Christian Work at Home Grandparents and Moms

Take Time

2011-02-08T08:22:00.001-08:00

Take Time to Make Time for the ONE who Made Time

Christian and Going Nuts

2010-10-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

If you are going N.U.T.S. then you are "Not Using The Scriptures".

Christian, Scriptures, and Nuts

Destiny,God,Faith

2010-07-14T01:00:00.000-07:00

I may not be where I want to be, but God has me where I have to be so I can go to where I need to be, so I can fulfill the destiny in my heart.

Faith

2010-07-13T01:57:00.000-07:00

To all those whom I know...May this day find only peaceful happiness within your mind, body, soul, heart, and all those you know. Have a great today everyone!!

2010-07-12T07:58:00.000-07:00

Marcia says you should live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God , will come to know God because they know you...

People In Our Life

2010-07-12T07:40:00.001-07:00

Knows that God puts people n your life 4 a reason, even though we never understand why they're there, they can make you love or they can make you crazy.

Faith

2010-07-11T07:43:00.000-07:00

When worry looks down, faith looks up

Faith

2010-07-10T07:44:00.000-07:00

~ Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. ~ Saint Augustine quotes

Daily Thoughts

2010-05-19T02:47:00.001-07:00

Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.

Daily Thoughts - Inspirational

2010-05-17T02:50:00.000-07:00

You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved

Christian Inspriational,

2010-05-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

“One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul.”
St Teresa of Lisieux

Daily Thoughts, INSPIRATIONAL

2010-05-09T02:53:00.000-07:00

Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You

It Is What We Are

2010-04-10T06:08:00.001-07:00

It Is What We Are
Happiness is not in our circumstances, but in ourselves. It is not something we see, like a rainbow, or feel, like the heat of a fire. Happiness is something we are.

Moment of Truth

2009-12-10T19:18:00.000-08:00

Life usually presents us with moments of truth- times when we have no choice but to see ourselves just as we really are. "It is how we react in those moments that really matters." Life is short, but there is always time for courtesy.

Teach me thy way,O Lord: I will walk in the truth. PSALM 86:11 kjv

Being a Christian

2009-10-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you...Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

Pinktober Melissa Etheridge

2009-10-14T16:03:00.000-07:00

Hardrock and Pinktober

Melissa on SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Oct 14 & 16)
Melissa will be a phone-in guest on two SIRIUS Satellite Radio shows: Tune in on Wed, Oct 14 at 1:00pm ET to Dr Radio: Oncology Show

http://www.melissaetheridge.com/pink/

It's Time To Go Virtual!

2009-10-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

It's Time To Go Virtual!

If you’re a small business or run a one man/woman show,
you're in the right place.

Do you have a list of "Things To Do" that never seems to get done?

Do you have great ideas to increase your business, but can neither find the time nor possess the skills to implement them?

Are there administrative tasks that you dislike or don't do well, that take up a lot of your time and energy?

If this describes you or the state of your business, just delegating administrative and clerical tasks will save you time and money. Your days will be more productive, while you make decisions about what you'll do and actually have the time to accomplish them. Imagine that!?

There are two precious resources, that we all have, and we don't want to waste . . .
TIME and MONEY.

Check out this site: http://jannierebusinesssolutions.com/default.aspx

Quote For The Day

2009-10-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world.

Forgiveness

2009-09-23T18:01:00.000-07:00

Forgiveness is the remission of sins. For it is by this that what has been lost, and was found, is saved from being lost again.
Saint Augustine

Morning Prayer

2009-09-09T07:11:00.000-07:00

A Parent's/Grandparents Morning Payer...

Lord, teach me goodness, discipline and wisdom, and help me teach to my children/grandchildren. Let these gifts keep us from becoming hardened by evil, weakened by laziness, or ignorant because of foolishness. Amen.

Endings and Beginnings

2009-08-13T04:30:00.000-07:00

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry
I am not there, I did not die.

Mary Frye

Quote For The Day, Christian Life

2009-08-12T04:28:00.000-07:00

The whole life of a Christian should be nothing but praises and thanks to God; we should neither eat nor sleep, but eat to God and sleep to God and work to God and talk to God, do all to His glory and praise.

Author: Sibbes, Richard

Category: Christian Life

Inspiration

2009-08-12T04:13:00.000-07:00

"To put the world in right order,
we must first put the nation in order;
to put the nation in order,
we must first put the family in order;
to put the family in order,
we must first cultivate our personal life;
we must first set our hearts right."

Resources: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/

In Memory of Eunice Kennedy Shiver

2009-08-11T16:32:00.000-07:00

Memory of Eunice Kennedy Shiver
A Christian Grandmother

“God has been so good to me;
He has given me two hands
To pick His roses with -
And two eyes - to see his rainbow -
Why should I complain
When they are aged and wrinkled
And He asks me to return them,
For new ones perhaps?”

John Sims

Christian Work AT Home Grandmother CWAHGrandparents

Thought For The Day

2009-08-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

God's table is big enough for every one of us

Daily Prayer God Of Grace and Glory

2009-08-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

God of grace and glory, thank you for inviting and welcoming all of us to your table. Amen.

Encouragement for Today

2009-08-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

Choosing God’s Plans

By: Tracie Miles

“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

Devotion:

Several years ago, I was sitting in a management meeting, when my manager suggested we kick off the meeting by allowing each person the opportunity to say what they felt was their most important contribution to the company.

One by one, each person spoke, stating things like, “to decrease overall expenses”; “to lower headcount”; etc. When my turn came, my heart fluttered, and I felt compelled to share that I felt my primary purpose was to counsel employees, encourage them, and help them work through personal or work related issues. You could have heard a pin drop in that room, as everyone stared at me with blank faces.

You see, the months leading up to this meeting, there had been a lot of issues going on in the company. There were office politics, power struggles, lofty egos, and people had been hurt.

As a result of my position, people would often come to me for guidance. God had been leading unexpected people into my office for weeks and opened the door for me to minister to believers and non-believers with the love of Christ. He’d also given me the desire and courage to be a light for Him, in an environment that didn’t operate under Christian principles. He had ordained opportunities for me to share how Jesus gives true peace and acceptance, even when people and politics cause pain and disappointment.

My supervisor was not a believer, so he didn’t appreciate my answer to his question. He wanted to hear how I was going to streamline procedures and improve his department, not what was on my heart, and as a result, our relationship went downhill from there.

A year or so later, I resigned from that position. The atmosphere had simply become too difficult, but more importantly, I knew God had been nudging me to make a change. I felt called to serve in ministry and to be a stay at home mom. All that time, I had been walking in disobedience.

When I resigned, it felt like a sacrifice. However, I quickly discovered that God’s plan was so much better than mine. I realized that I had been unable to understand His plan, until I was willing to lay aside my own, and that I had to choose Him, before He could show me His will for my life. Had I simply said what I knew my boss wanted to hear in that meeting, I might still be working there, climbing the corporate ladder, and striving to reach my career goals.

But God had been working on my heart for years, preparing me for that moment. He had gradually shifted my desires to building His kingdom, more so than building my resume. He had inspired me to see the hearts of the people in my office, not just the problems in the people. And He had helped me to see that lasting success and happiness could be found in Him alone, not through my own accomplishments.

Was making that change easy? Or course not. Did I have to make difficult sacrifices? Most definitely. But was it worth it? ABSOLUTELY!

Regardless of where you work, you can make a spiritual difference in people’s lives. Whether you work in corporate offices or a Christian ministry, when facing a difficult choice, you can trust that God has prepared and equipped you for such a time as this.

Pray for strength to stand up for God’s truth, even against all odds, and ask Him to lead you in your decisions.

Choosing Christ’s plans, over our own plans, will always result in more peace or blessing than we could never imagine.

Dear Lord, it is not always easy to stand up for you in the face of opposition, or to make choices that seem outside of our understanding. I seek your guidance, and your divine wisdom and discernment regarding the decisions in my life. I do desire to do your will. Thank you for never leaving me. Please help me to be strong in You, and for you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Visit Tracie Miles’ blog

Reinventing Your Rainbow by Tracie Miles

What Happens When Woman Walk in Faith, by Lysa TerKeurst

Application Steps:

Consider a hard decision that God has been calling you to make, and pray for His wisdom.

Write down the steps you can take to begin working towards a goal that God has placed in your heart.

Reflections:

Is God calling me to make a change or a decision that requires sacrifice?

Do I trust that God ordains all things?

Power Verses:

1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV)

1 Corinthians 16:13, “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (NIV)

Christian Work At Home Grandparents

Children of Kings

2009-08-11T10:18:00.001-07:00

"A forever princess of the King of Kings. His children are blessed." Proverbs 20:7

Daily Prayer Show Me The Way

2009-08-09T16:08:00.000-07:00

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing me the way through death to life in the power of your Spirit. Amen.

Thought For The Day Christian Faith

2009-08-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

Christian faith demands our whole heart and life.

Questions Kids Ask about God

2009-07-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

801 Questions Kids Ask about God

The best time to teach anyone anything is when he or she asks a question. Why? Because that is the time when the questioner has a desire to learn. Unfortunately, when our children ask us questions about God, Heaven, the Bible etc. we are often not prepared with the answers and the moment passes. Or worse yet we do our best to answer without really knowing for sure what the Bible says.

This book is a compilation of the original 8 books in the ‘101 Questions Kids Ask’ series. It was put together to provide parents with a handy reference for help answering their children’s questions when they arise.

The big difference between this compilation and the original books is that only a small amount of the over 800 illustrations have been included and the ones that are included are very small. This is ideal if you want the handy reference but if you are looking for a family devotional for your young children (ages 4 – 8 ) or a personal devotional for your older children (ages 7 – 12) it is best to use the original individual titles. The illustrations draw the children in and keep them wanting more.

Chrisitan Work From Home Grandparents and Moms recommend this book: Ideal as a ready reference for families with children of all ages. See More

801 Questions Kids Ask about God

2009-07-20T10:54:00.001-07:00

Meal Time A Family Affair for Many Generations

2009-07-16T15:42:00.000-07:00

Meal Time - a Family Affair

Author: Marcia Chumbley

Meal Time - A Family Affair for Many Generations

In the past, it was traditional that at all three mealtimes, breakfast, lunch and dinner, the family would all gather round the dinner table to eat. Someone - usually one of the children - would set the table, Mom or Grandma (or both!) would prepare a healthy, delicious meal which would be laid out on the table. Dishes would be passed around the table, a prayer would be said, and clean-up would take place before any children could play.

While that probably reminds you of your own childhood, how often does it take place in your own home? Having a family mealtime can afford you with a lot more benefits than you might think. Sure it takes longer, and sure, everyone has to bend their ever-so-busy schedules to it, but just imagine some of the wonderful benefits of a family mealtime!

A family mealtime can enable you to be able to teach your children how to cook - properly! Many children today simply can't cook anything out of a microwave, and don't know how to follow a basic recipe. Using family mealtimes as instructional times can be a wonderful opportunity for you to teach your children how to cook good, healthy meals. Showing your children and grandchildren the basics, such as how to time cooking many dishes at once, food preparation and substitutions, the mathematics involved in cutting a recipe in half or doubling it, and many other cooking lessons can be invaluable later in life. Passing on of family recipes from one generation to another generation.

Having a family meal also allows you to bring your family closer together as a family unit and to involve the entire family with an activity all at once. In today's world, how often does your entire family get to sit down with one another at the same time? Use this fantastic time as a way to start conversations between members of your family. Discuss the high points and low points of each family member's day. Learn how your children are doing in school and extra-curricular activities (if they are not home schooled). Most of all this provides an environment where your family can talk to each other and listen in an open forum. Grandparents offer discussion of history and family traditions.

This can also bring your family closer together in other ways. You can have each family member plan one meal for the week, or have your family plan meals together. Use this as a time to think about the nutritional value of each meal, to incorporate all of the food groups, and to also make sure that everyone has a chance to eat their favorite foods! The ideas are limitless, and it will encourage an atmosphere of sharing, kindness and caring.

Let each member of your family take part in mealtime, from setting the table to taking turns doing the dishes afterwards. It is all about family participation and sharing. Include every member of your family and be sure to be absolutely firm about this aspect of your lives. Many times schedules and appointments can interfere with family dinners, but this is a very important part of your family life, and it should be treated as such by all members of the family.

