jima at the National Marine Corps Memorial
61. Walk through the Depression and the New Deal at the FDR Memorial
62. Hum the Star Spangled Banner from Fort McHenry
63. Play mad scientist at Maryland Science Center in Baltimore's Inner Harbor
64. Rent a cabin in the Virginia countryside
65. Schedule a dinosaur dig
66. Step back in time at a historic manor home
67. Take a free morning bird walk with the Audubon Naturalist Society in MD or VA
68. Cheer the Washington Mystics as a member of the Kids Club
69. Practice your acting skills at a Round House Theatre Free for All Friday
70. Take a horseback ride through Rock Creek Park
71. Eat cotton candy at a nearby county fair
72. Ride the kiddie rides at Six Flags America
73. Walk around historic Annapolis
74. Walk around historic Fells Point, MD
75. Walk through the Friendship Archway in DC's Chinatown
76. Build and play at the Building Zone at the National Building Museum
77. Tour the US Capitol via the public tour or by private tour conducted by your Member of Congress
78. Experience the beginning of American history at the National Museum of the American Indian
79. Hear a story or see a performance at the Discovery Theatre
80. Kick up your heels at a Folklore Society of Greater Washington Family Dance at Glen Echo
81. Talk to the animals at the Reston Zoo
82. Solve a mystery as a Plantation Sleuth at Gunston Hall
83. Play, eat and enjoy wallet-friendly design at a nearby IKEA
84. Chow down on dim sum
85. Time travel to 1771 at Claude Moore Colonial Farm at Turkey Run
86. Get soaked (in a good way) at Splashdown Waterpark
87. Drive out to Virginia's Dinosaurland
88. Go on safari at Virginia Safari Park
89. Get interactive at the Port Discovery Children's Museum in Baltimore
90. Report live from the Newseum
91. View sites of the city from a bicycle
92. Satisfy your very hungry bookworm at the Library of Congress
93. View the documents of democracy at the National Archives
94. Visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael's
95. Build a sand castle at Sandy Point State Park
96. Grab weekend brunch on the Georgetown Waterfront
97. Tour the historic 1876 synagogue with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington
98. Tour the gardens and re-creation of Christian holy sites at the Franciscan Monastery
99. Tour the Route 11 potato chip factory.
100. Eat and shop your way through Eastern Market
Posted by Jessica McFadden
DC for Families
By Beth D'Addono
America's hometown is an ideal destination for families--between the grandeur of the national monuments, the Smithsonian complex and the National Zoo, home to giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, D.C. offers something for every age group. The key to enjoying it all is to pick and choose--and keep in mind that the distance between wherever you are and the Washington Monument is a lot farther than you think. The Mall--the heart of D.C.'s main attractions, is almost two miles long.
To avoid a case of "museum feet," consider interspersing indoor activities with time spent outdoors, in places like the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden or the 165-acre National Zoo, a 20-minute car or Metro ride north of the Mall. The Smithsonian alone could keep everybody busy for a while. A few museums that are especially kid- and family friendly include the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall, with its 8,000 artifacts, including totems and both historic and contemporary art. Or take flight with the National Air and Space Museum, home to the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock sample that kids (of all ages) can touch.
The Metro, the city's underground public transportation, is an inexpensive and easy way to get around town. Here's another tip--if there is a line to climb the Washington Monument, head for the Pavilion at the Old Post Office, where the clock tower affords an equally dramatic view.
The National Mall is the main event in this town. Make your visit to the U.S. Capitol memorable by writing in advance to your local congressman or congresswoman's office to obtain passes to the House and Senate galleries. The Lincoln Memorial is an awesome sight--especially if you've visited Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum, where John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.
Kids love touring the J. Edgar Hoover (FBI) Building, with its exhibitions of successful federal sleuthing and marksmanship demonstration. Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more, but requests must be submitted through one's member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. Tours are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial, all located in Constitution Gardens on either side of the reflecting pool, pay tribute to patriots from those conflicts.
If your child is older than 11, a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum can be a moving and educational experience. Find out if your son or daughter has learned about the Holocaust in school, and discuss the museum's mission--to tell the story through artifacts, films, photographs and oral histories--before paying a visit. Some exhibits may be traumatic to view for visitors of any age.
Most of the Smithsonian museums are located on the National Mall and offer a rich treasure trove of cultural, scientific, artistic and historic artifacts. Don't make the mistake of overkill--identify your child's interests and let them determine your itinerary. Orient yourself by stopping first at the Castle, the visitors' center at the vortex of the Smithsonian complex. Some highlights? The Hope Diamond in the Museum of Natural History; Fonzie's jacket in the American History building, where you can also see the First Lady inaugural gowns and Archie Bunker's chair. The Discovery Theater in the Arts & Industries Building provides a changing program of films, puppeteers, dancers and musical entertainment.
