tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76375943052116179412024-03-13T19:57:35.656-07:00Help For Single ParentsA single parent for years, I use my experience to help other single parents.Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-20001541314898267162022-04-07T14:20:00.001-07:002022-04-07T14:20:29.340-07:00LOTS of Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – Unique and Special Gifts for Mom<p></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;">Unique gifts for Mom on Mother's Day – or any day throughout the year:</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">So many products to chose from for all kinds of mothers. Some are mom-specific items, some are for quirky moms, and others are for assertive and protective moms. Does your mom appreciate a little humor? Does she love chocolate? Perhaps she is a nomad. Whatever Mom is, she is definitely the</p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">BEST MOM EVER!</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Best-Mom-Ever-Gift-by-JoyfulEclectic/106142453.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a> </i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Best-Mom-Ever-Gift-by-JoyfulEclectic/106142453.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="674" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoiixMIywrKqe2yJXqO8QE0c-baxXJRFZFRRauvFcc2OiffcVw96T2hoLcc9GUjrXaLQrd8N2FGmS0CYSgjUw-qy20hrJMuzDJrWOGj6BbAxZgOmvgOkPU09RwLEeVmRrcrtNt3tY-iuSoimEoofjZXICe_h__M6lV2nNQ5y0lHWY3p3Jzl2aq9L4Mw/s320/Best%20Mom%20Ever.png" width="170" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/notebook/Best-Mom-Ever-Gift-by-JoyfulEclectic/106142453.RXH2R" target="_blank">Hardcover Journal</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/notebook/Best-Mom-Ever-Gift-by-JoyfulEclectic/106142453.RXH2R" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="702" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHEP8c956Y75JCdQORo3O_sgMwM5dX3JIBKSBkN-RcoYGdFICtYmeRNtR7ciIpo89eirOfAJ-abeiKLAyEN3_QGxDI77R0HiTD-zv864oYprjNcLKKCjbqFydw7BQBim7jRwsZh4W0NmHNGlxJe3Uu3faNI7fLx13d6SVqKmsoXPl6vzgfV7GCi3MzA/s320/BestMomEver%20HardcoverJournal.png" width="258" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Moms hear their names being called All. Day. Long. Kids repeat the “MOMTRA” until eventually they scream, “MOOOOOOMMM” so here is </p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">EVERY CHILD’S MOMTRA</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/The-Mom-Shirt-and-Other-Items-for-All-Moms-Make-Great-Gift-for-Mom-by-JoyfulEclectic/105415271.IXNXQ" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/The-Mom-Shirt-and-Other-Items-for-All-Moms-Make-Great-Gift-for-Mom-by-JoyfulEclectic/105415271.IXNXQ" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyHzrWZit7vmr2GmSO-tWr7r8ANW-Qjy6rjcH7h1LTOvkJ07ol1QZWjkBYOeQZsdKDgGqBmTea1oF7vKRyy87b0rGEoIiE9TLYoVbe8_k5JbaDbTFFvaM7kwgS_qUDQxOtnKI18ae1o-PBHBB53mnPqT-h2TBS2Wq0RrRlTKAsG2QRR6L3yAtY0_pIw/s320/Every%20Child's%20Momtra%20Tank.png" width="157" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/The-Mom-Shirt-and-Other-Items-for-All-Moms-Make-Great-Gift-for-Mom-by-JoyfulEclectic/105415271.V33QC" target="_blank">Travel Mug</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/The-Mom-Shirt-and-Other-Items-for-All-Moms-Make-Great-Gift-for-Mom-by-JoyfulEclectic/105415271.V33QC" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="626" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceuQvre7uiFE6GYrr-5hmND99aXj6RLdAojqlkTB38IGt7BAdQ5qVNavKH-oMx1AFrHu0ObTt_XONLgeSon_qC1Mahr630-Xj25EuFU9BaJHLP7AygwtL1EZ-p_k-r_IG011F1C4S2X6X9BhhB8__GdmjysAGz5zjr4XdxTl8LWkmmSESO3x7myB0kQ/s320/Every%20Child's%20Momtra%20TravelMug.png" width="180" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">When you think about the sacrifices Moms make and you know something about giving birth, you have to agree that</p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">MOMS ARE LIKE JESUS – </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THEY SHED BLOOD </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TO GIVE LIFE</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Moms-are-Like-Jesus-They-Shed-Blood-to-Give-Life-by-JoyfulEclectic/105417787.IXNXQ" target="_blank">Tank Top</a> </i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Moms-are-Like-Jesus-They-Shed-Blood-to-Give-Life-by-JoyfulEclectic/105417787.IXNXQ" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="604" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEgdRELZuS5rO9zKB-_fnpgmXVlroxZMMxKESxWvLa6llXh2iabEr4kMuTn1WaDO70WmIUTo4_iaZreT-By1yrKbZlivAv9JUd5_FtQV45rIyi4YG_DhEuJahuJRjtabPCSJKvFYni5uIY6BASvkR1kt71yeDOqGOOAwAEO4i0feRZXOaKeLVBRlsqqQ/s320/Moms%20are%20Like%20Jesus.png" width="155" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Moms-are-Like-Jesus-They-Shed-Blood-to-Give-Life-by-JoyfulEclectic/105417787.FB110" target="_blank">Essential T-shirt</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Moms-are-Like-Jesus-They-Shed-Blood-to-Give-Life-by-JoyfulEclectic/105417787.FB110" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="532" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrqxBA-Tb-uXv7MowzZq6Sg_GCcaHDX2w_OqMSnGxPAU1f5nzNVP9M_TFcNC8h_8Quyqyum_uYoe4L5pQW-YAPWcVZTvIDTV6PAWKzxBMji_mynPcAbJ-yOLNjGcrvfSUe4t6dlsZyg1uHI24kGYMPgfgE2IHIrFH12aUqdB7xvZmO0cCfFb-kwCmhA/s320/MomsAreLikeJesus%20Essential%20Tee.png" width="150" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">But moms get a little distracted sometimes and they might want to say,</p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SHH! YOU’RE DISTURBING </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THE VOICES IN MY HEAD</span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/SHH-You-re-Disturbing-the-Voices-in-My-Head-by-JoyfulEclectic/62375701.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/SHH-You-re-Disturbing-the-Voices-in-My-Head-by-JoyfulEclectic/62375701.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiLTTLpyz_mpR5hrdGR4RZabc99ON3SXCxBxx4vUEIYjDJV65Yn-9yR9NPSGUpvzCRvj2bACSyTka_2WIOTFELAuLBl1jrbYsdM3R9bNBWqlumEpWoenMaEurKlQKS_YYP3BeywqBEIirTIXEZ0qdjef3Jtcsme2oQrLzUO--GJrwtKxqqtbZ7OzENg/s320/SHH!%20You're%20Disturbing%20the%20Voices.png" width="162" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/canvas-print/SHH-You-re-Disturbing-the-Voices-in-My-Head-by-JoyfulEclectic/62375701.5Y5V7" target="_blank">Canvas Print</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/canvas-print/SHH-You-re-Disturbing-the-Voices-in-My-Head-by-JoyfulEclectic/62375701.5Y5V7" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="332" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKtqkyjHnNvaFhRqAGzZ4wm-tsrNTJ9Y9Ps-i9a1EHLjdC0B9A0uZIvy6WFtw-xSled1SWg7B2IUo0HZncKRz2QTaPlAozraUpU3SBZVKjoV3CnWz8UeA943Pv5H7dx01BdSAFNh_AMRZtB22xvK5ZBzgP4cSrforYLUDzxg1ttkvZE6ftvEOuhN_rQ/s320/SHH!%20You'reDisturbing%20The%20Voices%20Wall%20Art.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">More likely, they will mutter</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">IT'S FINE </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I’M FINE</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-m-Fine-in-Black-by-JoyfulEclectic/106550498.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-m-Fine-in-Black-by-JoyfulEclectic/106550498.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="610" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyuOMKD0qvXnFjE-naP6fyVSOVhhSby3GkPGFMb1xA3WkXW-Lwzo0x4en6OR3RL7h0_c8jve7CyJwojrvsHg3_ha8bM0TNL7_lJl4qLNJZi5SdnDo_hIeA81qNqoxYNfgJJA3d9aBxQX7wUAygRdGR_f4HCw38Z5PXt8ti0Gs9CjuLHW2iNzMMNpi7g/s320/I'm%20Fine.png" width="155" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/metal-print/I-m-Fine-Gold-Print-by-JoyfulEclectic/106469554.0JXQP" target="_blank">Gold Metal Print</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/metal-print/I-m-Fine-Gold-Print-by-JoyfulEclectic/106469554.0JXQP" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="284" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZ6hzO6uOsR6wdLh680mYA4AzBpCgYv0ylcTvGAzk0HfMJS_HT11R7FRKZtP4MbGUDFDTeX4Y_l-NuOhn5ErO-8lQH7DjFlYrUp9PHlWSLcAFewp_H-HIc5KfUfW9QSzzKaascj71ZiPJ6QUf4ClBdVbZpmmjj-3ADNw9AfQxBnKuqumnNwyr49dbhA/s320/I'mFine%20Gold%20Metal%20JPrint.png" width="277" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">But what they want for themselves and for you is to</p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SEEK JOY</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Seek-Joy-by-JoyfulEclectic/95427049.IXNXQ" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Seek-Joy-by-JoyfulEclectic/95427049.IXNXQ" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3V2cHdn7dapTPScZ_pYQvWio8sPIxs49boDsQtrKFzzXJkbccSp6Uxl31xDMFNa2WA8SidrFbr2O_39UNcUchqSxjcvOiQq-L1PdlxuNBUEpXXXYrzSFm_Ld33r8TvJh0lcWrE2wMb6m4LpipI0oQNC-t6I7KsJlSkgQ-7pVLvcnLYBSs-ZTjJGFh9w/s320/Seek%20Joy.png" width="152" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Seek-Joy-by-JoyfulEclectic/95427049.G2CME" target="_blank">Fitted ScoopT-shirt</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Seek-Joy-by-JoyfulEclectic/95427049.G2CME" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbMLIc-Ma4lgPCcgMEaS4hX5tZ68OASG80488g4sQGk8xxZKctwV2Nrcf3Jh6ywWu8-Z6biDU9X9ohFXx7F-ge7_VW4uHiSKNnKcicwS9JDHAg6TIijToPA6qj-81LpCv7KUH_Gr3mfqsEgf9jjt8_4jvu-MGC2ALeO6VVf7b7LNzmrbYeWftjIFLQA/s320/Seek%20Joy%20FittedScoop%20Tee.png" width="158" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">and to</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">GIVE SOMEONE A REASON </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">TO SMILE TODAY</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Give-Someone-a-Reason-to-Smile-Today-by-JoyfulEclectic/62552569.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Give-Someone-a-Reason-to-Smile-Today-by-JoyfulEclectic/62552569.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT23qB8p93THMZdGJSymg6Y7AyJIIhxed4cTl-I6NExYIqetdVSb9yl2iFNXXNx7lj0lEE6y5pL-Duoi3DVTvo81exE--OVryMQkeXL3arylQv5NLmI8d9IbV90fahoodIpzpeImWAGinMS12be3jgv2808d3KcX4Ac8kMjeT9W2oEKa-15DoJozj5yw/s320/Reason%20to%20Smile.png" width="148" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/laptop-skin/Give-Someone-a-Reason-to-Smile-Today-by-JoyfulEclectic/62552569.6EA4Y" target="_blank">Laptop Skin</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/laptop-skin/Give-Someone-a-Reason-to-Smile-Today-by-JoyfulEclectic/62552569.6EA4Y" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1180" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7IlSgT298EpXtjKDeTsKdF4B3lugml98s9OQ5F92ztQ31pL0aJL4TkTb2PPl3SpOxTYDQzyBEvCyZpngDE7hgePKB1p08bbdSv3lVqlnXBtf3H1P4gOAuhy0GeA0NrX5Us5OMWT5VPBu_RpXPkprC7TryUbr4O3ZEw50tgYyE-T4NttFSNX_xcVwxQ/s320/ReasonToSmile%20LaptopSkin.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">A good Mom will </p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">SPREAD KINDNESS</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Spread-Kindness-by-JoyfulEclectic/95817744.IXNXQ" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Spread-Kindness-by-JoyfulEclectic/95817744.IXNXQ" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirYeDSzwtwabN08jJum30dtDLZlXVfO_WYSlm3JNTHUsTWXJ7Eex6-95n9w0FShJoa4xswdvP4ep2IGBGxLAc-aGxFVOruWECVYqK_2IH4Ck4tGkOm2PHqUc7M5ihoUi60D0ctmrEHhXhB1t9bgf9BiZls7K9LwJOu-UKqGoczY9kbFpgbIW-elCva9w/s320/Spread%20Kindness.png" width="148" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/clock/Spread-Kindness-by-JoyfulEclectic/95817744.7PFC0" target="_blank">Clock</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/clock/Spread-Kindness-by-JoyfulEclectic/95817744.7PFC0" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="544" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3EkvYnu2_efIJPMna7mcQDqj7PD1b9L-klRo2Od9Y__93__vbbzSqjLrhcFkH8gJPxpkS7VEsKrX9JkackfvCkUqbRcwj-WOc6IBOWvochv95Z-tVOi79WE3r6mpVeIRJtCD5ra39hGqSpUjY13UwJILfTXzsBrmOzY3oZV0o5CFAhda4u7KqU4W3A/s320/SpreadKindness%20Clock.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Mom might offer you suggestions on how you should live your life, like,</p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">MAKE A DIFFERENCE </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">BUT DON’T SUCK</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/top/Make-a-Difference-But-Don-t-Suck-by-JoyfulEclectic/63854018.B7P0O" target="_blank">Chiffon Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/top/Make-a-Difference-But-Don-t-Suck-by-JoyfulEclectic/63854018.B7P0O" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="594" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fuDkpDSzBRYfy5LI7trrRA_e2WOFgDgqzHzmUldK6ei6Q1ryjhA1N8qZDJBCaQQJELDkWEjlKp_zqUSPdwq9cv08ka2zWh1NTNQyNdslAPrak8_i4omBkJJK845Ret4y9AqewLla0aEsh10n_l8z0v-xDroIhQpHFfIThVAba_owEW28-YXs5ALZPA/s320/Make%20a%20Difference%20Chiffon%20Top.png" width="151" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/samsung-skin/Make-a-Difference-But-Don-t-Suck-by-JoyfulEclectic/63854018.NOJ2U" target="_blank">Samsung Galaxy Phone Case</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/samsung-skin/Make-a-Difference-But-Don-t-Suck-by-JoyfulEclectic/63854018.NOJ2U" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="628" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLs1HLfeIcXdGo3sEenHcxxcCESC_2R0_XDytG_2czVRQQiAUrBqNr6UejWyJxvasnsGbnyOxA0tTAdY-1fdQxnGCLOxJ41mYBytZ35YCJtsV8_nnIJKdOo25sHMcVUWKXrjeXyhRB1jyDt9a5OO1lHyZgQBZvFyUFplqJVfhfqt3miZVIjFWzBh--w/s320/Make%20a%20Difference%20Samsung%20Galaxy%20Phone%20Case.png" width="169" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">You might think she’s a little weird, but Mom might tell you</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">I’M NOT WEIRD</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-m-Not-Weird-I-Just-See-Things-Differently-by-JoyfulEclectic/96035831.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-m-Not-Weird-I-Just-See-Things-Differently-by-JoyfulEclectic/96035831.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="606" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2COEvqPbx7n_7Fl3YlyGIkBn7f2Vpng7_4ZhIR-R2omf6BDsNKLk4tupc4Xn_xI9L5s80p5UQ9bQzkEhu4V2CDxcFzC1zELoOLoURT2KwtVw4aQcEuPVsVfRJ7lVXGux8tIzI2h5Ig8JZ2-Tqgh_eEAGYp57ITDfMW_oUBPUONMiScYZJgjvJKExHJw/s320/I'm%20Not%20Weird.png" width="154" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/poster/I-m-Not-Weird-I-Just-See-Things-Differently-by-JoyfulEclectic/96035831.E40HW" target="_blank">Poster</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/poster/I-m-Not-Weird-I-Just-See-Things-Differently-by-JoyfulEclectic/96035831.E40HW" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="552" data-original-width="468" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSeADdbpE9Dy9tVhxVliw8ds4Su3LngeagjIpTjYGEQE6e_ax5eFFQk3iij136yPD8EssdRRKot0uGBsOc09UMHo7f4WLoaEhcAAgvpK-Y-TTRr07eZu_A9htW1aYbFb9V0OMk8UJLgcN4MxHPZS4gSBFZbPWclX8JODj54RG4Si9zLA7W68FrsLPnQ/s320/I'm%20Not%20Weird%20Poster.png" width="271" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">or</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">I’M NOT WEIRD 2</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-m-Not-Weird-I-m-Freakishly-Exceptional-by-JoyfulEclectic/62359946.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-m-Not-Weird-I-m-Freakishly-Exceptional-by-JoyfulEclectic/62359946.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="602" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RCMWKALCIOSAiR730yzvIMvrSNYbQDCi7A20QhWTaj8UskiWz7gmxlJUqHn08Jcu8SoDwddNQkheGgKrlambQ-c0wQE9Y0zIDp9Svx4mad3BTd20bVS-8gcH8LUkSXnBtKWrIRH8oEgtztbVLtnxBzFH7M5DMxPudjlLB97uWcApsX9LixJwuOhhwQ/s320/I'm%20Not%20Weird%202.png" width="153" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/duffle-bag/I-m-Not-Weird-I-m-Freakishly-Exceptional-by-JoyfulEclectic/62359946.TZ9LO" target="_blank">Duffle Bag</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/duffle-bag/I-m-Not-Weird-I-m-Freakishly-Exceptional-by-JoyfulEclectic/62359946.TZ9LO" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1164" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYvSzj8dUQPHusWT2D6ZfIxrojSZN_b7S0pVA86b-5B2Kh6EipO89RbDMME3hgKuQ_IULhnqdGjtWw5Ua9GUtKFPSaD6-F44VmgEnmRZPP-4v4igKNP6xbC2bbcRX38YQqEkta0l8PcXag-IN_9C-my5JP6UrzYBgNSC_ewZwp2nV4GuAfSQXlqoZBg/s320/I'm%20Not%20Weird%202%20DuffleBag.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Maybe she is one of many</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">CHOCOLATE LOVERS</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Chocolate-Lovers-Who-Love-Chocolate-by-JoyfulEclectic/79887668.N283C" target="_blank">Racerback Tank</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Chocolate-Lovers-Who-Love-Chocolate-by-JoyfulEclectic/79887668.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="616" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtaA9g_-I-_MNMaW2HbYOurWjuPlExdr_775_RYv-NZIWMagosXepjynxJZsbRzjzPI2Kdd8YFkQ2cn5B6AshaBQA9sl7v3-hhWxGfseETAPHLFTCB_6zdrl-zSqr6UhxS0t0kS_7jEbgi4W2rhIHcAOqaUToQAKsLtlXGfl4WSGCytpmMUMTaY7P_VA/s320/ChocolateLovers%20RacerbackTank.png" width="155" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Chocolate-Lovers-Who-Love-Chocolate-by-JoyfulEclectic/79887668.UIV3X" target="_blank">Fitted V-Neck</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Chocolate-Lovers-Who-Love-Chocolate-by-JoyfulEclectic/79887668.UIV3X" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYrIZABnBT602pA8kxoinCzSCndKVVcK7_gjjOismwTuxNz1-9MJuBrwlsCpsRLG5CX1tbQ8eTm6ho480tdluZWZlBabxk3XHQGzyAzwEIf-UYdAZS6IlSfpb8i1Ap0A5BYC_gekaRILKzVbiQkfjCfwt7VLy9GggH_6CZ73DpqmcUakaGOhCtjehVg/s320/ChocolateLovers%20Fitted%20V-Neck.png" width="153" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">She could be a little</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">QUIRKY</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Quirky-by-JoyfulEclectic/62520710.IXNXQ" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Quirky-by-JoyfulEclectic/62520710.IXNXQ" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtvffpWm5pltHTjeIev-qYWUrl6URdeVnkM5XLQwgbJdUrB87EjOmGxL5WyhLqK0Uofm34c_Bru1yrf2go2d-7-MtYdyRal8kQZSP1uM0JrERUpfM-z4ItAvL8FdlbYgH0BNsvUU8BPjbx__WQz9lP5AxtHEUEkoKnusZuhQDAInfCNfxObWbnlK3WSg/s320/Quirky.png" width="152" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/drawstring-bag/Quirky-by-JoyfulEclectic/62520710.YT4RK" target="_blank">Drawstring Bag</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/drawstring-bag/Quirky-by-JoyfulEclectic/62520710.YT4RK" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="1164" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-Gad8hqlxCJc-YRwe9Tge_sE_cYgVEHVFPAziOAzY3cvsLa1k3KA4ynv5pPK-sM4I_PE8MtKfKTcEGwm6MO03PN9DYILgVC0ZUTJDkvda7w5xKY1grouMGIa2JSG9PlPvXOCvMPZL-z5fctI1vGXpiJU50XH2_NGM5XHI6kIzXhAE7hh36T2G0T6GQ/s320/Quirky%20Drawstring%20Bag.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">or maybe she’s a</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">CRAZY CAT LADY</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Crazy-Cat-Lady-by-JoyfulEclectic/62436588.PFN84" target="_blank">T-shirt</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Crazy-Cat-Lady-by-JoyfulEclectic/62436588.PFN84" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="690" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqIVXQSqmhHUE8r70fXjPRXNJQUF0wa3M0Q1hqDEW3edNb7xmqSYS8ALJrzL44W03Mp3FKP1lqEWom2r-DnpYlYQJED7X-3LmpqxfTAyAY3eLoZ7iOoYcECVpy4UDiBFIqEaOqM2gnnNULdaG5cfeKYbMcLdkJYpztHWFQt0a0UewsFvbOXRipu3A4A/s320/Crazy%20Cat%20Lady%20Scoop%20T.png" width="177" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><br /></b></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></b></div><p></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/coasters/Crazy-Cat-Lady-by-JoyfulEclectic/62436588.E5I3N" target="_blank">Coasters</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/coasters/Crazy-Cat-Lady-by-JoyfulEclectic/62436588.E5I3N" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1252" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy74x0lgIVc4Y6FL9ZjmyIAEWXWx2uazqszEDDXKNhDuJBu00AtEbboOKXZ1w1TeNqL1aoUMyr792SWNepxUVpobXg_ZrrFR7w4KcGqwmtSJIoKhgNpQivohQeJtqE61JF89LtyvI5iqw7bOO4bEOXwDTgUEx81clxSWrf1LnbEGIUkCRMYk4cVG0kBQ/s320/Crazy%20Cat%20Lady%20Coasters.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">But most certainly she is unique.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">YOU NEEK LEE ME </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(UNIQUELY ME) </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/You-Neek-Lee-Me-Uniquely-Me-by-JoyfulEclectic/62299176.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/You-Neek-Lee-Me-Uniquely-Me-by-JoyfulEclectic/62299176.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="612" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBF1tBpEn8eWYOyzVKphqObcvDGjLCVLT7DgqnwC4yqC_bSb6NMuLEIFaFxIEtyc4tjO1Ni9NY6M_zq8fUPASAxAqeCswKrKX6hrsWqXx5xWCpV32hW4hQMg1dpJ_kCswIq0TJa3BjeFFVJGPNizwmlsx86oVC9didzh-5Z9JJJf9oTQsL5O0EPg0aQ/s320/Uniquely%20Me.png" width="156" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/throw-pillow/You-Neek-Lee-Me-Uniquely-Me-by-JoyfulEclectic/62299176.5X2YF" target="_blank">Throw Pillow</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/throw-pillow/You-Neek-Lee-Me-Uniquely-Me-by-JoyfulEclectic/62299176.5X2YF" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="930" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqkm7LAO-W-y3hY-mFEF27wP5o4TZja4j1FiWxgsXP_ABE3sBUilwTbd8sM23q9Lm408GwLHWWyOaQL9x0YEz7DgtV0gFCgMjstGmvHIPmNrPfQJ06O2BI5W-COWlKk8B_43i7chIMYBzM3L4AG8u8NdigD78cgDy6_OI338o4BXWLjsHkm2ClKGNvA/s320/Uniquely%20Me%20Throw%20Pillow.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Her style might be</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">BOHO SHABBY CHIC(K)</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/BOHO-Shabby-Chic-k-by-JoyfulEclectic/62272063.IXNXQ" target="_blank">Tank Top</a> </i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/BOHO-Shabby-Chic-k-by-JoyfulEclectic/62272063.IXNXQ" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrmjpL6VozTHwR13Nb6nNMqTMYaxwaN13JzaN17y6a130IIDYmNYyYAnRdrkOrJvcu0klfTh2D98aaDy4bGGA0hQ3nA_O3IQ48Rkk6E9f6-6yiILdPMtUpldKZAiv2TqjNWUxKAwK1AZRzZXJZB_q-NCOJZgREN2UJog9anxWmObn_oztRFZgx2TWSw/s320/Boho%20Shabby%20Chick.png" width="154" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/ipad-skin/BOHO-Shabby-Chic-k-by-JoyfulEclectic/62272063.MHP6F" target="_blank">iPad Skin</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/ipad-skin/BOHO-Shabby-Chic-k-by-JoyfulEclectic/62272063.MHP6F" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="904" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1irQ7f0ZfLOEZ3oY5xd5dYs3le89XvzciUk8dkXSLZ-CG4hU2JxuHF91y70oMhPj1ZhWd8FP1yg0Jd-MIE8oXswu09ahvGDUipekOeunJ5B18G_FjsoeJmesOK8oykHrmVNtt_QbP3JE-lzLD4zw7cdHi_bTOwSUt4gDRYGL4-UnhRPedrP1GxaU8g/s320/BohoShabby%20Chick%20iPad%20Skin.png" width="247" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">But whatever her style, Mom can be SO creative!