Meal time isn't simply the time for us to eat, it is a time for us to come together as a family unit and to strengthen our bonds together. Whether you can eat one meal together a day or three, it is important to set aside at least one meal a day as a "family meal". Your family will thank you for it!

About the Author:

Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com. Bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Meal Time - a Family Affair for Many Generations

Christian Work At Home Moms and Grandmothers With Five Generations

2009-07-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

Five Christian Grandmothers and Great Grandmothers have made a difference.
They are the true pioneers bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Families and Boomers together while providing resources to help moms find a a work at home career, while helping others Christian work from home moms and grandparents promote and market their christian home based business at a reasonable cost. Inspiration to make a positive difference while balancing the work at home experience.

They are nurturing the youth who will change the world. Christian Moms who are teachers,midwives,business owners and community service.
Read More:

Faithful Grannies - Christian Work From Home

Christian Inspriational - My Psalm

2009-07-15T02:55:00.000-07:00
My Psalm

Fill my heart with kindness Lord,
Let it overflow with cheer,
Help me eliminate moments in life,
Where there may be some fear.

Cause me to perform many simple deeds,
And let each aftermath be profound,
So the Light of your Eternal Love,
In lost souls can be found.

Teach me how to pray Dear Lord,
And hear what I might say.
Allow me to honor and glorify You,
In a thankful yet humble way.

Inspire me to appreciate
Each flower, plant or tree,
Whole beauty is another lesson in
True Peace and Tranquility.

Guide me as I tread upon,
Each pathway strewn with love,
Let my soul illuminate blessings
Which I receive from You above.

When my life on earth is over,
Let me bow before Thy throne,
And judge me for each act of love,
That I have truly shown.

By Jack Dugan
California, USA

Rain Water Tears and Baptisim

2009-07-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

Rain Water Tears and Baptisim ties us closer to God and our Christian faith.

As I sit in my recliner tonight listening to the rain hitting the steal roof my mind begins to think and I relax to the pattering noise.
Rain we truly need in our lives. It cleans the air, water our world, gives nourishment to all of Gods creations. And then we have....

Tears rolling down our faces. These may be tears of joy or tears of sadness. However they are tears of water that cleans our mind and gives us empathy. And then we have ...

Water, the lifeline of life. The same water, tears and rain which reminds us of our baptisms. Cleanings our sole giving us rebirth and forgiveness of our sins.

The next time you see it rain watch the journey of the rain drop. Running into the ground, traveling down a river, heading to a well we draw a cool drink from that provides us with water in baptism and nourishes us so we may cry tears in good times and bad.

The power of rain and water tears and baptism. I can only imagine what my day will be like to have faith and received God in my life and heart.

Baptism, Water, and our World

By William Loader

Water has to do all the hard work: softening, washing, refreshing, sometimes under pressure, changing and reshaping things. Water has shaped continents, carved out great gorges and dug deep valleys. Sometimes it rises and falls endlessly in the cycle of vapour and falling rain. Sometimes it hides deep within the earth’s crust waiting future discovery. No wonder water has been a symbol of life and hope and depth and God.

The droplets of water on a child’s forehead in baptism in a moment of time symbolise an eternity of goodness flowing from the heart of God, a river of love that seeks unendingly to reproduce itself in the lives of people. Some people choose to be blocked pipes allowing no flow in or out, stagnant with their own pre-occupation or guilt or shame. Others want it only one way, receiving the flow, but then blocking its onward course for fear of loss or for fear of giving. Some belong to those dry lands so cut off from the flow that they fill the statistics of the 22,000 people who die daily from extreme poverty.

Everywhere we are looking for water. Our world needs compassion like it needs water. To celebrate baptism is to say again: we want to be where the river flows. We want to wade in its waters and we want to make sure its benefits reach out to all who hunger and thirst – for God or just to survive.

Baptism is a big agenda of generosity, a promise of hope and change, for us and for our world, a sharing in the ongoing life of Christ and the love of God for all humanity. It begins with letting that water sink deeply into our own soil and opening ourselves to the wonder of new life.

Christian Work at Home Grandparents and Moms

Obey My Commands Remain In Love

2009-07-14T18:42:00.000-07:00
“If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.”
John 15:10

Christian Work At Home Grandparents

WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN

2009-07-14T02:38:00.000-07:00

WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved."
I'm whispering "I was lost!"
That is why I chose this way.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are all too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved.

Reduce Your Debts Even in a Tough Economy

2009-07-12T08:11:00.001-07:00
How to reduce your debts even in a tough economy

"Getting out of debt is a viable possibility for most people," says Daniel Wesley at creditloan.com, a comprehensive Web site on personal finance. "The way America views debt and money is changing, and many people are taking advantage of resources so they can become financially secure today and in the future."

Here are some easy steps to consider for managing debt in any economy:

1. Assess all your debts and loans

The only way to start fixing your debt problem is to see where you realistically stand. Write down all your loans and credit card debts along with their interest rates and monthly payment requirements. Federal law states that you can print out a free credit report once a year, so this would be a good time to review and fix any errors.

2. Set a manageable budget

Determine what your expenses are each month. Food, fuel, insurance, utilities -- be sure to include everything with a regular expense. After you know your cost of living, you can see how much you have left to go toward your debts.

3. Be credit card smart

It's best to keep only one or two credit cards for your personal use and pay off debt monthly. If you have rotating debt like many people do, find out if you can negotiate better terms with your credit card company. It's possible to reduce your interest rate or settlement on some debt just by asking. Be firm yet courteous when negotiating with a customer service representative.

4. Is debt consolidation an option?

The concept of debt consolidation is very attractive: bundle multiple monthly payments into one single payment to make paying bills easier. Usually these payments are at a reduced interest rate, so you can also save money. If you have significant debt, this can be a good option, but there are some things you should remember.

Debt consolidation does not write off your debt, it simply transfers the debt to a new lender who will work with you to find a manageable payment plan. A debt consolidation loan is typically a secured loan with your home as collateral, effectively making it a second mortgage. Some loans are unsecured without collateral, but the interest rates are typically much higher.

"If you decide to consolidate debt, you must analyze your spending habits immediately and act responsibly," says Wesley. "For example, if you consolidate your credit card debt, don't start spending on those cards again once you clear the balance. You must make the commitment to live within your means, no matter what your financial situation."

If you would like more information about dealing with debt the right way, visit www.creditloan.com. All resource information is free, comprehensive, objective and updated daily.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Helpful Aging Depends on Habits

2009-06-21T11:41:00.000-07:00
Leading expert says healthful aging depends on current daily habits

When it comes to healthful aging, a preventive approach is the key to success. By implementing some simple healthy habits today, we can achieve a healthier future. “Our bodies’ health -- particularly as we age -- requires that we take precautionary measures to strengthen ourselves,” explains Donnica L. Moore, MD, women’s health expert and advocate, and editor in chief of Women’s Health for Life (DK 2009). Consider her tips for healthful aging as part of an improved wellness plan.

Sleep Smart: Sleep not only helps revive the body, but also the mind. Research shows that skimping on sleep can have serious effects such as an increased risk of developing memory loss, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Getting enough rest encourages a positive mood, healthy weight and better skin elasticity. If falling asleep is challenging, try lighting a soothing lavender candle or lowering the room temperature to help cool the body’s core temperature to a comfortable sleeping level.

Lather Up: Warm weather entices many people outdoors, but sun safety is essential. Aside from same-day dangers, like sunburn and heat exhaustion, overexposure to the sun can cause premature aging and, in some cases, skin cancer. To safely enjoy the summer season, apply -- and reapply -- an oil-free, anti-aging sun block every day for skin that is properly moisturized and protected from damaging UVA and UVB rays. Also, remember to wear a hat and sunglasses to help protect the scalp and eyes.

Shield Your Smile: The health of your smile is influenced by daily dental health routines, as well as dietary factors. Enamel loss can occur when acids from everyday food and beverages, such as fruit, yogurt, salsa, orange juice and sports drinks, attack the tooth surface. If left untreated, the result can be irreversible enamel loss, which can lead to larger issues such as cavities, sensitivity, veneers, dentures and even oral surgery. New Crest Pro-Health Enamel Shield toothpaste contains the active ingredient stannous fluoride, which binds to enamel to create a micro-thin shield against acid attack. It protects all these areas dentists check most: cavities, gingivitis, plaque, sensitivity, tartar, fresh breath and whitening.

Exercise and Energize: People who exercise frequently not only look better, but they feel better too. The short-term effects of exercise include better stress management and increased energy. Long-term benefits include easier weight control, stronger bones and muscles and a decreased risk of developing heart disease and diabetes. Consider tennis, golf, yoga and walking as these activities can be catered to any fitness level and age.

Aging is unavoidable, but the transition can be made easier -- and healthier -- by implementing a few small daily habits that have positive effects on the body and overall wellness.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Insanity is Hereditary

2009-05-22T07:55:00.000-07:00
""Insanity is hereditary. You can get it from your children." Sam Levenson .

Cooler Heads

2009-05-16T06:01:00.000-07:00

A christian I know was angry with someone at his workplace over a perceived injustice. A colleague listened to his grievance and sensed that his temper still ran high. He gave him this wise advice to consider before confronting those involed: "Cooler Heads Prevail."

As we interact with others, disagreements are inevitable. The discerning believer understands his own heart and takes steps to deal with conflict dipolomatically.

Proverbs 17:27 tells us. "He also has knowledge spares his words." This means keeping in check a multitude of opinions that could ignite futher anger in others.Someone who displays wisdom will think before speaking, and then willshare only insights likely to be helpful.

The nest time you become angry, stop and prayerfully reflect for a moment. Ask God for a calm spirit and the right words to say.

The best time to stop an argument is before it starts.

Christian Parents - Faithful Grannies .com

Daily Prayer

2009-05-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

Mothers and Wives

Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel. (Meaning, God is with us).- Matthew 1:23

Daily Prayer - Christian Working Parents

2009-05-09T11:22:00.000-07:00
Father,
It's easy to lose the big picture, especially on a hectic day. Please help us to honor you as we raise our children. In the strong name of Jesus,amen.

8 Hot Tips for Keeping Seniors Cool This Summer

2009-05-08T03:19:00.000-07:00
When the temperature goes up, seniors are more likely than others to suffer. Even healthy seniors are at risk during a heat wave. Check out these 8 great ways to keep your senior safe and comfortable! Share your own heat-busting tips with other caregivers by posting a comment.

1. Spend the day in an air-conditioned venue, such as a public library, senior center, or movie theatre. Fans won't help cool down your senior during extreme heat.

2. If you must go outdoors, take along plenty of water, plus a spray bottle for a spritzy cool-down. Seniors are at high risk of becoming dehydrated -- a serious health problem. Watch out for dark urine, which may mean your senior needs more water.

3. If your senior is not using her air conditioner because she's worried about her utility bill, or she doesn't know hot it works, explain that for safety's sake she must use her a.c., at least for several hours at a time, and show her how.

4. Encourage your senior to take a cool (not cold) bath or give her a sponge bath. If outdoors, apply a cold wet towel compress to her face and neck.

5. Make sure your senior wears loose-fitting clothing made from lightweight fabrics such as cotton, plus a hat. But bring along a sweater if you're going somewhere air conditioned.

6. Prepare light and healthy meals that don't require cooking, such as refreshing, protein-packed salad.

7. Cover windows that are exposed to direct sun light and keep curtains, shades, and blinds down during the hottest part of the day.

8. Know the warning signs of heat stress or stroke: Instead of sweating, your senior may not sweat at all. Her skin is more likely to be dry, hot, and clammy. Other symptoms may include confusion, nausea, rapid pulse, and high body temperature. If you're concerned, don't hesitate to call 9-1-1!

By taking minimal precautions and planning ahead, you and your senior can stay cool as cucumbers, no matter how hot it gets. Post a comment to let us know how you help your senior beat the heat!

Changing Senior Care

2009-05-07T04:13:00.000-07:00

The Changing Face of Senior Care
: What Caregivers Need to Know Seniors are living longer than ever before. They are also becoming more proactive when it comes to making decisions that affect the quality of their lives. Here are some ways seniors are trying to stay healthier and happier as they consider many new options. Post a comment to share how you and your senior are dealing with the rapidly changing face of senior care!

