D & S Creative Touches

Back to School Just around the corner!

2011-07-12T08:42:00.001-06:00

Don’t get stuck waiting last minute for the items you need to send your kids back to school.

I have found some great back to school items from the one and only Crayola. When I think of them I think crayons, but they are so much more than that. See what kind of deals you can get and save yourself money on back to school items or just fun items in general.

Shop the Hottest Back-To-School essentials at the CrayolaStore.com!

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On Sale at CrayolaStore.com

Share the Love!

2011-06-08T08:26:00.000-06:00

Recently I had the pleasure of building a website for my brother and his business, and doing the social media aspects of his business. In our business as we work virtually its hard to imagine just all one can accomplish as technology has advanced.

Although sometimes working with family can be a difficult thing. However in my case I am proud to assist my family in their business success. Seeing someone succeed and build their business can be difficult, as I know all to well. So I volunteered my service to help and some parts without them even asking.

What happens when you volunteer your service and share the love? The best thing can come out of it, word of mouth referrals and online exposure for your own business. Second a great admiration for the ones you are helping and the best of all the satisfaction knowing you are helping someone succeed, giving total support of their venture.

Share the love and see what you can get in return without high expectations.

To see just what we did be sure to check out the local welding business http://sparksmobilewelding.com, like them on Facebook, and follow Sparks on Twitter.

If you are looking for personalize service visit: http://onlinevirtualofficesolutions.com or http://thetruckingva.com

Change your Skin, do it with attitude!

2011-03-22T12:23:00.000-06:00

Recently I was on the hunt for a new computer. I went to several stores, look through the internet, and well needless to say I found one that caught my eye. My twins realy talked me more into it, but I wanted it because it was white all pretty decorated with colorful flowers. It was part persona of my bright, cheerful personality.

Well, I bought the computer and probaly spent more on it than I should have just because of the design. Had I just realized I could get a plain one, save my self some money and then got a skin, I could change it, periodically.

Skins you can now buy for iphones, computers, blackberry's and more. I think next time I will just get a skin. Find a variety of skins at; Save 10% at DecalGirl.com with code DECAL10

Change your skin and do it with attitude!

Its All about the Kids

2011-03-14T18:51:00.000-06:00

You ever find yourself that in everything you do it is for your kids or your family? Today is very hard to teach the kids the fundamentals of respect and values. If you go to www.dscreativetouches.com you can find a lot of information for kids and families but I think my favorite page are first http://dscreativetouches.com/precious.htm and next http://dscreativetouches.com/learnreading.htm.

The precious moments page gives me the cutest collection and a perfect idea for gifts that come from faith and through the heart. The second page learning and reading has one of my favorite books like "Raising Great Kids" and "Teaching Kids the Bible."

It is hard to have your kids paying attention when you just read, but when you add animation and interesting stories, it makes it a lot more inviting and they are willing to learn. Making it easier to teach your kids the values they need in an everyday life situation. Giving them the opportunity to make the right choices.

I love these pages and makes a great conversation at networking parties or just friends in general. There are so many more links that you can find on this website, swing on over and check out my website www.dscreativetouches.com

Make everyday a special day!

2011-01-26T05:53:00.001-07:00

Just about every time I get the craft stuff out, the kids get proud of how creative they are. When Mother's Day rolls around, kids want to show their moms just how special they are. Store-bought gifts and cards are nice, but they lack that personal touch. Something made just for Mom has much more sentimental value, and kids don't have to spend much money (if any) on it. Make everyday a special day, not just Mother’s day.

Even toddlers can make crafts with a little help. Let the imagination run with your child let them create something they can be proud of. Here are a few Ideas that the kids can make for your special Mothers Day, but it doesn’t have to be just that day, these ideas or the creativity of a child can be for any occasion or just because.

Framed Photos

Every mother loves to look at pictures of her kids. So why not pick out a favorite picture or yourself with Mom and create a beautiful frame for it? There are many ways you can go about making photo frames.

One of the cheapest and simplest ways to make a picture frame is to cut one out of paper. Construction paper, card stock and thick scrapbooking paper are good choices. Or, if you want to make the frame even sturdier, use corrugated cardboard. Just make sure the opening in the middle is large enough to show the part of the photo you want to display, and make the frame any shape you like. Decorate with paint, glitter and stickers. Add a magnet to the back for easy display on the refrigerator.

You can also make frames out of craft sticks. Just glue the ends of four sticks together to make a square, and decorate with markers or paint. Or if you prefer, buy a plain photo frame and decorate it as you please.

There are many things you can use to make a frame, just be creative and let your kids use their imaginations.

Candle Holders

It's easy to make a lovely candleholder out of a small jar. Larger baby food jars work well for tea lights and votives. Pint jars can hold votives or small pillar candles.

To decorate, use tissue paper. Mix equal parts white glue and water, and stick the paper onto the outside of the jar, stopping below the rim. Use pieces of different colors to create a stained glass look. Cut some shapes out of the paper if you like, arrange them in a pretty pattern, and glue on top of the larger pieces. Coat with the glue mixture to seal, and let dry.

Bath Salts

Want to help Mom pamper herself on her special day? Make her some homemade bath salts. They will help her relax and leave her skin feeling great.

Just mix 3 cups of Epsom salts, 2 cups of baking soda, and 1 cup of table salt. Add about twenty drops of a fragrant essential oil. Lavender, sandalwood and chamomile are good choices. Mix thoroughly. Present the bath salts to Mom in a pretty jar tied with a ribbon.

Decorative Flowerpot

Moms adore flowers. Creating a unique flowerpot with a plant you've grown for her is sure to bring a smile to her face.

Small unglazed terra cotta flowerpots are easy to paint on. Use acrylic paint to make a pretty scene or design. If you don't have a flowerpot, a Styrofoam cup will do. You can decorate it with markers, glitter glue and stickers. When your creation is dry, fill it with potting soil and plant a few seeds. Try to do this a week or two before Mother's Day so the plant will have time to start growing. Don't forget to give it plenty of sun and water.

Mom is sure to appreciate these simple yet thoughtful crafts. They will give her fond Mother's Day or just any day memories for years to come!

Other Craft ideas and resources:

Fun Crafts: Quality time and Creative Imaginations from DS Creative Touches

Technorati Tags: DS Creative Touches,craft ideas,Mother's Day,special occasions,memories

A confusing topic! Back problem in Children?

2011-01-08T22:12:00.001-07:00

This is a topic that is confusing me on the responses I get when I ask another parents, “Don’t you worry about your child's back, with as heavy as their back packs are?”

I spoke to the school nurse about this subject since we just moved to a new school, and rolling back packs are not allowed because because kids may trip over each others back packs.

However, this maybe true I have a problem with the amount of weight that is their backpack. As I have gone to several appointments lately for a back pain in my nine year that just does not seem to be getting better.

I never noticed just how heavy they were until he kept complaining of a back ache, and of course I was concerned, but honestly I contributed it to wrestling with his brother. But after the past couple months it has not seem to be getting better.

We have had x-ray's and everything looks ok for now, so it just taking it easy. But how do you take it easy when you lift 20 lbs. on your back daily?

What are you thoughts about children and back aches. To me it’s a confusing topic and worrying about issues and my child’s health.

Technorati Tags: children,back aches,school,back packs,parenting,health and children

Close to the heart, A Childhood Memory

2010-12-18T10:31:00.001-07:00

What do you remember about special things from when you were a child. A song at the holidays, a gift on a birthday? I was recently asked “if you had one special moment you could remember in a song from your childhood what would it be?”

Even during the VAnetworking “Deck the Halls” Christmas party there were even questions about songs from when we were growing up.

Well my mom is very good musically and growing up we owned an organ that belonged to my grandmother. So she used to play the organ and sing the song “He” For the life of me I could not remember who it was by or how I could find out.

Thanks to technology and the internet we found it. Through a website where all you do is type in the lyrics of the song and it pulls up the song and original artist.

I want to share this song with you. The original artist was Al Hibbley but this song has been sang by the Lennon Sister and even the Righteous brothers. What an amazing song.

Family Christian Stores Find, Grow, Share and Celebrate your Faith

Technorati Tags: Vanetworking,christian,music,childhood memories

Holiday Stocking Stuffer and Gift Ideas!

2010-11-19T07:02:00.001-07:00

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Parenting Wisdom of MOPS (mothers of preschoolers)

2010-10-15T16:04:00.000-06:00

"Raising Great Kids For Parents Of Preschoolers"

"It takes tender strength to raise children of character and faith. What does it take to raise great kids? If you've read any books on parenting, conflicting opinions have probably left you feeling confused. Get tough! Show acceptance. Lay down the rules. Lighten up, already! There's got to be a balance between control and permissiveness. And there is. Drawing on the expert insights of counselors and award winning authors Henry Cloud and John Townsend and on the parenting wisdom of MOPS International (Mothers of Preschoolers), Raising Great Kids shows you how truth and grace go together. They are allies in your most challenging and rewarding task: raising children with character that can withstand life's rigors and make the most of its potential. Using principles described in Raising Great Kids, the Raising Great Kids Workbook for Parents of Preschoolers will guide you through those first, formative years in your child's life from infancy to age five. It's filled with sound Biblical information and expert advise. But most important, it supplies tools you can begin using today, from thought - provoking questions and self-assessments to an abundance of practical applications. Each chapter begins by introducing three or four key parenting principles, and ends with hands on exercise and a prayer that crystallize the concepts dealt with in that chapter. The Raising Kids Workbook for Parents of Preschoolers will help you start sowing the seeds of character early in your child's life for good fruit that lasts a lifetime."

Share the Joy of what God wants for Christmas

2010-10-13T07:55:00.002-06:00

Eat Cookies, Lose Weight? Is this really Possible?

2010-10-07T12:22:00.000-06:00

Ok so I really thought that this was not possible. I am one of those who does not overdue the indulgence of sweets, let alone cookies. But I thought I would give this a try, wow how amazing it was that I could try this and not feel like I was starving or sacrificing anything. I have lost some weight, but its not the weight that I have noticed the most, its the energy and no longer having the feeling of starving. Read the Excerpt below, and you to can see why I found that I would give it a try.

Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET™ Featured in Two-Hour E! Entertainment Network Special This Weekend

E! Entertainment Network Special Includes Interviews with Dr. Siegal's COOKIE DIET™ Creator Sanford Siegal, D.O., M.D., and His Patients

Miami, FL (PRWEB) January 2, 2008 -- Dr. Siegal's Direct Nutritionals LLC, the global distributor of Dr. Siegal's® COOKIE DIET™ products and operator of the CookieDietOnline.com web site, today announced that Dr. Sanford Siegal's 33 year old weight loss system and hunger-controlling meal replacement cookies, shakes and soup will be featured in a two-hour THS Investigates special on E! Entertainment Network this Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at noon and 8pm EST. The cable network recently spent a day in Dr. Siegal's Miami clinic speaking to patients who've lost weight on the cookie-based diet system developed in 1975 by the renowned physician, author, and obesity expert. Among the patients who were interviewed by E! were a married couple who together lost more than 100 pounds.

"I was flattered when the True Hollywood Stories producers at E! asked to spend a day at Siegal Medical Group observing how we've used Dr. Siegal's® COOKIE DIET™ in our own medical practice for more than thirty years. I know that E! focuses on entertainment rather than news so I was impressed by the producers' eagerness to understand the science behind what has been a very successful weight loss system, " said Dr. Siegal. "We talked for hours, not just about Dr. Siegal's® COOKIE DIET™ but also about the history of dieting going back more than a hundred years."

Dr. Siegal is frequently in the news. Over the years he has been profiled by ABC's Good Morning America, New York Daily News, CNN, and Fox News Channel. Due to the recent resurgence of interest in hypothyroidism that was sparked by Oprah Winfrey, several media profiles of Dr. Siegal's book on the subject, Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat? (Warner Books, 2000), are scheduled in early 2008.

"We haven't seen the E! show yet but we're looking forward to it. Given that we've helped more than a half million people lose weight safely during the past thirty-three years, we're a little puzzled that they used the word 'fad' in the title," said Matthew Siegal, president and CEO of Dr. Siegal's Direct Nutritionals, which distributes Dr. Siegal's products worldwide. "Whenever you deal with the media, you have to be prepared for anything. Producers sometimes sacrifice accuracy for entertainment and ratings. We trust that the producers at True Hollywood Stories are conscientious people and that they will accurately present the Dr. Siegal's® COOKIE DIET™ success story."

Dr. Siegal conceived the idea of a cookie-based diet in the early 1970's while researching his book on the role of the hypothalamus in satiety and weight loss. Recognizing that hunger is the main reason why most diets fail, Dr. Siegal created a proprietary blend of amino acid food proteins that provides unusually strong hunger suppression per calorie. He baked his protein blend into a cookie and found that it enabled his patients to faithfully adhere to the reduced calorie diet that he prescribes and monitors. He later developed diet shakes and diet soup with the same hunger-suppressing quality. More than 500,000 people have since used the products, and hundreds of other doctors have provided them to patients in their own medical practices. Dr. Siegal manufactures all of his foods in his private bakery in Miami.