When you need a break from all this culture, head over to Union Station--even if you don't have to catch a train. This working station, with its exquisite Beaux Arts design, is a great place to take in a movie on a rainy day, have a bite at the food court or one of the restaurants, and do some shopping.
DuPont Circle
Cafes and restaurants overflow with young professionals. The sounds of jazz fill the air. Foreign dignitaries intermingle with the crowds, extreme art hangs on gallery walls, chess players mix with street musicians and people watchers.
Welcome to DuPont Circle, a sassy, uptown neighborhood that intersects Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire avenues in the northwest section of D.C. DuPont Circle is a haven of cosmopolitan chic--and a great place to shop, dine on ethnic cuisine, or just watch the international world go by.
Continue DuPont Circle's international theme with culinary salutes to the nation of your choice--for Lebanon, try Bacchus; for Indian, check out Taj Mahal; or for American, stop by Sam & Harry's. Afterwards, hear some poetry at Afterwords Café, or dance the night away at 18th Street Lounge.
A new addition in Washington is the "Extra Mile-Points of Light Volunteer Pathway" that was dedicated by former Pres. George H.W. Bush on Oct. 14. This mile-long section of downtown Washington, only blocks from the White House, tells the story of 70 great women and men whose service to others profoundly changed the lives of people across the U.S. and world.
Among the initial 20 honorees--whose images and accomplishments are memorialized in dramatic bronze medallions embedded in granite—are Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr. and Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide to D.C. Attractions
• Christian Heurich Mansion
1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW
(202) 429-1894
• Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum
511 10th St. NW
(202) 347-4833
• Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden
on the Mall between
7th and 9th streets SW
(202) 633-1000, hirshhorn.si.edu
• J. Edgar Hoover (FBI) Building
E St., between 9th and 10th streets
(202) 324-3447, www.fbi.gov
• Lincoln Memorial
Memorial Circle, between Constitution
and Independence avenues SW
(202) 426-6841
• National Zoo
3000 block of Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 633-4800, nationalzoo.si.edu
• Old Post Office
Pennsylvania Ave., between 11th and 12th streets NW
(202) 289-4224
• Smithsonian Museum of American History
Constitution Ave., between 12 and 14th streets NW
• Smithsonian Museum of Arts & Industries
900 Jefferson Dr. SW
• Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Constitution Ave., between 9th & 10th streets NW
• Smithsonian Museums Visitors' Center
1000 Jefferson Dr. SW
(202) 633-1000, www.si.edu
• Textile Museum
2329 S St. NW
(202) 667-0441, www.textilemuseum.org
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Raoul Wallenberg Place, 15th St. SW
(202) 488-0400, www.ushmm.org
• U.S. Capitol
between Constitution and Independence avenues,
at Pennsylvania Ave.
(202) 225-6827
• Washington Monument
15th St. near Constitution Ave. SW
(800) 967-2283, www.nps.gov/wamo
• White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
(202) 456-2200, www.whitehouse.gov
America's hometown is an ideal destination for families--between the grandeur of the national monuments, the Smithsonian complex and the National Zoo, home to giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, D.C. offers something for every age group. The key to enjoying it all is to pick and choose--and keep in mind that the distance between wherever you are and the Washington Monument is a lot farther than you think. The Mall--the heart of D.C.'s main attractions, is almost two miles long.
To avoid a case of "museum feet," consider interspersing indoor activities with time spent outdoors, in places like the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden or the 165-acre National Zoo, a 20-minute car or Metro ride north of the Mall. The Smithsonian alone could keep everybody busy for a while. A few museums that are especially kid- and family friendly include the National Museum of the American Indian on the National Mall, with its 8,000 artifacts, including totems and both historic and contemporary art. Or take flight with the National Air and Space Museum, home to the original Wright 1903 Flyer, the Spirit of St. Louis, the Apollo 11 command module, and a lunar rock sample that kids (of all ages) can touch.
The Metro, the city's underground public transportation, is an inexpensive and easy way to get around town. Here's another tip--if there is a line to climb the Washington Monument, head for the Pavilion at the Old Post Office, where the clock tower affords an equally dramatic view.
The National Mall is the main event in this town. Make your visit to the U.S. Capitol memorable by writing in advance to your local congressman or congresswoman's office to obtain passes to the House and Senate galleries. The Lincoln Memorial is an awesome sight--especially if you've visited Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum, where John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865.
