the Mom-Stuff Community » www.mom-stuff.com

Happy Saint Patty’s Day

the mom-team — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 03:14:52 +0000

Come and visit mom-stuff.com where you don’t need to be Irish to enjoy the spirit of St. Patriclk’s day

St Patricks Day Decorations
May you live as long as you want, and never WANT as long as you live. “Irish toast” . . . keep reading

St Patrick’s Day Treat Bag
These are fast, easy and inexpensive for when you want to give something special to several people. . . . keep reading

St. Patrick’s Family Fun
Gather your clan and celebrate the spirit of the day with some Irish food because everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. On St. Patrick’s Day we can all FEEL IRISH!!! On St. Patrick’s Day you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy the spirit of the day. Every holiday is a good excuse to celebrate. Holidays are a good time to add some fun and enjoyment to your life. Celebrating each holiday is our way of celebrating life. It does help if you look good in green, believe in wee-folk and enjoy a bit of sausage and cabbage. . . . keep reading

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes
Gather you clan and celebrate with some Irish food because everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day! . . . keep reading

St. Patrick’s Day Kid’s Crafts
St. Patrick’s Kid’s Crafts . . . keep reading

St Patrick’s Day Scrapbooking
For this page I wanted to make a St Patrick’s page for the mom-stuff web site. I wanted it to use a picture of my grandson who I feel very lucky and blessed to have in my life. . . . keep reading

Happy Holidays

the mom-team — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 16:58:36 +0000

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have been too busy. But busy in a good way. Lots of changes going on with my other business that is taking all of my time. I am sorry to all of my mom-stuff friends for the absence of posts .

It is now time for the Christmas Season. This is my favorite time of the year. I love the music, the lights and the overall feeling of goodwill. I wish it could be Christmas all year.

At www.mom-stuff.com we have lots of great Christmas ideas for you. Here are your links for family fun and easy gifts.

Family Fun

Christmas Recipes
Christmas Recipes . . . keep reading

Christmas Games
Are you having a Christmas Party and need some games to play? We have a few ideas for you. . . . keep reading

My Christmas Tradition
Christmas Traditions . . . keep reading

Simple and Inexpensive Christmas Gift Ideas
Simple and Inexpensive Gift Ideas-These have also been nic named neighbor gifts. . . .keep reading

Christmas Kids Crafts
Snowmen craft, Candy Countdown, Christmas Tree Countdown and Santa’s Beard Countdown are fun crafts for you and your children to enjoy this Christmas. . . . keep reading

Gift Ideas

Christmas FRIEND Gifts #4
Candy Canes, Rudolph’s Nose Repair Kit, Lotion( A Friend) Cookie Cutter and What is Christmas Mug. These are great for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, housekeeper, delivery person or anyone you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . . keep reading

12 Days of Christmas
The 12 Days of Christmas . . . keep reading

Christmas FRIEND Gifts #3
Large Candy Bar, Grinch Candy Canes, Santa Kisses and Snowman Kisses. These are great for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, housekeeper, delivery person or anyone you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . . keep reading

Christmas FRIEND Gifts #2
Snowman Poop, Snownman Soup, and Reindeer Droppings. These are great for teachers, neighbors, co-workers, housekeeper, delivery person or anyone you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . .keep reading

Christmas Friend Gifts #1
Christmas FRIEND Gifts Christmas Dish towels, Help with the Mess, Candy Cane Seeds and I Ran Out of Time. These would be great to give out at work, to neighbors, for people you don’t know what to get and don’t want to spend a lot, but want to show your holiday spirit. . . . keep reading

It is my wish for all of you to have the best Christmas Season ever with family and friends.

Dianne

October from Leaves of the Tree of Life

the mom-team — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:17:22 +0000

OCTOBER

People weary with the world will take time off to go to the mountains for a look at the splendor of autumn leaves. In every shade of orange they proclaim their glory.

Each species has its own breathtaking pigment and each tree seems more beautiful than the last. October is for rejoicing in the majesty of tangible beauty. We smell it, we see it, we roll in the leaves and experience it. There is no practical purpose to the color changes; the trees are playing after the hard work of summer. This is the season for hayrides and county fairs and silly costumes and pranks.

Play is difficult for Americans and other highly westernized cultures. We spend huge amounts of money and time working at having fun, but play is a different thing. Play is squirrels chasing each other on the branches even as they gather winter’s store. Play is kids wading through mountains of leaves so they can be gathered again, without thought for getting the pieces out of their hair. Play is ordering ice cream on your pancakes for breakfast. Learning to play brings back the sweetness to life.