</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">REIMAGINE</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Reimagine-by-JoyfulEclectic/62281960.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Reimagine-by-JoyfulEclectic/62281960.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9-FBKZSq0arMWBC9xAcUMuNd1_hhpB0D_xeU1iGVSBdYdko8nX3DMXUh5p_iYbLYLBPs0TemsaD8T5hEAyW26y7-ICNajqFbf2hvJGYvTiEBSRoIvpoaxz3BT-UVQZdBY36Y1MwzxBD8kLOuemwXNNZeFHjvK1pTp7H3ODX90wejqutZ915hSGhKpA/s320/Reimagine.png" width="153" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/iphone-skin/Reimagine-by-JoyfulEclectic/62281960.62NBT" target="_blank">iPhone Skin</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/iphone-skin/Reimagine-by-JoyfulEclectic/62281960.62NBT" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="598" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg91-CGeCMmflxlspRS2dSuInbnJqVuK-cdb5Hc-0Cf_iKPHXRVdauedmDjEoJD_MRlCw-B6--xkXhFqQiKsifgsspayG7RnoXGiV5u74L1ZiTjRA9ReR0IR742bzZ-8rfB6i_ymH-ryfdlgApgD2HkvZMHr7g5DyDNl_QzGYjSW6bzgwV8TFuT1oalOA/s320/Reimagine%20iPhone%20Skin.png" width="157" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Mom imparts wisdom and wants nobody to judge you or your motives! </p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">WHY DID THE CHICKEN </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CROSS THE ROAD</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Why-Did-the-Chicken-Cross-the-Road-by-JoyfulEclectic/64248359.N283C" target="_blank">Racerback Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Why-Did-the-Chicken-Cross-the-Road-by-JoyfulEclectic/64248359.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hQLYmij1mdKMlHsesndQ7PiiIgTtKOS2_3KAQqC4GpEAjL3Z_EUQa_aYjDo5E7_iL9hyGg6L-gCO5UYATjM4DiC2s8x73dhmYqcATgI54oFhpI8X3YZCk34uPlYKMVgqqPnEoqYW7fzs4fcYKSFMylxJifw3BUbg8SsiOL7PX4MWxshihXyizWDzng/s320/Why%20Did%20Chicken%20Cross%20Road.png" width="152" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/shower-curtain/Why-Did-the-Chicken-Cross-the-Road-by-JoyfulEclectic/64248359.YH6LW" target="_blank">Shower Curtain</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/shower-curtain/Why-Did-the-Chicken-Cross-the-Road-by-JoyfulEclectic/64248359.YH6LW" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5GKE9Br4u757CQuF5YprVsP1RVTlDGIrtpTvzI5iH1-Rxxahj0CQRv-4AAjXIKBVuxgkwN7RHKaJdz1_RGJPtkznv69Xxz-VKUkZ2J2zrRBUUpYI3i-0tcn1VXXCKcj0ILqdB162BP9P7fqzwcdA7iK3vZhVk96RdT75mV87EFqi7k66kIrlJS2KVA/s320/WhyDidChicken%20CrossRoad%20ShowerCurtain.png" width="233" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Mom can also be fiercely protective!</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">DON’T HURT MY CHILD</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Don-t-Hurt-or-Bully-My-Child-by-JoyfulEclectic/79612555.IXNXQ" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Don-t-Hurt-or-Bully-My-Child-by-JoyfulEclectic/79612555.IXNXQ" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2N2roMibDPyg2wIcQON25h4XABi8FPpbKOvwwXcLWnbPbTftEQWlIe5OMrX5PuHPuO3Rh6YI5oAB8wm0CzDXSXQj0R3Z8qkt_aqBybt70GlDAe8_aZkerM0BX8x8qZY2xqdG1kMKecsqEti-yjkb4syjRC2bhjpUbREBhpz6jdJqua7MLxEuHHfQBQ/s320/Don't%20Hurt%20My%20Child.png" width="151" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Don-t-Hurt-or-Bully-My-Child-by-JoyfulEclectic/79612555.528ON" target="_blank">Relaxed Fit T-shirt</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/Don-t-Hurt-or-Bully-My-Child-by-JoyfulEclectic/79612555.528ON" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUDiVi-FhXPi4hGxFXEeldagQ5d0nrTKrIJioYIoGZiZTsIfb4Ru-pKyHaV3rlnnM7Dq8i6T34TVHecCrq0eS-lrnjBGWIk03vwonMupmzELB27j8nb1Sc7AxeqNokgDU6_U5AQ0YWdgbl9SFJm_En6-NST07uiPo5vmazPZEHXgLd5Hzv1LMzFwxeA/s320/Don'tHrtMyChild%20Relaxed%20Fit%20T-shirt.png" width="163" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">But Mom NEVER makes mistakes, right? </p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I NEVER MAKE </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">MITSAKES</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-never-make-mistakes-by-JoyfulEclectic/62276824.PQIVH" target="_blank">Tank Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-never-make-mistakes-by-JoyfulEclectic/62276824.PQIVH" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="674" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5nPEQt46HGDQrxTeJHBKUoNczttidKnXnkoUm7L3_uZStPKq5h-VJ-bXR0qaDu2nzZQ_bCqadQ4QfcXUhQIekh29XKpsTej59gd9ryd3jh1UihpzEu1-xDtWEsQPdIayfWdEO7-RBupkcA9-3poPcNavfQCEWQ2Bo84AmHJVlYSJXCH0Xc0qS1CLlw/s320/I%20never%20make%20mistakes.png" width="172" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/ipad-skin/I-never-make-mistakes-by-JoyfulEclectic/62276824.MHP6F" target="_blank">iPad Skin</a></i></b></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/ipad-skin/I-never-make-mistakes-by-JoyfulEclectic/62276824.MHP6F" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="924" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdKL55akh0z4AKs0x4sxrHX5UdtFvknSQ3-UDxRqwcxlIiQfJJgjLwgcigIq_RBpqAQfqy-mvRcUiXSTeNpjEls32IEZGQC8141YXoqmQM7pSe0jiLRIRvWLIaVH-VPZqOCJoRd3jcOSPXwRP25i3cZJWqmgfTp92eUmTRiI7jhutIDaUd1hDUj3l0Q/s320/I%20never%20make%20mistakes%20iPad%20skin.png" width="254" /></a></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Oh, well,</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">NOBODY IS PERFECT</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Feel-Like-Nobody-Great-You-re-Perfect-by-JoyfulEclectic/62296508.N283C" target="_blank">T-shirt</a> </i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/Feel-Like-Nobody-Great-You-re-Perfect-by-JoyfulEclectic/62296508.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnggI9qjOOLtdDvudJmHfWjeDPk28ICngG5r-cZVbjy0bmEx5eYYDMtsHYwYbhocfr5e0hSn7qGZaTRd8UgZ-rBMeNIAvbu2iIrd_86UmG3iAy6WPENWKVPyJyraxwTAxZFmgI1zZunrnITFZzi3rB2iIGJy1WhJs2lkK_z_yBNpUNeZOrUvyYfI9Sg/s320/Nobody%20is%20Perfect.png" width="155" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/Feel-Like-Nobody-Great-You-re-Perfect-by-JoyfulEclectic/62296508.W3OIY#&gid=1&pid=2" target="_blank">Mug</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/Feel-Like-Nobody-Great-You-re-Perfect-by-JoyfulEclectic/62296508.W3OIY#&gid=1&pid=2" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="894" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikU_WwbRtrpgZQAxqT2AAAKrwJ1ng258Tuqn5u3AJynz0sPfVC5CiNVmMGXaVFYBIxxRX62liBS7igwPd6T1nxo9pj2aqbjDtMvWaTruMaxpGHLpLkBLzbZQcd81n5aZRp4MK4rpl4NePuDQob8VurG_MBh20tPQ2DMNXEgrh79Yeuh7tkhX3qLyAB8w/s320/Nobody%20is%20Perfect%20Mug.png" width="224" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Some moms live the </p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">RV NOMAD LIFESTYLE</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/RV-Nomad-Lifestyle-Wherever-I-Roam-I-m-Always-at-Home-by-JoyfulEclectic/78423264.EEZDA" target="_blank">Fitted T-shirt</a> </i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/t-shirt/RV-Nomad-Lifestyle-Wherever-I-Roam-I-m-Always-at-Home-by-JoyfulEclectic/78423264.EEZDA" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1258" data-original-width="572" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM71H6pyoGKsDPMhRvmVvqNnEE2jiagDOwWKJR9GESumvCtc0h6FN0olpcgIM2NwkG4qRGmBT06TUSu6Gqtc7nopCr3jdPNYoYo5kXtvtFtVxB6iz4T5YsQKL4eXSzc-CHWWfj2cuUH4554fPgxTpNJP_xSTP3MBAPdiZ6_JjW6I5Ns1BpXazTb1nibA/s320/RV%20Nomad%20Lifestyle.png" width="146" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i>Sticker</i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/sticker/RV-Nomad-Lifestyle-Wherever-I-Roam-I-m-Always-at-Home-by-JoyfulEclectic/78423264.EJUG5" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="398" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKTKisvZy-68FzIZtY2Twc9HcBiEHOlN8h8bvJ73D1f8NDcHtXZt3XSVEFG_YSeKmtaZcrEcDY5S8X71819bkSXGR0MjjvCT4BzgkoWUa7UPIuGUTfhwlxoRmP6WX7YZc8Ih_Ej17xBHY36l8jx-xbxaOYvlDvkTRirdDWJQld41qXG8y0OnXasL64Q/s320/RV%20Nomad%20Sticker.png" width="279" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Other moms might feel that their life is crazy. You might hear them say,</p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">MY LIFE IS A SITCOM</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/top/My-Life-is-a-Sitcom-by-JoyfulEclectic/62286230.6AQD3" target="_blank">Sleeveless Top</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/top/My-Life-is-a-Sitcom-by-JoyfulEclectic/62286230.6AQD3" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="580" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEsztnTiMpHX9qsH_Tj1Y4taExzCGN0feDsdchUgWXiuX5ImhgXP3HYF6basblHdHKF4ENIieVIS3rznwPI8ofRJEgMB33mw8i4Nth1jywt3exjq4SfpcnQv3zKFNKDohg4QamGpXwEw8D9pyxHWrAoy5LJmL-PYuq1_9JRSwtnlRz7EhBvO78RsiFhg/s320/MyLife%20is%20a%20Sitcom.png" width="147" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/art-board-print/My-Life-is-a-Sitcom-by-JoyfulEclectic/62286230.7Q6GI" target="_blank">Art Board</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/art-board-print/My-Life-is-a-Sitcom-by-JoyfulEclectic/62286230.7Q6GI" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="656" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7dVXERHraRldSzHULsXbfkAF9i5BfABzQ5CXYlUjKpeXgzsPxmP462Y_wbZ5hjNgj7QcNncJ09Tw5rf8KiBP-dzr0CgMC_ron6TwU79FqDHR5C1MNKhDAbAuPuuzCa4y4J8WWYSPB_iC7TyOoS7Rgblmk2zRxUjMgbYlYJ3YE8bTIWU7QIXBWHphiA/s320/MyLife%20is%20a%20Sitcom%20Art%20Board.png" width="207" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Some moms are direction challenged.</p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-size: xx-large;">I MIGHT BE </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">DIRECTION </span></p><p style="font-family: "Arial Black"; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">CHALLENGED</span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tote-bag/I-Might-Be-Direction-Challenged-by-JoyfulEclectic/93837262.P1QBH" target="_blank">Tote Bag</a></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tote-bag/I-Might-Be-Direction-Challenged-by-JoyfulEclectic/93837262.P1QBH" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="906" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKlUruecK-PdHhDbQurw4fkMSA5dy9KHXRJSLpP3EXPCasKW6FRYlunK2L5y_fXAKVyT3OCP3p_KP-SapX6Mafkm267otH5EqRMhxDeySDnEvtkf1LzjhbLcYsgBkiCqNy_5TG-tugx4PejpDXlomizF512HQ1YhLbmjmve6oNZC9hqpWlt7s37AbzGw/s320/Direction%20Challenged%20ToteBag.png" width="229" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-Might-Be-Direction-Challenged-by-JoyfulEclectic/93837262.N283C" target="_blank">Tank Top</a> </i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tank-top/I-Might-Be-Direction-Challenged-by-JoyfulEclectic/93837262.N283C" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1670" data-original-width="782" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizUYFzLHKhJuKWMgMC7Kz6D6rKEZ0etkwdzXM8jKpkoxZmtG0XDD4SMSjXLdHnJ08_g1ug2RNCRUldxcWXCmpkDWWDF_CJcf4YFpw80xd_502kit9PhSORnx0BzUFF9Zpw1Ap7be8LdZlXZ--38dVShvH2f_wFLq8VgxAAaLb4bByUt9R3wFvfvUXSQ/s320/Direction%20Challenged%20Tanktop.png" width="150" /></a></div><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">And that's it! If you're one of those lucky people whose mom is still alive, surprise her with one of these unique gifts. When you click on any of the product links listed above, you’ll find a section under the photo with the heading, “Also available on” and beneath those photos, you’ll see “View this design on +# products.”</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Feel free to share this blog with anybody who is considering getting Mom a unique gift for Mother’s Day – or any day! </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and look at the photos. If you want to leave feedback, I’d love to hear it.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Here are just a few more designs:</p><p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1r7e97bkXZ8yWXr-BLhCraTP1m0pJLhrNYNTsEND91dwOscsf3tfZ5nL6T1gNDAd_9boKUBKcb2CKuBBLh8ipWD_6ribidxe6l-mueQWeNhI6KIfJjIS4mfwdlqD4jurrKAOMeJrG2S2D5sT8KFtn7FxCcskjWxgvXzpCj6WtrZuRBp2f6JhminsAQ/s374/Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="342" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH1r7e97bkXZ8yWXr-BLhCraTP1m0pJLhrNYNTsEND91dwOscsf3tfZ5nL6T1gNDAd_9boKUBKcb2CKuBBLh8ipWD_6ribidxe6l-mueQWeNhI6KIfJjIS4mfwdlqD4jurrKAOMeJrG2S2D5sT8KFtn7FxCcskjWxgvXzpCj6WtrZuRBp2f6JhminsAQ/s320/Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love%20Love.png" width="293" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx0Ud8R2QC3E-NBlX0j5xucLyQE7rb2FNKOlvbcb6UCvJrNOx63GyfR_dPONsOwVisionSBAfdQ6wrBu9NhnAQgM5_mtDM_5PCLkB4whrShW8xNJDZONdiRh-OGZgS_knIqmhIWRMOaeJojVlQdI-eSBssaeXNaN6Ujf9xYDuRw3NMKlvfErYD60yRw/s1570/RedBubble%20Stickers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="508" data-original-width="1570" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx0Ud8R2QC3E-NBlX0j5xucLyQE7rb2FNKOlvbcb6UCvJrNOx63GyfR_dPONsOwVisionSBAfdQ6wrBu9NhnAQgM5_mtDM_5PCLkB4whrShW8xNJDZONdiRh-OGZgS_knIqmhIWRMOaeJojVlQdI-eSBssaeXNaN6Ujf9xYDuRw3NMKlvfErYD60yRw/w617-h201/RedBubble%20Stickers.png" width="617" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Remember, these designs come on a variety of products, so if you see a shirt above, know that you can also probably purchase it as a notebook, duvet cover, sticker, and so many other products. Want to see more? Please visit </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Rouge Script; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="https://www.redbubble.com/people/JoyfulEclectic" target="_blank">The Joyful Eclectic Boutique</a></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px;"> on RedBubble! And again, thank you for visiting!</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>As always, find a little joy and sprinkle it everywhere!</i></p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20px;"><br /></p>Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-38563120218774583762021-12-12T08:15:00.001-08:002021-12-12T08:15:37.438-08:00Great Gift for Mom, Dad, and Grandparents for under $15!<p>Pretend for a moment that you are 4 years old. Picture the season, the aromas, the warmth or coolness of the air, the people around you, and the joy of being 4. Now fast forward to 24, where you have just witnessed your life through those 20 years in a flash. Did you ever say anything bright, amusing, or just plain off-the-charts smart? Look around you. You see a book, a journal, really, sitting in front of you, and in it is recorded all the funny, silly, and imaginative things you said and did as a kid. Your life in a book! Wouldn't that be a great gift to receive?</p><p>Now be you – at whatever age you are. If you have children, which I'm assuming you do, since you're reading this blog, ask yourself how many times you said, "I should write that down," when your kids say or do something imaginative, funny, or far too intellectually beyond his or her age? Or maybe you do write down those little gems, but they sit on scraps of paper or they are buried deep inside folders on your computer, lost. 😞</p><p>Wouldn't you love to have an easily accessible book where you could record all those funny, silly, and imaginative things your kids say and do? And wouldn't you love to give it to your child as a gift when he or she grows up? You can!</p><p>And so can YOUR parents! The two journals shown below, one for moms and dads, and one for grandparents, allow all of you to record those brilliant scenarios you don't want to forget. And each book costs less than $15!</p><p>In full disclosure, I must tell you that I am an Amazon Affiliate, so I will make a little money if you decide to buy one or both of these journals. I'm also the one who came up with the idea for these journals. </p><p>Treat yourself to one or both of these journals. You'll have a lifetime of giggles and you'll brighten the lives of your kids or grandkids when they grow up.</p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thejoyfulec07-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B097X7LVQK&asins=B097X7LVQK&linkId=3e2322ea937434f7468364cb58bb34fb&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066C0&bg_color=FFFFFF" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
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<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=thejoyfulec07-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B097WZXTW3&asins=B097WZXTW3&linkId=e7bdb955994bef77574887f82d36a4e2&show_border=false&link_opens_in_new_window=false&price_color=333333&title_color=0066c0&bg_color=ffffff" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;">
</iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Thank you so much for reading this blog. Feel free to share it with friends and family. Take time to find a little joy and sprinkle it everywhere.</i></div>Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-61957190643083086942021-11-15T12:09:00.004-08:002021-11-15T12:09:43.612-08:00Tis the Season For Giving – Warm Coats to Children in Need<p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89fYXEP6xN8d7JkzlBWfwq8fvaT0rUHrO_iTrHng6goqOTKiO3atYdebwfY9Yr7FyRL3I-Tb0QJzb_uIqOW3oqvTZFdkE0BSPwtdqpmDwBs-XaBnce7DMa5ZFWDs6BHsNhvW123PRNA0b/s1785/Warm+Coats+Vision.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1785" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89fYXEP6xN8d7JkzlBWfwq8fvaT0rUHrO_iTrHng6goqOTKiO3atYdebwfY9Yr7FyRL3I-Tb0QJzb_uIqOW3oqvTZFdkE0BSPwtdqpmDwBs-XaBnce7DMa5ZFWDs6BHsNhvW123PRNA0b/w503-h295/Warm+Coats+Vision.png" width="503" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px;">Let’s face it – children are expensive. While some parents are financially capable of handling the rising costs of raising them, other parents’ incomes are so low they can barely afford to buy food. For a variety of reasons – job loss, divorce, illness, etc. – some parents have little to no income. Budgeting becomes an ongoing problem for them, especially if they are single parents and the other parent contributes nothing or less than they were court ordered to pay. How do you budget when your expenses far outweigh your income and you don’t have enough money for necessities, like food, shelter, or clothing?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Because kids grow so quickly they need new clothes and new shoes at least once a year. As a single parent who raised four children, I understand their plight. Fortunately for me, however, grandparents and one of my sisters often helped me with necessities (my other sister was raising kids of her own).</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Other families aren’t so fortunate. Some children, after having no breakfast, walk to school in sub-freezing temperatures wearing nothing but a t-shirt. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">According to the United States Census Bureau, “In 2020, there were 37.2 million people in poverty…” 37.2 million people living in poverty! To put that in perspective, the population of the entire state of California is 37.2 million. Imagine that! How can we help all of them? </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">While the basic necessities include food, shelter, and clothing, one very important item for children is a winter coat. And that’s where <a href="https://www.warmcoats-coolkids.org/donate" target="_blank">Warm Coats for Cool Kids</a> comes in. Established by Garry and Debra Vaccaro in April, 2021, and staffed only by volunteers, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation provides winter coats to children from families in need. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Located in a western suburb of Chicago, Warm Coats currently distributes warm winter coats to children from late September through March by conducting events at local schools, churches, and other community organizations. They also accept individual requests for coats submitted through community organizations. And when available Warm Coats distributes new winter hats with each coat.</p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Warm Coats offers coats in many sizes (from 4T to adult medium) and styles, and they maintain an inventory. When supplies run low, they purchase new coats from local retailers and Operation Warm. </p>
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<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Be kind this holiday season by helping a “Cool Kid” be warm this winter. No child should be left out in the cold. Just click this <a href="https://www.warmcoats-coolkids.org/donate" target="_blank">Donate button</a>! Not one penny of your donation goes to anything other than coats. What that means is that 100% of your $20 (or more) donation will provide one child with a high quality, warm, and stylish coat. More donation = more coats. <a href="https://www.warmcoats-coolkids.org/donate" target="_blank">Warm Coats for Cool Kids</a>, all children recipients and their parents thank you for your generous donation. </p>