Dr. Siegal's® COOKIE DIET™ hunger-controlling foods and nutritional supplements are available by phone 24/7 at 866-464-5595 toll-free; online at CookieDietOnline.com; and from select doctors, drug stores and retailers. They're also available at Dr. Siegal's® COOKIE DIET™ kiosks in Paradise Valley Mall in Phoenix, AZ; Boca Raton Town Center Mall in Boca Raton, FL; and Moorestown Mall near the Philadelphia suburb of Cherry Hill, NJ. A second Phoenix location will open on January 11th at Chandler Fashion Center. More kiosks will open each month throughout 2008.

Many moods of my Cell Phone!

2010-10-04T09:23:00.001-06:00

So recently I bought a new phone. A touch screen with all the bells and whistles, but with kids and my own personality I wanted something to design it with character and also to be able to help protect it as well.

Get 10% Off Every Order w/coupon code: 10SUMMER CellphoneAccents.com!

I love the idea that I can get different accessories and designs for my new phone, that allows me to put the look to my mood.

Do you worry about talking and driving with your teen, get them a blue tooth to eliminate distracted driving.

Find your cell brand and many more at CellphoneAccents

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An Inspirational Sweet saying from the mouth of a 3 year old!

2010-09-21T12:40:00.000-06:00

I value the imagination and comments of a child, who is young enough to try to understand what is said. My toddler has had a terrible time trying to sleep and gets afraid easily. So come bed time there needs to be noise other than from the house itself.

We attended a ministry fair at our church we have been going to Fairhope United Methodist Church. Where on Sunday my three boys were miniture golfing to win prizes. One of my sons won a DVD from Veggie tales. 2 movies on one disk "God made you special" & "Where is God when I am Scared?", and you know I am greatful, not only for the idea that my son enjoys watching these, but the comment he made from learning from these.

Last night, I layed down my 3 year old, and asked him if he wanted to watch his movie and he said "that is ok, I have Tiger and God is with me" I wanted to cry, not only was it sweet the way he looked at me, but the idea that he put his trust in God and had faith for his protection.

Like so many of us, it is hard to put all of our trust into something or someone completly. So not only did this movie make an impact, but also came close after the sermon at church which was about trusting, and finding our fit.

How many of us feel afraid at one point or another not just in the dark, but at anything we do, from finances to just being a parent. If we put our trust in God first, it gives us the strength to put our trust in others as well.

If you are looking for your copy of DVDs that can make your child feel just as mine did, make sure you visit the veggietales store, and find your key to the happiness and comfort of your child.

VeggieTales $8.97 DVD Sale!

The Old Fashion way or Digital, have fun be Creative?

2010-09-10T15:34:00.001-06:00

Scrapbooking has been around for awhile, but seemingly has taken a bounce in popularity. All different types of people do scrap booking. The fun part is creating the album and then showcasing what is inside. But with all the techniques and things that are available it may be a bit intimidating to get started.

Now you can even scrapbook Digitally. I have created various scrapbook backgrounds and then added my own photos and saved them digitally on a CD or my hard drive. Since my family lives far away, it’s a great way to get creative while sharing my pages with my family.

Here we are going to do scrap booking the good old fashion way, by hand. Anyone can scrapbook, and it does not cost much to have fun and create attractive pages. With some basic supplies and a little imagination, you can create lovely scrapbook pages that can be adored for many years to come.

What You Need

You can get started scrapbooking on a small budget. Here are the things you'll need.

* An album - Scrapbooking albums come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular are 8 1/2" x 11" and 12" x 12". They can be found at most craft supply stores if you don't have a scrapbooking supply store nearby.

* Paper - Scrapbooking paper can be found in a variety of solid colors and patterns. This will be the basis for each page. You may also use scrapbooking paper for journaling and to create your own photo mats and embellishments.

* Cutting tools - You can easily get by with just a good pair of scissors. But an Exacto knife might make photo cropping easier. And if you're no good at cutting straight lines, you might want to invest in a paper cutter.

* Adhesives - There are all sorts of adhesives one could use for scrapbooking. Glue sticks and double-sided tape are quite popular. Some scrapbookers also use rubber cement or glue dots for certain applications. But when you're getting started, just use what you're most comfortable with.

* Photos - Beginning scrapbookers often start out with old photos that they've accumulated over the years. This makes for a nice, nostalgic album. Of course you can also take new pictures for your scrapbook. A digital camera and photo printer are two modern conveniences that make scrapbooking easier, but they are not necessities. Photos taken by a film camera work just as well.

When purchasing scrapbooking supplies, it's important to make sure they are acid-free. This will keep them from harming your priceless photos.

Basic Techniques

You don't have to know a lot about scrapbooking techniques to create an attractive album. Just a few simple techniques will suffice.

One of the first things many scrapbookers learn is how to mat photos. This can be accomplished by simply cutting a square or rectangle that is about a half inch longer and wider than the photo you want to mat. Then glue the photo to the center. To make a photo really stand out, double mat it by cutting out a shape a half inch longer and wider than the first mat, and center the matted photo on it.

Journaling gives scrapbook pages a nice personal touch. Simply write a note about the photos on a page, telling what was happening or sharing your thoughts on the subject. Use paper that coordinates with the background, and be sure to write with an acid-free pen.

Adding borders to your pages gives them a finished look. You can make them out of strips of coordinating scrapbook paper. You don't have to border all four sides. A strip along the top, side or bottom will do. For easy embellishing, use some stickers.

20% Off Most Scrapbooking Products at ScrapbookingAlley.com

There's no need to throw in the towel if you don't have the time, money or know-how to create elaborate scrapbooks. Just start off simple, and learn new techniques as you go.

To see how you can get you copy of digital scrapbook pages, or have a question how to create digital scrapbooking pages, shoot us a question we will be happy to help.

Get this Click Here to find out how.

Chaos happens, Work from home it seems to Intensify!

2010-09-08T20:13:00.001-06:00

School has been going here for about 4 weeks now. I can honestly say, I do not remember having this much homework in the 4th grade. But the homework is the least of it, with the age that my twins are.

At 9 years old my sons, think that they know everything, even working on finishing my sentences. We have attitude, and fights and chaos, then you add my 3 year into the mix. Well I can say some days are chaos, and I ask myself daily “how did my mom survive.”

The left here in this picture is my 3 sons, they look so innocent, don’t they? Well they are not bad kids, by any means. Just attitude, screaming and fighting with each other. You know things that some parents say are typical at this age.

Working from home is great because I get to spend more flexible time with my family. My networking friends are absolutely wonderful at VAnetworking.

Yet with work and the kids, I wish I had programs like this sooner.

Stress Doesn't Have to Be Part of Your Life. Say farewell to stress with the helpful hand of a life coach on your team.

Having kids, working from home, the upkeep of your house, errands and more, depending on what activities your kids have as well as yourself. This all adds up to a chaotic mess.

I am learning that in order to be a successful work-at-home mom, I need to also be successful with myself. Which means I need to keep myself, as stress free as possible and in the right mind frame.

A few days ago, I told you about Aurelia Williams’ helpful “Real Life Guidance to Getting out of the Supermom Trap.” If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, I really recommend you head over now to: Balance work and family

It’s your practical guide to staying sane during the upcoming holidays and all year round. Certified Life Coach, Aurelia Williams shows you that it actually IS possible to say no guilt-free, become more organized so you can fit more into your day and even take some time just for you.

Again, here is the link: Balancing Work and Family

Think you don’t have time to look? Then you REALLY need to get yourself out of the Supermom Trap. Take a few moments now for a lot more sanity later.

Technorati Tags: work from home,work at home moms,kids,balance family and work,super mom trap,Aurelia Williams

The Animal in all of us!

2010-09-08T10:40:00.002-06:00

The one place that no matter what mall I have gone into, my kids love Build-A-Bear Workshop®. Letting their creativity and imagination run wild. When you allow your child to create their own piece to each animal, it makes it that much more meaningful, an opens the animal in all of us.
I have found that the animals they have no matter when they have gotten them, the cherish even after an extended period of time. At a reasonable price that is affordable to any budget. Be sure to visit Build-A-Bear Workshop® online and enjoy it right from your own home with out having to take a trip to a mall.
Also enjoy some of the other ideas making your children smile, and just knowing that they are happy using their imagination, its all worth it in the end.

The Mom Guilt, “Did do something Wrong?

2010-08-27T09:16:00.001-06:00

Mommy Guilt No More By Aurelia Williams, author of Getting out of the SuperMom Trap

Do you ever feel guilty when you buy yourself a two dollar bottle of nail polish? How about when you take the long way home from a quick ride to the store just to get some extra quiet time, and when you get home the kids ask, “what took you so long?” does this make you feel like you did something wrong? I am here to tell you that you shouldn’t feel an ounce of guilt and you needn't put yourself into the SuperMom Trap!

Moms always seem to give, give, and give some more until we’re running on empty. The truth of the matter is; if you don’t take time to yourself on a regular basis, you’re going to end up feeling deprived and downright exhausted. What good are you to yourself, friends and your family if you’re too tired and irritable to do the things you need to do each day?

Here are a few tips to help you overcome feeling guilty for setting aside time for yourself:

• When your family is getting too demanding and starts questioning you as to why you aren’t at their beckon call every second of the day; simply explain to them that you’re taking time out for a bit and that mom’s need time to themselves too. You can do this by setting a day and time do to something nice for yourself and simply explain to your family what your plans are. Let them know when you are leaving and when they can expect you to be back. They will be so happy to have a relaxed, happy mom upon your return.

• Ask your husband, significant other, friend or a trusted sitter to watch your kids for a while ant then schedule a time to go meet call your friend for an afternoon of window shopping, lunch or perhaps a movie. Don’t allow yourself to feel guilty while you’re doing this. Keep in mind that you deserve the time. When you arrive back at home, don’t get all tense and think, “Maybe I should have stayed home and cleaned the toilet instead.” Let your children see how happy you are that you took time out for yourself then reward your children for their behavior while you were away.

• The next time you find yourself feeling guilty when you haven’t done anything wrong, ask yourself, “is this illegal?” or “is this going to hurt someone else?” If the answer is no, then just don’t worry about it and try to enjoy yourself. You’re more than just a mom, you’re still Y-O-U; and you deserve attention too. Find some Health and Beauty items here , something small can make you feel so much better about yourself.

• Don’t think you’re being selfish. This is the number one thing that sidetracks a lot of moms. We have no problem going out and getting a little something for the kids, husband, or friends, but when it comes to making a purchase for ourselves, as small as a shirt on the clearance rack for a few dollars, we hesitate and put it back. If you can afford to get yourself a little something then go ahead and do it. Even if all you can purchase is a new tube of lip stick, a new book or a small accessory, it will make you feel better about yourself.

• Be sure you are expressing your true thoughts and feelings to your loved ones. For instance, if you are asked what you want for your birthday and you say, “Well, I don’t really need anything” and secretly, you are expecting your family to read your mind, 9 times out of 10 you’ll end up feeling disappointed in the outcome. When your family is really trying to be nice and do something kind for you, let them! Don’t feel guilty for asking for that shiny new bracelet you saw in the mall, or a trip to a day spa for that massage that you’ve always wanted. You deserve it!

The most important things in a mother’s life, her children, are also the most influential. Children are just like sponges and everything Mom does they will, at some point in time in their lives, mimic and/or reflect upon. If your children see you constantly suppressing your needs and not speaking out and taking the time that you deserve, they will be more inclined to follow those patterns as they grown into adulthood. What you do today can determine the kind of life your child will lead tomorrow.

Life is short and motherhood goes by quickly, enjoy it to the best of your ability. A guilt free mom is a happy mom!

Need More Help?

If you're looking to raise more independent and self-sufficient children - plus...get yourself out of the SuperMom Trap, grab a copy of this important guide.

Technorati Tags: just for moms,supermom,guilt free mom,Supermom trap,DS Creative Touches,health and beauty,mom deserves it

Sooner than you think! Idea for Making money from Home.

2010-08-17T09:07:00.001-06:00

Start a Santa Letter Business for the Holidays Article by: JustAddSweat.com’s “Start a Santa Letter Guide”

With the uncertainty surrounding the economy these days, many women are trying to think of ideas to make money from home. You don’t want to fall for a scam but you do want something that is easy to do and still have time for your families. Starting a Santa letter business may be the answer you’re looking for.

What Exactly is a Santa Letter Business?

Each year thousands of children write letters to Santa Claus and never get a response, but your Santa letter business can change all that. By owning your own Santa letter business, you can give children something to cherish for years to come. A parent pays for a “letter from Santa” for their child and you write a personalized letter in response.

What Type of Equipment and Supplies are Needed?

There aren’t a lot of equipment needs for this business. In fact, you can get started with nothing more than a computer, Christmas stationery, a printer, and a way for parents to contact you. You may want to consider getting a post office box for your business so

you won’t have people sending letters to your personal address.

What Skills and Attributes Will You Need?

A good command of the English language and the ability to type are all the skills you’ll really need. If you love children and can relate to them, you’ll do well in this business. How Do You Decide What to Charge? Parents want their children to be happy and to encourage the magic of Christmas as long as they can. It’s not unusual for Santa letter businesses to charge as much as $10 per letter. Of course, you may be able to find them cheaper online, but the quality of the letter leaves much to be desired. Deliver great quality and command a better price. Think about what you would be willing to spend to have a personalized letter sent to your child from “Santa” and that will give you a good starting point for the price. Factor in your costs – stationary, postage, and printer ink – then add a little to the price of the letter to help pay for those items.