1. Staying fit, getting stronger. A recent study shows that exercising may actually protect the body against the aging process. Encourage your senior to walk, swim, dance, or practice yoga or Tai Chi. Even seniors who start exercising later in life reap the benefits, such as suffering from fewer heart attacks or having more energy. Simple balance-enhancing exercises help prevent potentially devastating falls, while yoga stretches build strength and endurance. Let your senior decide what kind of physical activity suits her needs, and then get moving!

2. Eating better, staying healthier. A third of cancer cases could be prevented by avoiding smoking, exercising, and by eating better. It doesn't take much for seniors to stay healthier longer, and they seem to be more willing to make those relatively simple dietary changes. For example, your senior might actually prefer delicious and nutritious sweet potatoes, which are loaded with Vitamins C and A and very low in fat, to artery-clogging french fries if you explain to her why you are serving the healthier option. Put out bowls of refreshing blueberries and strawberries, snacks that can reverse some of the effects of age-related brain decline, instead of fat-saturated candy. Add more potassium to your senior's diet, with foods such as bananas, fat-free yogurt, and orange juice, to offset the harmful effects of sodium and reduce the risk of heart disease!

3. Going on line, knowing your options. Seniors can use online tools to compare costs of hospital stays and tests. They can also go online to find out if they are paying too much for their prescription drugs. For example, brand-name drugs used to treat heart disease often are no better than generics. Your senior may be able to switch to a generic drug or to a drug similar in quality to the one she is using that costs less. She can also use the computer to communicate with her physicians. You might want to investigate new care-management tools, like the Intel Health Guide, that can monitor blood pressure and glucose levels from home and report the data to health professionals. Seniors who are technologically savvy feel less isolated and safer.

4. Better designs, gadgets that help. Adaptive equipment for seniors used to be clunky, ugly, and embarrassing. Not any more! Support bars for toilets can be concealed behind a wall and used only when necessary. A kitchen can include attractive induction cook tops that won't burn if you touch them. Prettily designed night lights in dark hallways and at the top and bottom of stairways can help prevent seniors from falling. Skid-free rugs now come in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes. And a set of large-handle eating utensils, which many seniors find easier to use, can match the pattern of spill-proof dishes!

5. Changing health coverage, making sense. There are many more health care options for seniors than there were a decade ago! And your senior can switch from one health care system to another, if she meets the deadlines. Seniors may think they are locked into their current Medicare health coverage for 2009, but they have until March 31, 2009, to make a change, such as switching from a private health plan (HMO, PPO, etc.) to Medicare, or vice versa. If your senior has questions, contact Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) for her and ask for the telephone representative to dis-enroll your senior from her private plan. Or you can call your senior's private plan directly to make the change, as long as it's before March 31.

6. Driving safely, staying independent. Often seniors are reluctant to give up driving because they don't want to depend on other people to get around. A new website, http://www.seniordrivers.org, provides tips and info to keep senior driving skills sharp. It includes video clips and tip sheets covering tricky situations seniors might encounter. It also shows how seniors can cope with giving up the car keys and still remain active. And the future looks promising. For example, a new windshield is in the works that uses lasers, infrared sensors, and a camera to help objects stand out that otherwise could go unnoticed. This and other car-related gadgets currently under development will help keep your senior (and others on the road) safer while driving!

7. Finding the right doc, feeling better. The model of health care for seniors, which used to mean going to a doctor for one specific medical problem, has changed dramatically. Now seniors are treated for a variety of conditions, many of them chronic. They need coordinated care and access to a primary doctor who can either figure detect problems, before they require acute and expensive treatment, or send patients to a specialist. Just as important, your senior's physician should be addressing her social needs and issues as well as her medical condition. If the doctor doesn't consider the whole picture, encourage your senior to change to a different one. What if her doctor tells your senior that she needs hospital treatment? Check out "Hospital Compare," www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov, to see how hospitals nationwide are rated, including patient satisfaction information.

8. Leaving a footprint, not the carbon kind. Seniors no longer view themselves as the "invisible generation." They know they have acquired wisdom to impart! Suggest to your senior that she writes (or dictates to you or a family member) a Legacy Letter in which she expresses her hopes and dreams for the world future generations will inherit. Your senior might prefer working on a scrapbook, an oral history, or a compilation of "Words of Wisdom." She can share her own past experiences with friends and family members, providing a valuable contribution to those younger than herself!

Ninety is the new seventy! Danish researchers report that the very old, even those who live to be 100-plus, are increasingly enjoying healthy, independent lives. This is good news for your senior and for you!

Tell us if and how your senior is participating in her care-related decisions by posting a comment.

New to Senior Care?

2009-05-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

New to Senior Care? What You Need to Know

If you are new to the senior caregiving community, you are not alone. Adults over 80 are the fastest growing segment of the population, and most of them will spend years dependent on caregivers like you! Fortunately, there are resources and support services to help make the transition to your new job go more smoothly. Share your own tips with other caregivers by posting a comment!

Here are some tried-and-true "survival" suggestions from experiences senior caregivers:

Join a support group. Feeling stressed out, irritable, or isolated? Support groups can be lifesavers. Get together with other senior caregivers to share your concerns, in a safe environment, and to pick up useful tips. "Unless they have spent time in the care trenches," writes Molly Shomer, Head Coach of ElderCareTeam.com, "our usual buddies just don't get it....What every caregiver needs is a group of people who are walking the same bumpy road with the same incomplete road map."

How do you find a support group?

Word of mouth. Talk to other senior caregivers for referrals. Don't be shy! You're all in the same caregiving boat and need each other.
If your senior suffers from a specific disease, check out the local branch of the disease-related organization. For example, contact the American Cancer Society, the National Parkinson Foundation, or the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and ask about their support groups for caregivers.
Online support groups. While in-person groups are preferable, since they double as a way to socialize with peers, the internet in as easy, quick way to "meet" other caregivers. The Family Caregiver Alliance has online support groups. You can post a comment on Care.com's Senior Care Scoop blog to let other caregivers know that you would like to start of join a support group!
Take a break. Most likely you will be spending a lot of time with your senior's friends or family members. Make sure that you also find the time to be with your friends and family, who share your interests. Experienced caregivers point out that as newcomers, you need to make it clear to your employer from the start that you will need breaks and vacation.In fact, this information should be written into your contract. Otherwise, given the physically and emotionally draining nature of caregiving, you may burn out! Taking time off to focus on your own needs and to be with people your own age can lift your spirits and leave you feeling less stressed and more energized.

Don't get down on yourself. It is normal for a new caregiver to experience a mixed bag of emotions. You won't always get along with your senior! Remind yourself that:

Your job is highly demanding, without many opportunities to let off steam. No wonder you may feel frustrated or stressed out on the job.
Try and emphasize the positive, rewarding aspects of caregiving, such as the difference your assistance has made in your senior's life (it has!), or what you like about her.
Self-care is essential to successful caregiving. Follow the same rules you apply to your senior: Eat healthy, wholesome meals, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, don't put off going to the doctor for check-ups, and pamper yourself.
Accept limitations, yours and your senior's. Even if you have negative or angry feelings toward your senior, give the job a chance. Your relationship will change as you get to know each other better. Talk to other caregivers, take breaks, and pat yourself on the back for the good job you are doing. Remember: There is no such thing as a perfect caregiver!
Be clear about your responsibilities. Don't get stuck doing things for your senior that were not included in your contract or agreement. How can you avoid pitfalls?

Put it in writing. Make sure your tasks are clearly stated so there is no confusion -- and arguments -- later on.
Set limits. Are you supposed to take your senior to the hairdresser, shopping for clothes, or to a medical appointment, in addition to basic caregiving? Are you expected to drive your senior where she needs to go? Find out your employer's expectations before you agree to the job! And if you work for specific hours each day, make sure the appointments are scheduled for much earlier so you won't have to work longer than planned if the doctor of service provider is late.
Talk about overtime and paid vacations. How much extra salary do you make if you put in extra hours? Do you get personal or sick days and decent vacation time? If it better to ask these questions now, so you won't be disappointed later, when it may be too late to do anything about.
Does your employer expect you to be a housekeeping aide as well as a caregiver? Perhaps you didn't think you were supposed to clean your senior's living space or shop for her food. As a new caregiver, you have to define for yourself and your employer what type of senior care you want to provide.
Senior caregiving is exciting and challenging. It can be both gratifying and overwhelming. As a newcomer to the field, take advantage of the many valuable resources that are available to you.

What's worked for you? Share your advice with new senior caregivers by posting a comment!

Thank You, Lord, For My Children

2009-05-04T18:25:00.000-07:00
Thank You, Lord, For My Children
by David Pekrul
5/03/2009 / Poetry

Thank you, Lord, for my children,
And letting me watch them grow,
Into adults with whom I can be so proud,
And pray that You'll let me show,

That I will be there to encourage them,
To strengthen, help and support,
To show them the love of the Father,
And give them a good report.

And please let them know that I love them,
By pointing the way to You,
So they won't be caught in the Judgment,
And say that they never knew.

And Lord, in your wonderful mercy,
Please sanctify, set them aside,
And honour the things they've committed to You,
'Till, there by Your side they abide.

www.myhiddenvoice.com The poetry of David Ronald Bruce Pekrul
If this article is used in any publication, please send a copy of the publication to David Pekrul at
170 Carr Cres.
Okotoks, AB
T1S 1E3
Canada
E-Mail: dpekrul@gmail.com

Article Source: FaithWriters.com http://www.faithwriters.com and FaithReaders.com http://www.faithreaders.com

Christian Work At Home Grandparents - Thank You Lord

How to be a Fashionista after 50

2009-05-02T07:02:00.000-07:00

Like the internet, and jet skis and cappuccino and jet airplanes, we boomers invented fashion. RIGHT?!? So why have later generations tried to improve upon it? Or maybe the question really ought to be, why have later generations rejected it? Cindy LaFerle, author of an award-winning essay collection on motherhood and midlife issues called “Writing Home,” has discovered the remedy for all our troubles, and generously dispenses her advice now to the masses: How to be a Fashionista after 50.

By the time we reach midlife, most of us have discovered that fashion history repeats itself. What goes around comes around…even if we can’t always button it across the middle. This occurred to me during a recent visit to the local mall, where I was haunted by the ghosts of my high school wardrobe. Everywhere I looked, there were racks of ruffled gypsy skirts and gossamer peasant blouses; rows of strappy “gladiator” sandals; and stacks of jeans stitched with beads and sequins.

My inner teenage girl desperately wanted to buy everything in sight, including a totally cool military jacket that must have been inspired by Paul Revere and the Raiders. But the voice of common sense – the voice belonging to my inner middle-aged mom – told me it was time to shop for something more mature. Something “age-appropriate.”

Ever since I turned 50, I’ve been grappling with the concept of age-appropriate dressing. I mean, with Goldie Hawn posing for magazine covers in miniscule tank tops, and Mick Jagger prancing around in the same hip-huggers he wore back in 1968, what do fashion editors mean when they tell us to dress our age?

In “Steal This Style,” a new and invaluable guide for middle-aged women, author Sherrie Mathieson insists that we can borrow from the closets of our daughters and nieces. But we must do so with restraint…and a finely tuned sense of personal style.

“Unfortunately, reinterpreting what the younger generation is wearing leaves the margin for error wide open — and that may be the reason we are reluctant to change,” Mathieson warns. “On the other hand, we can easily age ourselves by resigning ourselves to wearing the same old, same old.” Using real women as models, Mathieson illustrates her point with “before and after” photos. I’m ashamed to admit that I recognized myself in a few of the “before” shots. But as Mathieson reminds us, even the best of us can fall into fashion ruts. And we need to be rescued.

After becoming a mother in my early thirties, for instance, I went through the obligatory matron phase. Totally focused on my parenting duties, I schlepped around grocery stores and school parking lots in oversized T-shirts, baggy tunics, and ankle-grazing denim jumpers – outfits that made my Grandma Ruby’s housedresses look seductive. It took years to correct those fashion mistakes. I have a family album of photos to prove it.

Thankfully, a stylish friend in her eighties reminded me that reaching maturity doesn’t have to be synonymous with looking foolish or frumpy. Echoing the iconic late fashion designer Coco Chanel, my friend believes that achieving a style of one’s own can take a lifetime, and that a woman should never stop trying. Or, as Sherrie Mathieson reminds us, “AARP’s invitation to join when you hit fifty doesn’t mean you automatically become a charter member of a crazy hat club or a purple boa society.”