<p style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div><br /></div>Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-43241572045189153682021-07-09T14:00:00.002-07:002021-07-09T14:00:54.681-07:00When Your Kids Say the Darndest Things, You Need to Write Them Down! These Journals Will Help!<p> <span style="color: #0d0e0e; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Your kids and/or your grandkids say the darndest things, don’t they? Have you ever heard your child say something so profound, so inspirational, or so humorous that you felt a need to record it? </span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">We all agree, don’t we? – that a child’s perspective on life is so delightful to hear that we want to hold on to those precious memories forever? Of course we do! </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Sometimes what we find humorous is not what our kids or grandkids say, but rather what they do. My oldest daughter, for example, when she was about three or four, needed to use the bathroom after I told her repeatedly that if she needed to use it before my shower, she should use it now. “I don’t have to,” she responded. </span></span></p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><b><br /></b></span></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">About 3 minutes into my shower she decided she needed to use the bathroom. I told her that if she could figure out a way to come in, she could. A few minutes later, the door opened. </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">“How did you do that?” I asked her. She showed me two bobby pins. And that was the day I learned that my oldest daughter might become a locksmith – or she was setting herself up for a life of crime. Maybe, and more likely, she was just intrinsically mechanically inclined.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">My son used to sleep with every new toy he got. Somebody bought him a rifle one year and he slept with it. I took a photo of him with his treasured new toy and when he became a United States Marine, the memory of that moment surfaced.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of my daughters is so imaginative that when she was a little girl, as we sat in the back yard on a windy day, she said, “Look, Mommy, the trees are laughing.” I could just imagine them feeling tickled by the wind.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Another daughter, when she was very young, had a very unique vocabulary, so when my mom babysat once, I had to write a dictionary for her – yoke is milk, yo yoke is more milk, yepper is diaper, and sow is pacifier.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of my granddaughters asked me, when she visited me in my “trailer court,” why she lived in a cracker house (apartment building) while I lived in a hot dog house (mobile home in a manufactured housing community). </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Her youngest daughter, one of my great-granddaughters, would play Barbies with me. I asked her how she wanted to play with them, and she always said that her Barbie was sick or injured and that we had to take her to the hopsito (hospital obviously). She’s still very young, but I wonder if she will be a caregiver when she grows up.</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">One of my grandsons, when he was very young, told his mommy that he wanted to marry her. She explained that he couldn’t marry her, but that he could marry someone just like her. After thinking about his options, he responded, “I know! I’ll marry Grandma!”</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0d0e0e;">OK, I’ll stop. I have 20 grandkids. I’m pretty sure you don’t want me to continue. This blog is getting fairly long already anyway. <i>And</i> I have written many of my stories in one of my other blogs, <a href="http://myheartblogstoyou.blogspot.com" target="_blank">My Heart Blogs to You</a>, which you can read if you're <span>interested.</span></span></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">The point is that what our kids/grandkids say and do impacts us in ways we never imagined, and we want to hold on to those memories, because they’re so much fun to remember. Imagine being able to pick up one of these journals and read through it when you’re having a bad day! Imagine being able to look back from some point in the future to bring alive all those old memories!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Many of my memories are recorded in several journals, alongside thoughts, situations, and ideas. So I decided that it might be better to have a journal devoted entirely to just kids and grandkids! Before I put together this journal, when my kids told me funny, silly, imaginative things my grandkids said and did, I would say, “You should write that down.” </span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">For that reason I have created the following two journals, which I would like to share with you. Honestly, who is funnier than your kids or grandkids? Don’t you want to memorialize their thoughts, words, and actions!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Of course you do! And here they are!</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097X7LVQK" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYL7-C8dquuN_93lnS5y5Z57iKnLEyKwO4II9ROLqamJNgLQj6uzcJ0CLceH_vveMHt5z8wU0_nTxha-QvZzNEoBUGpMjyIuXyNw2yChP2u6zwnmy-TtjBHZAbyeLds6CyFFulrofXNTk/w268-h400/Screen+Shot+Kids.png" width="268" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-family: Arial; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 32px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b></b></span><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-family: Arial; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097X7LVQK" target="_blank">Funny, Silly, Imaginative Things My Kids Say and Do: A “You Should Write That Down” Keepsake Memory Journal for Parents</a></b></span></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097WZXTW3" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxfW4TdD5cl051OF2TEekEMdMg0ZxFgSP7Fh_PDFhC_W3q_7WSCxPTzTI-s__LZJcolhJRfAreWEYz-L8zyQj_O7JsjMgymLlXz0w-wWU77ih-4TFtEpjFTkGgJDKD1S-PnyqyAI9QOBU/w269-h400/Screen+Shot+Grandkids.png" width="269" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #0d0e0e; font-family: Arial; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097WZXTW3" target="_blank">Funny, Silly, Imaginative Things My Grandkids Say and Do: A “You Should Write That Down” Keepsake Memory Journal for Grandparents</a></b></span></p><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; color: #444747; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i style="color: #444747; font-size: 24px;">As always, thank you for visiting! If you don't want to purchase the journals, but you still want to help me afford my life, please consider contributing to what I </i><span style="color: #444747; font-size: large;"><span><i>refer</i></span></span><i style="color: #444747; font-size: 24px;"> to as my "Living My Life" fund at </i><a href="https://paypal.me/CButterflyCreations?locale.x=en_US" style="color: #444747; font-size: 24px; font-style: italic;" target="_blank">Crystal Butterfly Creations</a><i style="color: #444747; font-size: 24px;">. Thank you again!</i></span></span></div>Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-5110623513060734022020-04-09T16:03:00.002-07:002020-04-09T16:03:39.493-07:00Need Money? How To Earn Money at Home During The COVID-19 Corona Virus Pandemic!For so many of us, especially single parents, losing our incomes is scary. Raising children alone is scary enough, but when you add COVID-19 and the Corona Virus to the mix, it's REALLY SCARY! And when you are no longer employed, you have to consider all options available to you to help you earn money.<div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/get-live-love-laugh-mug?tsmac=store&tsmic=eclectic-mugs&pid=658&cid=102908" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="884" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQPZEu8i1zCZsylycNngGfwfEoN4I3kjN2gbDWDZ2ZdcE1VjY1gnllbrDWzUGJqx66ZR5QQIwv_n27fIHrQnr9-8I1Lf2WknA_F8q-YFfl2MnKCpBkf9XHecnkG07kqE3dBBbMfeG8k6U/s320/LiveLoveLaugh+Mug.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) "<span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">The number of </span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPS; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 700;">unemployed persons </span><span style="font-family: TimesNewRomanPSMT; font-size: 12pt;">rose by 1.4 million to 7.1 million in March.</span>" Lack of employment, and by extension, lack of money, has become a national crisis. So when are those "incentive programs" supposed to begin? Nobody knows. </div>
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Can we wait that long to pay our electric bills, our rents, our mortgages? What about car payments and homeowner's and auto insurance?</div>
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And how can we afford to feed our families?</div>
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Working from home is one option that many employers offer to their employees, but not all people can perform their jobs at home, especially if they are servers or hairdressers. So working at home seems to be an option that could work. </div>
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But are work-from-home programs reliable, safe, and trustworthy?</div>
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Work from home scams abound, so trusting that what I'm going to relate will take a leap of faith. I have no affiliation whatsoever with Sarah Chrispy, the woman in the video shown below. I am not being paid to promote her, either. </div>
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Sarah provides proof in this video about the information she conveys, and I'm telling you, because I want to help you provide for your family. Watch to the end, because she offers even more help, something we all really need during this pandemic.</div>
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Stay safe. #StayHome <i>Find a little joy, and sprinkle it everywhere.</i></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-32955270315952132262020-03-14T06:12:00.000-07:002020-03-14T06:12:13.343-07:00Adulting? When Did THAT Become a Word?Yes, it's called Adulting these days. Webster must be in crisis mode with all these new words arising every day. Words aside, let's talk about adulting – or more precisely what it takes to be an adult. Raising responsible adults requires so much knowledge and effort. We want our kids to be kind, compassionate, and wise, but we sometimes forget that our kids don't even know how to write a check, and maybe we didn't want them bothering us in the kitchen, so we never taught them how to cook.<br />
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In our focus on education and after-school activities, we might have neglected some basics in preparing our children for adulthood. In this video, you'll find basic information on how to prepare your child to become an adult and take on adult responsibilities:<br />
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-35512841391132128152020-02-17T13:41:00.005-08:002020-02-17T13:41:52.408-08:00A Dating Nightmare!Bad dates, dating fails, and dates gone wrong don't happen just to single parents, but they happened to me, and I'd like to share one of those dates gone bad with you. I also invite you to comment below the video on YouTube to share your dating nightmares with me.<br />
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Perhaps had I read the red book (linked below) first, I might not have made so many dating mistakes. Don't let the "bad words" in the book deter you from reading it. Mark Manson, the author, is insightful, inspirational, and wise!<br />
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Here is the book by itself:</div>
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Thank you for visiting. Please find a little joy and sprinkle it everywhere!</div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-58398677172951275532019-09-19T06:23:00.000-07:002019-09-19T06:23:04.650-07:00Breaking Up is Hard To Do – Especially If You Do It The Wrong Way! Have you ever been in a relationship that you <i>knew</i> was going nowhere and you just wanted it to end, but you didn't want to hurt your partner's feelings?<br />
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As somebody with experience, who never could figure out how to break up responsibly, I'd like to offer you the following video as the <i>wrong</i> way to end a relationship with a suggestion for how<i> adults</i> should end their relationships:<br />
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<i>Thank you for reading this short blog post and thank you for watching the video. Today and every day, find a little joy and sprinkle it everywhere!</i>Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-45752880215393253862019-09-17T06:34:00.001-07:002019-09-17T06:34:23.791-07:00Unique Gender Reveal Idea
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Gender reveal parties have become very popular</b></span> since 2008 when the first gender-reveal video appeared on <b>YouTube</b>. Today everyone wants to come up with new, clever, and unique ideas for revealing their baby’s gender.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>From party games to scavenger hunts</b></span> to guessing games about the date baby will be born, anticipation builds as mommy and/or daddy wait for the moment they reveal their baby’s gender.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But what about long-distance</b></span> grandparents, aunts, and uncles who can’t attend the party? FaceTime, Skype, and other forms of face-to-face contact allow friends and family to participate in the event if they can’t come in person. But sometimes, getting a little something extra in the mail can be a beautiful surprise, too.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>For instance</b></span>, if you send one of these mugs or tote bags to grandma and grandpa and write on the box that they can open it only when they video chat with you, you’ll be able to see the expressions on their faces when they learn the sex of their new grandchild.</div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/new-unique-gender-reveal-idea?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=658" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="566" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5KQqbiu2JL1KPIpBkYXDHJOdb_5PHZS3Mzl4DtX17p1Ykhf2ULiXOfUNohvTmBSVF9IEOkF_1DU7e1Od7VxYamioysuv_oWd6k2jzr9zjt50n9UBRsRinLIKaUxmaHVUaVdWKjvdgIDm/s320/GirlMug.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/new-unique-gender-reveal-idea?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=658" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;" target="_blank">Girl Mug</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/unique-gender-reveal-idea-ba?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=526" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="392" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSicIf4Jg-eebeHQyNXkY99D4yN3eDrVDHJqdVt7AX4kMnHrCXTD5tHZ3yuL8320A9wLTiaPAINzEIkkMdVqWVyrg13QcvFLODeSftp6grcgebmjBKj2M4tnKGJzIbvvGJIiWLs3RUnVF/s320/BoyTote.png" width="224" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/unique-gender-reveal-idea-ba?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=526" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;" target="_blank">Boy Tote</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;"> </span></div>
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If you decide to have a party, instead of cutting into a pink or blue cake or popping a confetti-filled balloon, try wearing a gender-reveal article of clothing to your party. Layer your clothes with one of the gender-reveal shirts shown below as the bottom layer and, at the appropriate time, remove the outer layer and reveal the baby's gender! </div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/new-unique-gender-reveal-idea?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=328&cid=6277&sid=front" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="554" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW5wrJSqvQ34ERd_D9xyJG2899qNEpnvFLdJUfeZIi6OgesqtfCz2qBHuPVpHj5XrQ6S5vhl4Kvvma8DWrt3VjWwmWwysV1_z7X9t9x2mp5Zn9wUrRxVP0YDDLHywTIYlAJcw5MM7yxAN-/s320/GirlShirt.png" width="317" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/new-unique-gender-reveal-idea?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=328&cid=6277&sid=front" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;" target="_blank">Girl shirt</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/unique-gender-reveal-idea-ba?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=95&cid=2260&sid=front" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0FPFhlm5JrQDXT1gL5W6WzCJp_emJi14FU3CvzraNxcs-nf4y-669Wq6s3R8gAyrhX4LwXWy_zJIbT8E_IIVgASGMmlxR9Xm2CdNUEnUF9zYTbY5WceWUyNYFQH-xV214qvwP56hpc40/s320/BoyShirt.png" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://teespring.com/unique-gender-reveal-idea-ba?tsmac=store&tsmic=pregnancy-baby-items&pid=95&cid=2260&sid=front" style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;" target="_blank">Boy shirt</a><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 19px;"> </span></div>
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You could even make a game out of it. Tell guests that the revelation is hidden somewhere in the room out outdoors if you're outside and the aim of the game is to locate it. After they’ve looked everywhere, and if they're unable to find it, take off your outer shirt! Or nonchalantly open your shirt and wait for somebody to notice.</div>
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Long sleeves, short sleeves, totes, and mugs appear in each linked item above, and the shirts come in lots of sizes. You can even find stickers to send!</div>
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Congratulations on your little one. May your life be filled with lots of blessings and lots of joy.</div>
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<i>Thank you for visiting <b>Help for Single Parents</b>! Today and every day, find a little joy and sprinkle it everywhere!</i></div>
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<br />Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-9226417165055452912016-05-15T07:12:00.001-07:002020-03-14T06:12:57.548-07:00Low Income Home Options – Tiny House, Yurt, Earthbag Home, or RV Living?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tinyhouselistings.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNjce6lZ76r6G9Lt3BadrG8PPGemMWTVuXimfUdaW6z039pmhYeBwPdk2iEdAx87l3XSp0Gr_96eG3acs8aB0kTu2Yhw4edVlnAfsCSn9lfFBGEJM1L5g4XZ1E4CkGfDw5comvxoJDSwhF/s400/tinyhouselistings.com.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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May 22, 2016 HOME INFO</div>
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Three years – that’s how long I have to decide where I’ll be living after I move out of my daughter’s home. Will I choose a tiny house? An RV? A mobile home? A condo? A townhouse? A Yurt? An Earthbag house? So many options! </div>
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If you have only a small income and you are seeking new accommodations, I hope my research will help you decide where you want to live. </div>
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In a couple of months I’ll be moving into my daughter’s and son-in-law’s home to help care for their new baby who will be born in a couple of weeks. Three years will go by quickly but three years should give me enough time to research different living options. The information I’m gathering here will prepare me for my August, 2019, move. Maybe it will help you, too! </div>
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ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS I FURTHER RESEARCH MY OPTIONS, SO STAY TUNED! If you've read this blog before, look for <b><i>UPDATE</i></b> info below:</div>
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Places I’ll Cross Off My List</div>
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What I know so far is that I do <i>not</i> want to live in a house or a townhouse, because of the expense and because my back can’t handle yard work – although if I found somebody to do the yard work for me, I might consider those options if I could find something I could afford. I really don’t want to live in an apartment or a condo, either, because smokers don’t care that their smoke travels through the ventilation system. Also, I’m allergic to animals and can’t have them in the same building where I live. Dander would be everywhere. </div>
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I wouldn’t mind living in a mobile home again or in a tiny home if the home was located somewhere between where all of my family members lived and, as I mentioned earlier, I could find a responsible individual to care for my lawn. </div>
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“HOME” OPTION CONSIDERATIONS<span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: normal;"> </span></div>
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<b>Tiny Homes</b></div>
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I have a prerequisite for living in a tiny home – it must be located on a lake so I can see the lake from a screened-in back porch. A tiny home on a lake would be my first choice. But unless I can find an affordable one on a lake, I’m going to have to consider other options.</div>
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After researching all of my options, I have discovered that tiny homes in Illinois are very costly (almost as much as that of a larger home). Lake options are expensive as well! And though inexpensive lots are available, they are quite ugly. The “lakes” look like muddy tributaries of mosquito-laden rivers. </div>
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Regulations sometimes require a certain size for homes on lakes or in certain areas, so tiny homes may not be permitted. I would have to find a piece of property and investigate the codes on that particular piece of property. So the only reason I would buy a Tiny Home would be if I could get lakefront property, the area allowed tiny homes, and it was located in an area between family members.</div>
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Because<b> </b>you can move tiny homes, you need to know how big they can be for travel. According to <b><a href="http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/road-limits-for-tiny-houses-on-trailers/" target="_blank">Tiny House Design</a></b>: <i>In most U.S. states this maximum size is 13.5-feet tall, 8.5-feet wide, and 40-feet long – 65-feet maximum including the tow vehicle</i>.</div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><b><i>UPDATE</i></b>: I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason Tiny Homes are SO EXPENSIVE is due to the excessive greed from builders who saw the popularity of Tiny Homes and capitalized on their popularity. If I decide to go this route, I will look into local builders, or perhaps contact a high school construction teacher with a class willing to take a semester, or even a year to build one. The experience might even provide a future income for the some of the students!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #77bb41; font-kerning: none;"><b><i>UPDATE JULY 2016</i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Consider using hemp batting for insulation. Hemp batts are supposed to reduce energy bills by providing healthy internal environments that are conducive to staying cool in Summer and warm in Winter – thereby resulting in low energy costs.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #aa7942; font-kerning: none;"><i>UPDATE August 2016</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">: Google offers a 3D program for anyone interested in designing their own homes. Download it at <b><a href="http://www.sketchup.com/" target="_blank">Sketchup</a></b>.</span></div>
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<b>A Yurt</b></div>
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Wile a Yurt would probably be the most affordable option for me, I wouldn’t feel particularly safe in one. I would feel as if I was living in a tent. Also, I live in the midwest where tornadoes are rampant, and I wouldn’t be able to keep the Yurt in any one place too long. The thought of packing it up and moving it all the time doesn’t appeal to me – at all. </div>