Kids love touring the J. Edgar Hoover (FBI) Building, with its exhibitions of successful federal sleuthing and marksmanship demonstration. Public tours of the White House are available for groups of 10 or more, but requests must be submitted through one's member of Congress and are accepted up to six months in advance. Tours are offered from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Women's Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial, all located in Constitution Gardens on either side of the reflecting pool, pay tribute to patriots from those conflicts.
If your child is older than 11, a visit to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum can be a moving and educational experience. Find out if your son or daughter has learned about the Holocaust in school, and discuss the museum's mission--to tell the story through artifacts, films, photographs and oral histories--before paying a visit. Some exhibits may be traumatic to view for visitors of any age.
Most of the Smithsonian museums are located on the National Mall and offer a rich treasure trove of cultural, scientific, artistic and historic artifacts. Don't make the mistake of overkill--identify your child's interests and let them determine your itinerary. Orient yourself by stopping first at the Castle, the visitors' center at the vortex of the Smithsonian complex. Some highlights? The Hope Diamond in the Museum of Natural History; Fonzie's jacket in the American History building, where you can also see the First Lady inaugural gowns and Archie Bunker's chair. The Discovery Theater in the Arts & Industries Building provides a changing program of films, puppeteers, dancers and musical entertainment.
When you need a break from all this culture, head over to Union Station--even if you don't have to catch a train. This working station, with its exquisite Beaux Arts design, is a great place to take in a movie on a rainy day, have a bite at the food court or one of the restaurants, and do some shopping.
DuPont Circle
Cafes and restaurants overflow with young professionals. The sounds of jazz fill the air. Foreign dignitaries intermingle with the crowds, extreme art hangs on gallery walls, chess players mix with street musicians and people watchers.
Welcome to DuPont Circle, a sassy, uptown neighborhood that intersects Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire avenues in the northwest section of D.C. DuPont Circle is a haven of cosmopolitan chic--and a great place to shop, dine on ethnic cuisine, or just watch the international world go by.
Continue DuPont Circle's international theme with culinary salutes to the nation of your choice--for Lebanon, try Bacchus; for Indian, check out Taj Mahal; or for American, stop by Sam & Harry's. Afterwards, hear some poetry at Afterwords Café, or dance the night away at 18th Street Lounge.
A new addition in Washington is the "Extra Mile-Points of Light Volunteer Pathway" that was dedicated by former Pres. George H.W. Bush on Oct. 14. This mile-long section of downtown Washington, only blocks from the White House, tells the story of 70 great women and men whose service to others profoundly changed the lives of people across the U.S. and world.
Among the initial 20 honorees--whose images and accomplishments are memorialized in dramatic bronze medallions embedded in granite—are Helen Keller, Martin Luther King Jr. and Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guide to D.C. Attractions
• Christian Heurich Mansion
1307 New Hampshire Ave. NW
(202) 429-1894
• Ford's Theatre & Lincoln Museum
511 10th St. NW
(202) 347-4833
• Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden
on the Mall between
7th and 9th streets SW
(202) 633-1000, hirshhorn.si.edu
• J. Edgar Hoover (FBI) Building
E St., between 9th and 10th streets
(202) 324-3447, www.fbi.gov
• Lincoln Memorial
Memorial Circle, between Constitution
and Independence avenues SW
(202) 426-6841
• National Zoo
3000 block of Connecticut Ave. NW
(202) 633-4800, nationalzoo.si.edu
• Old Post Office
Pennsylvania Ave., between 11th and 12th streets NW
(202) 289-4224
• Smithsonian Museum of American History
Constitution Ave., between 12 and 14th streets NW
• Smithsonian Museum of Arts & Industries
900 Jefferson Dr. SW
• Smithsonian Museum of Natural History
Constitution Ave., between 9th & 10th streets NW
• Smithsonian Museums Visitors' Center
1000 Jefferson Dr. SW
(202) 633-1000, www.si.edu
• Textile Museum
2329 S St. NW
(202) 667-0441, www.textilemuseum.org
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Raoul Wallenberg Place, 15th St. SW
(202) 488-0400, www.ushmm.org
• U.S. Capitol
between Constitution and Independence avenues,
at Pennsylvania Ave.
(202) 225-6827
• Washington Monument
15th St. near Constitution Ave. SW
(800) 967-2283, www.nps.gov/wamo
• White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
(202) 456-2200, www.whitehouse.gov
PreSCHOOL PLAYgroups anyone?