Branches are the frame work on which the seasons unfold, just as our minds form the basis for performing the duties of our lives. Branches by now have had most of the sap withdrawn from them as the tree prepares to survive the winter. Bare branches reflect the lack of circulation. As we limit the circulation of sweetness in our lives, the result can be “bare branches” too, where we become brittle and rigid in strict, joyless, disciplines. Scrooge wasn’t a bad guy, he was just misguided from years of bitterness and false priorities. The change came as a cheerful countenance and a desire to play. There was no doubt that he would continue to run his counting house, but we also know he enjoyed his abundance from that time forward. The adage that “as a man thinketh, so he shall be” sets the parameters for our play and for the degree to which we really enjoy life. For a variety of reasons, many of us grow up with basic beliefs that finding pleasure is time wasted, that this life is about working and suffering and joy and rewards are for the next, that if you’re not getting ahead you’re getting behind, and life is about getting there first. October reminds us that getting there can be a glorious ride.

With the advent of autumn, the trunk again becomes the storehouse, the primary focus of the living tree. A cavity in trees become home to woodland creatures and man, too, begins to nest. It’s finally fireplace season and time for quilts. We make hot chocolate for chilly evenings, we drink fresh cider, and we tell spooky stories and gather around bonfires. Even schools celebrate Homecoming with games, festivals and crowning of queens. Home is the source of our strength and the crown of our lives. The idea that a

man’s home is his castle rings true for us today; we may have positions of no consequence elsewhere, but we have the right to be kings and queens in our households. There is no more effective place to teach and learn the worth of souls. David O. McKay said “no success can compensate for failure in the home” decades ago, but the message holds true. October is time to come home, to settle from summertime wanderings and last month’s overtime.

The roots of the tree share the sugars with the trunk. Sugar is an analogy for sweetness in life and provides the essential fuel for our sustenance. The use of sugar in our bodies is managed to large extent by the pancreas, which produces insulin. Too many variations in blood sugar levels can have a negative impact on every aspect of body function, just as extremes of giddiness or seriousness will impair our ability to function in the world. We have seen repeatedly in our practices the relationship between the sweetness people find in life and challenges to proper pancreas function. People unhappy with themselves or their lives are more likely to be binge eaters, and are more likely to binge on sugars and simple carbohydrates. Carbohydrate addiction is finally a recognized condition, and relates not only to blood sugar (and energy) levels, but also to feel-good hormone seratonin levels. Many parents dread the time of Halloween with its sugar overload, which many find creates monsters that surpass the roles of morbid costumes. Many communities are beginning to create fall festivals, old style celebrations with apple bobbing and popcorn balls, in lieu of the more traditional “trick-or-treating”. Where “trick-or-treating” does still exist, it can be an expression of neighborhood fun and closeness as parents and children laugh together and give to each other, especially if they avoid the horror-movie lookalikes. This month is for fun and games. Celebrate living.

With the chilly air of winter approaching, leaves on their deathbeds take time to show their true colors. With the green chlorophyll withdrawn, the leaves don’t actually change colors; they simply allow their actual pigment to be seen. Penniless, they are more beautifully robed than any person could hope to be. Money is one of the things we often place in the way of our happiness. We believe that more of it would help us improve the quality of our own and other lives, yet we call it the root of all evil. It defines the value we place on objects, sometimes even ourselves. Wealth doesn’t create or destroy character; beliefs and attitudes about money do. Take away the green, and we all look like who we really are. We have paupers and financial wizards in every range, from the splendid crimson of the maples to the washed-out gray of roadside weeds.

Water in October is largely confined to streams and other bodies of water. The moisture stored in the leaves is gone, which is why they begin to fall. As we age, a similar process takes place, which is why we wrinkle and get creaky in the joints, but the true mark of our age is in our brittleness of spirit. This is the time to be a child, regardless of how many

birthdays you’ve had. Everything in the earth is playing, and to keep pace with the earth is to play along. Making bouquets of dried weeds and stomping in puddles and rolling down hills helps us to keep perspective. There will always be more work and more troubles, but there will never be another of this moment. Streams work over and around everything in their beds this season, but sing along the way. Zinnia flower essence captures the importance of play; there is no perkier blossom in creation. Even the word rolls off the tongue with a lilt.

This is a time to play. Follow a child around a playground for an hour, doing everything that they do. There is no more thorough exercise program! Roll down hills, skip around a fitness course, do your jogging backwards in a bright orange hat.