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Because of my asthma and allergies, I would need an air conditioning unit, but because of the transient quality of a Yurt, Yurts don’t come with AC. So I’m going to cross this one off the list as well. If you want information on Yurts, though, check out <b><a href="http://www.rainier.com/yurts/yurt-living/the-true-cost-of-building-a-yurt/the-true-cost-of-building-a-yurt-the-yurt-package/" target="_blank">THIS WEB SITE</a></b>. </div>
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<b>A Sandbag or Earthbag Home</b></div>
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I like the look of Earthbag homes. I like the domed effect and the rounded shape you can achieve with one. I’m not sure I want to investigate building codes and jump through legal loops to get one made though, and because I wouldn’t be able to make one myself, I’d have to hire people to build one for me, which would make the costs skyrocket. I may have to research this option more, because I can have electricity and plumbing built in one of these types of homes and an Earthbag home is a far more appealing option to me than a Yurt would be. I can also get solar panels built into an Earthbag home – another attractive option.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/articles/dirtcheap.htm" target="_blank">Green Home Building</a></b> states that, “Earthbag structures are safe, extremely durable, highly adaptable and owner-builder friendly. They are resistant to floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fire, bullets, insects, rodents, mold and will not rot.” </div>
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<b><i>UPDATE</i></b>: Important information from <b><a href="http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/faqs/codes.htm" target="_blank">Earthbag Building</a></b>: “The main problem with building codes is that earthbag building is so new, the technique is not generally recognized officially, so it may take longer to convince the authorities that the method is viable and safe….Building materials go through an expensive ASTM testing and certification process that can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Manufacturers have to do this in order to meet code and sell their products. This has never been done with poly bags because most bags are used for packaging rice, etc. The best you can do is contact the manufacturer and get their material specifications for shear strength, weave, UV rating, etc. -- whatever they can provide and hope this satisfies the inspectors. Because the bags are not tested specifically for building houses, it will be up to the discretion of the building inspectors whether or not to accept them. One thing that may work in your favor: the bags have probably been ASTM tested for packaging. If you can get the ASTM number and data then maybe the inspectors won't notice or care. They mostly want the info for their records.”</div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=photos+of+earthbag+homes&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&imgil=E0yYEUALhOVOsM%253A%253BGAECgnmassDQ2M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.earthbagbuilding.com%25252Fhistory.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=E0yYEUALhOVOsM%253A%252CGAECgnmassDQ2M%252C_&usg=__kQm3jtc_wyOHkLa8bZ_D6q7duPY%3D&biw=1222&bih=661&ved=0ahUKEwj46pXDjd_MAhXn3YMKHeBODiwQyjcINg&ei=bwE6V7j3Fee7jwTgnbngAg#tbm=isch&tbs=rimg%3ACZ3k5eaUI1axIjhEvfHAcYDWqWSM4MWk9bkumHefSHkOUWM0qmSkHha6G5kx6xLkyFehCbKMtu4DPb3zRy5VIOYQPSoSCUS98cBxgNapEU9yAIDIYu8qKhIJZIzgxaT1uS4R5zoE78I2hygqEgmYd59IeQ5RYxFPPSvIFyL1ICoSCTSqZKQeFrobEY-Iq6QIHIM7KhIJmTHrEuTIV6ERXSO5pcHMNI8qEgkJsoy27gM9vREf8uAN0nDIKCoSCfNHLlUg5hA9EdMBAhr_103fn&q=photos%20of%20earthbag%20homes" target="_blank">Photos of Earthbag Homes</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.earthbagbuilding.com/plans/hobbithouse.htm" target="_blank">Photos of Hobbit Home</a></div>
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<b>Class C vs. Class B vs. 5th Wheel vs. Tiny Home</b></div>
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As a result of my research <i>so far</i>, my preference is to live in an RV, so I can travel between homes that belong to family members. The problem with RV living is that I’m not at all eager to empty the black tank or to stop at laundromats every week. I also don’t want to have to depend on my family to help me fill the tanks. </div>
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So I’ll keep investigating all of my options and this blog is where I will update my research every time new information arises. Check back if you want to see how my research is coming along.</div>
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If I get a Class C or even a Class B RV (most definitely cannot afford a Class A, nor would I want to drive something that large), I would pay only one insurance, and the Class B or C would be smaller than a 5th Wheel. A 5th Wheel would require me to buy a truck (suggestions from some sites are to purchase an F250, F350, or F450 or other similar truck sizes), and I would be paying insurance for both the truck and the 5th Wheel. A 5th Wheel is attractive, because I could fit a washer and drying in it, but do I really need that much space? More to think about!</div>
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<b><i>RV Considerations</i></b>:</div>
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<b><a href="https://thormotorcoach.com/synergy/features/" target="_blank">Thor Synergy</a></b> – This Thor RV uses diesel, so Thor appeals to me – This $95k motorcoach would cost under $600/mo. But I’m concerned about the slides. I’ve heard that they leak in other brands. Maybe Thor has fixed that problem. The videos I’ve watched promise no leakage.</div>
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<b>Coachmen 5th Wheel</b> – Comes with triple slides, and options include a fireplace, central vac, washer, and dryer. I may have to consider this attractive option, but I’m kind of afraid of driving something so large, and again, leaks? </div>
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<b>Pleasure Way Class B</b> – The 2016 model has all kinds of upgrades including solar panels, something that really appeals to me! It’s small, but, again, how much space do I need? I don’t want to feel claustrophobic, and I want to feel as if I can move around easily, but what if it's too small for me? I’ll have to reconsider this option.<br />
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<span style="color: #953fac; font-kerning: none;"><b><i>UPDATE May 22, 2016</i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">: <b><a href="http://www.holland-motorhomes.com/New-Inventory-2017-Leisure-Travel-Class-B-Wonder-Holland-Michigan-1817978" target="_blank">2017 Wonder Leisure Travel Van</a></b> – (for consideration) Uses diesel fuel, has a Ford transit chassis, and comes with a 3.6KW Onan Generator. Features a lot of updates, including touch-screen technology on the dash, and includes a Queen-sized Murphy bed fold-down, under which are chairs and a table. Retails at $114,811. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #aa7942; font-kerning: none;"><i>UPDATE August 2016</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">: And the winner is – the <b>Leisure Travel Vans</b> <b>Unity FX</b>! After researching for so many months, the RV that I absolutely love is the <b>Unity FX</b>. Unlike the Pleasure Way Class B, this RV offers a separate living space. The flexibility appeals to my love for change, and this RV gives me that. The only changes I would make to it would be to add solar panels and a composting toilet. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #38571a; font-kerning: none;"><b><i>UPDATE January 2017</i></b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">: I’m reconsidering getting the Unity FX – way too expensive! Also, parking RVs is a problem I’ll have to consider, so I asked a friend about the cost for parking RVs, and she responded with a comprehensive list of FREE parking spots! <b><a href="http://www.lifesuccessfully.com/rving-successfully/free-rv-camping-parking-and-boondocking" target="_blank">Free RV Camping, Parking, and Boondocking</a></b></span></div>
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Water Usage</div>
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<b>Shower</b> – The average American shower takes about 17.2 gallons (65.1 liters) and lasts for 8.2 minutes with an average flow rate of 2.1 gallons per minute (gpm) (7.9 lpm). Whether I decide to buy an RV or a Sandbag home, I’m going to have to conserve on water.</div>
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<b>Savings on showers</b> – from <b><a href="http://www.ecooptions.homedepot.com/water-conservation/showerheads/" target="_blank">EcoOptions</a></b><i>: </i> To save on water usage, get <b>low-flow faucets</b> <b>and</b> <b>showerheads</b>. The average household could save more than 2,900 gallons per year by installing <b>WaterSense®</b> labeled showerheads. Also, get a <b>water pressure regulator</b> so that when I fill the tanks, the pipes don’t burst. I’ll need to check into getting heat tapes for winter or let faucets drip to prevent pipes from freezing in Winter. I would prefer heat tapes. Heat tapes saved me when I lived in mobile homes.</div>
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<b>Washing Machines</b> – Typically use between 40-45 Gallons; High Efficiency uses between 15-30 Gallons. <b><i>Always purchase High Efficiency appliances!</i></b> Another option is to buy a portable washing machine and hang my clothes to dry. I hang most of them now anyway.</div>
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<b><i>UPDATE</i></b>: I located a new resource for renewable energy consumption at <b><a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/" target="_blank">Renewable Energy World</a></b>.<br />
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<span style="color: #77bb41; font-kerning: none;"><b><i>UPDATE JULY 2016</i></b></span> – Somebody on one of the sites I visited mentioned that joining an inexpensive gym would help people who didn’t want to empty black tanks. You could work out at the gym and then take a shower – every day if you wanted! National gyms with easy access, like <b><i>Planet Fitness</i></b>, which charges only $10 a month with a $39 yearly membership fee would be great for a single person. My water bill in the last place I lived was under $20 a month. Exercise and a shower are incentives I can live with!</div>
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<span style="color: #d357fe;"><b><i>UPDATE NOVEMBER 2016</i></b></span> – Water Catchment Systems and Rain Harvest Systems collect rainwater and, with the use of water purifiers and treatment systems, catch rain from rooftops, which drops into barrels. According to <b>Mother Earth News</b>, “The best roofing material for rainwater catchment is uncoated stainless steel or factory-enameled galvanized steel with a baked-enamel, certified lead-free finish.” Also check out <a href="https://www.bluebarrelsystems.com/blog/the-diy-files-socals-potable-rainwater/" target="_blank"><b>Blue Barrel Systems</b></a> and <b><a href="http://www.rainharvest.com/shop/" target="_blank">Rain Harvest</a></b>. <b><a href="http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/rainwater-harvesting-system-zmaz03aszgoe" target="_blank">How to Build a Rainwater Harvesting System</a> </b> </div>
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Electricity Usage Considerations</div>
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From <b><a href="https://wandrlymagazine.com/article/how-everything-in-an-rv-works/" target="_blank">WandrlyMagazine</a></b><i>: </i>“To figure out exactly what you need, find out how many amps your devices require. Here are some common appliances found in an RV.”</div>
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<b>Air Conditioner, Microwaves, Electric Water Heaters</b></div>
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14 Amps</div>
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<b>Blenders, Coffee Makers, Televisions</b></div>
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5 Amps</div>
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<b>Laptops, Drills, Range Hoods, Fans, Water Pumps, Radios</b></div>
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4 Amps</div>
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<b>Lights, CO & LP Detectors</b></div>
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1 Amp</div>
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<b>Gas Refrigerator</b></div>
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2 Amps</div>
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<b><i>UPDATE</i></b>: <b>How much electricity does an American home use? </b></div>
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From <b><a href="https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=97&t=3" target="_blank">U.S. Energy Information Administration</a></b> (EIA): “In 2014, the average annual electricity consumption for a U.S. residential utility customer was 10,932 kilowatthours (kWh), an average of 911 kWh per month. Louisiana had the highest annual consumption at 15,497 kWh per residential customer, and Hawaii had the lowest at 6,077 kWh per residential customer.” </div>
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So if I, as a single person, use even close to that much, which would probably never happen, but I have to account for the possibility, I’ll have to consider the following solar panel kit options (see section below), keeping in mind that 1000 watts (W) = 1 kilowatt (kW). The following panel information comes from <b><a href="http://www.wholesalesolar.com/rv-marine" target="_blank">Wholesale Solar</a></b>: </div>
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1 100W Panel would provide 500 Daily Watt Hours </div>
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2 100W Panel would provide 1000 Daily Watt Hours </div>
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3 100W Panel would provide 1500 Daily Watt Hours </div>
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4 100W Panel would provide 2000 Daily Watt Hours </div>
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<span style="color: #d357fe; font-size: 18px; line-height: normal;"><b><i>UPDATE NOVEMBER 2016</i></b></span><span style="font-size: 18px; line-height: normal;"> – </span><b>LithiumCard PRO</b> saves on electricity because it (purportedly) recharge batteries 300% faster than most other chargers.</div>
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Portable Appliances</div>
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<b>Washing Machines</b> </div>
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If the RV is very small, I would look into portable washers (<b>Walmart</b> sells them). They are only 1.6 cu. ft. in size. I had one once and could fit 3 pairs of jeans into one (it may have been 1 cu. ft), so while I was taking care of a family of 5 at the time and it took nearly the whole day every day to wash, I could hang my clothes up to dry, and if I needed to wash blankets, I could go to the laundromat. Consider <b>Magic Chef 1.6 cu. ft. Top Load Portable Washer</b>.</div>
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Composting Toilet</div>
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Using a composting toilet in an RV appeals to me, because I really don’t want to empty the black tank; with composting toilets I wouldn’t have to use the black tank at all. However, these toilets are EXPENSIVE – around $2-$3,000 (also found at Walmart)! <b>Sun-Mar Centrex 3000 High Capacity Central Composting Toilet Systems</b> are supposed to provide one of the best composting toilets, but as I said, they are <i>very</i> expensive!<br />
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<span style="color: #9640dd; font-kerning: none;"><b>UPDATE June 2016</b></span><span style="font-kerning: none;"> Recommended from Zyl Vardos –ZYLVARDOS.com – <b>Nature’s Head Composting Toilets</b>.</span></div>
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RV Wind Generators or Wind Turbines<span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: normal;"> </span></div>
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Very little information is available for personal use wind turbines. Because Illinois and Indiana are such windy areas, though, wind turbines seem like they would be a viable option if they were more readily available (some systems, such as <b>Tycon Power Systems</b>, shipped and sold by <b>Flytec Computers</b>, are sold at <b>Walmart</b>).</div>
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<b>The Home Depot</b> sells a 2000-Watt Wind Turbine Generator for $2500. Because of the weight of these wind turbines, though, I wouldn’t be able to use them in an RV. I would need something much smaller.</div>
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2500 watt portable versions (<b>The Trinity 2500</b> goes for $6,000 – I probably don’t need one that large) are usable in <i>winds 2mph and less</i> and <i>with auto stop feature and water & weather proof</i>. (Found one at <b><a href="https://www.ervsolar.com/rv-wind-generators" target="_blank">ErvSolar</a></b>.) </div>
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Also check out the article, <b><a href="http://cleantechnica.com/2015/09/21/introducing-first-portable-wind-turbines/" target="_blank">Introducing The First Portable Wind Turbines</a></b>. </div>
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A plus for using wind turbines in residential settings (particularly if I choose to move into a Tiny House), is that I would have to connect it to the electric grid and, with such a small home, my electricity would probably be free. I could also get a check from the electric company for electricity I didn’t use!</div>
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<b><i>UPDATE</i></b>: <b><a href="http://windpax.com/" target="_blank">WindPax</a></b> offers 3 different types of portable, collapsible wind turbine generators: <b>The Wisp</b>, a 25 Watt generator for powering small electronics and running LED lighting; <b>The Breeze</b>, a 100 Watt unit that supplies power via a standard 12 V outlet and standard USP; <b>The Cyclone</b> at 400 Watts, is used primarily as a village power station for multiple applications. </div>
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The only problem I see with this company (so far) is that on their <b><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/justinchambers/windpax-portable-wind-turbines" target="_blank">Kickstarter page</a></b>, they haven’t updated progress for their financial backers since April 29. I may have to invest in <b>The Trinity 2500</b>, since it provides the amount of power I would need in either a Tiny House or an RV. <b>The Trinity 2500</b> comes with the very important Inverter! The 400 Watt version can power an electric car!</div>
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An excellent article about whether or not to invest in a wind turbine appears in the May/June issue #167 on the <b><a href="http://www.homepower.com/articles/wind-power/equipment-products/2015-wind-turbine-buyer%E2%80%99s-guide" target="_blank">Home Power</a></b> website in an article entitled, <b>2015 Wind Turbine Buyer’s Guide: Why, Where & How to Do Wind Electricity</b>, written by Ian Woofenden and Roy Butler. While the article relates specifically to home installation, I found it helpful in determining if any wind turbine would be a viable option for living in an RV or a tiny home. </div>
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As of now, wind turbines don’t appear to be cost-effective. Who knows the strides manufacturers will make in the next three years though. Even so, if I invest $6,000 in a wind turbine, and my monthly electric bills come to approximately $50, I would need a tower 30+ feet tall in order for it to work. That makes no sense if I choose to live in an RV – I would be paying upfront for something I would need for the next 10 years. I’m close to 65 years old. I might as well just use solar panels for my major appliances and perhaps a small, inexpensive wind turbine just to charge my electronics.</div>
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Over the next 3 years, I’ll be revisiting the wind power option. In the meantime, personal use wind turbines (most under $2,000) to consider include the following:</div>
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<b>Air40 Wind Turbine</b></div>
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<b>Air-X </b>by Sunforce</div>
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<b>Rutland 1200 Wind Turbine</b></div>
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<b>Trinity Portable Wind Turbine</b> (Trinity 2500)</div>
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<b>Wind Sail Receptor</b> by Richard Steinke (still in Kickstarter status)</div>
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<b>The Windwalker 250 RV Wind Turbine</b></div>
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Generator<span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: normal;"> </span></div>
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A generator probably already comes with whatever RV I choose to buy, because generators are necessary for RVs, but one would be good as a backup plan in other structures as well. </div>
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Batteries</div>
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One probably already comes with the RV, but I need to make sure the battery is large and new.</div>
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Propane<span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: normal;"> </span></div>
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Will need one for heating the RV water heater. Suggestion at one site is to buy my own, but the post was from over a decade ago, so…? I think most newer RVs already come with a propane tank.</div>
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Solar Panels<span style="font-family: "georgia"; line-height: normal;"> </span></div>
