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. 

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).

08.22.07

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.  

08.21.07

Piano Lessons

Posted in Education, Family, Promotional Products, Self Improvement 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:

Piano Stress Toy 

Piano Shaped Pen

Piano Paper Clip

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 .

08.03.07

Bathtub Hard Water Spots

Posted in Cleaning Tips, Family, Promotional Products at 9:10 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

I was cleaning my bath tub last Saturday, and I could not get rid of the hard water spots.  Yeah, grant it, if I would clean my tub more often, I wouldn’t have this problem.  After being married for 27 years, I know that I am not going to turn over a new leaf and clean my bathroom every Saturday so I had to come up with another solution to get rid of hard water spots.

I bought ”Lime Away” at the grocery store.  I wasn’t too impressed.  Then, I tried  “Comet” even though I know it is a harsh cleaner and can leave abrasions, but the water spots didn’t even begin to budge.  I asked around to see what other people do to get rid of hard water stains.  An older lady in my neighborhood said vinegar works because of it’s acidic nature giving it the ability to soften hard water.   I sprayed the hard water spots with vinegar and let them stand a few hours, and then I reapplied more vinegar, and when I scrubbed the hard water stains,  to my surprise they came right off.  

I don’t care for the smell of vinegar, but I’ll put up with the strange smell to have a clean tub.  Since vinegar is cheap, I enjoy the savings that I can use to buy other things for my bathroom like:

Mineral Bath Salts

Relax Pack Gift Set

Chill Out Basket

Apothecary Bath and Body Gift Kit

08.01.07

My Neighbor’s Sad Dog Story

Posted in Family, Promotional Products at 10:28 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

My neighbor accidentally ran over her family dog of sixteen years.  When she talks about her trauma as she jumped out of her van to rescue Sadie, her eyes well up with tears.  “How could I hurry so fast that I did this to my sweet Sadie?”  Her grief is overwhelming as she watches her nine children weep about the loss of their long time family dog. 

Their family decided to have a funeral for Sadie in hopes it would help them begin to heal. Sadie now lies buried in the corner of their backyard garden plot. 

Their family is apprehensive about getting another dog because there is no dog that can replace a beloved dog of sixteen years.  I am quite sure, given some time, they will reconsider getting a new dog to love and putting Sadie’s dog toys and accessories  to use again. 

07.30.07

Ask Yourself Three Questions Before Buying

Posted in Family, Finances at 9:57 pm by <ADMINNICENAME>

I was reading the other day in a religious magazine, and it suggested to ask yourself or your child three questions before buying anything: 

Is this a want or a need?

What is the worst thing that can happen if we buy it or don’t buy it?

If we leave without buying it, will we still want or need it in a week or two?

I know that my kids and I have bought things that we really wanted, but in a month or two, we decide it is not as neat as we thought, and we wish we would have saved the money instead. 

07.18.07

You Really Have to Love Your Kids…..

Posted in Family at 3:08 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

You really have to love your kids to get up at 6:00 a.m., Monday thru Friday to drive them to their football practice.

You really have to love your kids to put up with the incovenience of computer filters. 

You really have to love your kids to continually buy new cereal bowls and spoons to replace the ones they broke or lost. 

You really have to love your kids who devour part of the ingredients that you needed for a certain recipe. 

You really have to love your kids when they eat all the shrimp that you were looking forward to eating when you got home from work.

When on occasion I hear the words, “Thank you, or I Love You,” I recommit to keep loving my kids.

Kids, even though we keep loving you, please, please take it easy on your mothers!

07.14.07

To be a good teacher, you must be a willingly learner

Posted in Education, Family, Self Improvement at 12:33 am by <ADMINNICENAME>

In the documentary, “The Revolution”, broadcast on the History Channel, it was stated that it is the opinion of many that George Washington’s most outstanding leadership attribute was his ability to listen and learn from others.  George Washington had opinions, but he often changed them after hearing the ideas and opinions of others.

Near the beginning of the war, George Washington’s army lost the battle of New York.  This loss tormented Washington, and he was compassionate about regaining control of the city because he felt the city was taken by England because of his inexperience and poor judgment.    When the French army finally arrived in America, Washington felt with the additional strength to the patriot army, they were now strong enough to recapture New York.   The French commander, Comte de Rochambeau, felt they should attack at Yorktown rather than New York.  Although George Washington was passionate about recapturing New York, he listened and thought about Rochambeau’s logic, and then agreed that it would be better to attack Yorktown.  Even though the battle of Yorktown was not the end of the war, it was the battle that won the war.

A religious leader, Boyd K. Packer recently stated, “To be a good teacher, you must be a willing learner.” (lds.org: Worldwide Training Meeting)  I think if George Washington were alive today, his words would be a little different, but the meaning would be the same, ”To be a good leader, you must willingly listen and learn from others”.

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