There are young mothers with 1-3 preschool aged children who are hungry for ways to get together with other mothers and kids. WHO ARE YOU, WHERE ARE YOU? Let's get the word out and connect you with other moms in your similiar situation.
Barnes & Noble Booksellers - Gaithersburg 11:00 AM
Children's Story Time
11:00 AM Every Wednesday and Saturday morning
August 02,06,09,13,16,20,23,27,30
LOCATION
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Washington Center - RIO
21 Grand Corner Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-721-0860
11:00 AM Every Wednesday and Saturday morning
August 02,06,09,13,16,20,23,27,30
LOCATION
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Washington Center - RIO
21 Grand Corner Ave.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
301-721-0860
Little Tots Summer Fun @ the RIO -(Located between Uncle Julio’s and Joe’s Crab Shack)
10:30 AM EVERY OTHER WEDNESDAY
------------------------------
AUG 13 Right Start
AUG 27 Bach to Rock
------------------------------
AUG 13 Right Start
AUG 27 Bach to Rock
Summer Concerts @ Washingtonian Center (the RIO)
HELD AT THE
WASHINGTONIAN CENTER COURTYARD
(Located between Uncle Julio’s and Joe’s Crab Shack)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
----------------------------------------------------
AUG 2 Joint Chiefs(Classic Rock, Pop)
AUG 9 Key West Sunset(Jimmy Buffet, Beach,Classic Rock)
AUG 16 Diamond Alley(Classic Rock, Motown, Retro)
WASHINGTONIAN CENTER COURTYARD
(Located between Uncle Julio’s and Joe’s Crab Shack)
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
----------------------------------------------------
AUG 2 Joint Chiefs(Classic Rock, Pop)
AUG 9 Key West Sunset(Jimmy Buffet, Beach,Classic Rock)
AUG 16 Diamond Alley(Classic Rock, Motown, Retro)
Morning Concerts for Kids at the City Hall Pavilion 10AM
MOM'S LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO SCHEDULE INTO THEIR SUMMER W/ KIDS
------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 31, 2008 *
Mad Science "Spectacular Science”
This captivating, highly interactive, educational and entertaining science-themed show is appropriate for children aged 5 – 12.
www.madscience.org/dc
------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, July 31, 2008 *
Mad Science "Spectacular Science”
This captivating, highly interactive, educational and entertaining science-themed show is appropriate for children aged 5 – 12.
www.madscience.org/dc
POOLtime
Shandra Harris goes to Quail Valley Pool almost daily in the afternoons...
She is making an open invitation to anyone who would like to bring their kids to join in the summer fun. She has a guest pass that is limitless :-).
She is making an open invitation to anyone who would like to bring their kids to join in the summer fun. She has a guest pass that is limitless :-).
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Practical Preparedness
We had a very productive evening!!
Karen Rich, Laura Franklin, and myself got together and started our action plan.
We will be meeting again July 16th to return and report...COME JOIN US!
Karen and Laura were a tremendous resource...
Laura shared with us that her family eats the food from their 72 hour kit over the 2 days of General Conference and she replaces it. (we think that having the food to put back into the kits before it is consumed during the weekend will help you not forget to keep them stocked)
Karen has a binder that is her CONTROL JOURNAL... she has her LIFE in it so that if someone had to come in to her family's world they would know how they function... it is amazing. She duplicated the information from flylady.net
Karen also recently put together a 72 hour CAR kit...
What we realized is that we really needed to spend the first month getting ready to get ready :-)... for me it means to clean my unfinished basement so that I can get to my storage and plan for the future. The Church has come out with an updated directive on what we should focus on outside of our 72 hour survival kit.
Three-Month Supply
Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.
Drinking Water
Store drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted.
If water comes directly from a good, pretreated source, then no additional purification is needed; otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, breakage-resistant containers. Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices and soft drinks.
Keep water containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
***Here is something to consider... 2gallons of drinking/cooking water per person per day is 180 gallons for a 3 month supply per person.
Financial Reserve
Establish a financial reserve by saving a little money each week and gradually increasing it to a reasonable amount
Longer-Term Supply
For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans.
These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply
As we progress I will be happy to share info.
The book Practical Preparedness is being reprinted and won't be available until the end of the year... so we will be using Karen's copy to learn from.
until next time...
Karen Rich, Laura Franklin, and myself got together and started our action plan.
We will be meeting again July 16th to return and report...COME JOIN US!
Karen and Laura were a tremendous resource...