Use Creative Marketing Ideas. Don’t wait too long to start advertising your new business. In fact, if you haven’t started by the first week of November, you may have waited too late. Sell letters from Santa on auction sites. You can also create order forms that can be given to schools and preschools to send home to parents. Consider creating a website and advertise there, send out postcards to people in your hometown, or put up fliers in local businesses. Set up your computer in a booth at a Christmas craft show and have letters made on the spot for parents and grandparents to take with them.

To Learn More: Setting up a Santa letter business is a fun and lucrative business to start with a minimum of money and equipment. Get step-by-step help, download letter templates and more, by grabbing your “Just Add Sweat Guide to Start a Santa Letter Business”

Technorati Tags: Make money from home,home based business,work at home moms,start a home business,DS creative touches

Creating a little bit of Tears that go along way!

2010-07-30T22:01:00.001-06:00

Typically I spend my work week days working with clients, answering phones calls and responding to email. Well today was a bit different.

The first thing my toddler said to me this morning was “Mommy, here let me show you” I asked him what he wanted to show me and he grabbed a hold of my computer mouse and went to the start button, when I asked him what he was doing he looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said “I need you, turn it off”

I think this was a tale tell sign that I spent too many hours working lately and they needed some mommy time. My twins were so excited they didn’t care what we did they had my full attention.

I created ebooks for activities that I find useful everyday with my kids and today was the day to put some of it to the test. Each child got 2 pages from the coloring books 1-an activity page 2-coloring page. Of course my 3 year old didn’t care what he got just as long as it had trains.

After completing one of the pages, my oldest son said “ I made this for you, its just as pretty as you are” and then he smiled. My heart fell to my feet and tears came to my eyes.

This was the beginning of deciding today was a no work Friday, after the coloring activities it was more mommy time. Can you say water and a trampoline. Well yeah that wasn't my cup of tea but the smiles it brought was worth it.

Then the last thing on my agenda was relaxation time, so a movie and popcorn. That did the trick, mellowed out the twins and put my toddler asleep and me, well close to it.

Its at moments like these that we need to cherish the moments we have with our children while they are young. Times go by so fast and just as quick as we cant wait until they go back to school, we wish they were home again.

So when you sit down and you think of things to do with your kids,

it shouldn't matter how much fun it is for you, but just the time you have with them and those little words that mean so much can bring a tear to your eye that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Resources: Fun activities and coloring books from DS Creative Touches

Technorati Tags: coloring and activities,just for kids,memories,family time,special moments,work at home moms,take time

Teach Toddlers!

2010-07-12T09:54:00.001-06:00

Teach Toddlers about God using Bible Videos

It is never too early to begin teaching children about God and the Bible. To learn about God, we take our cues from the Bible because everything that God represents is written there. Here are some ways to teach toddlers about God through Bible videos.

Toddlers, like most young children, are visual learners. Bright colors and loud noises attract their attention. Reading a passage of the Bible to them will not inspire them at all. They may go to sleep but if that was not your intention, you’ll have to step up your game.

For Christian families, teaching the ways of God and the truths of the Bible to their kids is an important part of parenting. What the children believe will go with them throughout their lives. So don’t get too disappointed if your toddler doesn’t want to listen when you read a passage. You can change your method of teaching without changing what is being taught.

Bible videos give kids a chance to learn about Bible history through fun characters that they can relate to. These characters are colorful so that toddlers will remember them. There are many bible videos for sale online and in Christian stores. Parents are encouraged to read reviews of the material to see if what is displayed is in line with their ideals and beliefs.

One of the more popular video series comes from the company, Big Idea. They are the ones that produce VeggieTales. The Official VeggieTales Online Store. VeggieTales characters have found a place in the hearts of thousands of children in this world. Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber sing songs, play different roles, and also teach children about God through entertaining Bible stories.

For the toddler, they may not understand the stories well, but frequent viewing will help them to understand what the characters are doing. These characters sing songs in each video that are catchy. You’ll be surprised when your toddlers begin to sing along.

Kids remember more than we think they do. Providing them with biblically accurate video material will inspire questions as they get older. The kids will see these characters like Bob and Larry as role models for kids. Besides, watching veggies on television may be the most love a child shows a vegetable in their young life.

Many say it is not healthy for kids to watch a lot of television but it all depends on what they are watching. For toddlers, watching biblical videos won’t warp their minds but instead lay a foundation for their future faith in God. When Mom & Dad watch with them it makes it even more spiritual and children will learn the importance of family in God’s eyes.

Skits and plays Christian style

2010-07-08T09:22:00.001-06:00

At one time or another, every kid has dreamed of being an actor. They see all their favorite stars on the television and in the movies and they want to be them. It is fun to play dress up and pretend. It lets our imagination soar to new heights. Some of the best ideas people have ever had came from such times when their minds were free.

Skits and plays are fun activities that kids can do and parents can institute to teach Christian values and foster that love of the stage. Skits are shorter than plays and can be used when time is limited or for a Sunday school activity. Plays are longer productions that can be performed on holidays and other special occasions.

You can surf the Internet for Christian plays and skits or make up some of your own. For older kids, they can be given an idea and allowed to run with it so to speak. They can form groups and come up with an impromptu skit to present to the class. For the parent’s part, bring in props and clothing that can be used by the kids to bring their characters to life.

This type of activity isn’t limited to Sunday school either. For family fun night or some other night when you want to do something different, hold a skit contest. Each person can act out a scene from the Bible and have a neutral person to judge. It is like the ultimate game of charades.

Plays are a bigger deal during holidays. Most people go all out with props, sets, costumes, and scripts. The kids are learning about the life of Jesus through their acting. On Easter they learn about his crucifixion and on Christmas, they learn about his birth.

Skits teach other concepts and Bible stories too. Kids may be asked to perform a skit that demonstrates mercy or goodness. They will draw on their knowledge of the Bible to come up with creative stories that no one else may have thought of. There can be friendly competition involved in these activities but they are also perfect learning experiences.

Let kids experiment with modern-day situations to demonstrate Christian values as well. By making it personal to them, they get more out of it.

Acting is a way of expressing ourselves as another character. Children and adults get to walk a mile in the shoes of a Bible character and learn about their life.

Recently most churches have completed “Vacation bible School” or VBS don’t get stuck without great ideas all year long. Save up to 75% at Family Christian.com's Clearance Center.

Homemade Soap family style

2010-05-26T14:49:00.001-06:00

How to Make Homemade Soap

We all use soap. In the old days, most people made their own. Today, we are much more likely to buy it from the store. There are lots of brands to choose from, and each brand has various formulations and scents.

But making your own soap has some definite advantages. One of the most significant is the price. We can make soap much cheaper than we can buy it. Making it ourselves also gives us complete control over the ingredients, so we can create a soap that's perfect for our skin type in a scent of our choosing.

Making soap is much easier than you might think. It is, however, important to take certain safety precautions. Here's a basic recipe:

Ingredients

* 12 cups lye crystals
* 5 cups softened water
* 6 pounds lard

Instructions

1. Put water in a glass or plastic bowl. Carefully pour lye into water, stirring constantly with a plastic or wooden spoon. This should be done outdoors or in a well-ventilated area, because it produces caustic fumes.
2. Mixing lye and water produces heat. When the lye is completely dissolved, set the mixture aside to cool.
3. Place lard in a stainless steel or enamel pan. Melt over low heat.
4. Allow both the lye solution and the lard to cool to room temperature.
5. Slowly pour the lye solution into the lard, stirring slowly and constantly with the plastic or wooden spoon.
6. Continue stirring after all of the lye solution has been added. Drizzle a small amount of the mixture into the pot periodically. When the soap keeps its shape for a moment before sinking into the mixture, you can add scent, color and herbs.
7. Pour the soap into a mold greased with Crisco. Wrap in a towel, and let set for about 18 hours or until completely cooled. Uncover and let set for 12 more hours.
8. The soap may now be unmolded and cut into bars. Let the bars cure for 3 to 4 weeks before using.

Customizing Your Soap

There are lots of different ways you can customize your soap. To make the best soap for your skin type, you may want to use different oils. Some that are commonly used include olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter and shea butter. The correct amount varies depending on which oil you use, so look for recipes online or in books until you get the hang of it.

Essential oils have therapeutic properties and add fragrance. Oatmeal, cornmeal and other grains can be added as exfoliates. And skin-safe colorants may be used to produce the desired color. These ingredients should be mixed together and added to a cup of the soap mixture, then stirred into the rest of the soap mixture immediately before pouring into the mold.

Making your own soap is easy, and it can be lots of fun. Coming up with the perfect concoction for your skin is rewarding, and sweetly scented homemade soaps make wonderful gifts for any occasion.

Movie Night, Christian Style!

2010-05-03T18:34:00.001-06:00

There’s nothing like an evening at home with some good eats and a good string of movies. Establish a movie night in your family. Choose to watch wholesome movies that are appropriate for the entire family to enjoy. Here are ideas for Christian movie night themes.

If you like chick flicks, action, adventure, drama, horror, and comedy, you can host a movie night. Enjoy good movies with just the family or invite others over. Pick from a host of movies that all have a good story line and godly values.

Feature Films for Families offers the types of movies that everyone can be proud to show in their homes. They run across all genres. The one thing about these films is that they were developed to encourage discussions when the movie is over. Kids and adults can interact regarding their thoughts on the movie. These movies tackle such subjects as cultural diversity, racism, triumph over adversity, and friendships put to the test.

The theme for your movie night could be the genre of film or it could be a character or event from the Bible. If your subject is Jonah or stubbornness, find as many movies as you can that are either about Jonah or the trait of stubbornness. They can be from any genre. Each time you host a movie night let a different person choose the theme and the others each choose a movie. For the sake of curiosity, let everyone say why they chose their particular film.

The theme of the night can also come complete with games and costumes. I remember my own mom telling me about a camping trip that she took my twins on a camping trip, and they mimicked movies making their own costumes and used their imagination.

Let the family dress up as a character that fits the theme. If it is the Old Testament, there will be no shortage of Biblical figures including Adam, Eve, David, Esther, Ruth, and Daniel. For a vegetable theme, a night full of laughter with the Veggie Tales would be in order. Who would you be: Bob the Tomato or Larry the Cucumber?

Theme movie nights can be fun for the entire family. The snacks can also have a theme. Come up with unusual names like the Bob the Tomato BLT or the Garden of Eden Salad. With the play on words, kids can come up with plenty of delicious food for the occasion.

Movie night can turn into movie afternoon if the weather is rainy and wet too. When you have to spend a day inside, you might as well make the most of it. Why not plan your next themed movie gathering today?

The importance of spending time with you children is worth any amount of time you spend, finding creative ways to spend with them.

Technorati Tags: christian activities,kids,movie night,fun for kids,family time,imagination,creative,games

Biblical Crafts for Grade Schoolers

2010-05-01T06:50:00.001-06:00

When we were young we loved to make things with out hands. Kids are visual learners. If they can see it, they can learn to understand it and imagine beyond that. Here are some ideas for biblical crafts to teach the Bible to grade school children.

When we speak of grade schooler's, we are talking about school age children from around five to ten. They represent kids in kindergarten through fifth grade. Kids at this stage have a love of learning. Give them the shovel and show them where you want them to dig.

In this case, we want them to dig into the Bible. At a young age, kids will be eager to find the truths that the Bible holds. This is your chance as a parent and Bible teacher to expose them to the love of God through the lives He touched in the Bible.

Crafts are fun to create and make great gifts to family and friends. The secret is to keep the items needed to construct the craft to as few as possible. Kids at this age are learning about shapes, colors, numbers, and other basic tools. Use what they are learning in school to aid with the Bible learning.

Let them create Bible character faces. You can use free Bible coloring pages from various sites online like www.kidsrcrafty.com and craft kits from online businesses like the Oriental Trading Company. With the coloring pages, allow kids to decorate the faces of Biblical characters with different crafting items. Add cotton balls for beards; use glitter for clothing; also, markers and crayons work for decorating faces and other biblical scenes as well.

As the kids get older, more complicated crafts can be used to teach Bible stories. Kids can learn to paint or color by numbers. Puzzle crafts are also big with kids. Learning to recognize shapes to create a bigger picture scene will surprise and amaze them. Once the puzzle is put together, the kids can explain the picture that they see.

Avoid using small crafting objects like beads with the younger half of this age group. They could eat them or worse, stick them into ears and up noses. While we want to teach them Bible stories we don’t want them to hurt themselves.

When choosing crafts, check to see that they represent Bible stories accurately. For instance, Noah and his family were housed in the ark. A picture that shows a town full of people on the deck of the ark would not represent the story as close to the truth as possible. It is our responsibility to teach our kids the truth without embellishments that can change the story.

DS Creative Touches

utilizes the creativity with crafts and keeping the kids busy using their imagination and creativity.

Do you like crafts? Use them to teach grade school children about the Bible and God. Every time they gaze at what they’ve made, they will be reminded of those stories.