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Need ?# of solar panels, depending on the size of the RV. Solar powers DC (direct current) batteries inside the RV. Also need an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Inverter</b></span> (see below) to convert DC into AC (alternating current, like that used for plug-in appliances) for use inside the RV, like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Go Power</b></span> (see below), AND a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Solar Controller</b></span> (see below) to prevent the solar panel from overcharging the batteries (find at <b><a href="http://www.windynation.com}/" target="_blank">WindyNation</a></b> Also <b>Amazon</b> offers a couple of different ones – check for others).</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial black"; line-height: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Inverter</b></span> Try <b><a href="http://gpelectric.com/products/inverters" target="_blank">GP Electric</a></b>. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial black"; line-height: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Go Power</b></span> <a href="http://gpelectric.com/go-power-calculator" target="_blank"><b>GP Electric</b> <b>Calculator</b></a> recommends how much battery life I would need for the RV.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial black"; line-height: normal; text-decoration: underline;"><b>Solar Controller</b></span> can also be found at <b><a href="http://gpelectric.com/products/solar-controllers" target="_blank">GP Electric</a></b>.<br />
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<span style="color: #a446c5;"><b><i>UPDATE June 2016</i></b></span>: Another consideration, if I decide to buy an RV that doesn’t come with solar panels is to use portable solar panels, like the ones offered by <a href="http://www.zampsolar.com/rv-solar-kits/portable-rv-solar/" target="_blank">Zamp Solar</a> RV Education 101. Another option would be to have five (5) solar panels installed on the roof of an RV in a configuration that would allow the sun to hit the panels on all four sides and on the top. </div>
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NOTE TO SELF: make sure that the type of battery (i.e., Gell Cell, AGM {Absorbable Glass Matt}, and Lead Acid batteries) that comes with the RV is compatible with whatever solar panel(s) I purchase. Incorrect battery type settings will damage the battery, so it’s important to know what type of battery I’m using. The chart shown on <a href="http://www.zampsolar.com/product/200-watt-portable-solar-charging-system-zs-200-p/" target="_blank">Zamp Solar</a> will let me know the best type of solar panel for the battery type I would be using. </div>
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<span style="color: #aa7942; font-kerning: none;"><i>UPDATE August 2016</i></span><span style="font-kerning: none;">: </span><b>The Wynns</b> have researched the use of solar panels for years. For lots of information regarding solar power in boats, RVs, tiny houses, etc., click the link.http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/solar</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial black";">Cooking</span></div>
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Most RVs come with either 2 or 3 cooktops and an oven, along with either a microwave or a microwave/convection option. I’m also curious about the <b>Nuwave Precision Cooktop</b> (~$60), so I want to check into that option.</div>
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Lighting</div>
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ALWAYS USE LED LIGHTS!!</div>
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USED RVs</div>
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Run an Internet check on, “Top Rated RVs in (list year)” – I might be able to get a used RV and upgrade it. A great place for upgrading, according to <b>Technomadia</b> (see below), is <b>MasterTech RV Services</b> in Elkhart, Indiana. I could add the type of generator and battery I need and also have solar panels put on top. </div>
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Phone & Internet</div>
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Portable Satellite is too expensive an option and has been for several years. Cellular seems to be the better option, but according to several <b>YouTube</b> videos, even campsites that list, “Free Wifi” don’t have much to offer. You end up sharing the Internet with possibly 200 other campers and your Internet is s-l-o-w.</div>
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Look into MoFi Router for Internet connection.</div>
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<b>RVMobileInternet.com</b> (<b>Technomadia</b>) suggests using Wifi range extenders, such as <b>PepWave</b> or <b>Wifi Ranger Elite</b>. Put on a roof to enable the router inside the RV to expand coverage. I could also use a mobile cradle-style booster.</div>
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Roadside Assistance</div>
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<b>Technomadia</b> (see below) suggests using <b>Cachet Emergency Roadside Assistance</b>.</div>
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Camping</div>
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Though I don’t plan on camping, since I’ll be visiting family most of the time, I want to keep this information on hand in case I ever want to travel with friends – <b>freecampsites.net</b>.</div>
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Connecting with other campers through, “<b>Our Village</b>” (founder’s name is Curtis) will help me when I run into problems and can connect with seasoned campers.</div>
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Boondocking/Drydocking (Free Camping)</div>
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Apparently some grocery store parking lots and Walmart allow people to stay overnight. Of course you can’t get water or sewer hookups, and you can’t stay more than one night, but food is readily available.</div>
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Workamping</div>
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The ability to work, travel, and camp while RV'ing. </div>
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<b style="color: #d357fe;"><i>UPDATE NOVEMBER 2016 </i></b><span style="font-family: "arial black";">Storage Solutions for Tiny Homes or RVs </span><b><a href="http://rvcoutdoors.com/rv-space-saving-solutions/" target="_blank">This web page</a></b> offers LOTS of storage solutions for tiny spaces.</div>
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Videos</div>
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I’ve been relying on several <b>YouTube</b> videos to help me decide what I want to do and where I want to go. <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gone+with+the+wynns" target="_blank">Gone with the Wynns</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=follow+the+hearts" target="_blank">Follow The Hearts</a></b>, and <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Technomadia" target="_blank">Technomadia</a></b> are some of the RV videos I’ve watched.</div>
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<b><i>UPDATES</i></b> will appear within the content of this blog, so if I add anything new, I’ll change the date on the top of this blog.</div>
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<i>Photo is from <b><a href="http://tinyhouselistings.com/" target="_blank">Tiny House Listings</a></b></i><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7637594305211617941" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7637594305211617941" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-89855948908073609572016-04-13T05:37:00.000-07:002016-04-13T05:37:36.500-07:00Kids KNOW How to Read People by Understanding Body Language<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many parents and grandparents don’t give their children or grandchildren credit for being as intelligent as they are. They talk in front of children and even babies, believing that kids don’t have a clue what is being said, but believe me, kids know more than we think they do and way more than we give them credit for knowing. I often wonder if, through well-intended, but unnecessary tactics we employ to teach our children how to understand our world, we dismiss their ability to assess situations on their own. </div>
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Pretend for a moment that children were born with an innate sense of knowing how to read people, even from birth. Look into their eyes when somebody speaks. Imagine that they instinctively <i>know</i> how to evaluate and analyze smirks, smiles, frowns, and even tension in their parents and others. What happens when we later argue with them and tell them that their perceptions are wrong? Do they believe us and question their perceptions? Do they adopt society’s (and our) views and ignore their own?</div>
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Before they learn how to communicate with speech, babies ascertain feelings and emotions through facial expressions and body language. In a previous blog I wrote, <b><a href="http://philosophicalmusingsandinsights.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-feel-more-powerful.html" target="_blank">How to Feel More Powerful</a></b>, I discuss the subjects of physiognomy and phrenology, the studies of body language and facial expressions, something I believe we are all born knowing, but as speech develops, we place more emphasis on words than we do actions. </div>
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No clearer example of understanding facial expressions and body language exists than what I heard the other day – a child who interpreted a situation he encountered by understanding – intuitively – the subtle, and not so subtle, aspects of physiognomy and phrenology.</div>
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A couple of rooms away from where I sat, I overheard one of my grandsons talking to one of his friends who was about the same age. A little girl in my grandson’s class (not the little girl I mentioned in this blog – <a href="http://myheartblogstoyou.blogspot.com/2016/04/kid-crushes-and-puppy-love.html" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Kid Crushes and Puppy Love</a>) was paying him a lot of (apparently unwanted) attention.</div>
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My grandson knew that the little girl liked him, he said, because she always “fake laughed” around him – a lot – (he even imitated her laughing) and, he added, her eyes got really big whenever she talked to him. </div>
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What an accurate description of the way a nervous little girl acts when she is enthralled with a little boy! How perceptive! </div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Think of the many times you have witnessed over-the-top flirting in real life, in movies, and in comedy routines. And now you’ve just learned a little more about physiognomy and phrenology – from an 8-year-old!</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Language is only one way to communicate. Beyond facial expressions and body language, we also rely on our other senses as well. Now is a good time to ask <i>your</i> children how they know when somebody is happy or sad. How do they know if somebody is lying? You might be surprised by their responses. </span></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-5717708701143254812016-02-05T10:10:00.001-08:002016-02-05T10:10:23.555-08:00Does Your Child Feel Helpless?While the following blog post was written with adults in mind, it offers some insight into how to help your child feel less vulnerable and more powerful. It might even help you, too, if you feel insecure:<br />
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<b><a href="http://philosophicalmusingsandinsights.blogspot.com/2016/02/how-to-feel-more-powerful.html" target="_blank">How to Feel More Powerful</a></b></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-51719262962532055952016-01-25T04:42:00.000-08:002016-01-25T04:42:16.751-08:00Baby Item Recall – Has the Item You Purchased or Borrowed Been Recalled?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whether you purchase your item from Craigslist, Facebook, some other online source, a garage sale, or you decide to borrow a used item for your baby, you’ll want to make sure the product is safe to use. </div>
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The crib your grandma used for your mom and your uncles might have some sentimental value, and maybe thousands of babies slept in similar beds, but if even one baby died as a result of sleeping in a crib with too-wide slats, thank Grandma for the offer, but take a pass on allowing your infant to sleep in that crib. Maybe you can repurpose it.</div>
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Car seats, too, though they passed inspection when tested in factories, proved to be deadly outside the factory. ALWAYS CHECK THE SAFETY OF YOUR PURCHASE!</div>
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New parents expect manufactures to produce SAFE products. They expect manufacturers to understand that babies put <i>everything</i> into their mouths, and they can figure out how to slide through a high chair faster than an avalanche down a mountain. </div>
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All new and all experienced parents should be concerned about the safety of their babies, their older children, and even themselves. Even the family car might have been recalled, and we owe it to ourselves and our families to check with the manufacturer to make sure the “great deal” we got is not going to kill us.</div>
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Every gift you receive for that new baby needs to have all safety features in place to guarantee safe use, though I wonder why new items that supposedly <i>passed</i> <i>inspection</i> in the factory ever landed on the recall list at all. New items are being added all the time. Pay attention to the manufacturer and keep up with the latest news about your product's safety.</div>
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The best resource for checking recalled products in the United States is the <b><a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/" target="_blank">Consumer Product Safety Commission</a></b>, where you’ll find information on the latest recalls and you can run a search for older recalled items. </div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-930758851525420312015-12-13T05:00:00.003-08:002015-12-13T05:00:47.686-08:00Pregnancy, Drugs, Alcohol, Mom AND Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Babies Born to Drug Abusers or Alcohol Drinkers</div>
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Most alcoholics and drug abusers know, but often refuse to admit, that they have addictions. Though pregnancy should change their behavior, often it does not. Oblivious to how their unborn infant might respond to their drinking or drug abuse during pregnancy, moms continue to abuse their bodies – and their baby’s developing bodies – with drugs and alcohol, knowing, and at the same time, refusing to believe, that continued use of either drugs or alcohol could harm their growing fetus. But Mom is not the only one responsible for her baby. Read on! </div>
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<b>Drinking While Pregnant</b></div>
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As I mention in a previous <b>Help for Single Parents</b> blog, titled, <b><a href="http://helpforsingleparents.blogspot.com/2015/03/which-is-better-tobacco-alcohol-or.html" target="_blank">Which is Better – Tobacco, Alcohol, or Marijuana?</a></b> <i>“According to the </i><b><i>National Institute on Drug Abuse</i></b><i> (NIH), ‘Alcohol affects every organ in the drinker's body and can damage a developing fetus.’”</i> According to <b>Mayo Clinic</b>, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome symptoms <i>“include any mix of physical defects, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, and problems functioning and coping with daily life.”</i> Alcohol affects Baby’s brain and central nervous system, behavior, and social skills.</div>
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Further information from <b>Mayo Clinic</b> about the effects of alcohol on pregnant women include the following:</div>
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<li style="color: #101010; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Alcohol enters your bloodstream and reaches your developing fetus by crossing the placenta</li>
<li style="color: #101010; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Alcohol causes higher blood alcohol concentrations in your developing baby than in your body because a fetus metabolizes alcohol slower than an adult does</li>
<li style="color: #101010; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Alcohol interferes with the delivery of oxygen and optimal nutrition to your baby's developing tissues and organs, including the brain</li>
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<b>University of Iowa Children’s Hospital</b> lists the following complications for babies born addicted to alcohol:</div>
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<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Acute ingestion: hyperactivity, tremors for 72h, followed by lethargy for 48h</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Chronic ingestion: consider fetal alcohol ingestion and its spectrum of abnormalities including CNS (Central Nervous System), growth deficiency, facial features, cardiac and musculoskeletal anomalies<span style="color: black;"> </span></li>
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<i>The difference between acute and chronic is that acute means an immediate severe problem, such as ingesting a lot of alcohol just prior to the baby’s birth; chronic means that Mom has been drinking throughout most of the pregnancy. If Mom is a chronic drinker, Baby could be born addicted to alcohol, in the same way that chronic drug abuse could result in a baby suffering from withdrawal.</i></div>
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<b>Taking Drugs While Pregnant</b></div>
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Just as alcohol crosses the placenta, so, too, do drugs. Depending upon the type and amount of drugs the woman takes during pregnancy, varying effects on the unborn child occur. Withdrawal may be one of the results. The physical manifestations of those withdrawals is, according to several authorities, child abuse. </div>
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The <b>University of Iowa</b> lists the following signs of drug withdrawal:</div>
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<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Gastrointestinal: Diarrhea, vomiting, ravenous appetite, poor feeding.</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Neurologic: Irritability, jitteriness, restlessness (rubbed knees, rubbed nose), erratic sleeping, fist-sucking, shrill cry, hypertonia, hyperreflexia (overactive or over-responsive reflexes), myoclonus (spasms) and less often seizures. The incidence of seizures is higher in methadone-maintained mothers (10-15%) than in those abusing heroin.</li>
<li style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Signs of heroin withdrawal occur in 50-75% of infants born to addicted mothers and usually begin within the first 24-72 h of life.</li>
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<b>What Parents Can Do to Prevent a Baby from Becoming Drug Dependent</b></div>
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Many people place the bulk of the responsibility for the baby’s health on the pregnant mother. If she has a predilection for alcohol or drugs, she <i>knows</i> she needs to stop drinking or abusing drugs, but she <i>needs</i> encouragement and support from people she trusts and loves. </div>
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If Mom’s partner continues to abuse alcohol or drugs during the pregnancy, she may find that stopping is difficult. With no support system to buffer her, the stress of pregnancy itself, along with other considerations (i.e., job, home life, finances), may contribute to her feeling that she’s handling her situation alone, and she may decide to drink “just one” or take “only one” pill. One translates to another, however, and then to another, and Mom cannot stop. At a certain point, she stops caring.</div>
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The first step in dealing with drinking and drugging while pregnant is admitting you have a problem. The second step is to enlist the help of your partner and outside help. <i>A supportive partner who quits smoking, drinking, and doing drugs with you is a partner who is willing to sacrifice his or her habits for the welfare of the child.</i> EXPECT your partner to support you! And be supportive of him or her as well.</div>
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If your partner refuses to be responsible and refuses to participate in your recovery, suggest you both join a group of either Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous. If your partner refuses to help you help yourself and your unborn baby, ask family members to help. If family is not an option, seek friends who want to be part of your support system. If you have no friends, several organizations specific to drug/alcohol addiction, like the ones mentioned above, exist to help you. Find them.</div>
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If you don’t take care of the problem while pregnant, you may not be able to bring your baby home from the hospital! Many <b>Departments of Family Services</b> organizations take addicted babies from hospitals directly to foster homes while they await your recovery, and you will miss those first bonding moments.</div>
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<b>What Parents Can Do to a Baby Born Addicted</b></div>
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Because addicted babies are considered to be the result of abusive parents (abused because the parents took drugs or drank alcohol during pregnancy and caused their baby to be addicted), some states won’t allow Baby to go home with Mom or Dad and instead may place the infant in a temporary foster home until the parents are deemed capable of caring for their newborn. Why risk losing those first bonding moments with your baby when you can take care of the matter now, while you’re pregnant? </div>
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If you’re fortunate enough to bring Baby home, STOP DRINKING and STOP USING! Cuddle, swaddle, and care for your baby. Let your baby know that you value your baby’s wellbeing. He or she will be dependent upon you for the next 18 years.</div>
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And don’t resume drinking or doing drugs once the baby is home. Children who grow up with alcoholic or drug abusing mothers and fathers live in fear. I cannot possibly list all of the problems associated with children who grow up with alcoholics, so I will suggest you read <b><a href="http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh21-3/247.pdf" target="_blank">Psychological Characteristics of Children of Alcoholics</a></b>, written by Kenneth J. Sher, Ph.D. </div>