Laura shared with us that her family eats the food from their 72 hour kit over the 2 days of General Conference and she replaces it. (we think that having the food to put back into the kits before it is consumed during the weekend will help you not forget to keep them stocked)
Karen has a binder that is her CONTROL JOURNAL... she has her LIFE in it so that if someone had to come in to her family's world they would know how they function... it is amazing. She duplicated the information from flylady.net
Karen also recently put together a 72 hour CAR kit...
What we realized is that we really needed to spend the first month getting ready to get ready :-)... for me it means to clean my unfinished basement so that I can get to my storage and plan for the future. The Church has come out with an updated directive on what we should focus on outside of our 72 hour survival kit.
Three-Month Supply
Build a small supply of food that is part of your normal, daily diet. One way to do this is to purchase a few extra items each week to build a one-week supply of food. Then you can gradually increase your supply until it is sufficient for three months. These items should be rotated regularly to avoid spoilage.
Drinking Water
Store drinking water for circumstances in which the water supply may be polluted or disrupted.
If water comes directly from a good, pretreated source, then no additional purification is needed; otherwise, pretreat water before use. Store water in sturdy, leak-proof, breakage-resistant containers. Consider using plastic bottles commonly used for juices and soft drinks.
Keep water containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight.
***Here is something to consider... 2gallons of drinking/cooking water per person per day is 180 gallons for a 3 month supply per person.
Financial Reserve
Establish a financial reserve by saving a little money each week and gradually increasing it to a reasonable amount
Longer-Term Supply
For longer-term needs, and where permitted, gradually build a supply of food that will last a long time and that you can use to stay alive, such as wheat, white rice, and beans.
These items can last 30 years or more when properly packaged and stored in a cool, dry place. A portion of these items may be rotated in your three-month supply
As we progress I will be happy to share info.
The book Practical Preparedness is being reprinted and won't be available until the end of the year... so we will be using Karen's copy to learn from.
until next time...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
SIGHTseeing SISTERS
IT's ANOTHER CHOICE
Several sisters have mentioned that they would be interested in venturing out to see the sights of DC and beyond. We have thought of a number of options for future excursions. If you would be interested in any of these day trips, please indicate below. In addition, if you can add to the list, please do so by “other”. Once we have gotten your responses, we will come up with the top choices and attempt to schedule a date that may work for the most people. Your input is appreciated!
-- Renaissance Festival (Held in the fall in Crownsville, MD)
--Christmas Dinner Theater in Dillsburg, PA
--Wolf Trap performance (lawn tickets are cheap!)
--Olney Theater
--Local hikes
--Day trip to New York City for shopping, touring, and/or show
--Waterford Fair (First Friday in October)
--Christian Heritage tour of DC
--National Cathedral tour
--Tour of Baltimore, dinner in Little Italy, show at Hippodrome
--Docent tour of National Gallery of Art
--Philadelphia Heritage Tour
--Annapolis: boat tour, Naval Academy, dinner
--St. Michael’s tour
--St. Mary’s City tour
--Boating at Lake Needwood
--Picnic at Gravely Point to watch planes take off and land, tour Roosevelt Island
--Kennedy Center performance and/or tour
--Smithsonian
--Dinner cruise on Potomac
--Mt. Vernon (Tours are free on President’s Day)
--Monticello and Pres. Monroe’s house tours (Charlottesville, VA)
--Harper’s Ferry
--Gettysburg tour
--Cape May tour
--Hillwood Museum & Gardens tour (DC)
--Longwood Gardens (Delaware)
--Wheaton Regional Park, Gardens and Nature Center
--Visit Outlets in Hagerstown, Leesburg, or Kent Island
--Pick or buy fruit in bulk from orchards in Smithsburg, MD
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___ I would be willing to organize an excursion
Name:___________________________________________ Phone:________________________
E-mail address:____________________________________
Best days to go on a trip: ____________________________
Several sisters have mentioned that they would be interested in venturing out to see the sights of DC and beyond. We have thought of a number of options for future excursions. If you would be interested in any of these day trips, please indicate below. In addition, if you can add to the list, please do so by “other”. Once we have gotten your responses, we will come up with the top choices and attempt to schedule a date that may work for the most people. Your input is appreciated!
-- Renaissance Festival (Held in the fall in Crownsville, MD)
--Christmas Dinner Theater in Dillsburg, PA
--Wolf Trap performance (lawn tickets are cheap!)