Technorati Tags: kids,bible,ds creative touches,crafts,imagination,creativity,bible and God

Cooking Fun for Kids of God

2010-04-19T05:39:00.001-06:00

Mom doesn’t have to do all the cooking in the kitchen. Everyone can share the load and be happy about it. If it’s one thing that kids know, it’s fun. When an activity is fun, they will come back time and time again to do it. Here are tips for wholesome fun in the kitchen.

When you let kids into the kitchen, not only do they find out that they can prepare a family meal, but you are also teaching them lifelong skills that they can take with them once they are out on their own. So, what are you waiting for? Give them an apron and get to work.

Since we’re on the topic of aprons, this can be the first fun thing to do. Purchase plain aprons from the craft store along with some decorating supplies. Let each kid design their own apron for use in the kitchen. I participated in this activity on a women’s retreat and enjoyed it. Kids will like it even more.

What shall we cook? Kids need to know the basics of cooking. Show them how to be safe in the kitchen, how to measure, and how to use the stove. I didn’t mention microwave because most kids have already used one from an early age. It’s the nature of our society - so much to do and so little time.

Kids have trouble with healthy snacks. Some like them and some don’t. So, let them come up with their own healthy snack recipes using specific ingredients. You decide on the ingredients and set the rules. See what they can do.

After they have mastered snacks, move on to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Before you know it, they will want to prepare a meal all the time. Until then, keep encouraging them and telling them about foods. Being healthy is a part of a rounded spiritual life. We must take care of ourselves so that we can take care of others properly.

For some Biblical fun with cooking, let kids try their hand at preparing traditional meals like in the Bible. Food tasted differently then and they can experience that for themselves. They can sample various fruits and vegetables from other parts of the world. Cooking introduces kids to new tastes, smells, and cooking methods.

The kitchen is the favorite part of many homes. It is where families gather most to share their joys, tears, and laughs over a good meal. Why not let the kids prepare that meal tonight and have a little good family togetherness and fun in the process.

Online Christian Kids Games

2010-03-20T09:33:00.001-06:00

We live in the age of technology. There is not a home that doesn’t have some form of gadget that brings the outside world into our home. If your kids are Internet savvy, turn them onto online games that are affiliated with the Christian lifestyle.

If you have a television, then you have technology in your home. Most people have more than that, but every home has something. When kids are learning about the Internet and playing games, choose some Christian sites to introduce them to. They’ll soon learn that the word “Christian” doesn’t mean stuffy or boring.

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One such site is http://christiananswers.net/kids/home.html. It is called Kid Explorers. Kids find a lot of things to do including mazes, puzzles, online space games, Bible trivia, and more. Kids can find lots of things to do here making it a great choice.

I did an online word search there. It was great to not have to use a pencil and print it out. Two days from now, that paper would be stuffed under the couch or thrown in the trash. Online games save paper and trees!

Kids can learn to use the Internet for other things besides surfing sites they shouldn’t be on and getting into trouble. Sites like this one also teach about science, animals, and the like which are subjects that all kids are interested in at one time or another. They’ll learn interesting facts that they can share with their friends.

Interactive games are also popular with kids. The game that is most popular now is the Wii. There are also Christian interactive games like Game Wave that can be played with several people with the use of remote controls. Play trivia and other fun games. While you are playing, kids learn coordination, Bible facts, values and principles, and useful life skills.

The Wii is also a great system but parents have to be willing to help kids choose appropriate games to play. The new Wii Fit lets everyone get moving while they play. Kids don’t get nearly enough exercise and this game system helps to mesh two things into one healthy kid.

Any game that they play doesn’t have to say “Christian” to be used for wholesome fun. Christian values are those that are exemplified by God. Getting healthy and learning about life are godly principles, too. Our kids can benefit from a myriad of activities and games, both online and off.

Technorati Tags: christian games,kids games,just for kids,software games,online games for kids,christian products

Tips to Tame those Toddler Tantrums!

2010-03-13T08:47:00.001-07:00

Taming Toddler Tantrums: Tips that Really Work

Young parents get scared when they hear stories about the “terrible twos.” Take courage, though, you will survive the toddler stage. It’s not easy to understand why your toddler has a tantrum but at such a young age, a child is consumed with thoughts of themselves. Everything is about them and how they feel. Until they are taught how to share, every toy or piece of food they see automatically belongs to them.

Toddler temper tantrums can have a variety of effects. Your first thought might be that everyone is focused on you and your screaming child, but getting embarrassed won’t diffuse the situation. Besides, as a parent, you have many more years of embarrassing situations to look forward to courtesy of your children. So worrying about what others think during this situation is simply going to stress you and make you feel worse.

Here are a few tips to help you cope during tantrums:

1. Ignore the tantrum. This technique works best when at home. In public places, you don’t want to ever leave your child unattended as a form of punishment. Good behavior in public begins at home. Ignoring a toddler is not harsh. If your child is squirming on the floor screaming for a cookie, continue to talk to them as if you never noticed. Eventually, they will get the hint and stop screaming.

2. Avoid instant gratification. In public, toddlers throw tantrums when they are denied something that they want. Some parents give in to keep their child quiet but a child learns quickly. Tantrums will continue if they know you will cave. Simply tell them “no” and keep moving.

3. Don’t get angry. When you scream and they scream the situation is wildly out of control. You’ll end up crying and your toddler will still be screaming. In any situation, raised voices mean civilized conversation has ended in favor of basic primal instincts. Don’t revert back to the days of early man. Keep using the same calm voice you use when they are behaving to get your child to calm down as well.

4. Praise your toddler when they behave well. Positive reinforcement is better than negative. In the absence of positive attention a child will behave badly just to get some attention at all. Acting out and throwing tantrums may be a cry for attention. Don’t let it get to this point. Clap and celebrate when they go to the potty successfully and when they put away their toys. Good manners such as saying “please” and “thank you” deserve a smile and a hand clap as well.

5. Run errands after nap time. Kids get punchy when they get tired. A toddler misbehaves more often if they are dragged around when they are tired.

6. Carry snacks with you. Low blood sugar can lead to tantrums. If you are out longer than anticipated and lunch or dinner time is close at hand, let them eat a healthy snack to keep their hunger pains at bay and sugar levels stable.
7. Be consistent in your punishment. At home, you might use “time out” to deal with a tantrum for bad behavior. In public do the same. Sit your child on a bench for five minutes or take them to the car. Eventually they will learn that you are not a pushover and they will begin to behave.

You will survive the toddler years. Nip temper tantrums in the bud with the above tips.

Technorati Tags: toddler,tantrums,tips for tantrums,children,learning

To Much to do? Too Little Time?

2010-03-11T12:09:00.001-07:00

To Much to Do? Too Little Time? By Aurelia Williams, author of Journey to Joy

Hey - Did someone press the FFW button? Have you ever felt like someone just pressed the Fast-forward button on your day and before you know it the day is over and you are sitting there wondering what you've accomplished?

I love to organize and with working Part Time outside of the home and FULL-TIME at home with my business, 4 children and Husband I really rely on a schedule and many time management tips to keep my sanity (ok, so some of you think I am already insane, I won't argue with that) but at least I am organized ;) Here are a few of my favorite Time management Tips (these are just a few of the tips I share with my Journey to Joy students):

1. Meal Planning: Try planning 1 - 2 weeks worth of meals at a time and write them down on a calendar. Do your shopping accordingly and prep tomorrows dinner today. You will be AMAZED at what a time saver this is.

2. To-Do Lists: I know most people HATE them but they actually do work. Just take a few moments out of your day (either in the morning or in the evening) to make a list for that day or the following day. Be sure to only put down the items that you MUST finish on this list.

3. Delegate: Do you have friends, a husband, children that can pitch in and do a few things for you? If so, be sure to use all of your resources.

4. Morning Rush: Scooting the children out of the door can be a huge time eater! Be sure to prepare lunches, lay out clothes and plan your breakfast the night before. This will make your mornings run a tad smoother.

5. Just say "NO"!: Such a small word that carries a might punch! If you truly can't fit something into your schedule and it is not urgent, just say No!. Keep a list of non-urgent things that you can do on hand for when you do have some down time.

Well, those are just a few of my time management tips. I personally set aside about 15 minutes a night and sit down with my Palm Pilot and make a short TO-DO list for the following day and it is amazing at the time this save.

Also be mindful of your own body. Are you a morning, afternoon or night person? Try to schedule your most time consuming tasks when you have the most energy. Take Care! Next Steps: For more help, instantly access your Journey To Joy tools, for more time a happier and more fulfilled life.

This inspiring eBook with accompanying audio recordings, worksheets and easy-to-apply action steps shows you how to squeeze more time and happiness into every single day.

Teach Kids the Bible Through Songs

2010-02-25T20:21:00.001-07:00

Songs Teach Kids the Bible

How many songs do you remember from your childhood? Probably more lyrics than you think are floating around in the gray matter. Songs help us to remember facts for school, calm us when we are scared, and remind us that there is a loving God who wants to be a part of our lives.

Bible songs teach kids of all ages about the truths of the Bible. For young kids, say toddlers and on through elementary school, songs are catchy and lots of fun. Instead of listening to the radio station with its questionable music find Biblical CDs and audio tapes for kids.

With younger kids, many songs they learn come as a result of repetition. They see a video and hear the songs in the show. Purchasing the soundtrack of the video lets them and you listen to the songs and remember the biblical tales portrayed in the video.

Besides newer biblical songs, teach kids the songs that you learned as a child. We have all learned a few Bible songs along the way, like “Jesus Loves the Little Children”, or “The B-I-B-L-E.” Plenty of biblical songs for children were adapted from tunes of other popular songs.

Many parents and Bible school teachers can make up Bible songs and teach them with ease. Take a memory verse that you want to teach to a group of children. Set the words to a popular tune that you know and sing it for the kids with or without music. After a few weeks, they will be able to sing it back to you.

Kids can learn about all the bible characters through the words of a song. They’ll begin to remember as you break down the song line by line. This technique may lead to questions from the kids. Questions set their minds to thinking and wondering about God, which is what peaks their interest.

For older kids and teens, choose music by various Christian artists. Christian music runs the gamut of genres: rap, rock, gospel, new age, and the like. For teens, it will be the honesty in the lyrics that win them over. At that age, kids are looking for honesty and a place to belong. Songs that reveal experiences of God’s love will inspire them to find out what He is all about.

Many Christian artists begin with a Bible verse as the basis of their song. This verse is meaningful in some way to their lives. From there, personal stories are set to music. They invite young people and adults to hear and identify with their joy, passion, pain, and tears. Anyone who has been a parent to a teenager knows that they experience all of those emotions and more at some point from age thirteen to nineteen.

Songs invoke feelings and memories. When we our children sing about God we want them to remember that He has been with them through all of their struggles and the truth of His Word will comfort them.

Technorati Tags: teaching the bible,songs,bible songs,kids,children

Travel Games for Christian Kids

2010-02-21T00:00:00.001-07:00

I love a good trip. With the price of gas, shorter jaunts are more the norm now or one long trip where we can see everything in one swoop. For kids, sitting in a car for hours can be boring. Here are some ideas of Christian activities that can keep them busy when the family hits the road.

Not only vacation do the tips work. While I work in the industry of a virtual assistant and work from home. I found that in this industry there is times where I may need to travel. Reading the VAnetworking forum, I found that other VAs may travel as well.

Typically traveling during business you would not want to have your children tag along, in my case I did not leave the workforce to not be around my kids, and I have been lucky enough to have my mother by my side in trips to take the kids once we arrived at our destination. In the meantime this gave a great idea for travel fun with my kids both for business and vacation.

I used to love riding in the car. School was out or it was the weekend and I wanted to go and go and go. On the other hand, my kids get restless easy and don’t find it interesting to watch the trees go by the car in a blur. Maybe it’s the difference between boys and girls but there is a remedy.

Instead of singing “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall,” choose more wholesome games and travel songs to sing. Many travel games start in our imagination. We make them up as we go along and begin a new family tradition. No one has any hard and fast rules about these games; that’s why they are so cool. The game maker calls the shots.

How about the alphabet game? For each letter, come up with the name of someone in the Bible whose name also begins with that letter. Try to get all the way to “Z.” You can also do the same with numbers. Think of a solitary person in the Bible. Next go to two who were always together and so on.

Kids love to try to outsmart each other and their parents. Take turns telling stories from the Bible and let the others in the car try to guess which biblical person you are talking about.

Does your car have a DVD player? Invest in some DVDs for the family to watch. The people in the front seat will have to listen instead of watch, but they can still participate in discussions and singing silly songs.

One of the most popular video series is Veggie Tales. Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber were my kid’s favorite friends when they were little. They still remember the songs even now. Who would have thought that singing vegetables would be such good role models? The stories are based in modern times and on characters that kids can relate to. The Bible stories use fun characters and props to tell the stories so that kids can understand the concepts.

Traveling doesn’t have to be boring. With the Bible as a guide, there are plenty of games that can be used to teach values and fun at the same time.

Technorati Tags: activities for kids,children,kids,fun for kids,VAnetworking

Crafting = Quality Family Time

2010-02-15T11:41:00.001-07:00

Crafting = Quality Family Time

As most parents today, we spend a lot of time outside the home working just trying to get what you need to take care of your family and supporting them financially.