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And if you continue to abuse drugs, I suggest you download the report located at the bottom of the article titled, <b><a href="http://www.casacolumbia.org/addiction-research/reports/no-safe-haven-children-substance-abusing-parents" target="_blank">No Safe Haven: Children of Substance-Abusing Parents</a></b>, which starts out:</div>
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<i>Children whose parents abuse alcohol and other drugs are almost 3 times likelier to be physically or sexually assaulted and more than 4 times likelier to be neglected by their parents compared to children of parents who are not substance abusers. With 28 million children of alcoholics and several million children of other drug abusers, children and adults in America who, during their lives, have been neglected and/or physically and sexually assaulted by substance-abusing parents constitute a significant portion of our population.</i></div>
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Alcohol and drug abuse contribute to the neglect and abuse of our children. With everything going on in the world today, why subject your baby to a life of more fear and uncertainty? Be a safe haven for your baby.</div>
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<i>Photo was found on so many sites, I couldn’t find the original to credit.</i></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-65502354286169225242015-12-01T06:11:00.002-08:002015-12-01T06:11:52.849-08:00Why Do We Force Our Kids to Be Someone They're Not?<div style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal;">
Yesterday I watched a Dr. Phil episode, <b>Mama’s Little Boy or Daddy’s Little Girl: Identity Confusion or Brainwashing? </b>And my heart went out to that little child who was born an “intersex,” a term meaning that the child was born with ambiguous sex organs (not to be confused with hermaphrodites who are born with two complete sets of both male and female sex organs). </div>
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The heartbreaking part of the story, though, was the way the child’s parents were raising him or her. Dad is convinced his child is a girl; Mom is convinced her child is a boy, so at Daddy’s house, Aubrey dresses as a little girl, and at Mommy’s house, Aubrey dresses as a little boy. How confusing must that be for a 4-year-old child!</div>
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And yet, how confusing must the parents be as well. I don’t pretend to understand what they’re going through, but imagining how the situation looks through the eyes of a 4-year-old child, I can understand how I might want my parents to behave if I was an intersex. I would want the choices <i>about me</i> to be mine – without being forced to make them to please both of my parents!</div>
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Let me explain why I think a 4-year-old child is perfectly capable of knowing what he or she likes. I’ll use my own 4-year-old granddaughter as an example. Nothing about Avery is ambiguous. She was born a girl and she has long hair, which she loves. She won’t play with dolls, but she loves playing “house” with stuffed animals. </div>
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Try to put a dress on her, though, and she will refuse to wear it. She does not like wearing dresses. And she loves to play sports.</div>
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Does that make her a boy? No! And if she wanted short hair, what difference would her hair make in determining her sex? My own son, when he was only 4 or 5, had long curly hair, which I refused to cut, because I loved the way it looked. He, however, wanted a buzz cut, so I relented. He didn’t like his curly hair, so why should I force him to keep his hair long and curly? I’m glad I recognized that even as young as he was, he knew how he wanted to look.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Barbarians – Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl</span></div>
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Maybe Aubrey has been so brainwashed, the child no longer knows what s/he wants. And how sad is that? But I think it would be wise for these parents to allow their little boy or girl to choose whatever hairstyle, clothing, bedding, or whatever else the child wants to wear or to have. Right now, I think Aubrey chooses what s/he believes her/his parents want her/him to choose. Aubrey very compliantly lives as both sexes depending upon which home s/he stays.</div>
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In any divorce situation, when parents get along, everything goes better for the child. In the case of Aubrey, though, the parents communicate not at all. Mommy gave her “son” a buzz cut, for instance, without informing Daddy of her decision. I would imagine that by now, the child feels coerced into behaving like a little girl when she is with Daddy and like a little boy when he is with Mommy. </div>
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So maybe a trusted third party should take the child shopping and allow Aubrey to choose for him- or herself the types of things that will help Aubrey learn to identify who s/he wants to be – and who s/he is – with no outside interference or coercion.</div>
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A walk through Toys R Us would give parents a clue about what the child finds fun or entertaining. Bedding choices should be the child’s too. And let the child lead when it comes to shopping for clothing. Hand Aubrey a catalog and let Aubrey choose what s/he wants to wear. </div>
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In the meantime, though so much damage appears to already have been done, Dr. Phil has offered these parents some professional help. I hope they get it in time for Aubrey to go to school, where s/he will have to appear as one sex or the other. Kids don’t need much incentive to bully, and seeing a child who appears during the week as a little boy and on weekends as a little girl would give the bullies among them target practice on Aubrey.</div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-10418916713092033032015-11-08T04:53:00.000-08:002015-11-08T04:53:56.713-08:00Pedophilia in the Workplace: Does Your Teenager Work for a Pedophile?<div style="color: #757575; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal;">
<i>Originally posted on Associated Content/Yahoo Voices/Yahoo Contributor Network December 3, 2009</i></div>
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Pedophilia is a subject that causes blood to boil. But it also causes - in some people - an excitement unmatched by anything else.</div>
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<b>What is pedophilia?</b></div>
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Considered a mental disorder by some medical professionals, pedophilia is a societally condemned abnormality wherein the pedophile becomes sexually aroused by his or her own fantasies involving children.</div>
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Unlike fantasies engaged in by "normal" people who keep their fantasies in the fantasy stage, however, the pedophile's fantasies mutate into actions - unacceptable and harmful actions - perpetrated on innocent victims and their loved ones.</div>
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<b>What is a pedophile?</b></div>
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The pedophile is a master manipulator. He learns very quickly how to draw children and teenagers into his deceptive web. He entices his victims in ways those victims would never recognize as anything but sincere. At most, children feel only slightly uneasy or uncomfortable, initially without any obvious validation for why they feel the way they do.</div>
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<b>How do pedophiles operate?</b></div>
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Pedophiles ease their way into unsuspecting lives and often try to befriend the parents first - in an attempt to build trust. The hope is that eventually parents will allow their children unsupervised visits with them. The pedophile, once he targets his victim, feigns interest in the child by engaging the child in ways that cause the child to believe the pedophile truly cares about him or her.</div>
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Children who are under a tremendous amount of stress and who are filled with self-doubt are particularly good targets for a pedophile. The pedophile zeroes in on the stress and alleviates it by pretending to be more interested in the child than the parents appear to be (at least according to the child's perceptions, which have been masterfully manipulated by the perpetrator).</div>
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Once the child trusts the pedophile, the pedophile, taking advantage of the opportunity to abuse the trust, confuses the child by taking the child off-guard with something as simple as an arm around the shoulder. Thus begins the courting stage where the pedophile convinces himself that he loves the child and therefore anything he does to show that love is justified.</div>
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The pedophile, in his own warped mind, decides his purely sexual attraction to children is actually a form of love.</div>
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<b>Why does it seem that pedophilia has proliferated?</b></div>
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Sexual attraction to children is not new. It has been going on for centuries, but with the introduction of computers and web images, pornography has become a profitable venture for opportunists who find pleasure in abusing children.</div>
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<b>How do pedophiles entice their victims?</b></div>
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The pedophile puts himself into a position where he can access children in socially acceptable settings. Nowhere is this ability to attract children more obvious or more insidious than in the workplace, where the employer can choose his victims through a careful screening process, weeding them out until "the one" shows up.</div>
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Though we often think of pedophiles as being attracted to young children, some are more attracted to teenagers. And by offering employment through business opportunities, the pedophile can attract exactly the type of victim he prefers.</div>
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<b>How does the boss give himself permission to abuse his employer?</b></div>
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Say he owns a small shop and pays minimum wage. Who, other than a teenager, would apply for such a position? He is the "boss" and the teenager depends on him for income. After a couple of weeks, when the teenager becomes somewhat comfortable with the job, the boss introduces small gestures of sexual interest. It may be only a hand on the shoulder or the back of the neck. It may be a nudge with a hip, but it soon becomes a hand placed on other body parts.</div>
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Or it starts with suggestive comments, like a subtle request to take a picture. The request sounds innocent until the boss asks the child to open his shirt a little or pull down his pants. The teenager panics, but unless he is equipped with enough self assurance to run out of the store and immediately call the police, the teenager may reason that he has to keep his job and, though upset, grants the pervert's request.</div>
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A teenager may at first brush off inappropriate suggestions. But by showing up at work again the next day, her boss now has the impression that she merely has to be convinced to adhere to his wishes. She will probably be too embarrassed to mention to her parents that her boss asked her to engage in sexually explicit pornography.</div>
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The teenager becomes more and more uncomfortable, but feels helpless to change anything. He is afraid he will disappoint his parents who are depending on him to keep his job. He is also afraid to stand up to his boss. The boss is an authority figure and if the teenager's parents drove into him that he had to respect his elders, he won't be capable of standing up for himself.</div>
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<b>Why do children and teenagers cooperate with the pedophile?</b></div>
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Fear drives the victim to engage in activities she otherwise might never allow. Taking "just one picture" might seem innocent to her, but one picture leads to more and now the boss has an entire hard drive filled with photos of <i>your daughter</i> or <i>your son</i> ready to share with other perverts on the web. And once your daughter (or son) feels degraded and humiliated, she will never admit her involvement and she will blame herself for her behavior.</div>
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<b>What signs can parents look for when their children have been abused by a pedophile?</b></div>
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How can parents know if their children are experiencing abuse in the workplace? By paying attention to their child's behavior. Don't always assume that behavior changes are related to age. Sudden consistent moodiness needs to be investigated. If the child becomes withdrawn, if he or she starts making excuses for not wanting to go to work, don't ignore her silent pleas for your help.</div>
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Open a dialogue about your teenager's feelings. When your teenager feels even slightly uneasy about another person, teach him or her not only how to <i>recognize</i> and <i>pay attention</i> to those feelings, but also how to <i>act</i> on them by <i>reporting</i> them. Uneasy feelings are trying to relate to your child a warning that needs heeding.</div>
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Discuss people who are put into abusive situations. How do they deal with blame, humiliation, and degradation? Let your child know that <b>actions perpetrated by pedophiles are NOT the fault of the victim</b>. Children whose parents discover pornographic photos on web sites are <b>NOT</b> at fault, even if they allowed somebody to photograph them.</div>
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Teach children <b>never</b> to send suggestive photos of themselves to people they think are their friends. <i>Friends</i> don't ask for naked pictures. <i>Friends</i> don't put their friends into precarious situations.</div>
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Empower your teenagers by asking them how they would handle the situations discussed above if they were put into similar situations. By opening a dialog you may be able to prevent future abuse or learn about past abuse.</div>
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Let your teenagers know that the abuse is <b>never</b> their fault, and that you will help them through this emotional turmoil if they are involved in an abusive situation (resources are listed below). Assure them that no matter what - you are there to support them.</div>
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<b>What do you do when you discover your child has been a victim of abuse?</b></div>
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If you discover that your teenager has been a victim of sexual misconduct, no matter how minor the infraction seems to be, report the perpetrator to the police. We need to protect our children from these perverts.</div>
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Other resources are also available. To report incidents of child sexual (including pornography) exploitation and abuse, fill out an online form at the <a href="http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2936"><span style="color: #4860e9;"><b>CyberTipline</b></span></a><b>.</b> The <a href="http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2936"><span style="color: #4860e9;"><b>CyberTipline</b></span></a> is operated through <b>The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children</b> (NCMEC). </div>
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The <b>NCMEC</b> also maintains a 24-hour hotline at <b>1-800-THE-LOST</b> and a website at <a href="http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PublicHomeServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US"><span style="color: #4860e9;"><b>www.missingkids.com</b></span></a>.</div>
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And to see a list of registered sex offenders (listed by state) go to the <a href="http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/registry.htm"><span style="color: #4860e9;"><b>National Sex Offender Public Website</b></span></a>. Keep in mind that though sex offenders are required by law to register, not all of them do. Many of them move frequently. Just because they don't show up on the registry does not mean they are not offenders.</div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-43585782091689012792015-09-24T08:32:00.002-07:002015-09-24T08:32:20.267-07:00Help for Parents Who Don’t Want to See Their Drug-Abusing Kids Live on the Streets<div style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 17px;">
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Like cigarettes in the 50s with their sexy and glamorous portrayal in movies, drugs today intrigue kids because they are mysterious, alluring, and enticing. What kids don’t realize, though, despite what they <i>hear</i>, is that they are also dangerous (because they believe that nothing bad will ever happen to <i>them</i>). </div>
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In the 50s smokers were considered cool. Today people look upon cigarette smokers with disdain and disgust. Unfortunately, kids don’t see that drug abusers are looked upon with that same disdain and disgust, because their teenage friends use drugs and they're popular. As parents, we flounder with our inability to cope with the devastation associated with drug and alcohol abuse.<br />
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Like so many parents who struggle to maintain some sense of balance when they know things are going terribly wrong, we stand on the precipice of wanting to help our kids without also enabling them. Susie calls Mom to ask for money – again. Mom instinctively knows, either because Susie has been asking for a lot of money lately, or wants to deny that Susie is using drugs, that the money her daughter wants will not be used for what Susie says it will be used.<br />
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So Mom lends her money for all those things Susie asks – I need money for food – I need to pay the rent – the kids don’t have any school supplies – the list goes on and on. The list changes from week to week, of course, because Susie doesn’t want Mom to become suspicious. So Mom, who doesn’t want to see Susie and her grandchildren living in a dangerous alley or under a bridge somewhere, gives Susie money.<br />
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Why not just take Susie in, you might ask, and let her live with Mom? That way her kids would live in a safe environment. But Susie stole some family heirlooms and sold them for drugs. One day, Susie’s mom came home to find her home ransacked and she reported the theft to police. A brand new flat-screen 60” smart TV was missing, along with several electronic devices, including the family computer. Susie looked a little too surprised by the theft. Mom suspected Susie and her “friends” had something to do with it, but she didn’t want to accuse Susie in front of her children.<br />
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Nobody ever found out who stole the goods, but Susie’s mom knew, and so did everybody else who knew Susie.<br />
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So what’s a mom or dad to do?<br />
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Probably the first thing to do is to recognize the signs of drug abuse. (For a list of different types of drug abuse and their signs, click this link on the <b><a href="https://search.usa.gov/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&sc=0&query=recognizing+drug+abuse&m=&affiliate=www.drugabuse.gov&commit=Search" target="_blank">National Institute on Drug Abuse</a></b> web site.)<br />
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The next thing to do is initiate court proceedings to put Susie’s kids in a loving home. Sadly, too often, people like Susie have parents who also abuse drugs or alcohol. If you’re a parent who uses and abuses drugs and/or alcohol, GET HELP NOW!<br />
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Then get Susie (and yourself if need be) into a rehabilitation center somewhere. No money? Figure out how much you’ve been “lending” Susie. You might find that the money you’re losing could pay for a stint at a rehab facility. Just plug, “drug rehab centers” into your search engine to find one.<br />
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But in the present situation – STOP GIVING MONEY TO YOUR KIDS!! Do they need gas? Drive them to the gas station and pay for the gas yourself. Do they need food? Go shopping with your kids and pay for their food. Do they need money for a doctor or dentist? Accompany them to the doctor’s or dentist’s office and pay the bill. We have to STOP ENABLING our children in ways that result in even more alcohol or drug abuse!<br />
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You could argue that paying for gas, food, and doctors constitutes enabling, but a lot of parents feel guilty for not giving their kids money, and this is one way to alleviate the guilt without contributing to more abuse.<br />
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We also need to offer our kids alternatives. Maybe we didn’t discuss drug or alcohol abuse with our kids when they were younger. Maybe they saw us drinking and abusing drugs and we feel that because we indulged, we have no right to say anything. Maybe we weren't honest with our kids about drug usage (see link below that talks about why we're not telling our kids the truth about drugs).<br />
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But thinking we don't have the right to discuss drug abuse because of what we did in the past is ridiculous. As the parent you have every right to look out for your kids no matter how old they get. We have access to the Internet and to some very reputable resources. Look at some of these resources and figure out a way to help your kids in any way OTHER than giving them money.<br />