Today I have no desire to revisit my youth. I don’t miss the insecurities or the acne or the go-go boots. But I do miss the fun I had with fashion when I was 16. And since I don’t have daughters, I have no other closets in my home from which to borrow shoes or inspiration. Most of the time, I rely on experts like Mathieson for fashion advice.

Last week, though, my twentysomething son asked if he could tag along on a visit to the local mall. Stopping at one of his favorite clothing stores, I pointed out that some of the merchandise bore an eerie resemblance to outfits his dad and I had worn at his age. (I didn’t even flinch when my son called the style “retro.”) He wandered off to look for a new track jacket while I admired a gorgeous display of hippie jewelry.

“That was neat stuff,” I told him as we left the store and headed for the mall exit. “But it’s probably way too young for me, and I’d look silly in most of it.” My son rarely has an opinion about women’s clothing – mine or his girlfriend’s. But this time he repeated verbatim what I always told him whenever he asked for my opinion on his clothes.

“Hey, if you like it, that’s what matters,” he said, shrugging. And that was all the encouragement I needed. Next week, I’m going back for that cool military jacket.

Author of Writing Home, an award-winning essay collection on motherhood and midlife issues. She also writes “Midpoint,” a weekly column for The Oakland Press in suburban Detroit.
Her blog is: http://www.laferle.com.

Source: Boomer Cafe

http://sharethis.com/wahmchoices

Make Mother's Day Memories

2009-05-01T10:31:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day Memories
By: Patti Luzzi

Grab your digital camera and extra batteries, and cook up some memorable moments while Mom enjoys time to relax

Moms love flipping through photos of their precious little (or not so little) ones, so why not take photos of the day and make a Mother's Day memory book? Buy a good-quality scrapbook at a craft store, along with some photo mounting squares. Then, each year you can add to the book, creating a unique record of the holiday--and a family heirloom.

Source: Grannies Kitchen
Mother Days Recipies

Dream Your Dreams

2009-04-26T08:51:00.000-07:00

Never STOP.

Dream your dreams. The buzz is still circling about Susan Boyle. This everyday lady had the best kept secret and talent. Like the old saying goes never judge a book by its cover. How many times do we find ourselves doing just that?

My grandmother use to tell me when you are on an elevator look to your left and then your right who knows you may be working for or with this person some day. Which goes back to the Golden Rule. Do onto others and you would have others do onto you.

Now even more during these economic times we need to follow our dreams and treat others the same respectful way.

All the best Susan!

Don’t neglect your hugs

2009-04-26T06:24:00.000-07:00
Don’t neglect your hugs!
Encouragement, Fellowship

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

I heard a story about a young woman named Linda who was traveling alone up the rugged highway from Alberta to the Yukon. The first evening she found a room at a small-town Inn in the mountains and figured she’d continue her journey bright and fresh, early the next morning. But strangley, when she called down to the front desk and asked for a wakeup call at 5 AM the clerk sounded puzzled by her request.

She awoke bright and early as she intended, and suddenly realized the reason for the clerks reaction the night before. A thick fog covered the mountain tops — it was not the kind of weather in which you’d want to take a Sunday drive. Not wanting to look foolish, however, she got her things together and went to breakfast. There, she met two friendly truck drivers and who invited her to join them. “So, where are you headed?” one of the truckers asked. “Whitehorse”, Linda replied.

“You’re not planning on driving that little car are you?” he said chuckling and pointing outside at the only little car among several eighteen-wheelers in the parking lot. “This pass is dangerous in weather like this!” “Well,” said Linda, “I’m determined to try.” “Well then — I guess we’re just going to have to hug you,” the other trucker suggested. “What?!” Linda gasped, “I don’t think that would be appropriate!”

“Not like that!” the two truckdrivers laughed heartily. “We’ll put one truck in front of you and one in the rear. In that way, we’ll get you through the mountains.” All that foggy morning, Linda followed the two red dots in front of her and had the reassurance of a big escort behind as they made their way safely through the mountains.

Just as Linda did, we often feel confident that we can get by on our own, without any help from anyone else — and before we know it, we’re lost in the thick fog of the mountain of life. Rivka and I have seen so many people leave the fellowship of believers and go off on their own, becoming bitter against a brother or sister, or pastor and believing they’ll be better off doing their own thing. Many of these have sadly never come back to the fold. But this is yet another way the enemy of our souls seeks to draw us away from the Lord. As brothers and sisters in Messiah, we need to be closely knit with one another, helping eachother and giving and receiving compassion and love. We need one another!

Let’s get back into fellowship. Let’s make it a priority to be “hugged” by our family in the Lord who know the way and can lead safely ahead of us, and strive to reach out and “hug” others by gently encouraging them along from behind!

Too Old

2009-04-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

As God adds years to your life, ask Him to add life to your years.

Grandmothers

2009-04-24T19:24:00.000-07:00

Grandmothers
(This one is for Grandmothers!)

Grandmothers are mothers who are grand,
Restoring the sense that our most precious things
Are those that do not change much over time.
No love of childhood is more sublime,
Demanding little, giving much on demand,
More inclined than most to grant the wings
On which we fly off to enchanted lands.
Though grandmothers must sometimes serve as mothers,
Helping out, or maybe taking over,
Each has all the patience wisdom brings,
Remembering our passions more than others,
Singing childish songs we long remember.

WAHMChoices.com

Thunderstorm Thoughts

2009-04-20T18:10:00.000-07:00
To realize the worth of the anchor, we need to feel the stress of the storm.

Christian WAHM

2009-04-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 16, 2009
And Then She Opened Her Mouth To Sing...

Need a lift today? Here is a story that is worth your time. Susan Boyle is a 47 year old church volunteer from West Lothian, Scotland. She decided to be a contestant on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. When Boyle walked out on the stage nearly everyone assumed she was one of the delusional dreamers that provide comic relief and even cruel sport for Simon Cowell and the other judges. Susan is a frumpy spinster who admits she “has never been kissed”. She lives alone with her pet cat Pebbles. You would not give her a second glance if you saw her in public.
She announced that she wanted a career in the mold of musical theater star Elaine Paige. The audience snickered. It would have been like me announcing I wanted to be a defensive lineman in the National Football League. You would look at my scrawny upper body and chuckle or feel a little sorry for me. Susan Boyle looked that unlikely. Then she began to sing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables. Check out the video of Susan Boyle auditioning for the show on April 11th.
Boyle is the youngest of nine children. She suffered oxygen deprivation during birth that resulted in learning disabilities. Not surprisingnly her classmates teased her because of the classroom struggles and her appearance. She stopped her pursuit of singing to look after her sick mother who died in 2007. Her performance on Britain’s Got Talent was the first time Boyle had sung after her mother's death.[
When I listened to Boyle’s performance I was uplifted. My eyes grew misty. But a little later I felt sad. Sad because I wonder how many gifted people I marginalize because they don’t fit my “profile”.
I wondered how often we make the same mistake in the body of Christ that the show judges made in their initial judgment of Susan Boyle. We look at the outward appearance and make our decision. You don’t look the part. You don’t fit my preconceived notion. We are looking for someone better looking or more outgoing or more engaging. You could tell from the judges sideways glances that they had already made their judgement about this unassuming woman.
And then she opened her mouth to sing.
God has given all of us a vital role in the body of Christ. Lord, forgive me that I have judged your people before I took the time to see how you have gifted them to serve You. Paul realized that every part of the body is vital.
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12, NLT)
Later in the passage Paul summarizes his analogy.
If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.
It is so easy to value the wrong things. So natural to gravitate toward the funny and the attractive. I am guilty. I am sure that God has put people like Susan Boyle in my midst and I looked right past them to someone that is more in my image. I pray that I will be sensitive through His Holy Spirit to look for the gifts and talent in every part of the body of Christ. You will never know how God has gifted one of His Children by simply judging their appearance. Straight-shooter and toe-stomper James says it this way:
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? (James 2, NLT)
Feel free to be direct, James. But I need to hear that straightforward truth. I pray that I can begin to see the body of Christ and those He puts in my path as God sees them. Valuable. Worthy. Precious in His sight. I am humbled by Susan Boyle today. And blessed by her.
Dave Burchett is an Emmy Award winning television sports director, author, and Christian speaker. He is the author of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People and Bring'em Back Alive: A Healing Plan for those Wounded by the Church. You can reply by linking through daveburchett.com.

Through Gates of Splendor

2009-04-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

Through Gates of Splendor
By Elisabeth Elliot

In 1956, five young men, including Elliot's husband, traveled into the jungles of Ecuador to establish communication with the fierce Waorani Tribe. In a nearby village, their wives waited to hear from them. The news they received --- all five missionaries had been murdered --- changed lives forever. A lasting story of God's grace and great courage. 269 pages, softcover from Tyndale.

Help Kids Go Green

2009-04-14T11:21:00.000-07:00
How to Help Kids ’Go Green’

Kids are increasingly aware of the issues impacting their environment, and are even more engaged and excited about making their world a greener place. Parents can involve their children in “going green” with a few simple steps, and show them how they, too, can make a big contribution to Mother Earth.

Families can celebrate Earth Month all year long by turning everyday tasks into fun and productive steps for children that illustrate how they can help make our planet a greener and healthier place. It doesn’t take a lot of effort -- helping your kids “go green” can happen at home, at school or even through play.

The first step is to learn about the issue and start a conversation with your child in a way that makes sense to them. Parents can utilize eco-themed toys or movies as a fun way to start a dialogue with their kids about the importance of protecting their planet. Look for a green theme in products, toys and shows they already love, like the new “Barbie Presents: Thumbelina” DVD. Thumbelina, the star of the DVD, harnesses the magic of nature to save her home in the wildflowers from developers, and sets out to prove that even the smallest person can make a big difference. The movie can ignite a conversation between parents and children about the small things they can do as a family to help give back to their environment.

“One of the most powerful ways my daughter Lola can learn about protecting the environment is through play,” explains Sophie Uliano, eco-expert, blogger and author of “Gorgeously Green: 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life.” “’Barbie Presents: Thumbelina’ offers an inspirational message as well as an engaging product line that allows us to do green activities together, such as gardening and recycling in a fun fashionable way.”

Inspire your kids to start thinking “green” with a few of these simple eco-tips that can make a big difference:

* Plant a garden at home -- Carve out a small patch in your yard just for your child to plant a garden. Incorporating toys like the Thumbelina Solar Garden Activity set are a great way to introduce kids to gardening.

* Turn recycling into a game -- Turn this chore into something fun that the whole family can participate in by creating a fun sorting game or by decorating different recycling bins with recyclable materials.

* Choose reusable goods for everyday eats -- Take a reusable water bottle to sports or dance practice and pack lunch in a fun reusable lunch box or bag.

* Conserve water -- Talk to your kids about how much water they save by taking a shower instead of a bath and by turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth.

* Save electricity -- Assign a “Power Captain” of the household -- someone responsible for turning off the lights whenever the family leaves leave a room or the house; give the Power Captain points or small rewards for every light they turn off.

Before you know it, your kids will be on their way to an eco-friendly lifestyle. Encourage them to spread the word to other family members and friends to join the green movement. Together everyone can help preserve a green, clean and healthy Earth for generations to come.

For more eco-tips on how you and your family can protect Earth, visit www.epa.gov/kids.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

He Is Risen

2009-04-12T08:13:00.000-07:00
The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill

Easter Sunday

2009-04-11T07:34:00.000-07:00
The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill

Easter

2009-04-10T07:32:00.000-07:00
Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless. ~Charles M. Crowe

Easter

2009-04-09T08:14:00.000-07:00
Easter is not a time for groping through dusty, musty tomes or tombs to disprove spontaneous generation or even to prove life eternal. It is a day to fan the ashes of dead hope, a day to banish doubts and seek the slopes where the sun is rising, to revel in the faith which transports us out of ourselves and the dead past into the vast and inviting unknown. ~Author unknown, as quoted in the Lewiston TribuneThe stars shall fade away, the sun himselfGrow dim with age, and Nature sink in years;But thou shalt flourish in immortal youth,Unhurt amid the war of elements,The wreck of matter, and the crush of worlds. ~Joseph Addison

He Is Risen

2009-04-09T07:42:00.000-07:00
The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill

Groceries from the Backyard: A Harvest of Savings

2009-03-28T06:35:00.001-07:00
Groceries from the Backyard: A Harvest of Savings

The economy is tanking, grocery bills are climbing and food safety scares are on the rise. For the 43 million Americans planning a vegetable garden this spring, growing your own is a matter of dollars and sense.