Although you need to take care of them financially, you also need to meet the needs of you family with personal time, and cherish what time you do have with them.

As a member of VAnetworking I have learned how lucky I have been to have enough valuable resources at my fingertips for the opportunity to work at home, that not all people have the capability to do. I have learned that quality time is important both with my family and myself.

So take the information we are sharing, and get the quality time you need with your family.

Some parents are skilled crafters. Others are doing well to cut paper in a reasonably straight line. No matter which group you fall into, crafting with your kids can be beneficial for all involved.

Few things bring families together like crafting. Here are some of the good things that come out of crafting with your kids.

If you want to get your child/ren away from the TV, spend quality time, and give them the gift of using their imagination and creativity then check out “Winter fun Crafts” and “Animals and more Animals” designed for boys and girls.

* Crafting builds creativity. Developing minds need a creative outlet, and crafting provides the opportunity for kids to use their imaginations. It helps them learn to solve problems, and it could lay the groundwork for a lifetime of interest in art. For parents, getting creative can help reduce stress and promote using the brain in ways that we don't have a reason to use it every day.

* Crafting teaches kids to follow directions. This seems like a very basic skill, but we all know adults who can't seem to follow directions. When kids craft, they learn the consequences of not following directions when their projects do not turn out as expected. This instills in them the importance of doing things the right way the first time.

* For young children, crafting is fabulous for learning basic skills.

Almost any type of craft promotes hand-eye coordination. Kids can also learn to use scissors, measure and do lots of other things they will eventually do in everyday life.

* Parents and children have a chance to talk. In our busy lives, it seems that we know less about our kids than previous generations of parents did. Passive activities such as watching TV do little to encourage conversation. But when you're crafting together, talking comes naturally. You can seize the opportunity to discuss such things as your child's interests, his concerns, and how he's doing in school.

* Crafting is a great way to wind down. It's wonderful for kids to be active, but there are times when they need to calm down. If you find your child getting agitated or exhibiting an overabundance of energy near bedtime, try bringing out the craft supplies. Crafting engages kids' minds, giving them something to focus on and a good reason to sit still for a while.

* Creating things is a confidence booster. Parents who craft regularly know the feeling of accomplishment when a project is complete. Multiply this feeling by ten, and you have a pretty good idea of how your child feels when he makes something. For kids, crafting can help build positive self-esteem.

* Working on a project together is a great way to teach your kids teamwork. This will help them develop skills needed to resolve disputes peacefully and effectively. It will also help them discover their strengths and teach them that doing their best will make the entire project turn out better.

* Crafting creates treasured family memories. The finished product will serve as a reminder of the fun you had making it together.

Crafting as a family provides opportunities for us to interact with our children. It is also a valuable learning experience for them. Don't worry if you aren't the world's greatest crafter. Simply being willing to try anyway is a lesson to your kids in itself.

Technorati Tags: crafts,kids,children,family life,winter fun,animals,quality time,VAnetworking

What’s For Dinner? Menu Planning Tips for Busy Moms

2010-02-09T10:59:00.001-07:00

Technorati Tags: VAnetworking,work from home,work at home mom,whats for dinner,tips for menu planning

After your busy work day in your virtual assistant business, and taking care of you clients and their business, it is time to take care of your business; you family. One thing I have found with being a Vainsider with Vanetworking is the valuable information that you gain from them in not only your business but your family and being a work-at-home-mom.

So to add to that and share information to end your busy day with tips of your menu planning and what’s for dinner.

Dinner is the last meal of the day and a time when families can get together and discuss their day. It is also a hectic meal for busy moms who are just getting off of work or who have been busy with other activities all day. If you are a busy mom or you know a busy mom, here are some menu planning tips to help make dinner meals easy and even fun.

1. Schedule your meals a week in advance. This is one of the most important planning tips for meals. Knowing what you are going to eat throughout the week means less chance that you will stop off at the closest fast food joint for a convenient, but unhealthy meal. Decide on the last day of the previous week (let’s say Saturday for the sake of argument) what the menu will be for the following week. Create your shopping list from the list of ingredients

to avoid buying what you don’t need at the grocery store.

2. Look for bargains. Clip coupons, read advertising circulars and the like to decide where the best grocery to shop is for your menu items. If one ingredient is a common denominator in many meals, consider buying in bulk to save money. Common staples like milk, eggs, bread and sugar can be bought in bulk as well. Some stores will have double or triple coupon days when you can save even more.

3. Search online. After a while your family will get tired of chicken and rice every Thursday. You can get into a menu rut sometimes. Use the Internet to search for new and exciting recipes. Learn to put a twist on old recipes for a new taste.

4. Have a leftover night. After preparing meals for five or six days, there is bound to be some food left over. Designate one night to be leftover night and let everyone mix and match for dinner. It saves mom from having to throw away any food.

5. Cook your meals in advance. After deciding on a menu plan for the week, go ahead and fix as many meals as you can. Choose a day when the entire family can help like Saturday morning or Sunday afternoon. Each person can take one meal and fix it for the following week. Once everything has cooled, store it in sealed containers or casserole dishes to be frozen until the night it is needed.

6. Do prep work in advance. All of the meals can’t be cooked at once. Some foods just taste better freshly prepared. For them, so as much prep work in advance as you can. Enlist your kids to help chop (give them the kitchen shears instead) vegetables, dice cooked meat and mix together dry ingredients. The night of the meal, all that is needed is to add the wet ingredients and bake.

Meal time doesn’t have to be all on mom. The entire family can help with dinner so it is a relaxing meal for everyone.

Easy Relaxation Tips for Mom!

2010-02-01T03:04:00.001-07:00

It seems like there is no rest of the weary. And, the weary person is usually mom. Moms take care of hearth and home, but who takes care of her? If you are a busy mom, learn to value yourself as a person and schedule personal time.

Mom, Want to Know How You Can Find Balance Between Your Work And Family Life? Click Here To Learn How

Personal time is a right of being a person. Each of us has the capacity to nurture others but that type of care takes its toll.

A car is filled with gas to make it run. Eventually the gas runs out and your car won’t move unless the car is replenished with fuel. The same goes for you. Emotional issues can develop when you don’t take the time to take care of your emotional well-being, not to mention the physical results of emotional neglect.

Mom time refuels the tank so that you can give to your family as well as yourself in equal measure. Don’t be ashamed to sit for fifteen minutes doing nothing. In the springtime, relaxing in a hammock under a tree is the perfect getaway from the pressures of the day. Reading a book for 30 minutes can also seem like heaven to many moms.

Technorati Tags: moms,relaxation,tips for mom,family life,tips for time

Here are a few tips to help you fit in much needed “mom” time:

1. Get up early if you have to. When you have kids, the day begins at a hurried pace. Once you hit the ground running, there is no stopping you. Waking 30 minutes to an hour ahead of time means quiet solitude to drink your coffee, read a book, meditate or listen to music.

2. Turn ordinary experiences into major events. When you take a bath, add candles, bubble bath, quiet music and/or an inflatable bath pillow. Your regular bath has now become a spa level experience. If you watch a movie, turn out the lights, pop a bag of microwave popcorn and curl up on the couch.

3. Ask your significant other for help. Kids love their mothers but time spent with dad is important too. Let them bond with dad while you go shopping for a new outfit or root around in the garden. Since the time is yours, do whatever you like.

4. Use the Boy Scout motto. Always be prepared and you can spend more time in a relaxed mode. Fix lunches the night before. Iron clothes for the next day and place backpacks by the front door so kids can grab them on their way out. The fewer things you have to do throughout the day, the calmer you will be with your family and not experience burnout.

5. Take exercise breaks. When you get a few minutes the last thing you want to do is exercise but getting a little physical activity in your day has far-reaching implications. Exercise helps you to think clearly and stretches the muscles. Also, stress will drain away as powerful endorphins are released into your system. Do jumping jacks during a television commercial or jog to the bus stop to pick up the kids.

6. Laugh at regular intervals. Keep a funny calendar cube on your desk or subscribe to a daily joke site. Laughing releases stress and can lift your spirits significantly. It also keeps the abs tight.

Moms, take care of you. Your family would miss you if you were not around to love and care for them. You owe it to yourself and you deserve a break from the daily hustle and bustle.

Mom, you can live a guilt free life where you confidence in your parenting skills and don't feel guilty about taking time out for YOU! Click Here To Learn How.

Fun Toddler Craft Ideas

2010-01-27T14:08:00.001-07:00

Fun Toddler Craft Ideas

Getting a toddler to sit still can be a near-impossible feat. They're constantly exploring the world around them. That's a good thing, but sometimes they need some creative downtime. That's where toddler crafts come in.

Crafting is great for toddlers for a number of reasons. It can help them develop longer attention spans. Most crafts help develop hand-eye coordination. And young children can benefit from learning how to follow simple instructions. Here are some craft ideas that your toddler can do (with supervision).

Craft Stick Puppets

Puppets are fascinating to toddlers. Creating their own puppets is easy, and it's lots of fun. All you really need are some craft or popsicle sticks, construction paper, safety scissors, markers and glue.

Help your toddler cut animal shapes out of construction paper. He can draw faces and other details with washable markers. Glue the stick to the back of the shape, let dry, and he's ready to put on a puppet show. If you want to make more elaborate puppets, try cutting shapes out of foam. Glue on a pom pom for the nose, and add some googly eyes.

Paint with Pudding

Kids love to fingerpaint, but it's so messy. And there's also the concern about them eating the paint. Even if the paints are nontoxic, it can make cautious parents uneasy. The solution? Let them paint with pudding!

You don't need different flavors to make different colors. Just use one serving of plain vanilla pudding, divide it up into small portions, and add food coloring to create various shades. Give your child a paper plate to use as a canvas for his masterpiece. When he's done, he can eat it with no worries.

Design a T-Shirt

If your toddler sees you sewing or painting clothes with fabric paint, she may want to try her hand at designing clothes. But needles are small and sharp, and fabric paint is messy. What to do? Break out the markers!

Kids can have a blast decorating a plain white t-shirt with colorful markers. If you use washable ones, they can create a design, wear it, and start over after you wash the shirt. If a permanent design is desired, however, you'll have to let him use non-washable markers. You can avoid a mess by covering the work area with newspaper and putting a smock on your toddler.

Placemats

Making placemats out of contact paper is very easy. Have your toddler cut shapes out of construction paper and glue them onto a whole piece with a glue stick. He can add detail with markers or embellish with stickers. When he's done, place the artwork on a piece of contact paper, sticky side up. Place another sheet of contact paper on top, sticky side down.

Most toddlers will only have the patience to make one placemat at a time. But he can make another one tomorrow, continuing until there are enough for the whole table. He'll be so proud to know that everyone sees his artwork at every meal!

Crafting can help your toddler learn important skills while keeping him quietly occupied. Whether it's a rainy day or he's just feeling creative, seize the opportunity to let him channel his imagination into something you can both admire.

Recommendations: If you like this article you will love “Winter Fun Craft and Activities” and for a boy or girl “Animals and more Animals Coloring and activity books” and with these you get 2 FREE Bonuses “30 tips for ebook authors” and “Scrapbooking Template Pages”

Home Organization 101: Easy Steps to a Clutter Free Home

2010-01-25T07:40:00.002-07:00

When you first move into your home it seems like you have so much space. As the years pass, you might find yourself becoming a pack rat. What are you going to do with all the stuff you have accumulated? Perhaps it’s time to weed out the unnecessary items and organize your home.

Home organization is a step-by-step process. It will take more than a day or even a week to get everything to a manageable level, but once you do staying organized is an easier task. If you have a family, enlist their help. They can pitch in and learn a thing or two about controlling clutter in their life.

1. Start with the high traffic areas. The living room and kitchen are usually the two most used rooms in the house. Everything gets dropped on a counter or the couch in these two places. Concentrate on getting everything set up the way that you like it before moving on to another room.

2. Use storage containers. Over the years, the style of storage containers has upgraded to be pretty as well as functional. Instead of storing containers in stacks in the garage, purchase ones that match your décor in each room and integrate them so that no one would even notice they were being used for storage.

3. Divide items into categories. You can use heavy duty trash bags for this part. Everything that you find can go into a pile: KEEP, THROW AWAY, GIVE AWAY, and RELOCATE. Items that will stay in that room are to keep. Things that you don’t need or are broken can be thrown away. Clothes or furniture still in great condition can be donated and scheduled for pickup by the Veteran’s association or Goodwill. Anything that definitely belongs in another room can be labeled for relocation when you get to that room.

4. Remove everything from drawers and cabinets. This is a time-consuming process but it is easier to start with an empty space and fill it instead of simply pushing things around. If you line things up on the counter, someone else can help by putting the items in some type of order.

5. Make use of all of your available space. In the kitchen, for example, appliances or extra containers can be stored on top of the cabinets provided they don’t extend all the way to the ceiling. That’s extra storage space without benefit of a storage container. Also use the top of the refrigerator for cereal boxes and breakfast food like boxes of instant oatmeal or grits. In the bedroom, shoes and winter clothes can go into flat storage bins that slide easily under the bed or the dresser.

6. Label your containers. Use tape and a permanent marker to identify the contents of your storage containers. Avoid writing on the actual container in case they are reused and the contents are changed. Labeling also makes for easy identification if you decide to sell or give away a container of books or something. You won’t have to open each container to locate them.