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Every dollar you give your kids who abuse drugs or alcohol puts them a little deeper underground. If you don’t want to bury your kids, help them find a way out.<br />
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For more information on drugs, specifically concerning the lies we tell our kids about drugs, read, <b><a href="https://theresawiza.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/why-what-were-telling-our-kids-about-drugs-doesnt-help-them/" target="_blank">Why What We’re Telling Our Kids About Drugs Doesn’t Help Them</a>.</b> <br />
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-38799477140664003402015-08-18T08:10:00.000-07:002015-08-18T08:10:15.894-07:00Access to Classrooms for Parents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklP1VsHzm9_kl2Bgf0P8-TowkqHxg_OWxGrHp2ZDu4Axo5iRra9HwL-_8OG3RJ1zcvsnPTSm_UQwT13CJ9BeMBvEBySuWUYYjVtGcQSLd0iksLgFYRLm8Mp7oAthvoWoYX-yQm-UZ7cS4/s1600/ClassroomIMG_5945_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklP1VsHzm9_kl2Bgf0P8-TowkqHxg_OWxGrHp2ZDu4Axo5iRra9HwL-_8OG3RJ1zcvsnPTSm_UQwT13CJ9BeMBvEBySuWUYYjVtGcQSLd0iksLgFYRLm8Mp7oAthvoWoYX-yQm-UZ7cS4/s400/ClassroomIMG_5945_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With all the problems associated with school shootings and ongoing disciplinary problems, why don’t we offer classroom access to parents? Video access would hold teachers, students, <i>and</i> administrators accountable for their actions. Parents would be able to tune in throughout the day and could watch first-hand exactly what their children are learning and doing. They might even be able to make sense of some of the ridiculous things their children are learning today (like common core math, for instance).</div>
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Common core math aside, some parents want to help their children with homework but have been out of school for so long, they don’t remember what they learned. And learning new ways to solve old problems (common core math again – something many parents find ridiculous because what could be a 3-step process now adds multiple steps to arrive at the same conclusion) could stimulate our brains. By tuning into classroom lectures and assignments, parents can update their skills and be able to check homework.</div>
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Video cameras could be placed in the upper corner of each classroom and parents could tune in throughout the day to view their child’s activities. Each year, each student’s parents would be given a code to access the camera (we don’t want random pedophiles accessing classrooms). If anything disruptive occurs, schools can save the evidence on thumb drives for possible disputes.</div>
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What this type of accountability means is no more “he said/she said” situations, no more bullying – of a child or a teacher by a child or by a teacher – parents and administrators alike will know with certainty what is happening in their child’s classroom.</div>
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Yes, video cameras are expensive, so schools, especially those that are inadequately funded, should not be expected to handle the cost, but interested parents could pool their money and fund the cameras themselves. Or the school could hold fundraisers to raise money.</div>
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I would have loved to have had that kind of accountability when my kids were in grammar school. One teacher was so inept that when one of my kids got this woman as a teacher and dropped from an A in math to a D, I became suspicious. Fortunately I was taking algebra in college at the time, so I was able to help my daughter with her homework. I would go over the instructions with her and within seconds, she “got it,” but it wasn’t until the following year, when my son, who was also an A student in math, dropped to a D when he had the same woman, that I thought maybe it was a problem with the teacher after all. </div>
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Though I had complained to the principal the prior year, asking why my daughter came home not understanding anything and then, after a couple of minutes with me, understood everything, the principal explained that maybe I “refreshed her memory.” The problem, I later learned, was not with my kids; it was with the teacher. Because that teacher had tenure, the principal backed her up. With a video camera, that teacher would have been responsible for actually teaching my kids.</div>
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So what do you think? Do you agree? </div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-2360530158960987512015-07-12T04:24:00.000-07:002015-07-12T04:24:14.640-07:00How to Detect a Scammer When You Get a Reply from an ad You Placed on Craigslist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDP_DsICgRM5TtW6F1zxJ1mHCT2Zybb2xUTq3LIVsJyu8CBrfK4UsOa09ISbwUroVk45SNLA8ScyIuuF4z1voLbvdFlxFYl9asb2Ezpjy8hi8zlRyukgRjd1-bq0lX5xrQK4H3xEoPIi8/s1600/BeingScammed+png.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="51" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDP_DsICgRM5TtW6F1zxJ1mHCT2Zybb2xUTq3LIVsJyu8CBrfK4UsOa09ISbwUroVk45SNLA8ScyIuuF4z1voLbvdFlxFYl9asb2Ezpjy8hi8zlRyukgRjd1-bq0lX5xrQK4H3xEoPIi8/s400/BeingScammed+png.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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We’ve all fallen for them, but we’ve educated ourselves and now we know how to detect the scammers, don’t we?</div>
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Not always.</div>
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Though my radar is always on high alert for potential scammers, I completely missed this latest one. I had placed an ad on craigslist to sell a wheelchair lift. Unlike some of the other scam replies I’ve received over the years, this one seemed legitimate – confusing, but legitimate. </div>
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Matt somebody or other sent the following email to me:</div>
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<i>Hi..I don't have your phone number to text, I can be available tonight around 7:00 or tomorrow morning before i go to work around 7:30, or Thursday morning at 9:00 or Friday evening at 6:00. Please let me know if any of these times work for you to see it..email me here xxx@xxx.com (</i>I didn’t want to include the actual email address<i>) Thanks</i></div>
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I responded:</div>
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<i>I didn’t get this message until 4:12 a.m. so I’m unclear about the times you can see it. Text me at xxx-xxx-xxxx to let me know if you can see the wheelchair lift at 9:00 this morning or 7:00 this evening. I’ll send you my address if either time works for you.</i></div>
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Until that email, everything seemed to be like any other response I would get from anyone interested in what I was selling on craigslist. And then I got this email:</div>
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<i>Hello! let's do like this, actually now I'm not in town for now, I came to visit my son so i wont be able to meet with you but am ok with the condition as seen on the advert, I'll proceed in issuing a Check out to you and when you received the check , I will make arrangement for pick-up. So get back to me with below details asap.</i></div>
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<i>Name:</i></div>
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<i>Address: Not P o Box</i></div>
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<i>And as soon as this is provided, the payment will be overnight to you </i><i>and i will let you know when its mailed out. I need you to be honest </i><i>with the sale as I am a God fearing person</i></div>
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As soon as I saw that email, my radar went on high alert. Can you understand why? </div>
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The first clue that this was not a legitimate inquiry was that “Matt” changed everything from his original email. At first he was available at several different times, and then suddenly, he was completely unavailable and out of town. Secondly, he asked for my name, which he already had, my address, which he didn’t need, my phone number, which he already had, and the asking price, which he already knew. But the third indication of deception was his final goodbye, stating, that he was “a God fearing person”.</div>
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When people try to convince me that they are somehow saintly in an environment where that information is entirely unrelated, I sometimes feel like Harrison Ford felt on the day he was sick and improvised a scene in <b>Raiders of the Lost Ark</b>. His character, Indiana Jones, originally had a much longer scene, but Jones shot his enemy quickly because Ford didn’t feel well enough to continue. That’s how I felt with this insane emailer. I just wanted to get rid of him quickly. So how did I respond? I wrote back:</div>
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<i>I understand. I have too much information to relate in an email, though, so please give me your phone number so we can discuss it over the phone.</i></div>
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Guess what! I never heard from him again.</div>
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So bottom line – if you list items on craigslist, be prepared for the crazies to attack you. I’m keeping those emails in case he ever tries to contact me again, so I can report him to the <b><a href="http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0003-phishing" target="_blank">FTC</a></b>! If you have been scammed, you can contact the FTC, too, or you can click on the links below for even more information about how to detect and report scammers.</div>
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<i>Related Reading:</i></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.writingcreatively.org/2015/01/how-to-report-internet-crimes.html" target="_blank">How to Report Internet Crimes!</a> </b></div>
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<b><a href="https://theresawiza.wordpress.com/tag/how-to-report-internet-crimes/" target="_blank">Cyber Bully Compassion Crisis and Empathy Deficit (Monica Lewinsky)</a></b></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-73926788043885810592015-06-25T08:07:00.003-07:002015-06-25T08:07:46.735-07:00Is ANY Job Really Better than NO Job?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Originally posted on Yahoo Contributor Network January 6, 2011, with the title, "Any Job is Better Than No Job! Is Any Job Really Better Than No Job?" Later posted on and removed from Bubblews.</i></div>
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For the record, I want to say how much I DESPISE hearing those words. I raised four children, mostly by myself, with little and sometimes no child support. No way could I have made it on the salary I was making.</div>
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If it weren't for the generosity of my parents and one of my sisters, my children and I would have been living in roach-infested apartments, eating only Ramen noodles and macaroni and cheese. What's really sad about what I just wrote is that families do live in squalor, because they can't afford to live anywhere else. Landlords can't afford to fix apartments when the rent doesn't even pay the mortgage.</div>
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I'm not defending slum landlords. I'm just pointing out the obvious - unless the government subsidizes an apartment, if tenants make minimum wage and the landlord wants to help out by offering low-income housing to people who can't afford anything better, something has to give. And sometimes that "something" is major, like a furnace or a refrigerator. Tenants who can't afford to live anywhere else, put up with the inconveniences, because they can't afford to move anywhere else.</div>
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My situation wasn't that bad, BECAUSE I had help. But my income was so insignificant, it barely made a dent into my bills.</div>
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And it wasn't that I wasn't working as hard as the next guy. In several places where I was employed, I was doing the work of three people. In one law firm for instance, when I left in tears because I just couldn't complete the work expected of one person, I later found out, because my sister took a job working for the same law firm, that they replaced me with three people.</div>
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At another job, I worked frantically to keep pace with the work, but everybody asked, "What exactly does Theresa do?" So I devised a performance measurement process to discover just exactly how much work each person in my department was contributing to the overall workload. In addition to what the other employees had do to, I had an additional job that none of them had to perform. I showed the chart to my boss. My output, on the one job alone - the one that the other employees had to perform - was three times that of the average employee. PLUS I had my other job - at the same place - during the same work hours.</div>
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However, my pay scale was nowhere near what I needed to succeed in raising my children. Here's why:</div>
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The federal minimum wage in 2009 was $7.25. Figuring on the LOW side, rent for a single parent of two children might have been close to $600 a month, food for three was minimally $200 a month. Babysitting was about $400, renters insurance was probably $50 a month, car insurance an addition $50 a month, and when you factor in electricity, phone, gas, heat, and water, you would probably have spent an additional $200. If you wanted cable, that's at last another $100. Gas for your car might have been another $75 a month. But let's leave out the cable, because cable is really not a necessity, is it?</div>
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A $15,080 year minimum wage salary equals $1,257/mo. Let's not forget to take out Uncle Sam's portion, which leaves you with about $980. And with deductions, you are left with...</div>
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980 <br />
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- 400 <br />
- 50 <br />
- 50 <br />
- 200 <br />
- 75 </div>
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-595</div>
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...nothing AND you owe an additional $595 - $7,140 LESS PER YEAR than the EMPLOYED individual requires just to meet basic necessities. And remember, the costs I listed were probably so much lower than what people with two children would have paid, that you might have to add far more loss to the equation.</div>
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In any event, I have to ask, HOW is having a job making $595 less per month than you need to survive BETTER than not having a job? What is the tenant supposed to tell her landlord - "Sorry, I can't pay the rent - EVER - but at least I have a job." Or how about the utility companies? What happens when her children grow out of their clothes and shoes? When you make $595 less per month than you need to survive, you can't even afford items from the Salvation Army.</div>
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The employed person could better herself by going to school, but how will she pay for daycare and transportation? Granted some government programs are in effect for SOME individuals. If you want to go into nursing, for instance, you are guaranteed to find help, but the professions for which the government is willing to pay are limited.</div>
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Let's take the problem further. Can employers afford to pay more than minimum wage to their employees? Probably not. As it is, most employees have had benefits taken away from them, wage freezes put into effect, perks taken away, and yet they still show up for work every day.</div>
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They cut down, cut out, and still they can't meet the demands of life that require them to feed their children, clothe their children, and transport their children to the grocery store.</div>
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So what is the answer? Without a job, people have to go on public assistance. With a job, people can't afford to pay their bills and end up on the streets. If you can't afford to pay the bills for your home or apartment, you can't afford to live in your home.</div>
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Again, I ask, what is the answer?</div>
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I have a suggestion. What if the government expanded its list to include professions other than the limited ones they offer? Not everybody wants to be a farmer or a nurse.</div>
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And I would like to offer another ray of hope - a government job. Nowhere else will you find pay scales that increase, benefits that are in most cases superior to anything you would find in the private sector, and more job security than you would find anywhere else. If you can get through the initial phases of poverty, find government assistance to get you through that phase, find people who will agree to take care of your children (you could take care of theirs in exchange), you can find something that will bring you out of your conditions and into something better. (By the way, the government's retirement benefits are amazing.)</div>
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Even if the job is not what you had planned on doing with your life, you can train for other positions while you work. Eventually you can live the life you want to live. It will be tough, but aren't your circumstances tough now?</div>
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So is any job really better than no job? No. But planning and researching for a better way of life, and then implementing the strategies necessary for getting a better life is better than doing nothing.</div>
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Find <b><a href="https://www.usajobs.gov/" target="_blank">USA JOBS</a></b> by clicking the link.</div>
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<i>Sources: </i></div>
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http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0774473.html <br />
http://www.usajobs.gov/</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><b><i>Related Reading</i></b>: </span><b><a href="http://helpforsingleparents.blogspot.com/2015/06/great-tips-on-finding-jobs-keeping-jobs.html" target="_blank">Great Tips on Finding Jobs, Keeping Jobs, Leaving Jobs, & Reporting Jobs With LOTS of Job-Related Resources</a></b> </div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-18127542903573073492015-06-15T02:00:00.000-07:002015-06-15T02:00:00.175-07:00Are You Responsible for Your Child’s Unhealthy Lifestyle? Fight Fat with Food!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH1T5FgWpTN7OhihW4plBrTokabL0S1Bvbv4XITStwRq_S7-r8PHQELjMZtoxdUGvXD6J1sHk7WINn2pVYIHHfEYlWQiZaScMlxJdOADmflTyb0SVaXgd-_WwBEFMsBENp2ypahatySMf/s1600/Asparagus5We00ra7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqH1T5FgWpTN7OhihW4plBrTokabL0S1Bvbv4XITStwRq_S7-r8PHQELjMZtoxdUGvXD6J1sHk7WINn2pVYIHHfEYlWQiZaScMlxJdOADmflTyb0SVaXgd-_WwBEFMsBENp2ypahatySMf/s400/Asparagus5We00ra7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>“Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years.”</i></div>
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<i>“The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2012. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to nearly 21% over the same period.”</i></div>
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<i>Above quoted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) </i></div>
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What are we doing to our children and how can we help them live healthier lives? And how can we decrease the amount of processed foods our kids eat and replace those foods with foods that contribute to their overall health?</div>
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Recently, I watched a video of a man who was burning what looked like a slice of cheese. It wouldn’t burn, though, and it burned more like plastic than it did food. I wondered how that cheese product would digest in a small 3-year-old’s body, and knew immediately why, when I was providing daycare, the State of Illinois specifically stated that the type of cheese childcare providers were allowed to feed children had to say, “cheese” on the label – not cheese “product.” </div>
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Cheese is a staple in so many diets among so many children – are we feeding our children plastic or real food? Are children experiencing gastrointestinal problems because they can’t digest the food we’re feeding them?</div>
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Before women decided to (and in many cases had to) go to work, moms were left at home to care for the family. When Dad and kids came home from work or school, Mom had a meal prepared for them. Today both Mom and Dad work and the kids are scheduled for so many after-school activities that the only option is to grab a hotdog as they race to the car or to run to the concession stand for a plate of nachos. </div>
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<b>But what might be a better option?</b></div>
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According to <b>ABC News</b>, whole, unrefined foods force our metabolisms to work harder than they do when we fill our bodies with processed foods. What that means is that if your food item lists no other ingredients beyond say, bananas, beans, etc., and the food you are about to ingest has no additives, no preservatives, and absolutely no other ingredients, you are looking at a potential fat buster.</div>
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Foods in their natural forms are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, probiotics, or essential fatty acids. Can we get our concession stands to offer healthier alternatives? Can we come together as parents and grandparents to offer our children better food choices?</div>