Food gardening will jump 19 percent this year over last year, according to a new survey by the National Gardening Association (NGA). Homeowners with shrinking household budgets are looking for help in their own backyards. Can planting a veggie patch really save you money? Government agencies and gardening organizations say yes.

Every $100 spent on vegetable gardening yields $1,000 to $1,700 worth of produce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates. That’s a serious hedge against skyrocketing food prices, expected to jump another 5 percent this year.

You’ll get a half-pound of edibles from every square foot of ground devoted to backyard crops, NGA experts say. Even a modest garden (15 by 15 feet) can produce more than 100 pounds of garden-fresh tomatoes, salad greens, vegetables and herbs. Better flavor and bragging rights come with the harvest.

Planting a vegetable plot and keeping it productive isn’t that hard if you start small, keep the basics in mind and plant reliable varieties. Take it step by step:

Lead with Location -- A sunny, well-drained spot close to a water spigot is ideal. Leafy greens tolerate some shade, but other crops want eight hours of sun daily.

Suitable Soil -- Adding organic material is the key to an easy-care garden. It loosens stiff soil, helps retain moisture and nourishes important soil organisms. Good “ingredients” include manure, humus and chopped-up leaves. Spread a 4-inch layer of amendments on your plot and till into the top 9 to 12 inches.

Fertilize Faithfully -- All edible plants remove some nutrients from the soil, and can quickly exhaust the soil without the help of a fertilizer. Always follow the rates given on the label when deciding how much to use.

Water Wisely -- One inch of water weekly is adequate for most vegetables. Soaker hoses or drip systems deliver water efficiently and keep foliage dry, fending off leaf diseases.

Patrol for Pests -- Monitor insect damage but try to keep your crops pesticide-free. Hand-pick pests or dislodge them with a jet of water, then let natural predators do the rest. If you must spray, do it late in the day when beneficial insects are less active.

Pick the Right Plants -- Flower gardeners gravitate to the newest, showiest varieties, but smart food gardeners appreciate the tried-and-true. Bonnie Plants, available coast to coast, are time-tested varieties selected to suit regional conditions. For best results you’ll need to choose veggie and herb varieties suitable to your geographical location. Because Bonnie’s varieties are distributed regionally, you will automatically have suitable varieties available to you at retail locations in your area.

Look for Bonnie Plants in eco-friendly biodegradable pots that not only keep tons of plastic pots from ending up in landfills, but also reduce transplant shock. Just tear off the bottom, set the pot in the ground and water.

If you’re ready to try your hand at creating your own backyard grocery garden, here are 10 easy crops to plant:

Basil -- Perfect with tomatoes. Choose sweet basil or the compact ”Spicy Globe.”

Beans -- Bush beans like “Bush Blue Lake’”are easier to pick, but tall “pole” beans have higher yields.

Bell peppers -- Harvest green or red, when vitamin levels are higher. Try “Bonnie Bell” or the new, hot bell pepper “Mexibell.”

Chard -- This leafy green tolerates cool temperatures well. Varieties like “Bright Lights” have brilliantly colored stems.

Cucumber -- Plant after the weather warms. Choose the mild Japanese cucumber or the old favorite “Burpless Bush Hybrid.”

Eggplant -- A much-loved favorite, eggplant thrives in hot weather. Try “Black Beauty” or the white-skinned “Cloud Nine.”

Lettuce -- Go for easy “leaf” lettuces like “Buttercrunch,” “Red Sails,” or Romaine.

Parsley -- Pick curly types or flat Italian parsley. This herb is rich in vitamins and a breath-sweetener, too.

Summer squash -- Squash are very productive plants and easy to grow. Try zucchini “Black Beauty” or yellow crook-necked squash.

Tomatoes -- These crimson favorites are the most popular backyard vegetable. Choose disease-resistant “Better Boy,” “Bonnie Original” or the extra-easy cherry tomato “Sweet 100.”

For gardening tips and more herb and vegetable varieties, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

The Best Day of My Life

2008-10-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

The Best Day of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

10 ways to remember the sacred in daily life

2008-08-01T00:08:00.000-07:00
10 ways to remember the sacred in daily life

Life can blur by at such dizzying speed that you barely have time to breathe, let alone notice what’s in front of your nose. Here are 10 ways to recover the divine energy that surrounds us all.
Break bread like you mean it. Resist the urge to rush through a meal. Instead, try increasing your connection to the material world by savoring every morsel. Let the food linger on your tongue for a moment and try to separate out the different taste sensations: sweet, salty, sour, bitter...

Commune with nature. Rediscovering the beauty in nature can be a powerful source of strength. Make it easier to appreciate that power by biking or walking to work. Take a nice evening walk while the weather is still warm. Or wake up early and enjoy the sunrise.

Lose the static. Turn off email for the day. Throw your phone in the closet. Enjoy the sound of silence---and the instant stress relief it brings.

Leave work at work. Would it be terrible if you didn't bring your laptop home tonight? No, but it may force you to embrace what’s waiting at home with renewed energy and focus.

Make beautiful music. Many studies can attest to the healing power of music. Dust off that guitar in the corner or tickle the ivories. Or simply put on your headphones, lie back and notice every magical chord.

Play with a furry friend. Animals are masters at living in the moment. Learn from them. Admire a cat preening in the sun. Bury your face in your dog’s furry belly. Luxuriate in the sensation of just being.

Draw, paint or doodle. It can be very transformative to connect with your own creative juices. And you don’t need to be Picasso to do it.

Crank up the stereo and dance. Kids instinctually dance to music because it feels good, but as adults we don’t always surrender to the instinct. This time, don’t fight it.

Pray out loud. Talking to a higher power--or even just talking to someone close to you who has passed away—is not only comforting, but it can also make you feel part of something bigger than yourself.

Remember the power of touch. The physical sensation of living, breathing skin is healing and awe-inspiring in itself.

Article Source: Christian Work At Home Moms and Grandparents- Faithful Grannies.com

Quote For The Day

2008-07-31T14:58:00.000-07:00
I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint - and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.

Oprah Winfrey

Boomers: Tips on How to Exercise Safely

2008-07-31T13:08:00.000-07:00
Boomers: Tips on How to Exercise Safely

As the weather gets warmer, people often get motivated to spend more time outdoors. Whether it’s working on projects around the house, playing with the grandkids at the park or out exercising, it’s important that baby boomers remember their bodies are not as young as they used to be and not overdo it.

In 2007, more than 149,000 people between the ages of 45 and 64 were treated in emergency rooms, clinics and doctors’ offices for injuries related to exercise and exercise equipment, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.

“When you are 50, you may injure your body more easily than when you were 20,” says James Keeney, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon and member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Leadership Fellows Program. “Joints, tissues and muscles may not be as flexible as they used to be. So as you get older, you need to take extra steps to protect yourself from injuries when you exercise.”

The AAOS offers the following tips to help boomers prevent exercise-related injuries:

* Check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. A physician will make sure your heart is in good condition and can make recommendations based on your current fitness level. This is especially important if you’ve had a previous injury.

* Always warm up and stretch before exercising. Cold muscles are more likely to get injured, so warm up with some light exercise for at least three to five minutes.

* Avoid being a “weekend warrior.” Moderate exercise every day is healthier and less likely to result in injury than heavy activity only on weekends.

* Don’t be afraid to take lessons. An instructor can help ensure you’re using the proper form, which can prevent overuse injuries such as tendonitis and stress fractures.

* Develop a balanced fitness program. Incorporate cardio, strength training and flexibility training to get a total body workout and prevent overuse injuries. Also, make sure to introduce new exercises gradually, so you don’t take on too much at once.

* Take calcium and Vitamin D supplements daily.

* Listen to your body. As you age, you may not be able to do some of the activities that you did years ago. Pay attention to your body’s needs and abilities, and modify your workout accordingly.

* Remember to rest. Schedule regular days off from exercise and rest when tired.

Baby boomers who exercise regularly are less likely to experience depression, weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep disturbances, so it’s important to incorporate physical activity into your routine at any age.

For more information about baby boomer exercise safety, visit www.orthoinfo.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Dance While You Can

2008-07-14T08:02:00.001-07:00
My heart aches when I read that someone” forgot to live” yet I fear they express is all too common for many people today. Caught up in the business of living, we rarely have time to take close look and consider our personal lives. The urgent needs of the moment, weather at our workplace or within our families or with our friends, surround us and scream for our constant attention. We are so caught up in the race to keep up what we tend to lose track of where we really are with our lives…. and who we are becoming. For some people, the lost is devastating.

I recently spoke with a woman who described her husband, very successful in business as a “soulless man.” Everything about his life – his time, energies, and loyalties – was focused on his work, and when he came home, he had nothing left to give her or their children or anyone else. In her own haunting words, she said that “somewhere in his chase to get to the top, he lost his soul.”

None of us want to look back on our lives and wonder where the years have gone, especially with regrets that we never discovered what it means to live. But if we never stop and question where we are in our lives, this might be our experience.

Thank goodness, we don’t have to go this way. We can learn to really live our lives to the fullest. We’ve all known people who do so, people who have discovered their own life songs and make a fulfilling dance of their lives, even if they never dance with their feet. There are steps they have learned to make their dance possible. The beauty is that they can dance anywhere and all the time.

Dance While You Can is meant to help you slow down and consider your life’s dance. You may discover that you need to redirect your focus. It may be something as simple and yet profound as telling someone you love them or as complex as reconsidering your career and how you are using the gifts and talents God has given you.

It is said that Socrates learned to dance when he was seventy because he felt that was essential part of himself had been neglected. No matter what stage you are in life, it’s never too late to examine your inner life and make certain that, as Socrates said, it’s worth dancing.

Don’t Let Summertime Stop Learning

2008-07-09T20:22:00.000-07:00
Don’t Let Summertime Stop Learning
Perhaps it’s an idea carried from elementary school that leads us to believe that summer is a time when school and learning should be put on the back burner. The excitement of being outside, of course, can squash the desire to pursue educational activities, but do we have to choose physical exercise over exercising our brains?

Summer education offers the opportunity to keep the brain as active as the rest of our body, but it doesn’t have to mean sitting inside watching the world go by. There are many options available to students of all ages that allow for the combination of fun and learning.

“Summer learning should be fun. It’s a great time to check out the neighborhood library and help your child make a Read and Watch program,” says Ronald Kar, Ph.D., program chair of Instructional Leadership for Argosy University, Sarasota Campus.

Neighborhood libraries are filled with books children love and movies based on those books. Children can go to the library, check out the book and then, when they have read the book, watch the movie version. Librarians are parents’ best friends and will help children and parents identify age appropriate books and movies. Parents can then talk to the child about the surprises and differences from book to movie and spend quality time reading, watching and talking with their child.

“It’s important to understand the relationship between reading and talking. And the best way to get children talking is to begin a conversation with ‘Tell me about...’” says Kar.

Dr. Kar emphasizes the importance of physical activity during the day, with long breaks for reading. He encourages children and parents to watch the book-based movie together in the evening.

He also recommends visiting museums and talking with children about the exhibits. “It is important for parents to encourage their children to talk about what they see and experience. One of my favorite suggestions to parents is turn off the car radio and engage their children in conversation about the world around them.”

For older students or professionals seeking to expand their knowledge, online and blended learning offers students the option of spending less time in the classroom while still gaining a quality education.

“Those taking courses online have the option of completing coursework anywhere, any time -- even while sitting on the beach in the summer sun,” says Marcy Trew, Department of Education chair at Brown Mackie College -- Akron.

During the summer, many schools offer traditional courses in more condensed versions, giving students the opportunity to complete a full course in half the time.

No matter what your age, learning can, and should, be fun any time of the year. Many opportunities for learning that summer provides -- both formal and informal -- could be missed if people save education for the fall.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Christian Topic Of The Day,

2008-07-08T20:29:00.000-07:00
Topic for Today: Jesus Christ

Remember, Christ was not a deified man, neither was he a humanized God. He was perfectly God and at the same time perfectly man.

Spurgeon, C. H.