Organizing your entire house takes time. But, once it is done, returning everything you use to its proper place will maintain that same level of organization.
When things are organized, you feel better and less stressed. The first key to success is managing every day life habits. Click here “Whole Life Overhaul” to begin being organized, efficient and getting rid of chaos and lean from “The Secret Confessions of a Neat Freak”

Make Money with a Blog? Is that possible?

2010-01-13T23:03:00.001-07:00

From where to shop and eat, to where the best places to live or work are, most people will freely share their ideas about these things with others. This can also translate to what the best products and services are out there and people talk about them with their friends and families via word-of-mouth. It’s what drives the market in many cases. This is called “reviewing” and it’s a popular way that many are cashing in via online blogs.

Blogging, which actually had its start in 1995 but has gained more popularity in recent years, is a way for people to spread the word about their opinions and first-hand reviews on things. Blogs are everywhere, thanks to the free services like Google’s blogger.com that allow anyone to build a blog in a matter of minutes from any computer. A blog is essentially an online journal where you can share a lot of opinions and reviews of things daily and this Guide will show you exactly how to get yours set up. “How to Review Products and Make Money with a blog”

If you love sharing your opinions and reviews about different things, then you have the skills needed to build a review blog and start earning money for your reviews. How? Companies know that consumer reviews are a powerful marketing tool to get the word out about their products and services.

Many are willing to pay big bucks to people who are willing to review their offerings. There are paid surveys that companies send out to carefully targeted consumers. They can offer anywhere from $1 to $10 or more per review and are mostly sent out via email to people who sign up to do them. Combine this with posting the questions and answers on your blog for more earnings.

There are also research studies and product reviews that may include trying an actual product for a period of time and then writing an honest review. Those can pay between $15-75 for each review and you get to keep the product afterwards.

You can also earn from reviews by selling advertising on your blog and earning commissions from companies who sell the products you review.
The potential to earn a good income from writing about products and services on your blog are endless. Just do a quick search online and you will find hundreds of ideas what to write about and where. Chances are something you just tried recently is available for you to write about on your blog.

Recommended Additional Resource:

To learn the step-by-step details of how to set up your up your review blog, pick up your copy of the Just add sweat guide '>'>"the nuts and bolts of how to get started”, but how to make money and enjoy your new business.

So Have you Started your Craft Blog Yet?

2010-01-11T03:28:00.001-07:00

Are you a crafty person who enjoys making other people happy by creating beautiful things? Do you like sharing how you do this with others? Then an online crafting blog might be perfect for you!

Blogs are like online journals and they can be set up easily in minutes via the use of such free applications like Blogger.com or Wordpress.org. By choosing an adaptable and colorful template (and this Just Add Sweat Guide “How to start a craft blog for fun or profit” will show you exactly how to do it), a craft blog can be used to display:

· Pictures. Post plenty of clear pictures of the items you make to show others what you can do. You may want to include “before and after” pictures if you are using common household things or re-purposing other items to make your crafts. Use a high quality camera to capture the true beauty of your crafts.

· Descriptions. Explain to your blog readers what they are looking at, what materials were used and where they can get more information about the crafts. Use names for the materials used, colors, sizes and shapes. This helps your readers duplicate the crafts more easily and give search engines more opportunity to send visitors to your site as people may search for the various words you mention.

· How to. It’s always a wonderful idea to include a “How to” for some of your more popular or intricate crafts. This allows others to learn how they can make their own version of the crafts you have on display, for personal enjoyment or gift-giving. If you have a craft that’s uniquely yours, you can even patent it and sell the instructions at a small cost to the reader.

· Materials Needed. Include a list of what materials were used to make the crafts on your blog. That tells the viewer what went into the crafting of each piece, what they will need to make their own and where they can find the materials to do so. Be sure to give a thorough description of each material, amounts needed and measurements.

· Selling crafts. One of the best ways to see a return on your time investment with crafting is to offer certain items for sale on your blog. Why not offer custom made items to others? Holidays and birthdays are great times for others to purchase your crafts. You can sell them directly on the blog or include a link to outside auction sites like eBay.com or Etsy.com. You can also sell patterns, advertising space on your website and more.

Taking the time to do crafting takes a lot of time, patience and talent, but blogging about it will help you take it to the next level by increasing awareness of what you can do. Be sure to do this by creating a blog and letting the rest of the world know!

Recommended Additional Resource:

To learn the step-by-step details of how to set up your blog and to get advice on creating a craft blog that people love, talk about and come back to over and over again, grab “How to start a craft blog for fun or profit” Just Add Sweat Guide to Start a Craft Blog. You’ll also learn how to get traffic to your blog and make money doing something you enjoy.

In the Right Direction?

2010-01-08T09:48:00.001-07:00

I have had several family members who have asked me, “If I wanted to do what you do where would I go?” Well I think that depends on what part of my business they are referring to. I have several different aspects of my business and believe me when I say “am I moving in the right directions?” is question that crosses my mind on a daily basis as I am sure that anyone who has a small business asks themselves on a Regular basis.

The main part of my business is where I work as a Transportation and Administrative Virtual Assistant. This wasn't a difficult task getting started, but I was lucky enough to find the right place just about right off the get go. VA Networking was one of the first places I started. Soon after I became a free member, I realized the benefits they had to offer, and my business would prosper even more by becoming a VAinsider.

There are a lot of complexities of starting a business and if you are lucky enough to find the right support network that can give the utilities and resources necessary for starting your business, then you will be one of those ones that succeed. Just to give you an idea of what perspectives I have taken and added to my business that givens me a broader opportunity to grow my business.

You have got to read this report about how to make the hours you work on your home business more productive. Spend less time working and more time with your family and friends while being more productive and thus making more income from your business, check out: Homepreneur Habits: How To Run A Successful Home Business. Find out how to set up your workspace, structure your day and most importantly, structure your business for maximum productivity and results.

The creative side that was inspired by my kids, as I began working from home. I needed to find a something that I knew would help in assisting in lowering a chaotic mess with my kids while I worked on marketing strategies etc. in my business. Combined with the techniques from the report I received from above and the help of the artist (my mom), and my own creativity, I came up with my own ideas by creating coloring, activity books, gifts and just plain fun stuff.

Putting it all together that would give plenty of different options and not create the “boredom syndrome” In this side of my business, I wanted to create things that allow children to use their imagination and creativity, with cognitive learning. If you are not sure what cognitive learning is check out the definition on this website DS Creative Touches. Pencil sketched design most of the pages with education and learning as well as creativity.

Well this one is a bit more directed to the male side. My husband works in Alaska in the oilfield. I get asked all the time if he is an ice road trucker. Well in a brief description sometimes he moves the heavy haul stuff on the rig locations and in his words, everyone in the winter up there is an ice road trucker. Lambert and Son’s Designs was created with the Alaskan idea and oilfield in mind. With creative images and designs we put together to be unique and creative. Wall pictures we have created from some of the photo’s that my husband has taken, like this one below.

As you can see there are many opportunities and resources available that can help you in starting your own business. There are two places that I absolutely recommend in your search that might just be your last. First, if you are looking to start up a virtual assistant business I would start with the same place I started VA Networking. With endless possibilities you will be amazed on how the information and resources available can help you in your business. Second the other place or I should say person is Nicole Dean.

I have absolutely loved the information she has available in helping you with your business ventures. The resources she has available for work at home moms (WAHM). Her website showmomthemoney is amazing. In this website she shows you many resources of a successful work at home business.

Just for kids Winter Fun

2010-01-06T12:06:00.002-07:00

Wouldn't it be nice to know that you are giving your child all you can by teaching them to be the best that they can be. DS Creative Touches wants to lend a hand in a happy, healthy minded child. By kids being creative and imaginative it can; Increase their problem solving skills, boost their self esteem and give them a higher confidence level, improve concentration span, perseverance, stimulate brain activity, positively affect their learning abilities, and best of all quality time with LOVED ones!

Winter Fun with Creative Imaginations and Quality time created with your child in mind during the winter months or anytime of the year. With fun pencil sketched graphics of coloring pages and cutouts, it is sure to keep you child using their imagination and being creative with their designs.

Animals and more Animals are fun coloring and activity book, each being designated for you son or daughter. These pages are not only fun but education as well.

These books are so much fun, but even your child gains the cognitive development. Cognitive development is essential to every child, it is the ability to learn and problem solve.

Do you need a way to keep the kids away from the T.V.?

Do you want to spend creative quality time with your kids?

Do you want to stimulate your child's brain?

Do you want to positively affect your child's' learning ability?
Are you looking for ways to keep the kids busy?

If you answered yes to any of these question then we DS Creative Touches has the solutions for you. Plus when you get one of these books you will recieve A free bonus book. Click here for more details and to get yours todays!

Trucking InfoSummit 2010 - What Can I Expect?

2009-12-31T01:40:00.001-07:00

The trucking industries MUST ATTEND EVENT, learn what you need to in order to maintain profitability in your trucking company

In a child’s eyes of food

2009-12-31T01:13:00.001-07:00

Lately I have been trying to find ways to make meal time more appealing to my children. It is difficult to decide what to cook for dinner let alone what to cook that the whole family will eat.

I came up with a creative idea that well, I am sure many parent’s probably do is looking at the school lunch menu. First of all, I always hear how good lunch was at school what they had and happy they were to have the salad bar. At home though salad is an option but one would think that my kids just despised it like the plague.

When I got the idea to cook healthier meals I was worried that my kids would freak and I would get the “ooh gross” syndrome. Needless to say by keeping certain guidelines and combining what they like with things that they were serving in school, I think I have started a successful meal time around my house.

Today I wanted to make pizza, but knowing how greasy and expensive it was I was a bit hesitant. I made a normal trip to the store with a purpose this time, to find anything and everything I could find healthy that I could create a pizza to die for that my kids would eat, not knowing it was better for them.

I was successful, I bought wheat bagels, wheat pitas, and even wheat tortilla’s (yes, they make them). Also sodium free pizza sauce, and low fat cheese. I made a couple of pizza’s with each of the items and put on the pizza sauce, sprinkled the cheese baked in the oven at 350 for about 7 or minutes to melt the cheese and then the final touch was a splash of parmesan.

They were so excited about the variety of how the pizza was created and I even got a “mom, this is the best personal pizza I have ever had” I smiled and thought to myself “if you only knew how much better for you it is.” What a great dinner night in my house.

I guess living in a town of 900 people and no fast food restaurants within a 50 mile radius makes us greatly appreciate that our cholesterol levels are going to decrease.

Creative Imagination and Quality time

2009-12-29T21:09:00.001-07:00

As a parent of 8 year old twins and a 2 year old, I have found it hard to keep them busy on those cold winter days. As the owner of Online Virtual Office Solutions and co-owner of Creative Touches we have created a new line of books to give you and your children the possibility in creating and keeping cherished memories that will last a life time. There is no better reward than seeing the smiles on their faces as they proudly display what they have created is a priceless gift.

“The one gift contemporary parents may not be giving their children is the gift of time”

In the next few weeks DS Creative touches will launch the release of 3 Books with the capability of PDF version or hard copies. Here is a brief description of each book and stay tuned for their arrival.

Winter fun with Creative Imaginations & Quality Time – a book designed for the busy parent and active child. With crafts and printouts that will keep your child's imagination rolling.

Scrapbooking Templates created by DS Creative Touches gives you that memorable moment AHA without all the work in creating the pages although you can add additions to the pages after you print, you can add images digitally as well.

Animals & More Animals Coloring and Activity Book created with the use of pencil sketched animals giving fun ideas and teaching about the beauty of animals and education.

Kids Cooking For A Cause

2009-12-16T01:27:00.003-07:00

How can we combine kids, cooking, and charity? This was a question that popped into my mind the other morning. There must be a way to blend these three together in a way that’s good for the kids and good for the charity. The answer came in a totally unrelated email the next day. The Ronald McDonald House! What better way for kids to practice their cooking and organization skills, and build confidence and caring than to provide a meal for an organization like the Ronald McDonald House?

The Ronald McDonald House offers a place for families to stay when their children are going through treatment at a nearby hospital. Instead of staying at a hotel which can get very expensive, especially if their children are in the hospital for a long time, families can stay at the Ronald McDonald House. Here they get a big break on the cost of lodging and the chance to have meals without the high price tag of constantly eating out. They also get companionship and support from other families who are also dealing with medical crises.

Volunteers are encouraged to either cook a meal at home and bring it, or use the Ronald McDonald House kitchen facilities to prepare a meal. These families who have children in the hospital may not have the time, money, or energy to think about cooking. What a nice way to say we care!

Each house not only has specific times of the day that they would like meals ready but possibly some different guidelines, so check with your local chapter. Here is the link to find your closest Ronald McDonald House http://www.rmhc.com/who-we-are/chapter-search They also have meal suggestions such as pancakes and bacon for breakfast, sandwiches, soup, or salads for lunch, and ham and potatoes, casseroles, or chili for dinner. A group of 7-9 people is all that’s needed to fix a meal for 30-45 people, depending on your specific Ronald McDonald House.