For all of the glory in the branches, the earth has finished her work of production. We celebrate now with what we already possess; we make cider from the apples we’ve picked and store the squash for the winter. We have such security in our substance that we will play with our food, carving faces where candles can glow in a pumpkin that will never be eaten. In consumer psychology, the orange colors of October inspire ideas of warmth and richness, a concept seized upon by advertisers of brandy and other upscale foods. They also physically stimulates the pancreas, which produces digestive enzymes for digestion of starches, sugars and fats in addition to insulin. Fast-food marketers have capitalized on that bit of information, which explains the remarkably homogenous decorating schemes of the major chains. From candle-glow to decorative orange leaf bags, everything proclaims glory in October.

Mom-Stuff Updates

the mom-team — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 17:11:00 +0000

Your Own Style Yoga Shirt
Add Your Own Style to Your Yoga Shirt Fold your shirt in half . . . keep reading

Hair Streaks
All you need to add a streak of color to any hair style is a Bobbie Pin and some embroidery floss. . . . keep reading

Tips for Back-to-School Shopping
Tips for Back-to-School Shopping The frenzied back-to-school shopping season is upon us, and more than ever, it’s evident that parents want a new and thrif . . . keep reading

What Can One Person Do?
a donation of $2,000 worth of pet food, and I’ve helped to forge new friends from other countries who all care about the same things I care about. And it all started with a simple posting on Facebook because I wanted to help a local animal shelter. It’s been magical.” . . . keep reading

Mom-Stuff Up Dates for Fall

the mom-team — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:56:27 +0000

Mom-stuff Updates

Make a Spunky Headband
For back to school project. Make a spunky headband they are warm and stylish. . . .keep reading

Rockin Bobbie Pins
Make your own Rockin Bobbie Pins to match your clothes. All you need are bobbie pins and your imagination. These are so much fun. You can make some for every holiday or even every outfit. . . . keep reading

To Sick for School?
Parents can use the following symptom-based guidelines to help them decide whether to keep their child home or not: . . . keep reading

Canning Recipes
This time of year has always been my favorite time of the year. I love the turning of the leaves, the preserving of the harvest, and the cooling weather. . . . keep reading

Why Shouldn’t I Spank My Child?

the mom-team — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 15:53:53 +0000

Abuse Survivor Offers Tips For Alternative Punishments

By Ginny Grimsley

Esther Joseph doesn’t need to read studies or statistics to understand the problems of child abuse. She survived it.

Joseph, an advocate against corporal punishment in the home, spent her childhood alternately suffering physical abuse from her mother and emotional abuse from her father. But she doesn’t consider herself a victim.

“I’m a survivor of child abuse,” said Joseph, author of Memories of Hell, Visions of Heaven—A Story of Survival Transformation and Hope (www.unityinherited.com). “In overcoming the damage of an upbringing riddled with violence, I was adamant that I would not grow up to be an abuser, as well. I know the dangers of striking a child to discipline them and then explaining that you’re doing it for their own good and because you love them. All that does is teach the child that violence is an acceptable part of love, and as they grow up, they accept violence in their adult relationships because they’ve been taught that it’s completely normal.”

Joseph believes that discipline is important, but that it can be delivered without making violence an acceptable part of life.

“No matter how out of control a child may be considered, a beating is never an effective way to get their attention, obedience or respect,” she added. “Parents must understand that there are other disciplinary measures, less violent and degrading methods that will garner the results they seek, while raising children to become emotional health and fulfilled adults.”

Joseph offered a few simple tips for alternative means of helping children behave. They include:

Be a Good Example – Parents must live by example, allowing their actions and not just their words to exemplify the kind of person they would like their child to become.

Be One Step Ahead – Don’t wait until your child has done something “wrong” to have a talk with them. Parents can circumvent many foreseeable challenges by addressing them before they become an issue.

Be Creative – One type of punishment does not work for every child. Parents must figure out and utilize a form of reprimand that would work best for their child’s particular temperament.

“Every spanking, no matter how mild, has an impact,” Joseph said. “Parents should be aware that a spanked child becomes a emotionally crippled adult who goes out into the world and plays this handicap onto others, perpetuating the idea that abusive relationships are just a normal part of life. Now, I understand that people justify it by thinking, ‘I was spanked as a child and I turned out okay,’ but that equation doesn’t work for everyone. When we begin to justify violence as a part of our children’s lives, it becomes a slippery slope when we try to determine how much is too much? A spanking every once in a while? Using a belt or a hairbrush instead of a hand if a child is really misbehaving? At what point do you say it’s too much? The bottom line is that once is too much, because it makes a second, third and 20^th time that much easier to rationalize. But for those who have been abused, no matter their pasts, it does not define them nor does it determine their future. Everyone can break the bonds of their past experiences and find their way to the life and future they crave.”