Christian Topic Of The Day,

2008-07-06T20:31:00.000-07:00
Topic for Today: Holiness

A holy life is not an ascetic, or gloomy, or solitary life, but a life regulated by divine truth and faithful in Christian duty. It is living above the world while we are still in it.
Edwards, Tryone

Christian Topic Of The Day,

2008-07-05T20:33:00.000-07:00
Topic for Today: Incarnation

He was created of a mother whom he created. He was carried by hands that he formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, he the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute.
Augustine of Hippo

Christian Topic Of The Day,

2008-07-04T20:32:00.000-07:00
Topic for Today: Love For God

The more a true saint loves God with a truly gracious love, the more he desires to love Him, and the more miserable he is at his lack of love to Him.
Edwards, Jonathan

Dance While You Can....

2008-05-19T18:49:00.000-07:00
I will take time for God,
to read His Word,
to seek His direction for my life......

He is the Lord of the Dance.

While I Still Can Dance....

2008-05-16T19:05:00.000-07:00

I will take pleasure in the smiles that warm me

and in the hugs that always say "I Love You."

Help Your Teen Stay Safe During Gradution

2008-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Help Your Teen Stay Safe During Graduation Celebrations and Summer Months

In fact, when it comes to underage drinking, parents have the biggest influence on their teens’ decisions. According to the 2007 GfK Roper Youth Report (SM) , 69 percent of teens ages 13 to 17 say their parents -- not their peers -- are the No. 1 influence on their decisions about whether they drink alcohol, and that finding has remained consistent since this survey began more than a decade ago.

Lonnie Carton, Ph.D., director of Teen and Family Resources for the Web-based “Warm2Kids” program and an advisory panel member of the “Family Talk About Drinking” program, offers parents advice on how to use their positive influence with teens as they celebrate graduation and enjoy the more relaxed days ahead.

“It’s important for parents to create an atmosphere of open communication with their teens, especially during the summer months when teens have more free time,” Carton says. “Along with setting firm rules and guidelines, parents can teach teens critical decision-making skills to help them make responsible choices -- including not drinking when underage.”

Dr. Carton advises parents to let teens know that rules are made to protect them, not punish them, and remind them to make their own decisions based on what they know is right. Teens should call immediately if they get into a situation they know isn’t safe. Carton also reminds parents to think again if they believe it’s OK to bend the rules and host a party with alcohol for teens and their friends, memorable occasion or not.

“Every parent wants their house to be the ‘hang-out’ place, but providing alcohol to minors is not only irresponsible, it’s illegal. And while graduation celebrations and summer parties are special occasions in your teen’s life, supplying or permitting alcohol at these events is never negotiable,” adds Carton.

In fact, most parents are not permitting underage drinking or hosting these kinds of parties. A recent survey by Harris Interactive for Anheuser Busch found that 82 percent of parents with children under 21 years of age do not think it is OK for parents to provide alcohol or purchase alcohol for their teens or others’ teens at parties or gatherings. In addition, the survey found most parents with teens ages 15 to 20 years would not allow their teens to attend a party where other teens are drinking, even if parents would be present.

Putting your positive parent power to work during this season will help teens enjoy a memorable and safe time. For more tips about safe celebrating, visit http://www.preventdontprovide.com/ and www.myspace.com/positiveparenting. For “Family Talk About Drinking” program materials visit http://www.familytalkonline.com/ or call (800) 359-TALK (800-359-8255). The materials are provided free-of-charge as a community service of Anheuser-Busch.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

You Took My Space at Church

2008-04-28T16:28:00.000-07:00
You Took My Space at Church
(This should wake us up)

One day, a man went to visit a church, He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, " I always park there! You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down.Another member walked up to him and said, " That's where I always sit! You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye,

"I took your place."

Christian Topic Of The Day,

2008-04-27T07:32:00.001-07:00
Topic for Today: Assurance

Whom God legally saves, He experimentally saves; whom He justifies, them He also sanctifies. Where the righteousness of Christ is imputed to an individual, a principle of holiness is imparted to him; the former can only be ascertained by the latter. It is impossible to obtain a Scriptural knowledge that the merits of Christ's finished work are reckoned to my account, except by proving that the efficacy of the Holy Spirit's work is evident in my soul.
Pink, A. W.

Christian Topic Of The Day,

2008-04-25T10:05:00.001-07:00
Topic for Today: Praise

One day all Christians will join in a doxology and sing God's praises with perfection. But even today, individually and corporately, we are not only to sing the doxology, but to be the doxology.

Schaeffer, Francis

Quotable Quote

2008-04-23T04:41:00.001-07:00
Quotable Quote
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
Thomas Edison

Christian Topic of The Day,

2008-04-23T04:27:00.001-07:00
Christian Topic of The Day,

Topic for Today: Knowledge
Modern mankind can go anywhere, do everything and be completely curious about the universe. But only a rare person now and then is curious enough to want to know God.
Tozer, A. W.

Christian Topic Of The Day

2008-04-20T04:32:00.000-07:00
Topic for Today: Discipline

God has no pleasure in afflicting us, but He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.
Murray, Andrew

Christian Topic of The Day,

2008-04-17T04:31:00.000-07:00
Topic for Today: Holiness

True holiness does not consist merely of believing and feeling, but of doing and bearing, and a practical exhibition of active and passive grace. Our tongues, our tempers, our natural passions and inclinations - our conduct as parents and children, masters and servants, husbands and wives, rulers , and subjects - our dress, our employment of time, our behavior in business, our demeanor in sickness and health, in riches and poverty - all, all these are matters which are fully treated by inspired writers.
Ryle, J. C.

Christian Topic Of The Day,

2008-04-15T07:36:00.001-07:00
Topic for Today: Pride

The more godly a man is, and the more graces and blessings of God are upon him, the more need he hath to pray, because Satan is busiest against him, and because he is readiest to be puffed up with a conceited holiness.
Greenham, Richard

Christian Topic Of The Day

2008-04-13T11:15:00.000-07:00
Topic for Today: Lord's Day, The

What fitter day to ascend to heaven, than that on which He arose from earth, and fully triumphed over death and hell. Use your Sabbaths as steps to glory, till you have passed them all, and are there arrived.
Baxter, Richard

Planning a Children's Easter Party

2008-03-05T15:22:00.000-08:00
Planning a Children's Easter Party

If you'd like to do more this year for Easter than a traditional egg hunt, consider planning a party as well. Kids love to have fun, play games, and earn prizes while searching for eggs. Here are some ideas for activities you can do to make your party a hit.

Pin the Chick on the Egg
Draw a large egg on a piece of white poster board. Cut it out, decorate it, and pin or tape it to the wall. Mark the center clearly. Let the children draw chicks on construction paper and cut them out. When they are done, fold a piece of tape and stick it to the back of each chick. Blindfold each child in turn and let them see who can tape their chick closest to the center of the egg.

Word Games
Many Easter word games are available on the internet for free. Search for “Easter word games”, and print out a few to photocopy for your guests. These printable pages have activities like word searches and word scrambles that are grouped by age. Give a prize to the winner of each game.

Duck, Duck, Goose!
Have all the children sit in a circle. One child will walk around the circle behind the others tapping each “duck” on the head until they decide which one of their friends will be the “goose”. The “goose” has to get up and chase the first child. If the first child makes it back to the empty spot without being touched, then the second child becomes the new “duck”.

Easter necklaces.
Cut strips from pastel colored construction paper. Show the children how to make chain links. Fold the paper in a circle, dropping a spot of glue or using a glue stick on one end. Then press the two ends together to form a circle. For each new link, fold the paper in a circle around the previous link so they form a chain. When the chain is long enough to fit over the child's head as a necklace,add one more link to join the two ends of the chain.

Treats
Everyone loves fun food. Serve party snacks like little sandwiches, juice, and a small dessert. For a change, use cookie cutters in the shapes of Easter characters to cut the sandwiches. There many fun recipes on sites like http://www.foodnetwork.com/

You don’t need too many activities to keep children happy at a party. Remember, there's also the excitement of the egg hunt to keep them entertained. Have fun making this an Easter to remember!

Article Source: http://www.faithfulgrannies.com/

Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com Bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience.

Job Security- How Secure Is Your Job??

2008-02-20T15:36:00.000-08:00

Job Security

The news lately has been full of talk about recession. That word scares people, and rightly so. We have heard stories from our folks about recession, about barely making it through with enough food and other basics. We have a lot of debt as a nation right now, so we would be in trouble if our jobs dropped off or we had to take reductions in pay. We have forgotten how to live within our means in this country. Even the connotation of necessities has changed – cable is not a necessity!

At any rate, I saw this blurb this week on the Today Show at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/23109514#23109514.

They were stressing that we need to have our resumes up-to-date, be willing to take cuts in pay or at least, not expect the normal raises, but be ready to look around and market ourselves, maybe finding a second job to fill in the gaps or another job that you could start now and grow into something permanent.

I appreciate getting a heads up about our economic situation. Will we see a major recession? Or even a minor one? I don’t know, I’m no financial guru, but I do know we need to back up and deal with our debt. We need to know that we can provide for what we think is important and hopefully, not just trying to get ahead or cover the bare necessities. We need to think through how we are spending our income, what we can change to spend less, and how we can make our economic situation more secure.

I have done work from home for years now. I love setting my own hours. I work hard and put in the hours, but I can also say, “I’m going to a tea party with my granddaughters on Thursday”, and take off for the afternoon. Finding a job that provides people with services and products that are necessary will be much more secure than the novelty shops and gift/toy stores. People will continue to need to eat, clothe themselves, bathe and clean, transport themselves and things from place to place, and get medical service. Basics. Maybe I left something out, but you get the drift.

More and more people are finding that Corporate America no longer has our backs. They have taken the work to the cheaper labor markets. When was the last time you knew of a company that had the welfare of their employees at heart as opposed to the bottom line profit. Not that profit for a company isn’t good. But, if it’s a reputable company with good product, why can’t they have both? When was the last time you heard of a president or CEO taking less profit for the sake of job security for his/her employees? Show me the list and the proof, I’d love to know them. Or, for that matter, how often have you called for customer service and gotten someone you could understand that spoke your language? It isn’t just manufacturing that has been taken overseas.

How secure is your job?

If you are looking for something Part-Time check out WAHM Job Finder they may be able to help.

Five Free Ways to Show Hubby Your Love

2008-02-14T05:01:00.000-08:00

Five Free Ways to Show Hubby Your Love

Husbands need love, too. They work hard for their families and deserve to have a little appreciation. As wives, we know all about the need for appreciation. Here are some ways that you can show that love and affection to your significant other without spending a dime.

1.Tell him that you love him. We don’t say it near enough to each other. For most, the words are “understood.” The flaw in that train of thinking is that the understanding can get confusing as time goes on and there is no communication. Tell him when he leaves and when he returns home. End your emails and calls with a special I Love You! Even write a note for him only.
2. Send him off properly. Have his work items next to the door so he won’t have to go searching for them. If your husband is anything like mine, he makes a wide grid search for his keys every morning. Help him out by having his briefcase, keys, and cell phone next to the door and ready to go. You will be helping him get out of the house and on his way to work on time without the stress of forgetting something.

3. Fix him breakfast in bed. This is something we see on television but many don’t even think to do. They sell those breakfast trays for a few dollars in most home stores. If you have kids to get ready in the morning, then do this on the weekend. You can surprise him with a simple breakfast of cereal (cold or hot) and juice on one day during the week. Rotate the schedule so that he doesn’t get used to your breakfast treats on any certain day.

4. Meet him at work for lunch. If your man works close by and your schedule allows for it, have lunch together. This requires a bit of forethought since most people’s work schedules don’t mesh without some finagling. Fix a picnic lunch that can be eaten outside at a picnic table or on the grassy knoll. Choosing a few of his favorites gives him something to look forward to besides your bright shining face.

5. How about a foot massage? Feet have a hard time. They take on the pressure of our entire bodies on a daily basis without any thanks. Give his tired feet a well deserved rest with a foot rub. Contrary to popular opinion, men like that spa-like attention. For women who are squeamish about touching or handling feet, soak his feet in some warm water and foot scrub before beginning the massage. You can do it before bed or while you talk about each other’s day.

Love doesn’t have to be expensive to have meaning. Sometimes, the simplest things have the most lasting effects. Trying even just one of these suggestions to sure to help your husband feel more appreciated and loved. Who knows he might just start returning the favor if you’re lucky too.