With some adult help, kids can do this! It doesn’t have to be a Girl Scout group or 4H club, just gather your children and their friends. Or if you prefer, make it a family project. Let the kids decide what to fix within the guidelines and take them shopping for the food. Prepare as much as you want ahead of time or cook it at the Ronald McDonald House.

These aren’t gourmet meals, just filling and satisfying food served with love. All it takes is a little organization and time, and maybe a lot of chopping, but kids love to help others and will never forget this great experience.

Learning to cook can be educational child’s play for your kids, and now they can explore a cooking website that’s all their own. Cookin’ Kids is the place for easy kid-friendly recipes and much more! www.cookinkids.com Parents can visit too for their free Parent Tips.

Technorati Tags: kids cooking

Start a Santa Letter Business

2009-11-30T22:18:00.000-07:00

So many moms I know are looking for a way to make extra money. But they also don't want to overcommit themselves to some sort of full-time position or even a business that will force them to work 80 hours a week.

I think one of the coolest businesses I've seen that can really give a mom a jump start to making some extra money is starting a Santa Letter Business.

It's basically an online business that, for a fee, allows people to order Letters From Santa for their kids. The business owner creates the letter based on a questionnaire, throws in some special extras and mails the letter to the child.

Even though it's a business that is focused on Christmas, it's also a business that can be expanded to other times of the year and childhood milestones, like Birthdays, losing teeth, new baby, etc.

The gals at Just Add Sweat just released a complete 'how-to' guide to starting a Santa Letter Business and for the $20 that they charge for it, it's a neat way to dip your toe in the swimming pool of online business. They offer a guarantee so it's a pretty good deal.

I know my kids would love a personalized letter from Santa so I may just get the guide to have the complete set of letter templates at my disposal.

Click Here to Start your Santa letters today!

Creating Crafts for Kids

2009-11-30T16:59:00.002-07:00

Do Parents Spend Enough Time With Their Children? - Population Reference Bureau

2009-11-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

Do Parents Spend Enough Time With Their Children? - Population Reference Bureau

5 Low Cost Ways to Cook Black Beans

2009-11-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

5 Low Cost Ways to Cook Black Beans
by Nicole Dean

If you have a family budget worked out, you know how hard it is to stick to it without having some real concrete plans and strategies to stretch your money as far as it will go. Usually, the first area we can squeeze a few extra dollars out of our wallets is on groceries. I'd like to introduce
you to your new partner in your frugal endeavor, the black bean.

We all find ourselves searching the grocery store for something to cook for the family that won't take our last few dollars. When you find yourself standing in the middle of the store ready to give up, wander over and take a look at the black beans. First take a look at the price. Then
take a look at the nutrition label. How can something with the nutrients you need like protein, calcium, iron, and fiber, also be so inexpensive, and low fat, too? When you can feed your family a healthy, delicious meal for literally pennies per serving, you should consider black beans a
pantry must-have. How about a few quick and tasty meals that you can prepare for your family so they can fall in love with the wonderful black bean, too.

1) Easy Bean Soup

You'll need 1 can each of black beans, garbanzo beans, butter beans, and navy beans (although you really can use any kinds of beans). In a large pot, pour 2 tablespoons olive oil, add 1 cup chopped celery and 1 cup chopped onion. Cook until celery is a little tender. Now add 1 clove
garlic, minced or crushed and cook for just a minute. Open and drain, but do not rinse, all four bean cans and pour into pot. Add 1 small can diced tomatoes and 1 small can chicken broth. Simmer slowly for about 20 minutes. It's ready to eat.

2) Multi Bean Salad

You'll be choosing your favorite canned beans for this salad, keeping in mind color and texture; favorites like black beans, butter beans, navy beans, kidney beans, waxed beans, and whatever else you like. Drain and rinse all the beans and put them in a large serving bowl. To the beans,
add some sweet onion, or green onion including the tops,chopped celery, freshly chopped parsley, maybe some fresh rosemary, or whatever herb you like, and top it all with a little shake or two of a very good vinaigrette salad dressing, I use Paul Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette. You've got yourself a kid-friendly and nutritious salad

3) Too Easy Black Beans & Taco Sauce

Try it and I guarantee you'll be wondering why you haven't thought of this before. My daughter was the person who "invented" this recipe in our family, and now we're all sold on it. Simply drain and rinse a can of black beans. If you have those little packets of taco sauce laying around,
leftovers from carry-out, just squeeze a few in your black beans, give it a toss, and you have an incredibly delicious side dish that is sure to please. You'll have to try this one to believe it. You might want to try some hot salsa instead of the taco sauce, but use only a little, just
enough to flavor the beans. (Throw some shredded cheddar on top and you're set.)

4) Black Bean Salad with Cottage Cheese

A simple but delicious use for black beans is turning it into a creamy salad. Put a 1 scoop of cottage cheese in a serving bowl, and sprinkle a little salt and freshly ground black pepper on top. Then top with some drained and rinsed canned black beans, about 1/2 cup. Add a bit of chopped
celery to the mix and you have a great, crunchy, creamy lunch, packed with protein, calcium, iron and fiber.

5) Use-It-Up Black Bean Burrito

Throwing a burrito together with just a few items in the house is easy when you have a can of black beans in the pantry. Start with a flour or corn tortilla, warm it up if you like, and put it on a plate. Next, drain your canned black beans and rinse them well. Now, just start adding
whatever you have. I start by placing some black beans on my tortilla, then adding a little onion, celery, chopped parsley if I have it, some chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, sour cream or cottage cheese, leftover rice, pieces of fish leftover from last night, and anything else I can
see in the refrigerator that needs to be eaten. But, I like the black beans to dominate my burrito, for flavor,nutrition, and cost. Now, just top it with a bit of salsa or taco sauce and you've got yourself a great inexpensive meal.

These recipes are just a few ways to use the wonderful, and versatile black bean. All five of these simple black bean dishes can be tweaked easily by you to show off your individual style and to become your own family favorites.
Nicole Dean is the mostly-sane mom behind ShowMomtheMoney.com - a fun and informative website to help moms achieve success working from home. She welcomes you to learn more ways to save money in her Frugal Moms section. Be sure to sign up for her free lessons for work at home moms.

Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

What do the Holidays Mean to you?

2009-11-15T23:23:00.001-07:00

What do the holidays mean to you? This is probably a question that you have been asked a time or to in your life time. What would your description of the holidays be? I will share mine with you, I believe that the holidays are remembering the blessing we are given each day that we wake up, gratitude for the people who make you feel whole and the ones that cross your path, that has given you even just a simple thing to remember, something as simple as a smile when you have had a bad day. Giving of yourself and not expecting anything in return, because you did something nice for someone. The sad part of the holidays is this should not be something that just happens once a year, giving and being greatful for what we have should be an everyday thing. Giving a card to someone to show how much you appreciate them or you were thinking about them. We all like to be given those special little things, something we can treasure and hold close to our hearts.

Family get togethers seem to be a big thing at this holiday time of the year, but don't you think you should reach out your hand through out the year? The meaning of family and the holidays, there are alot of days that you can show just how important someone is to you, without it being once a year. One day you wake up and that one person that you said time and time again "I will call them tomorrow" what if there is no tomorrow? The holidays are a time of special ocassions and creating memories, or maybe you have a family tradition. What happens to the ones who don't have anyone to be able to share those memories with, the ones that are not sure what they are doing for the holidays, because they haven't been invited and fear that they will spend it alone?

As the holidays approach remember that there are 365 days in a year, but for some tomorrow never comes. Remember that you no matter what has happened in the past that your family and friends are your rock and support that helped you get where you are. I know its hard to fathom and think to yourself how they have helped you, your hard work was why you are where you are, but remember its the parents that taught us to be how we are, and gave us strength and guidance. It was our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and close friends who were there on those bad days when you felt like you just could not go on.

Remember that giving and the holiday spirit should last all year long. Make someone feel as though they are special because they smiled and made you forget about how bad things could be. Appreciate the fact that you do have one more day of those 365 days, because tomorrow may never come.

As parents we spend all year long teaching our children morals and values, the respect that they should give others as well a ourselves. How as parents are we showing them, just what kind of loving person we are, if we don't show them. A phone call, an email, a quick way to let someone know you were thinking about them today is not a hard task. Most people probably have a type of social media such as facebook, my space etc. and you are probably on it regularly, use it to its benefit, drop a note, send a message. Don't let the time get away, create even just a simple memory during these holidays and carry it through out the year, it makes a great New Years resolution too. Think about today, what are you missing out on?

How to start a review blog

2009-11-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

Have you ever gone online in search of someone offering their opinion about a product or service you’re interested in purchasing? People do it all the time and that’s why it’s a great idea for a blog.

Over at Just Add Sweat they offer great eGuides on how to start a home-based business. One of these guides is ‘How to Start a Review Blog for Fun and Profit’.
JoAnne Wescott and Nicole Dean started the site because they were sick of the hype and fluff offered out there and wanted to provide something real that gets results. There’s a quote on their website that really does a great job of defining their whole concept:

"Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration." - Thomas A. Edison

What I really love about all their eGuides, including the Review Blog guide, is that they are easy to read through, provide clear action steps and even give audio examples of people who’ve been successful with the idea.

The premise (as with all the JustAddSweat eGuides) is that they provide the inspiration and you provide the sweat!
What you’ll find inside:
· How to choose a niche.

· Definition of a blog.

· How to set up and use your blog.

· How you can make money blogging.

· How to choose your market.

· SweatStory of a successful business doing a review blog.

· What to blog about.

· How to get traffic to your blog and make money.

You’ll get a 34-page eGuide, a SweatStory Success interview, audio blog tips, and a 2007 Blogging Calendar for a great price so hop on over to Just Add Sweat to find out more:

See how you can create an income by just giving a review at a price that is sure to not break the bank.

Heartfelt Gifts

2009-11-09T17:41:00.001-07:00

Heartfelt Gifts - Your Homemade Chocolate Covered Coffee Spoons
by Nicole Dean

Has your gift giving budget taken a hit this year due to your dwindling finances? You are not alone. So, what do you do when you want to give someone a gift for their Birthday, or for dog-sitting, or Christmas, or Valentine's Day, or any number of times when a small gift would be appreciated?

We've discovered in our goal to reduce spending, that when money is tight, the first thing that we start to question is our gift giving. We all want to lavish people we love with beautiful, expensive gifts. But, that won't be the case any longer in our family, so what do we do? I believe a gift given from the heart is appreciated just as much, if not more, than a gift of monetary value.

One of the most enjoyable gifts I've ever given is a gift of chocolate. Whether it's homemade peanut clusters or fancy chocolate covered cherries, everyone seems to be enamored with their little boxes or bags of beautiful, and delicious chocolate goodies.

Most chocolate treats are relatively easy to make once you get the hang of it. You'll find out which pans work best, which spoons you like, and how long to melt the chocolate on the first or second try. I especially like this chocolate treat because it's something that most people would never dream of making for themselves.

Chocolate Dipped Coffee Spoons

If your gift recipient likes a nice, hot cup of coffee, then they'll like it even better with a little spoon of chocolate. This is a gift that both men and women love.

Start with this list of items:

Purchase some heavy duty plastic spoons. You may even wish to check out some flea markets or thrift stores for silver spoons that are pretty. Either way, make sure they're nice and clean.

Purchase milk chocolate coating, not Real Chocolate. You'll find blocks of the coating in the baking aisle at the grocery store. The reason you don't want to use Real Chocolate is because it tends to be a little more difficult to get just right. You don't want to bother with it, and the chocolate coating is delicious.

Peppermint oil flavor and other goodies like peppermint candy are good additions to the chocolate spoons and add yet another fancy element to them. You may also wish to sprinkle on some little candies like you would buy for sugar cookie decorations.

Purchase some parchment paper, NOT wax paper, to cool the spoons on. This will keep them from sticking to your cookie sheets as well as keep your pans clean and ready if you are into mass production.

I recommend that since you're giving a gift of food, buy the proper wrapping. Look in your candy making section of any craft store for clear cellophane candy bags in a size to fit the spoon, leaving some of the handle sticking out. You'll also want to find some ribbon and raffia to tie the package closed and to decorate the gift.

The process is simple:

Fill a large pan with water and bring it to a boil. While you're waiting, carefully chop your chocolate into little pieces. Place your chocolate pieces in a smaller heavy pan that will fit into the large pan. When water boils, remove large pan from heat, and carefully lower the smaller pan into the water, being sure you don't overflow the water. Let chocolate sit and start to melt, then remove from pan with water and begin stirring with a big spoon or spatula until chocolate is all melted.

When you are done stirring the chocolate, dip one spoon at a time in the melted chocolate and lay each one on the parchment paper you have on your cookie sheets. If you plan to decorate the spoons with other candy, do it while the spoon is still wet. Otherwise the candy won't stick. Then move on to the next spoon, dip, decorate, and so on. Once all of your spoons are done, take your cookie sheet to a cold, preferably dry place. A refrigerator or freezer is okay to just get them set up a little, but don't leave them in that moist environment for more than a few minutes.

Now your chocolate is set and you are ready to wrap your spoons up. Begin by placing each spoon in a candy bag that you purchased. Tie a piece of raffia, or gift wrap ribbon, or other pretty material on each bag around the handle so that the bag is closed securely. You may wish to tie more ribbon or some decorations on the bag, even a peppermint candy cane, or anything that makes your spoon gift more festive.