--Olney Theater
--Local hikes
--Day trip to New York City for shopping, touring, and/or show
--Waterford Fair (First Friday in October)
--Christian Heritage tour of DC
--National Cathedral tour
--Tour of Baltimore, dinner in Little Italy, show at Hippodrome
--Docent tour of National Gallery of Art
--Philadelphia Heritage Tour
--Annapolis: boat tour, Naval Academy, dinner
--St. Michael’s tour
--St. Mary’s City tour
--Boating at Lake Needwood
--Picnic at Gravely Point to watch planes take off and land, tour Roosevelt Island
--Kennedy Center performance and/or tour
--Smithsonian
--Dinner cruise on Potomac
--Mt. Vernon (Tours are free on President’s Day)
--Monticello and Pres. Monroe’s house tours (Charlottesville, VA)
--Harper’s Ferry
--Gettysburg tour
--Cape May tour
--Hillwood Museum & Gardens tour (DC)
--Longwood Gardens (Delaware)
--Wheaton Regional Park, Gardens and Nature Center
--Visit Outlets in Hagerstown, Leesburg, or Kent Island
--Pick or buy fruit in bulk from orchards in Smithsburg, MD
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___ I would be willing to organize an excursion
Name:___________________________________________ Phone:________________________
E-mail address:____________________________________
Best days to go on a trip: ____________________________
Monday, June 16, 2008
Practical Preparedness June 25th
Wednesday 8 pm at Karen Rich's home!
Ladies... interesting enough we have had a couple practice runs on emergency preparedness over the last couple weeks.
Karen and I are getting together Wednesday evening to get our minds focused on being prepared and organized so that we can feel the peace in any circumstance.
we are using the book PRACTICAL PREPAREDNESS (it is $13.95 at THIS IS THE PLACE) as our outline. We will also be using the emergency preparedness info the ward provided for us as a guide.
if you are feeling a sence of urgency - please join us...
we want to have someone to prepare with, be accountable to, and bounce ideas off of... if you are looking for that also - please join us.
when I go to the temple next week, I am happy to pick books up for you -
love you all!
Kristin
Ladies... interesting enough we have had a couple practice runs on emergency preparedness over the last couple weeks.
Karen and I are getting together Wednesday evening to get our minds focused on being prepared and organized so that we can feel the peace in any circumstance.
we are using the book PRACTICAL PREPAREDNESS (it is $13.95 at THIS IS THE PLACE) as our outline. We will also be using the emergency preparedness info the ward provided for us as a guide.
if you are feeling a sence of urgency - please join us...
we want to have someone to prepare with, be accountable to, and bounce ideas off of... if you are looking for that also - please join us.
when I go to the temple next week, I am happy to pick books up for you -
love you all!
Kristin
Friday, June 6, 2008
CANit Sister :-)
It is time...Canning season is quickly approaching (July, August, September)
*Start planning today
---budgeting for and collecting BALL canning jars
---BALL canning book
---anyone have cans to donate?
---What do you want to can: beans, tomatoes, fruit, soup, jam, apple sauce
---What do you want to learn about:
how to pressure cook,
how to decide what to can,
what to do with the food once it is canned
LET US KNOW!!
Helen is canning and inviting us into her world over the next few months to enjoy canning with her
*Start planning today
---budgeting for and collecting BALL canning jars
---BALL canning book
---anyone have cans to donate?
---What do you want to can: beans, tomatoes, fruit, soup, jam, apple sauce
---What do you want to learn about:
how to pressure cook,
how to decide what to can,
what to do with the food once it is canned
LET US KNOW!!
Helen is canning and inviting us into her world over the next few months to enjoy canning with her
PREPAREDNESS... how did you rate
I will tell you the Geliske family was reminded that you never know when you need to be ready.
For right now I am referring to the physical preparedness with the storm we all experienced this past week.
Tayden was about to COOK dinner when the power went out.
The kids had fun looking for and lighting candles when darkness hit.
We had all of $17 in cash between me and Tayden. (until we pulled out the 72 hour kits)
Our cars were half full with gas at best... Terry has a story to tell on that one.
I finished the last pieces of bread for the days lunches and was going to the grocery store the next morning. The fact is we were hungry NOW.
We had plenty of food in the pantry and in the freezer that would have COOKED up great.
We buy flashlights every summer for girls camp - had NO IDEA where any of them were.
Kriss goes and gets the 72 hour kits that we put together a couple years ago and MOM had taken food and water out of it when the expiration dates came to pass... and never replaced them. We had a couple dollars in each back pack that we started collecting many moons ago and
each backpack had toothbrushes, ibuprofen, and a few odds and ends.
We started calling other visiting teaching and home teaching families as well as the families we knew were close to where we lived and our business families to make sure everyone was accounted for... until the cell phone batteries went dead.
The good news is we were able to go to the grocery store and buy a cooked roasted chicken and some fruit and water with our debit card and we were able to fill the gas tanks. and we made it a party.