Why Romance is Important for Moms

2008-02-14T04:41:00.000-08:00

Why Romance is Important for Moms

Kids can put a crimp in the romantic portion of our lives. As mothers and wives, we lose the second in favor of the first. But, any expert will tell you that romance is a key ingredient to a successful marriage. Sometimes it takes us really focusing to be sure the hugs and kisses don’t stop with motherhood.
As women, we are a complicated breed. Maybe that adds to the mystery, but not if it makes it harder for us to figure out ourselves. In general, our emotions are tied to our sense of romance. When we feel tired or taken for granted by our spouse, romance becomes the last thing in the world we want to pursue.
When we are dating or just after the wedding, everything is great. We enjoy the company of our spouse and even have sex several times a week. Life couldn’t be better, right?
Love is hard work. Granted, when we have children, they carry away our focus with their twinkling eyes and button noses. For a time, romance is suspended, but that is to be expected. The problem comes in when the persona of “mom” overtakes that of “wife” and “lover.” Instead of continuing those roles, we instead give our husbands another mother.
I hear stories on talk shows all the time about couples that wake up after thirty years of marriage to find they are lying next to a stranger. It doesn’t happen overnight I assure you. It takes time to grow away from your spouse. Unfortunately, we just don’t realize it’s happening until we wake up that morning.
The marriage is the center of the entire family’s relationship. There was husband and wife before there was mother and father. Mom, getting back to the beginning is important. Kids will grow up and it will be back to you and your mate. It’s easier to handle what goes on outside of the home in our daily lives when there is a great person waiting at home who understands us.
When the kids tire us out, we can relax with our spouse. As two halves of a whole, we complete each other. With the kids, it seems like we are nothing more than a driver for hire or the maid. We wouldn’t mind the maid so much if we felt the love and appreciation from our spouse. Romance is a big part of that feeling.
Romance is more than sex. In addition to the visual of a maid, some women feel that all they are is a vehicle for sex. Romance involves talking, cuddling, kissing, and more.
Lack of touch and acknowledgment by a spouse is the underlying cause of a lot of marriage breakups. The reason that couples’ give for an impending divorce may be irreconcilable differences on paper, but it started with a break in the flow between the husband and the wife. Not taking the time to grow together as the years go by is a mistake that can be rectified with some work.
Without romantic gestures, moms lose the woman inside of them. Life is about balance. That balance shifts a little when kids come along, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

Ways for Busy Moms to Build Romance into Their Day

2008-02-12T04:51:00.000-08:00

Ways for Busy Moms to Build Romance into Their Day

Moms, don’t lose yourselves in your kids. That husband of yours needs to know that you care for him as well. It’s hard to carve out time for love and kisses when the kids are screaming and the pots are boiling over but, trust me, it will be well worth the effort.

First, don’t get overwhelmed. Start off with small gestures to get the ball rolling. If you have been stuck in the mommy rut for a good amount of time, he won’t even see it coming.
Remember when we were kids? We scribbled the name of another kid that we liked on our notebooks. For boys, they resorted to pulling the pigtails of their favorite gal. Be a kid again and do those puppy love things we all used to do.

Most husbands get dressed and go to work each day. Slip a note in the pocket of his jacket. Tell him one thing that makes you love him. Each week you can give him a new reason for the mad love inside of you.

Give him a kiss when he leaves. If your job requires you to leave before him, give him a wet one on the lips while he is still snug in bed. Kisses are quite underrated. Remember how even a little kiss gave us goose bumps when we were just getting to know our spouses? Let them lead the way back to a more romantic relationship.

Greet him at the door after a hard day of work. This sounds cheesy but it is a nice touch. He’ll know that someone missed him. Meet him at the bedroom door later on in the evening if he happens to arrive home before you do.

While most men don’t let their emotions get in the way of their sex lives, gestures of love do move them. Your show of love gives them a sense of confidence in themselves. They will be more likely to seek out ways to show love that makes you happy instead of just guessing.
Asking about his day keeps the lines of communication open between the two partners. The object is to listen as he talks. If he is a rocket scientist or something else technical, you may need to break out a book or two to understand what he is talking about. Since he already knows this, just being a sounding board for him is sometimes good enough.

It doesn’t take much, but it does take a concerted effort to add something special to the relationship with your spouse. A bit at a time, begin to show attention to your spouse in new ways. Both of you will be more receptive during more intimate encounters as a result.

Seven Romantic Meal Ideas

2008-02-10T04:31:00.000-08:00

Seven Romantic Meal Ideas

We all know the question, “What’s the best way to a man’s heart?” Most of us also know the answer is through his stomach. So, if you’re looking for a bit of romance in your relationship, start cooking! Here are some romantic meal ideas for each phase of a meal to get more than just the food heated up.

1. Desserts. Let’s start with the fun part first. Skip the meal and go straight for the best part - chocolate. Chocolate is an aphrodisiac. Sprinkle it on ice cream or pudding. Melt it into a fondue and take turns feeding each other chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, or cake squares.

2. Appetizers. When you don’t feel like eating a lot, create a variety of appetizers to wet both your palates. You can make it yourselves or have it delivered. Either way, keep the menu simple. Start with a veggie tray and some ranch dip or spicy chicken drummettes with hot sauce. If seafood is your fancy, try shrimp cocktail or skewers. Oysters are also an aphrodisiac whether cooked or raw.

3. Breakfast. Breakfast in bed can be an eye-opening experience. The best time to romanticize this meal is on the weekends when there is time to enjoy not only the food, but any activity afterwards that may occur. Create a breakfast casserole with some of your favorite ingredients like chopped peppers, sausage, cheese, bacon, and eggs. Feed each other one bite at a time. Top off the meal with a mimosa or two.

4. Dinner. No one wants to fix dinner but, making it together can lighten the load. Create a night in Tuscany with an Italian pasta dish. Spaghetti with large meatballs or fettuccine with chicken or shrimp are good choices.

5. Enjoy a Drink or Two. Relax as dinner is cooking with a drink. Red and white wines are best paired with certain dishes so find a wine that will complement the meal. If you enjoy mixed drinks, open the bar and mix up something new to help set the mood.

6. Salads. In spring and summer, salads are less filling when eaten for lunch or dinner. You can set up a bistro table on the patio or porch and enjoy a light meal and some relaxing moments, just the two of you. Salads don’t have to be just vegetables either. Add lean strips of steak, chicken, fish, or shrimp. If you like spicy foods, you can easily create a taco or tortilla salad to tickle your taste buds.

7. Vegetarian Dishes. Vegetarians need romantic meals, too. Try a spicy, meatless chili in a bread bowl. For a dinner meal create a pasta dish with sautéed vegetables or a meatless sauce. Eggplant parmesan and veggie lasagna are filling dishes that go well with white wine too.

When done correctly, meals can light a romantic spark. Enjoy your meal, adding a bit of honest conversation, and see where it leads you.

Organization Tips for WAHMs

2008-02-08T18:37:00.000-08:00

Organization Tips for WAHMs

There is no doubt about it, organization is the most important aspect of your journey as a successful work at home mother. Without organization, you’ll find that there will be a struggle between your work life and family time. You may even notice that time for yourself is non-existent as you are busy trying to catch up with all of your other responsibilities. The key to enjoying your family, work, and still having time to nurture your own needs is to be organized.

To begin with, you will need to organize your work schedule and your family schedule. Take a look at the best time to work, and make sure to include factors such as children’s schedules, nap times, when your husband comes home from work, and family meal times. You should never continue working when your husband or children come home. If you do, you’ll find that it won’t take very long before your family begins to resent your work schedule. By taking the time to create a schedule, you will begin organizing the most important aspect of your work at home career- your time.

Once you have your time scheduled out, you may feel that you are through with organization, you’re not. You’ll soon discover that even the best schedules aren’t always adhered to. There are many things that can interfere with your daily work schedule; unexpected visitors, telephone calls, and even a disorganized office can leave you feeling exasperated and accomplishing very little. Not only do you need to allot special time for completing your work assignments, but you also need to take steps to make sure that you maximize the most benefits during your work time.

It seems that as soon as neighbors, friends, and even family members discover that you are home all day, they think of a million reasons why they should come over or call you on the phone. You’d be amazed at how many people will suddenly come over and ask you to baby-sit or see if you have an extra cup of sugar they can borrow. You may find that the best solution is to put up a do not disturb sign during work hours. It’s also a good idea to let people know beforehand that you cannot be disturbed when you are working. It may be difficult to remain firm in your resolution not to entertain visitors during work hours, but you’ll find that after a few unanswered knocks at the door, your visitors will get the message and you’ll be able to complete your work undisturbed.

It’s also a good idea to put a second phone line in your home, or turn your home phone off during the day. When you are working, you should have one phone line that is in use for business calls. If you set your home phone to answering machine or voice mail, you can prevent wasting precious business hours trying to end lengthy yet trivial telephone conversations that not only rob your time, but also your profits. By keeping your family life, personal time, and business hours well organized you’ll soon be accomplishing your goals and prospering in all areas of your life.

Article source: CWAHGrandparents.com and WAHM Choices

Teaming up with other WAHMs on Joint Ventures

2008-02-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

Teaming up with other WAHMs on Joint Ventures

There is no doubt that the Internet has changed the way people network and when it comes to Work at Home Moms, networking has never been easier. Before the World Wide Web, people were left to handing out business cards, attending trade conventions, and meeting contacts through word of mouth. Though these methods are still valuable, the Internet has provided people with an instant form of communication, e-mail.

Today, work at home moms can build their network by simply emailing someone. Forums allow people with similar interests to interact on a daily basis and have reshaped the way people communicate. When it comes to meeting other work at home moms, the Internet is your most valuable tool.
It won’t take long before you realize that your Internet friends and business associates can offer services that you may not excel in, and vice versa. As these friendships develop, it is natural for women to extend their friendships, expertise, and experience through the avenue of joint ventures.

Joint ventures are when two or more work at home moms team up to sell, create, or distribute services. The advantage is that both women can bring their experience and expertise to the partnership and create, produce, and distribute products and services that they otherwise would not be able to deliver. Some examples of joint ventures include affiliate marketing, web design, graphics and logo creations, web master, pod casting, video recording, accounting and bookkeeping, printing, Ebook creation, Newsletter development, Ecourse creations, establishing, moderating, and operating blogs and forums, creating, running, and operating seminars, promoting services, affiliate program promotions, writing, software development and more. The possibilities for joint ventures are virtually endless.

If you have an idea for a joint venture but don’t know whom to contact, simply join some forums and get to know people. You can also email people whom you may be interested in working with and ask them to join you in a venture. By communicating with other work at home moms and participating in relevant conversations and discussions, you’ll soon find like-minded women who share your business passion and enthusiasm. When it comes to joint ventures, the possibilities are endless.

It won’t take long before your imagination and creativity run wild and you and your business partners will soon be brainstorming numerous ideas. However, you and your business partners must realize that working with other people isn’t always easy. First, you must make sure that you trust the person with whom you are endeavoring into a partnership with. Both of you must also make a firm commitment to set goals and keep them. Just like any relationship, communication is vital to ensuring that your joint venture is successful. It is important to continue an open dialogue with your partner and discuss any problems or issues that you encounter immediately. By keeping open communication you can prevent any problems from occurring and make certain that you discuss and resolve issues as they occur. By working out any problems, creating a business plan, and setting and keeping goals, you’ll find that your joint venture will be successful, enjoyable, and profitable.

Article Source: Chrisitan Work at Home Moms FaithfulGrannies.com

Homemade Valentine’s Day Decorations for Home

2008-02-03T16:27:00.000-08:00
Homemade Valentine’s Day Decorations for Home

With kids around, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on decorations for Valentine’s Day. They are full of ideas so enlist their help to come up with decorating tips to spread the love this Valentine’s Day.

Start simple. Decorate the main rooms of your home. Give each kid a ball of ribbon in red, white, or pink and watch what they do. Ribbon can be wrapped around vases of flowers and draped above doorways. A pair of scissors can be run the length of the ribbon to create curls.

Cabinets and dressers can be made festive with small construction paper hearts. The kids can stick them all over - wherever they can find a good spot. If you sit still long enough, there may be a few attached to you. Bigger hearts can be cut out and displayed on the walls. If you are afraid that tape will strip the paint off of the walls, use a hole punch to create holes in the hearts. Make a loop through the hole with a piece of string and hang over a push pin or a small nail.