You have now completed a gift that anyone would be thrilled to receive. Don't you feel good knowing that you used your creativity and time to make a personal gift for someone you care about? This is not just any gift... it's a gift you gave from your heart

Technorati Tags: chocolate,homemade,coffee,frugal,gift,save money,kids,christmas,holiday,crafts,crafting,moms,family,drinks,food

Nicole Dean is the mostly-sane mom and owner of <a href="http://showmomthemoney.com">ShowMomtheMoney.com</a> - a fun and informative website to help moms achieve success working from home. She invites you to learn more ways to save money in her <a href="http://showmomthemoney.com/frugal-moms/frugal-meals/">Frugal Meal Ideas</a> section. Be sure to sign up for her free lessons for work at home moms. Get a totally unique version of this article from our <a href='http://www.uberarticles.com/home.php?id=159039'>article submission service</a>

Start a Craft Blog for Fun and Profit

2009-11-06T15:25:00.001-07:00

Technorati Tags: how to,earn money,make money,work from home,business from home,from home,online,internet,blogging,craft blog,start blog

Are you looking for an online business that you love? If you enjoy crafts or finding information about crafts then starting a craft blog may just be the perfect opportunity for you.

Well, Just Add Sweat is offering great eGuides for people who want to work from home and they are filled with practical advice on starting your own business.

JoAnne Wescott and Nicole Dean are two great business owners who are sick of the hype and just want to offer real information on making money using real business models. There’s a quote on their website that really does a great job of defining their whole concept:
"Genius is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration." - Thomas A. Edison

After spending some time going over the ‘How to Start a Crafts Blog for Fun and Profit’ eGuide I was very impressed by the quality of information they are offering and how easy it is to start your business.

Of course, as with any JustAddSweat guide, the only thing you need to add is your own hard work and sweat!

What’s included:
·    Ideas for types of craft blogs to start.
·    Definition of a blog.
·    How to set up and use your blog.
·    How you can make money blogging.
·    How to choose your market.
·    What to blog about.
·    How to get traffic to your blog and make money.

There is real value in this product and for one great price you get a 35-page eGuide, a SweetStory Success interview, audio blog tips, bonus Time Management Guide and a 2007 Blogging Calendar.

Check it out for yourself, right here:

Starty your blog today!

For less than it cost to put fuel in your car.

The House that was

2009-11-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

On our blog we talk about alot about creating memories and the items we can do to create those memories. After going thru alot of information and my sons watching me work, as I do at the computer everyday since I work from home. I have began teaching my children not only, NOT to watch TV but to use their creativity in useful thing such as reading, writing or drawing. I wanted to share a short story from one of my twins, that I found rather interesting, since he is only 8. I don't think he has finished it but here is the part that he wrote and when he handed it to me, he said "mom, this is for you, keep it as a memory.

"The house that was" by Chase Lowe

Once upon a time there was a house that was haunted for 10 years. Nobody lived in it, until one day somebody lived in the creepy old house. The next day this kid named Robby went over to the house and rang the doorbell, the door opened up and it ate him. That same day, his brother Chris went to the house and rang the doorbell and the door and the house almost ate him, but he got away. to be continued...

the rest of the story will come but he ended it there. I just wanted to share the imagination and what we can create as memories from our children.

Part 1: How a Virtual Assistant can set up and record Webinars

2009-11-04T15:39:00.001-07:00

This is a demonstration on the Definitions of webinars, podcasts using camstasia.

Winter Fun and Crafts for Kids

2009-11-04T13:24:00.000-07:00

So the weather is changing, and the days are getting colder. The kids are going to be needing something to do. Its not always feasible to sit with your kids on projects that they can have fun with. Winter fun made easy, is a key to not driving yourself crazy, with chaos and "I'm so bored" days. Find things to occupy the little ones that give you a piece of mind knowing that they are using safe ways to have Fun.

I have provided a video here that I wanted to share to show just one of the ideas of ways kids can have fun, and make a little money if they so desire. Winter Fun E-book will be published with in the next month just in time for you to get it for the holdiays. So keep an eye out, it will be worth every bit of it.

Photo and Pencil Sketch Designs for Products with A touch

2009-10-30T00:14:00.000-06:00

Personalized photo sketches are a great way to take a normal photo and turn it into something special, whether its a photo of an animal or a child or even that special someone. We can turn your photo into art. and if you want a photo put on a keepsake box, tshirt or even just a framed print we can do that for you too. Here are some recent sketches that have been created.

Holidays are Closing In, $10.00 and under Items

2009-10-23T11:01:00.000-06:00

As the holidays fastly approach, make it easy on yourself, let Creative touches design and send out your Holiday Cards. Get those gifts you need with out getting the traditional gift. We have a touch for everyone and we can even customize a design of your own and put it on any item.

Holidays are Closing In....

2009-10-22T10:50:00.000-06:00

As the holidays are closing in there is a lot of work to be done. Finding that right gift for your business clients, employees, family members and getting them out can be tedious and time consuming taking away from important aspects of business and family. Not only can we create these items but we can send them directly to the reciepient, so there is no worries. A gift basket, a coffee cup designed filled with goodies, a personalized photo and frame, even a tshirt for your pets. Let us take the holiday chaos of you shoulders.

Remember the "Good old days"

2009-10-21T09:17:00.002-06:00

When I was a young child back in the fifties, of course we didn't have a lot of electronic things, So we made things to do. We played marbles in the gutters, we tied string to cars and pulled them around, we played jacks on cold days on the floor in the kitchen( and man could my dad play jacks well), I had a hop scotch on the floor in the garage. In my room was a doll that made tears, (Tiny Tears) and I had the biggest stack of paper dolls. and yes then came Barbie, who's almost as old as I am but she's looking good. She became a favorite .

But hide and seek out side and ,playing baseball, were great, the whole neighborhood came out, and in my neighborhood lots of boys. So it was great when dad made me a playhouse out back, just for girls. I spent a lot time there alone dreaming of the future. ,,, I have a lot of memories GOOD memories. Of days of peace, love, respect, and penny candy. Vacations every year to see family who lived a distance away. Family picnics, neighborhood gatherings, and people caring when someone in the neighborhood was on strike or out of work. People smiling and saying Hi, my mom being home after school, running the Brownie Troop and the Girl Scouts. AND I think the most important of all was not being afraid. and sorry, homemade cookies and bread. Turning the crank for ice cream and eating the cream off the top of the bottle of milk when it was delivered to the door. I miss all these things today, IT IS THE FUTURE, I would like the fifties back for my grandchildren and so on. If you have the oppurtunity and/or the capability to work from home, and enjoy the memories of the "good old days" take advantage of it with activities and fun, our kids grow up fast, and keep the memory Alive.

Thanks for reading this , and try to do some of my memories if possible.

This was shared to me by my wonderful mom Sandy Winter who sent this to me in an email, so I dont forget to make my memories.

Check this out, Great designs on Promotional or Personal Gifts

2009-10-15T11:53:00.002-06:00

Personalize your needs with Creative touches, not only do we have custom logo apparel and items, but offer more availability by meeting all you needs from a business level to a personal level. To meet all your business needs we offer more capabilities in running your business, visit our sister site at dlambert-onlineofficesolutions.com
NOTE--All items shown can be customized with your own company logo, or personal photos.

It's Just ME!

2009-10-15T10:28:00.000-06:00

I once ran into an old man pushing a broom at a business, just smiling away as he swept. I asked him "why are you smiling?" he said "it's my 50th wedding anniversary today" I smiled with astonishment and asked "How could be with someone for so long?" he said "I get up in the morning and I think about ME." I was shocked that this man could say that, but as I walked away I realized, that if he was happy with himself, he could make her happy. So today I suggest to everyone, to get up in the mornings and look in the mirror get happy with you, with this you can make someone else happy.

This is a true story, and a very special one because I seen the man. Now maybe something that brings back a memory, that is different and special and personalized just for them, buy something or give something to your loved one, that shows just how special they are. being appreciated and feeling the gift of love will always be a cherished memory. In your personal life or in business, you always want to feel like your important, and knowing "ME" can make "You" happy in context.

Written By: Sandy Winter my lovely mother

Promotional items for Every business

2009-09-27T01:31:00.000-06:00

Finding and researching companies that can transform you company logo into a great promotional item, can be extremely time consuming and take the already expense of your employee away from their valuable duties, or your self. Keep your time and money in your pocket and have the promotional products done by a professional on an as needed basis. By purchasing items on an as needed basis, you don't have an overstock of product and the extra added expense in the tough economy. Business and employee building a relationship and showing your appreciation for their business and/or hardwork.

Customer Appreciation Letters/Gifts for Better Relationship Management

2009-09-26T12:27:00.000-06:00

Showing customer appreciation is vital to building long-term relationships with those who buy your products or services. It's always easier to make a sale to a customer who has already had a positive buying experience with your company. And repeat sales are much less expensive to make--in terms of both time and money.
However, don't make the mistake that some business professionals make. Don't spend so much time courting new prospects that you allow your relationships with current customers to grow cold. All customers appreciate a freebie or a great discount now and then. They also like to know that you are grateful for their patronage.
So drop your customers a note from time to time, just to thank them for their business--without asking for anything in return. And include a coupon for a product or service that he or she has purchased in the past, or something similar.

Virtual Assistant - What can they do for your business?

2009-09-23T19:00:00.000-06:00

For those that own a small business it can be tempting to consider hiring a secretary to aid with the small business details that take time but do not really need you to complete. However, hiring an employee means worrying about tax laws, benefits, and sick days all of which can be equally terrifying thoughts if you do not have a large amount of overhead to work with.

This is why it may interest you to know that there is another option that many people are taking advantage of: an online secretary. An online secretary is wonderful for helping you with tasks such as bookkeeping, accounting, mailings, appointment setting, and any other details that you would expect a traditional secretary to keep track of for you.
Of course, the major bonus is that an online secretary is very familiar with the online business world making them an excellent aid if you need help developing an online website for your product or service. In fact, if you are in need of web programming or any other special internet skill you can simply surf the internet and only hire an online secretary that meets your expectations.

With the internet world broadening horizons and communications across the globe many people are now taking advantage of their talents and outsourcing on the Internet. Thus it is possible to find an online secretary who can help you with individual tasks as well as those that you would normally expect from an ordinary secretary making their salary twice as useful and beneficial to you.

Plus, you can choose to pay an online secretary per project so that you only have to budget for them when you need them. Thus if you do not have a current project you do not have to worry about paying for your online secretary which makes it even easier to afford on a long term basis.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sachin_Kumar_Arion

Dr. Deb

2009-09-21T07:28:00.001-06:00

Dr. Deb

Posted using ShareThis

FMCSA UCR Announcement

2009-09-04T08:56:00.001-06:00

USDOT 135-09

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that it will publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to establish an increase in the fees that interstate commercial truck and bus companies, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies must pay under the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan for registration year 2010. States have been unable to effectively collect the UCR revenue they are entitled by law during the 2007-2009 registration years. The FMCSA believes its proposed new fee levels will both encourage states to aggressively enforce the UCR fees rule and generate the necessary revenue to execute state motor carrier safety programs. The NPRM will appear in the September 3, 2009 issue of the Federal Register. Interested parties will have 15 days to comment on the proposed fees and can do so by going to www.Regulations.gov. Contact: Candice Tolliver - Tel: (202) 366.2309 or (202) 306.4580

DOT sets distracted driving meeting

2009-08-24T08:45:00.000-06:00

By eTrucker Staff

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it will hold its summit to determine the best ways to reduce the number of crashes and deaths due to distracted driving on Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Thursday, Oct. 1.
"Safety is our number-one priority," said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "As we become a more mobile and wireless nation, we can't afford to ignore new technology's impact on roadway safety."
The distracted driving summit will bring together senior transportation officials, elected officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives, private sector representatives and academics to address issues related to reducing accidents through enforcement, public awareness and education. Speakers from across the nation will lead interactive sessions on a number of key topics, including the extent and impact of distracted driving, current research, regulations and best practices.
Participants also will examine distractions caused by current and planned automotive devices, such as navigational systems. The summit’s second day will include a panel of state and local officials to discuss solutions from their perspectives. "This summit will not only bring leaders in transportation safety together to talk about this issue, it will also give people from all over the country — and world — the opportunity to be a part of this historic dialogue,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

DOT said that to accommodate the strong response, the summit will be available live by webcast, and members of the public will be given able to submit questions online for each individual panel discussion. DOT also has created a website to provide information and updates on the summit.

Photos

2009-07-09T00:19:00.000-06:00

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FN:Dianna Lambert
ORG:Online Office Solutions
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URL;HOME:http://dlambert-onlineofficesolutions.com
URL;WORK:http://dlambert-onlineofficesolutions.com
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Dianna Lambert
Online Virtual Office Solutions
www.dlambert-onlineofficesolutions.com
Cell 406-671-6132
Phone 405-545-4770
BLOG: www.dlambert-onlineofficesolutions.blogspot.com

2009-07-09T00:02:00.001-06:00

Welcome to my blog, feel free to post any comments and visit my website

http://www.dlambert-onlineofficesolutions.com