About Esther Joseph

Esther Joseph was born and raised on the tiny Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. She moved to the U.S. at the age of 16 with her mother and two older bothers. She holds a Master’s Degree in international affairs from New York University. Her goal is to help others still in the grips of abuse and violence to break the cycle and find a way to a place of healing.

For more information contact:

Ginny Grimsley
National Print Campaign Manager
News and Experts
1127 Grove Street · Clearwater, Florida 33755
Phone: 727-443-7115 EXT 207
www.newsandexperts.com

Today is the Longest Day of the Year

the mom-team — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:10:50 +0000

Summer Solstice

While Memorial Day is the “unofficial” start of summer, today the season really begins. Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the start of summer in the northern hemisphere is 1:16 p.m. today. According to TimeandDate.com, the date of the “June solstice” varies from June 20 to June 22 depending on the year.The Farmer’s Almanac states that “the word solstice comes from the Latin words for “sun” and “to stop,” due to the fact that the sun appears to stop in the sky.” With the sun high overhead today, this will be the longest day of the year. How do you spend your longer days? More time outside playing with the kids or more hours working?

Tell us about how you will be spending the longest day of the year?

I hope what ever you choose to do today it will be fun.

Head over to mom-stuff.com for some fun ideas for your summer fun.

Fourth of July Ideas are Here

the mom-team — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 18:16:08 +0000

Fourth of July ideas are here at Mom-Stuff.

Happy Birthday America
Fourth of July Crafts to celebrate America’s B-Day. Fun to make and even funnier to wear. . . . keep reading

Summer Family Fun
Schools Out!!! Now What??? . . . keep reading

Fancy Flip Flops
Fancy Flip Flops . . . keep reading

Souvenir Vacation Scrapbooking
Vacation Scrapbooking Pages Using Souvenirs . . . keep reading

Summer Kids Crafts
Summer crafts to make with your kids; funky flip flaps, jewelry, popsicle stick flowers, summer noise makers and cookie flowers. We have also added a craft for moms to make for their kids. It is a back pack blanket for all of their summer activities. . . . keep reading

Summer Fun Recipes
Summer is the time for fast, easy and light food. We have gathered together some of our favorite summer food recipes . . . keep reading

I Pray You Enough

the mom-team — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:12:07 +0000

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure of the daughter’s flight.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged, and the mother said,

‘I love you, and I pray you enough.’

The daughter replied, ‘Mom, our life together has been more than enough.

Your love is all I ever needed. I pray you enough, too, Mom.’

They kissed, and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there, I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, ‘Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?’

Yes, I have,’ I replied. ‘Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?’

‘Well…I’m not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is – her next trip back will be for my funeral,’ she said.

‘When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, I pray you enough. May I ask what that means?’

She began to smile. ‘That’s a prayer that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.’ She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and she smiled even more. ‘When we said, ‘I pray you enough,’ we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.’

Then, turning toward me, she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

I pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

To all my mom-stuff friends,

I PRAY YOU ENOUGH…….

I did not experience this, nor did I write this. I do not know who the author is. I received this in an email (one that passes around the web) this morning from my daughter. It meant so much to me I wanted to share it with all of you. Thanks for being a one of my mom-stuff friends. Dianne

Love is the Message of June

the mom-team — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 13:47:27 +0000

June emerges as a sea of green. Summer officially starts, and in earlier days trees would have become the heart of the community. Children would be in them and adults would gather under them to share stories and a cool drink. Some of the distinction between trees blurs with the passing of the blossoms and we see, instead, a merciful bower and quiet retreat. The trees are generous with their shade, and we can breathe a little deeper in their presence.

Looking up into the canopy of a spreading tree is a heart-filling experience. A tree can protect you from rain and yet allow a glimpse of a summer sky. Looking at the world with the heart may open a similarly uplifting view. We are sheltered from loneliness as we receive love from people in our lives, and see acts of kindness through seemingly impenetrable barriers. As we learn to receive and give love we gain the message of June.

Excerpt from Leaves for the Tree of Life by Kim Welborn and Dianne Murray