I was looking this morning and realized I had atleast 24 cans of tuna and chicken that we could have mixed up and eaten with forks (no bread - remember) and we had several cans of fruit and vegetables that we could have eaten at room temperature. We had protein shakes and bars and different prepared food items in our business office. We had candles stored away and batteries... we would have fared fine for several days but it made us think.
It is definitely time for the Geliske family to refill those 72 hour kits, reevaluate our food storage, and pay attention to the emergency preparedness packet that the ward made for us several months ago.
How did you all fare!
For right now I am referring to the physical preparedness with the storm we all experienced this past week.
Tayden was about to COOK dinner when the power went out.
The kids had fun looking for and lighting candles when darkness hit.
We had all of $17 in cash between me and Tayden. (until we pulled out the 72 hour kits)
Our cars were half full with gas at best... Terry has a story to tell on that one.
I finished the last pieces of bread for the days lunches and was going to the grocery store the next morning. The fact is we were hungry NOW.
We had plenty of food in the pantry and in the freezer that would have COOKED up great.
We buy flashlights every summer for girls camp - had NO IDEA where any of them were.
Kriss goes and gets the 72 hour kits that we put together a couple years ago and MOM had taken food and water out of it when the expiration dates came to pass... and never replaced them. We had a couple dollars in each back pack that we started collecting many moons ago and
each backpack had toothbrushes, ibuprofen, and a few odds and ends.
We started calling other visiting teaching and home teaching families as well as the families we knew were close to where we lived and our business families to make sure everyone was accounted for... until the cell phone batteries went dead.
The good news is we were able to go to the grocery store and buy a cooked roasted chicken and some fruit and water with our debit card and we were able to fill the gas tanks. and we made it a party.
I was looking this morning and realized I had atleast 24 cans of tuna and chicken that we could have mixed up and eaten with forks (no bread - remember) and we had several cans of fruit and vegetables that we could have eaten at room temperature. We had protein shakes and bars and different prepared food items in our business office. We had candles stored away and batteries... we would have fared fine for several days but it made us think.
It is definitely time for the Geliske family to refill those 72 hour kits, reevaluate our food storage, and pay attention to the emergency preparedness packet that the ward made for us several months ago.
How did you all fare!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
RELIEF SOCIETY HFPE July 30, 2008
@ Hearne’s Pool 6-8 pm (Rain Date July31)
Relief Society will provide chicken for grilling, paper goods and drinks for our annual Pool Party. Please sign up for your contribution. Your salad should serve 6-8. Dessert 10-12.
Fruit Salad - Please write your name next to #
Phone #
1.
2.
Pasta or Potato Salad
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1.
2.
Green Salad w/dressing
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1.
2.
Desserts
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1.
2.
3.
4.
Relief Society will provide chicken for grilling, paper goods and drinks for our annual Pool Party. Please sign up for your contribution. Your salad should serve 6-8. Dessert 10-12.
Fruit Salad - Please write your name next to #
Phone #
1.
2.
Pasta or Potato Salad
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1.
2.
Green Salad w/dressing
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1.
2.
Desserts
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1.
2.
3.
4.
SPIRITUALtank
Are some of you wanting to draw on more spiritual truth outside of our Sunday block? Do you want to get together for a spiritual/fun activity to expand on the lesson taught on the first sunday of the month... we could have discussion, break bread :-), and then create word art to help us remember what we are learning/being reminded of.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
SUMMERlovin'
What cha doin' this summer that you want to live LOUD and bring friends... are you spending the day at the park, the beach, the zoo, the movies, Sugar Loaf Mountain, what...
post a comment and invite people to join in your joy
post a comment and invite people to join in your joy
WEEKENDrenegade
Who wants to travel to NY or Philly or Deep Creek or Ocean City or Lake Anna or anywhere you choose? There may be some empty nesters or those pretty close who are in the season of life that allows the funds and the time to do something along this line. It's another CHOICE.
post a comment and let us know
post a comment and let us know
ENRICHMENTplanning!
It's your call... what do you want?
We don't want to think the way we've always thunk!
Do you want:
We don't want to think the way we've always thunk!
Do you want:
- to make family home evening packets for your young families
- to have a round table discussion to chat about parenting ideas and strategies
- to exercise
- Karaoke
- to make word art
- learn about love languages to help strengthen relationships
- learn about personalities to help understand yourself and those around you
- learn about auto mechanics
- style for your shape and season in life
- to take a fieldtrip and enjoy our DC culture
- to learn about finances and cash flow
- to learn to dance
- to learn to scrap book
- to learn to take great photos
- to learn to draw or paint
Nothing is out of the question... we truly want to know what would appeal to you at this time in your life.
