08.27.07

Connected with Cousins

Posted in Family at 9:52 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

Last night my son went with his cousins to an outdoor semi-formal dance. They had such a great time dancing and getting to know each other. After the dance, one of his cousins stayed overnight with us, and I noticed how relaxed their conversation with each other was as they reminisced about the previous evening’s fun at the dance.

Each year that passes, I gain a stronger conviction that spending time with immediate and extended family brings deeper meaning and purpose into our lives. I know my son will remember the evening he spent dancing with his cousins throughout the rest of his life. Friendships that are built and continually nourished will remain intact for life even if distance separates us; phone and email can always keep us connected with our family and loved ones.

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08.24.07

Promotional Political Campaign and Election Stress Toys

Posted in Promotional Products at 10:11 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

One of the most known icons is the Statue of Liberty. It represents the United States of America and the freedom that emigrants desired. The statue was the first and most memorable introduction to the U.S. as they came through New York harbor. The promotional Statue of Liberty stress toy for your election campaign will generate community patroism like our the first emigrants had as they sought to seek and build a democratic government.

Red, white, and blue remind us of our heritage and freedom. Many American’s displayed the red, white and blue of the flag during the dark days after September 11. The patriotic feeling which comes from the red, white and blue of the USA flag is available in political campaign and election stress toys too.

USA Promotional Star Stress Toy

United States Promotional Stress Toy

Patriotic Promotional Ribbon Stress Toy

US Flag Promotional Stress Toy

Political election campaigns using these colors remind voters of their desire to maintain representatives in government that they sustain and support.

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08.23.07

How is Violent Media Affecting Our Children?

Posted in Family at 9:24 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

I have felt for years that violent media is affecting children, and for that matter adults too. I was glad to see that the medical association’s studies conclude likewise.

In 2000, leaders in the United States’ medical community made the following statement:

“Well over 1,000 studies….point overwhelminlgy to a causal connection between media violence and aggressive behavior in some children. The conclusion of the public health community, based on over 30 years of research, is that viewing entertainment violence can lead to increases in aggressive behavior in some children. The conclusion of the public health community, based on over 30 years of research, is that viewing entertainment violence can lead to increases in aggressive attitudes, values and behavior” (”Joint Statement on the Impact of Entertainment Violence on Children” [July 26, 2000], http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jstmtevc.htm).

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08.22.07

Guitars, Guitar Picks, and Key Tags

Posted in Promotional Products at 9:34 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

My husband is a guitar lover. His guitar is second to me. My husband says he has two women in his life, his soft body wife, and his hard body guitar. He says he enjoys the curves of both.

I am trying to appreciate my husband’s love of guitar music, but honestly I find it loud and interferring most of the time. At the end of the day my husband loves to sit on the side of his bed playing his guitar. I can tell it helps him to unwind so I try to be patient with the noise that he so loves.

He also enjoys collecting guitar picks of all kinds. His favorite are promotional guitar picks with logos on them:

Custom Guitar Pick

Giant Guitar Pick

He also likes guitar keytag holders.

Guitar Key Holder

Guitar Key Tag

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Teenagers, “You Have To” or “Choose for Yourself”

Posted in Family, Promotional Products at 12:56 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

I have raised four teenagers, and have two more ages 14 and 16. I continue to find the balance between “Choose for Yourself”, and “You have to do this because I know what is best for you”. Here are a couple of questions that I ask myself when deciding between “You Have To” or “Choose for Yourself” decisions.

1. How do I rate the choice my child is making: Unimportant, Kind of Important, Important, or Very Important.

For example:

If they want to wear a pink and brown t-shirt instead of a green and blue button down shirt, I could care less. Or if they would want yogart instead of cereal for breakfast, I don’t care and I consider these decisons as “Unimportant“.

They want to have a sleep over at a trusted friend’s house, but you feel they need to get a good night’s rest to compete in their track meet the next day, or they want to buy a gaming machine that I feel is a waste of money. I would consider these decision as ”Kind of Important”. Most of the time, decisions in this category have natural consequences that teach them to make better choices the next time.

I would rather work construction than go to college. I hate math and I am not going to do my homework tonight. I would categorize these decisions as “Important”. I have found that letting my children work a minimum wage job or some grungy job teaches them to quickly to apply themselves in school.

I am going to stay overnight at my boyfriend’s house. My friend offered me some cigarettes. Any decision that compromises moral values and character, I consider “Very Important”.

2. How will this decison affect them in the future? Will the natural consequences of this decision teach them a lesson about morals, responsibility, or relationships, or would it be better for them to wait a year or so to mature and grow up a little more before making this decision

3. What do my senses tell me is the best for this child? Sometimes the reason we as parents do things is “just because” we feel it is right; we don’t always need to give them an explanation of why.

I think when kids are young they need parameters, but then I think it is best to gradually modify the parameters to guidelines that give them a little added freedom each year. This added agency will give our children the opportunity to practice making decisions before they are adults facing many important, or very important decisions.

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08.21.07

Piano Lessons

Posted in Education, Self Improvement, Family, Promotional Products at 12:37 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

Playing the piano is a needed talent that brings one satisfaction and opportunties. For this reason, I am coaxing my son to take piano lessons by allowing him to play video games comparable to the amount of time he practices the piano. I actually do not approve of time spent (or rather time wasted) playing video games, but I am okay using them as an incentive to get my son to practice the piano.

My family is religious, and my husband and I have noted that there is always a shortage of accompanists at various church meetings and activities. Although my son doesn’t enjoy practicing the piano, I believe he will later appreciate the opportunties it will afford him.

My oldest daughter didn’t like practicing the piano when she was young either, but now she loves to play the piano and receives great joy serving others with her piano skills.

For those interested in piano promotional products, here are some cool ideas:

08.16.07

Family Reunions

Posted in Family, Promotional Products at 1:27 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

Our family went to a reunion for my husband’s side of the family last weekend. It reminded me of the movie, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” where the family gets together and their biggest entertainment is eating. They EAT, and EAT, and EAT! Likewise, we ate and ate.

My favorite thing was watching the four newlywed couples be kissy-huggy with one another. Watching them brings back happy memories of long ago. I would imagine by this time next year there will be new babies on the reunion scene.

We went for a hike and saw some beautiful greenry and mountains. I brushed my arm against some stinging nettle and wished I would have been wise enough to bring a basic survival kit . It also would have been nice if I would have remembered my Outlook Binoculars to view some items of interest in the distance that we didn’t have time to hike over to.

The other item that I missed was a pocket knife like the Small Rosewood Pocket Knife .

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Beware of Family Focus Films

Posted in Business at 12:44 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

I recently realized that I should blog about an unreliable business, Family Focus Films, so hopefully a few readers will be forewarned about this company’s questionable business practices. I ordered some closeout movies from Family Focus Films at www.familyfocusfilms.org in November 2006 to give as gifts for Christmas.

Four weeks later I had not received any films, so I called and emailed Family Focus Films numerous times to find out where my merchandise was. I was never able to speak to a live customer service representative so I left a voice mail each time I called, but no one ever called me back. I did receive a couple of responses to my email that the merchandise was coming. Finally, after waiting for 6 or 7 weeks, I notified my credit card company that I had been charged for merchandise I never received. A few weeks later Capital One credited my credit card for the undelivered product.

I found it strange that out of the blue one day a couple of months later I received some of the DVD’s that I had ordered.

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