Instead of streamers, try a paper chain in alternating colors. Cut several pieces of construction paper into one inch wide strips. Interlock the paper and create a link chain. When the chain is long enough hang it up in the kitchen or family room as a banner to remind the entire family that it is Valentine’s Day.

Kids can glue Popsicle sticks together to make coasters for the coffee table. Watercolor paints can be used to decorate the finished coaster with hearts and arrows. You can even add words like, Happy Valentine’s Day, Love, etc. to the coasters. The same Popsicle sticks can be used to make a poster or a mobile that says I Love You. The sticks are shaped and then painted bright red or pink. Once dry, mount them on poster board or attached to a heart-shaped hanger by pieces of yarn.

A cloth furniture cover can transform your living room into a Valentine’s Day celebration room. Measure the length of the couch or chair so that the cover will fit. Spread it out on the floor and let the kids get started on the decorations. They can glue felt words and shapes to the cover along with the names of each family member. Every year at Valentine’s Day you can bring out their handiwork and decorate the room.

Decorations are fun to make and display around the house. They don’t have to be for just one season. Store them in airtight containers so they stay clean and intact for next year and years to come.

Article Source: Work At Home Divas Online. http://www.workathomedivasonline.com

Valentine Party Fun for Kids

2008-02-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

Valentine Party Fun for Kids

Valentine’s Day is the perfect excuse to have a party. Invite family and friends to share the day with you at your home. When a party is on the agenda, everyone can contribute ideas to make it fun.

Plan ahead. To avoid a rush, gather all of the party supplies a week in advance. Let everyone brainstorm ideas until the big shopping day arrives. With list in hand, find games and items for everyone.

Dress each guest to celebrate at the party. For the girls, give them a candy necklace. Once the party is over, she can nibble at her necklace for a sweet treat. For the boys, try candy whistles. It’ll be the most delicious sound they’ve ever made.

Start with some games. How about a game of hearts for the card players in the group? Go online and Google card games to find a simple version of the game for kids and adults to play at parties.

Word games are fun at a party. Using the words, Happy Valentine’s Day, give kids two or three minutes to write down as many words as they can using those letters. The one with the most words wins a prize.

Prizes for games can be as simple as paper hearts that function as coupons. For example, create a coupon that can be traded in for a day with no chores or a five dollar gift from the store. The more prizes a person wins, the more coupons they can cash in. If you have invited people outside the family, have a separate prize basket with small prizes like teddy bears and candy.

Teach a craft. Kids love to make things so give them an opportunity to learn something new. Since spring comes right on the heels of winter, show them how to plant seeds in a flower pot. They can start their own herb garden that will grow indoors. Decorate the pots with hearts so kids will always remember the fun they had on Valentine’s Day.

If the weather is nice, the kids can take turns whacking a Valentine’s Day piñata. The piñata can be a cupid, a heart, or something else related to Valentine’s Day. Each child gets three chances to bust it open. After that, the older party guests get a crack at it.

Even if it is just the family, a Valentine’s Day party can bring lots of laughs and quality together time. Encourage old and young alike to participate for the most fun.

Article Source: Work At Home Divas Online. http://www.workathomedivasonine.com

Christians In Business The Importance Of Integrity

2008-01-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

Christians in Business The Importance of Integrity

One of the most obvious characteristics of a Christian in business should be integrity. Unfortunately, too many Christian business owners and Christian employees fall into the commonly accepted trap of "graying" the line between right and wrong. If you're a Christian in business, and you're concerned about what kind of witness you make for Jesus, you'll want to closely guard the level of integrity in your life, both at home and in the marketplace.

According to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org - integrity is "the basing of one's actions on an internally consistent framework of principles." This means that living with integrity ensures that everything you do and believe is "based on the same core set of values."

What are our core values as Christians? There are many we could choose, but the Ten Commandments give us a good starting point. Put God first. Don't take the Lord's name in vain. Don't lie, steal, commit adultery, etc.

So, to live with integrity means that--if you believe it's wrong to steal--you NEVER steal. Not even a pencil from the office supply cabinet at work, or an added hour of time from your client. Or if you believe it's wrong to lie, you NEVER lie. Not even a "little white lie" as to why you missed your latest deadline or why you came into work late *again.* (This doesn't mean you have to be so brutally honest you hurt someone's feelings by telling her that her new haircut really looks horrible!) Or if you believe you shouldn't use the Lord's name in vain, you NEVER use the Lord's name in vain. Not even when someone makes you really angry. It means that you do what is right because it's right... even it's uncomfortable, or even painful, for you.

For Christians, living with integrity is absolutely essential. Integrity ensures you have a solid witness with your family, friends and business associates. Integrity gives you credibility in all areas of your life. And integrity is what will help convince your non-Christian friends and loved ones of your sincerity when you share the gospel with them.

Are you living with integrity? Here are a few examples of what "lagging" integrity looks like.

Do you ever...
* "borrow" money or supplies from an employer or client?
* "forget" to include some of the income you earned on your tax return?
* take longer lunch periods than you're allowed without permission or charge a client for time not actually worked?
* pad your expense report with unauthorized charges?
* use a company-assigned vehicle for personal use?

If you see any of these actions in your own life, begin immediately to correct those behaviors. Allowing your integrity to falter in even the smallest aspect of your personal or business life harms your Christian witness among your clients, co-workers, family and friends. Not to mention the hurt it brings to our Heavenly Father.

------
Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents website at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience.

Walking the WAHM Tightrope- Balancing Work and Family

2008-01-17T04:41:00.000-08:00
Walking the WAHM Tightrope- Balancing Work and Family

No matter what your WAHM profession, one thing is definite- balancing work and family is the equivalent of walking a tightrope. It is imperative to make certain that you tread carefully or you may risk a sudden fall and lose everything. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. With careful planning, plenty of organization, and goal setting you can run your home and business smoothly and efficiently, and leave the tightrope walking to professionals in the circus.

Planning and goal settings are the best tools that work at home moms have at their disposals. It doesn’t matter how organized you are either. Some people are just naturally more organized than others, but even if you run your home and business with a carefree attitude, you can still take steps to bring order into your routine and you’ll see amazing results. Organization and goal setting will not rob your creativity, they will enhance it and ensures that you maximize your time and get the most out of both your family and work time.

You should set daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals. It is also a good idea to write your goals down and review them each night. You’d be amazed at how much you can accomplish once you begin taking inventory of your daily activities. When you delegate certain activities to certain time frames, you’ll also ensure that you have plenty of time left for family activities as well. Being a work from home mom has its advantages and disadvantages. Many moms can discover very quickly that it doesn’t take long for the pressures and stress of running both work and family from the same location can have negative consequences. Organization is the best way to ensure that you keep your business and family time separate and watch both grow and thrive.

You’ll find that keeping your work and family life separate is the best policy for ensuring that you remain professional while having the ability to put the role of entrepreneur on the back burner when it is time to spend time as a mother and wife. You’ll also need to realize that no matter how strenuous your day is your children are not interested in you as a business professional. When you are spending time with your children, they are only interested in mom. When you work outside of the home it may be easier to turn off the business persona and step into the mothering role, but you may find this more difficult when a working from home.

Keeping your business limited to your office can help tremendously. For example, if you need to take a business call, keep it limited to your office, don’t take business calls in your kitchen or other rooms of the house where your children are. You’ll also find that if you designate times for working when your children are either sleeping or are being cared for by other people, you will get more accomplished. Learning how to separate your business from your family is the best way to ensure that you can handle the responsibilities of being a work from home mom efficiently.

Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web sites at Faithful Grannies .com, WAHM Choices.com (Work At Home Moms Choices) and Work At Home Divas Online Bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers, Crafters and Families together while providing FREE Advertising Networking and Resources, while balancing the work at home experience.

What it Takes to be a Successful WAHM

2008-01-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

What it Takes to be a Successful WAHM

If you’ve ever wanted to be a WAHM (work at home mom) you are in good company. Many women are enjoying the benefits and advantages of working at home and raising their children at the same time. During the 80’s many women made the decision to place their children in daycare and work outside of the home. However, twenty years later, many women are deciding that they would rather work from home and raise their children at the same time.

The first thing that you will need to take into consideration when you are choosing to become a successful work at home mom is how you will juggle your children and home based business. Though many women choose to become work from home moms so that they may spend quality time with their children, they may soon discover that children are a hindrance to their home based business. When choosing careers it is important to determine beforehand how you will work and take care of your children at the same time. There are many different home based businesses that will require the use of a quiet home environment. Screaming children, pets, and other loud noises are often detrimental to many WAHM’S success. You must take these factors into consideration before choosing your business.

If you are going to be a successful WAHM, you will need to make organization and goal setting your priority. Once you have chosen your home based business, you will need to write out your goals. You should approach your home based business as you would a business outside of your home. Never should you make the mistake of thinking that you can be less professional since you are working from your home environment. Professionalism is key to the success of your business and to be a true professional, you must be organized and set and keep goals.

When it comes to choosing your home based profession, you’ll be amazed at how many opportunities are available. There are many Christian work from home jobs as well as jobs that you can create by filling a need that you recognize. Many women are discovering that they can move their businesses out of the work place and into their homes as well. For some work from home moms their home is their office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Others may simply work from home for several days and enter the work place for the remainder of the work week. The key to being a successful WAHM is in finding the career that is best for you and working out a schedule that best meets yours and your family’s needs.

Working from home is one of the most rewarding jobs that any woman can have. However, it doesn’t take long to realize that being home can have its downside as well. No matter what your career choice, it is important to make sure that you take care of yourself. It is easy to become burned out from your new work at home career. Being a work at home mom is wonderful, but you can’t neglect to take care of yourself. Sometimes it will be necessary to take time to yourself to regroup and regain your focus. Make sure to always take time to assess your goals and be willing to make any changes necessary to ensure that you continue to be a successful WAHM.

Article Source: WAHM Choices.com

Boomers: The Next Stage of Life

2008-01-14T19:45:00.000-08:00
Boomers: The Next Stage of Life

Boomers, born between the years of 1946 and 1964, are beginning to enter the retirement scene as well as facing the Empty Nest Syndrome. As the Boomers watch their children attend college many are simply asking themselves one question, “What next?”

Though you may have been expecting this season of your life (and many times wishing it would arrive sooner than later) the sudden realization that you are childless can be an overwhelming fact to accept. Though this transition is full of both negative and positive emotions, this can be an exciting and fulfilling time.

This stage of your life can be a time where you and your husband reclaim your lives. Taking back time for each other can be your daily focus and revitalize your marriage. As Boomers prepare for retirement, history is changing before our eyes. Never before have such a large number of people entered retirement at the same time. Boomers are embracing retirement and their newly found freedom in an entirely different way. Once the initial shock wears off, you and your husband can use this time to enjoy each other and spend time together in ways that you weren’t able to do with a full house.

It is normal to feel depressed during this transition. If you are feeling very sad make sure to let those around you know. Sometimes, just getting out and spending time with family and friends is just what is needed to help smooth the rough spots during this transition. Also, don’t forget that the greatest support that you have during this time is your husband. You may find that taking that long awaited vacation is the best way to make the adjustment. Simply getting away from everything, changing your day-to-day routine, and enjoying some one on one time with your spouse can be the best way to make the jump from mother to empty nester.
There are a lot of changes that will be taking place, and many of these will occur once your children move on and establish their own lives. At this time, many Boomers begin thinking about downsizing and look for smaller homes to buy. All of this change may be emotionally tough to deal with. You may find that it is best to take things slowly and put off some of the larger decisions until after you get used to your new lifestyle.

Embracing the changes that are ahead of you will help make certain that you adjust to your new lifestyle in a positive and healthy manner. Though it is normal to feel some sadness, you should be wary of any negative emotions that seem overwhelming. It may be necessary to just take things slowly and adjust before thinking about moving, renovating your home, or buying a second home. Spend time with your husband and enjoy the freedom that you now have. This can and will be the best time of your life if you keep a positive attitude and open spirit.

Marcia Chumbley is a work at home mom and grandmother in Minnesota. She is the owner of a Christian Work From Home Moms and Grandparents web site at http://www.faithfulgrannies.com. Bringing generations of Christian Work From Home Moms, Grandmothers, Parents, Boomers and Families together while providing resources, inspiration and affordable advertising while balancing the work at home experience.

Article source: http://www.faithfulgrannies.com