BRUNCHit!
Who wants brunch? We want to build our friendships with you.
Whether you work outside the house or in we want to provide another time slot for friends to gather. If you would be interested in BRUNCHit, there are CHOICES!
Post a comment and let us know
Whether you work outside the house or in we want to provide another time slot for friends to gather. If you would be interested in BRUNCHit, there are CHOICES!
Post a comment and let us know
DCtourist!
Here is another CHOICE... rumor is that so many of us live here and don't take advantage of all the culture offered.
Who wants to see the sites, visit the museums, go to a play, enjoy a concert...?
post a comment and let us know
Who wants to see the sites, visit the museums, go to a play, enjoy a concert...?
post a comment and let us know
BOOKit!
Calling for mormon chics who like to read and want to read LOUD enough to invite others into your world.
http://www.mormonchic.com/dealdiva/bookclub.asp
Here is a link to organize a book club. Is anyone interested in participating, or hosting a mormon chic BOOKit?
post a comment and let us know if you like this CHOICE
http://www.mormonchic.com/dealdiva/bookclub.asp
Here is a link to organize a book club. Is anyone interested in participating, or hosting a mormon chic BOOKit?
post a comment and let us know if you like this CHOICE
MOMSniteIN
Guess what... another CHOICE:
Shandra Harris is offering to host a moms night in. The idea is for moms to have the opportunity to get together as girlies one night a month without having to spend money. Sunday she will have a flyer with information to hand out. I will tell you that FONDUE is on the agenda DELICIOUS!!!! Y'all can decide what you want to do from there... do you want to pick a fun book to read and share your thoughts once you get together again, do you want to make it a pot luck, do you want to just chat and break bread... there are choices!!!
post a comment and let us know who wants FONDUE! :-)
Shandra Harris is offering to host a moms night in. The idea is for moms to have the opportunity to get together as girlies one night a month without having to spend money. Sunday she will have a flyer with information to hand out. I will tell you that FONDUE is on the agenda DELICIOUS!!!! Y'all can decide what you want to do from there... do you want to pick a fun book to read and share your thoughts once you get together again, do you want to make it a pot luck, do you want to just chat and break bread... there are choices!!!
post a comment and let us know who wants FONDUE! :-)
So I've been thinkin'
Hi friends,
In the spirit of living out loud - I was thinkin'... dangerous I know. It is time for me to update my 72 hour kit and pay attention to the details of the emergency preparedness plan that the ward received a few months ago. Is there anyone out there who wants to focus as well. I am gonna re-put into practice a monthly action? If anyone wants to focus with me let me know.
till next thought,
Kristin
In the spirit of living out loud - I was thinkin'... dangerous I know. It is time for me to update my 72 hour kit and pay attention to the details of the emergency preparedness plan that the ward received a few months ago. Is there anyone out there who wants to focus as well. I am gonna re-put into practice a monthly action? If anyone wants to focus with me let me know.
till next thought,
Kristin
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
HOPE
TOP 10 THINGS I HOPE for MOST...
(I try to remember the list so my faith is not in vain)
- for all of my family to return to live with Heavenly Father
- to be prepared for any situation: spiritually, physically, and mentally
- to create fun memories with my husband and children
- for my children to realize their worth
- for my family to impact lives on a grand scale for Christ
- for my husband to live his dream
- for my family to live a long, healthy, prosperous life
- for our family relationships to be strong
- to develop more talents
- to feel Heavenly Fathers companionship constantly
What about you?... Share your HOPEs in the month of May!!
--Kristin
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
HI Ladies!!!
Welcome to our exclusive noBOYZallowed club. In the spirit of community and sisterhood we have another CHOICE... you are invited to live, laugh, love, and share with us.
You will notice a growing blog that we NEED your help to add value.
NEEDED:
Welcome to our exclusive noBOYZallowed club. In the spirit of community and sisterhood we have another CHOICE... you are invited to live, laugh, love, and share with us.
You will notice a growing blog that we NEED your help to add value.
NEEDED:
- photos of you living out loud and bringing someone with you,
- U need it SOMEONE offers it: what resources do we have(please add your business information - one section for webaddresses one section for phone #, email addresses),
- Tattle tales: share your highlight about someone paying it forward
- Ideas and volunteers to fill calendar with CHOICES
- Bragging writes: what cool accomplishments, talents, cute, adorable things are you and your kidz up 2
Here is the deal... you send me the info and I will post it on the blog
until next time... live, laugh, love, and share!!!
Kristin
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