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It’s not too late to make changes. We can no longer use the no-time excuse or the too-many-activities excuse. We MUST make changes, and we must make them now, because if we don’t make changes <i>NOW</i>, our kids, when they become adults, will suffer from heart disease at alarming rates and we, their parents and grandparents, will bury our children.</div>
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Is offering healthy food options at concession stands impossible? Why can’t restaurants (even fast food restaurants) offer healthy – but also tasty – alternatives to the high-sugar, salt-laden foods they now offer? Let’s switch out the salt and sugar for some of the spices listed below. We really do have many choices. We just have to MAKE time to take advantage of them.</div>
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What follows are the best <i>healthy</i> <i>foods</i> for fighting fat and contributing to the overall health of all of us:</div>
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<b>FISH</b>, including Flounder, Sole, Tilapia, and Salmon – omega 3s, found in fish, build muscle which then metabolizes more fat because muscles burn more calories than does fat.</div>
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<b>FRUITS</b>, such as Apples, Blueberries, Cherries, Grapefruit, Oranges, Pomegranates, and Avocado (which speeds metabolism, helps inflammation, clears blood vessels, and provides fiber and essential fatty acids). Even though they are packed with sugar, they are packed with “natural” sugar.</div>
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<b>LEGUMES</b>, like Beans, are “high in resistance” starch and fiber.</div>
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<b>VEGETABLES</b>, including Arugula, Bell peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Leeks, Onions, Romaine lettuce, Scallions, Shiitake mushrooms, Spinach, Tomatoes Chili Peppers (the capsaicin in chili peppers is thought to burn fat)</div>
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<b>NUTS AND SEEDS</b> (raw, unsalted) include Almonds, Flaxseeds, Sesame seeds, Walnuts, and others</div>
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<b>BEVERAGES</b> that are unsweetened, such as Blueberry juice, Cherry juice, Pomegranate juice, Vegetable juice, Green Tea (caffein, antioxidants, and catechins stimulate the nervous system and lead to a reduction in body fat), and Coffee, which perks up metabolism</div>
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<b>HERBS AND SPICES</b>: Basil, Black pepper, Cardamom, Chives, Cilantro, Cinnamon, Cloves, Garlic, Ginger, Parsley, Turmeric</div>
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<b>MISC</b>: Egg whites, Yogurt (plain, nonfat) – the probiotics and calcium in yogurt are supposed to have slimming effects.</div>
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Vow now to be your child’s advocate for a healthy lifestyle. If you eat foods that are unhealthy, make a conscious decision to change your eating habits, too, not only for your children, but also for yourself. Make sure you <i>and</i> your kids get plenty of exercise, drink lots of fluids, and eat foods that contribute to your overall health. You’ll find you will all feel better, look better, and have more energy!</div>
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<i>Above information was taken from these three sources:</i></div>
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<b><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/surprising-foods-fight-fat/story?id=19178364" target="_blank">7 Surprising Foods That Fight Fat</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/fat-fighting-foods/?page=2" target="_blank">44 Superfoods That Fight Fat</a></b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm" target="_blank">Childhood Obesity Facts</a></b></div>
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<i>Photo – by Seemann from Morguefile</i></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-16832760352338152352015-06-09T06:31:00.001-07:002015-06-09T06:31:46.571-07:00Protect Your Children’s Skin With More than Just Sunscreen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In May, 2010, I received radiation treatments for 36 days. After lumpectomy surgery the previous winter, chemotherapy continued throughout radiation treatments and extended beyond radiation treatments. Like other cancer patients who experienced radiation, I learned that I needed to avoid the sun for one full year following radiation. Why? Because radiated skin blisters easily.</div>
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But so can baby’s tender skin. So why not protect it? </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer today. According to SkinCancer.org, “</span><span style="color: #323333; font-kerning: none;"><i>Each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon</i></span><span style="color: #323333; font-family: Arial;">.</span><span style="color: #323333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px;">” </span><span style="color: #323333; font-family: Arial;">And according to Cancer.org, “</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><i>Many of the more than 3 million skin cancer cases that are diagnosed annually could be prevented by protecting skin from excessive sun exposure and avoiding indoor tanning</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Times;">.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #323333; font-family: Arial;">”</span></div>
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Because incidents of skin cancer are rising each year, we must be vigilant about sun exposure. Though the article I link below is targeted toward cancer patients receiving radiation, all of the information found within the article explain what YOU can do to protect yourself – and your children – from the sun’s more dangerous rays, even if nobody in your family has cancer or is receiving radiation. </div>
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From different types of sunscreen to protective clothing (yes, you can protect your clothing from the sun’s rays too!), you will find lots of useful information.</div>
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“Knowledge is power!”<br />
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<a href="https://theresawiza.wordpress.com/2014/10/01/getting-radiation-heres-how-to-protect-your-skin-with-more-than-sunscreen-that-healthy-glow-may-not-be-healthy-after-all/" target="_blank">Getting Radiation? Here’s How to Protect Your Skin with More Than Sunscreen: That Healthy Glow May Not Be Healthy After All</a></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-11989547710567253752015-06-04T08:12:00.003-07:002015-06-04T08:12:56.058-07:00Great Tips on Finding Jobs, Keeping Jobs, Leaving Jobs, & Reporting Jobs With LOTS of Job-Related Resources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfKGlZ6MkNadUO6erfHrunbHDQ4ADEYGQA_acjdhqiq-ZF-NMetOE0Qkweze7C9U6m3r4X1UOOvyZxOJMsU94JOag0Q-tzcGwZWgs4D7UOHGOESMhIiEXwKmUoT6OteunLZNc_Ykrqq_X/s1600/JobLoss%2524DownDrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfKGlZ6MkNadUO6erfHrunbHDQ4ADEYGQA_acjdhqiq-ZF-NMetOE0Qkweze7C9U6m3r4X1UOOvyZxOJMsU94JOag0Q-tzcGwZWgs4D7UOHGOESMhIiEXwKmUoT6OteunLZNc_Ykrqq_X/s400/JobLoss%2524DownDrain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Originally published on the Yahoo! Contributor Network Aug 27, 2009 and revised for 2015</i></div>
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<b>Finding a Job</b></div>
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With so many resources available on the web from craigslist to monster to your local newspaper and more, finding a job should be easy, right?</div>
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Well, yes and no.</div>
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Gone are the days when you could walk into any company with even the slightest desire to work and walk out with a promise of employment. Today not only would you have to send a resume <i>and</i> fill out an application, you might possibly have to agree to no less than three interviews as well. The extensive interview process allows employers to "weed out" undesirable applicants, and with the number of applicants willing to fill positions these days, employers are in no rush to fill vacated spots, especially when loyal employees are willing to take on additional burdens without complaining.</div>
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Assuming your resume is perfectly prepared and that you have an employment coach to escort you through the process, you still might not get the job. Competition today is fierce. Don't think you can skate by with only a passing knowledge about what is required of you in the position you hope to fill, because somebody else more qualified than you is more than willing to step into that spot - the jobless rate is staggeringly high.</div>
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If you don't feel qualified to work in your desired profession, hone your skills or keep looking for something more suitable to your talents while you further your education. But if expertise in your desired field has prepared you for the job hunt, read on.</div>
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If you're looking for something local, look online through the classifieds section of your newspaper. Other online job searches will take you to forms asking you to list your skills, education, and desires. If you post your resume online, prepare yourself for an avalanche of job opportunities that has nothing at all to do with your capabilities. If your email inbox becomes filled with job opportunities for which you have no experience, and your objective is to find a job that matches your talents and abilities, refine your preferences - it will help you to better target your job prospects.</div>
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And if you're looking for a job that always offers benefits, check out government jobs at <a href="http://www.usajobs.gov/"><span style="color: #4860e9;">USA Jobs</span></a>.</div>
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When employers request a cover letter from you that requires information about a previous salary, make sure you address every single question asked of you in your cover letter. For instance, if the employer wants to know why you left your previous employer, make sure you mention your reason(s) in your cover letter. Following directions correctly from the start ensures that you will be at least one step closer to getting that interview.</div>
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<b>Writing the Cover Letter</b></div>
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The cover letter is the employer's first impression of you. Is it neat? Is it well written? Does it convey a sense of professionalism? Have you addressed every issue raised by the employer?</div>
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Make sure you list your full name, address, phone number, email address, and any other relevant contact information. Have a friend or family member examine the cover letter before you send it. Word processing programs can detect misspelled words, but if you meant to write about your two previous employers, make sure you spelled it "two" and not "to" or "too".</div>
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Include only information relevant to the job and to your qualifications. Anything longer than one page might find its way into the trash bin even before it's read.</div>
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One resource for writing spectacular cover letters is<b> </b><a href="http://www.bestcoverletters.com/"><span style="color: #4860e9;"><b>Best Cover Letters</b></span></a> which offers samples of cover letters specific to different types of jobs. </div>
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And don't forget to attach your resume. A variety of resume samples targeted to specific employment types can be found at<b> </b><a href="http://www.resumeforjobs.com/"><span style="color: #4860e9;"><b>Resume For Jobs</b></span></a>. </div>
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<b>Preparing for the Interview</b></div>
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Before the interview, research the company. Prospective employers will be impressed that you were conscientious enough to learn about the company and that you can speak intelligently and knowledgeably about it.</div>
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Unless you're applying to be a sumo wrestler, dress appropriately for the interview. Act confidently. You might have to tell yourself that you really don't need the job and that the interview is for practice to help you relax. Appearing too eager can make you look desperate.</div>
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Think of the job interview as a kind of date. First impressions are important. Look the interviewer in the eye, not in a Ted Bundy kind of way, but in a personal it's-nice-to-meet-you way. Shake his or her hand with a firm, but not too firm, handshake. The point is to demonstrate confidence, not aggression, desperation, or terror.</div>
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And when your potential employer reaches out to shake your hand, do not hand her a floppy fish-like extremity that feels like you've just had your bones removed. Learn how to give a proper handshake.</div>
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While you want the employer to hire you because of your skills, experience, and personality, exposing too much of your personality might not be the best route to take on your career path. Imagine Robin Williams interviewing for an administrative assistant job while he awaits his first big opening. Sitting on your head on a chair might not be the best approach in getting the job (unless you're applying for a crazy acting job, of course).</div>
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So if you are waiting for your "big break," and if you're really serious about getting a job, curb your desire to "be who you are" when sitting in the interview seat.</div>
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If asked about a previous employer for whom you have no kind words to say, mention no names. Your new employer can investigate if necessary. One reason you don't want to give negative feedback about your former boss is that you don't know if the person interviewing you at the new company is a relative or friend of your previous employer. Also, your new employer may look upon you as a gossip who gathers tabloid material and who might expose every disturbance you encounter if hired.</div>
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Ask questions. It shows you are interested about your position. Also - in a positive manner - ask about your employer's expectations of you. It lets him or her know you care about what your contribution to the company will be.</div>
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If you previously made vacation plans that will interfere with your expected start date, unless you are specifically asked about vacation plans during the interview, don't mention them until you agree to be hired. Once you agree to be hired, mention your plans at that time in a confident (not arrogant) manner and tell your employer you understand the time off will be unpaid.</div>
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For an amazing array of likely questions that will be asked during your interview, go to <b><a href="http://www.jobinterviewquestions.org/" target="_blank">Job Interview Questions</a></b>. They offer so much help in so many areas.</div>
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If you sincerely wish to work for one specific company, be persistent. Send a thank you note directly to the interviewer - by name - after the interview is over. Express your wishes again to work there. If you hear nothing by the decision date, call and politely ask if they've hired anybody yet, reiterate once more your desire to work there. Don't appear as a stalker, but do let them know that your interest has not waned. Again, present yourself as interested, not desperate.</div>
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<b>Keeping Your Job - Or Not</b></div>
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You now have office buddies, you're happy with your new job, and you're making money. But what if the money isn't paying the bills?</div>
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What if you are the breadwinner in your family and you took whatever job you could find. The poverty level in 2009 for a family of 4 in the United States of America was $22,050. A minimum wage earner in 2009 working 40 hours per week made $15,080 a year BEFORE taxes.</div>
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If you work at a job that pays minimum wage, you will need to know if and how often your company gives raises. Some companies promise a 4% raise and a 4% bonus at year's end. Two years later, the raise and the bonus drop to 2% and eventually raises and bonuses stop altogether. While you feel loyal to the company, they obviously don't feel loyal to you.</div>
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Or do they? Would they be willing, despite their stated cap on wages, to offer you more money or a better position so you could keep your job? More likely, soon after you vacate your position, your workload will be slammed onto the back of another employee. How a company values its employees is shown in actions, not words. Maybe you should have paid attention to the turnover rate before you sent your resume.</div>
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And speaking of turnover, have you ever wondered why the turnover rate is so high at some places? Think about this: If you start a job at a rate of $9 per hour (which = $18,720 per year in a 40-hour week - higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour), and you work for a company that offers only a 3% per year raise, it will take you 10 years to reach $12 per hour. And it will take you nearly 25 years to double your pay (see chart).</div>
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<b>Year1</b> - $9.00; <b>Year 2</b> - $9.54; <b>Year 3</b> - $9.82; <b>Year 4</b> - $10.11; <b>Year 5</b> - $10.41; <b>Year 6</b> - $10.72; <b>Year 7</b> - $11.04; <b>Year 8</b> - $11.37; <b>Year 9</b> - $11.71; <b>Year 10</b> - $12.05 ($25,084.80/yr,); <b>Year 20</b> - $16.16 ($33,612.80/yr.); <b>Year 25</b> - $18.16 ($37,772.80/yr.).</div>
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At that rate you are doomed forever to live in poverty. But if you work for a company, making only $9 per hour for one year, by year's end you will have gained enough experience to find a better paying job somewhere else. The downside to frequent job changes is that you appear unstable, but if you maintain integrity at your current job by showing up on time and putting forth your best effort, you will garner enough support from your current employer to attract the attention of someone who believes you are worthy of your asking price.</div>
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And if you enjoy working for your current employer, maybe it's time to discuss upward mobility with your human resources director. Businesses usually post jobs on bulletin boards in the cafeteria or in other locations around your place of business. Many companies hire from within, looking outside only if nobody from within fills the position. By going directly to the personnel director you show your interest in maintaining allegiance to the company. It would be worth her while to monetarily reward you for your loyalty.</div>
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<b>Asking for a Raise or for Time Off</b></div>
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As time goes on, many employees find their job description changing as they take on more and more work. When somebody leaves the department, nobody else gets hired to fill the position and you absorb her job. What has happened and what seems to be happening often today is that your work has doubled and you were never paid more for doing it. Your employer EXPECTS you to work twice as hard while not rewarding you with more pay.</div>
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If you feel you deserve a raise, or if you haven't received a raise in more than a year, here is some quality advice: NEVER ask for a raise. And NEVER ask for time off.</div>
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As an alternative, DECLARE your intentions. For instance, saying, "Can I take next Friday off?" usually elicits this type of response: "No!" But confidently saying, "I have to be off next Friday," usually accompanies this type of response: "Oh, OK." If your company has a policy that requires you to fill out a "request time off" form, fill it out, hand it directly to your employer or place it in the inbox, and let him or her know, by word or with a note, how important the time off is to you. Don't cower before your boss when you hand in the form.</div>
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The same holds true for raises. When you ask for a raise, you give your employer only two options, yes or no. Many bosses will say no, simply because they are <i>bosses</i>. However, it could also be because the company has put a cap on raises.</div>
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Instead of asking for a raise, ask for an appointment and have ready (in case they ask for one <i>now</i>) a list of everything you have accomplished, including any awards of recognition and whatever increase in workload you have been carrying since your last raise. Start writing your list weeks before you ask for an appointment and include EVERYTHING in your report from the moment you arrive at work to the minute you leave your job. Some bosses have no idea what you do, and a black and white clearly written job description makes your recorded description indisputable.</div>
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If your boss refuses to increase your salary, if you can't keep up with the growing economy, and if the cost of living keeps rising, it may be time to consider leaving your present job.</div>
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<b>Quitting A Job</b></div>
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Sometimes no matter how hard you work, no matter how many times you declare your reasons for deserving a raise, and no matter how many hours of unpaid overtime you give to your employer, nothing you do is ever appreciated. Eventually you realize that your amazing work ethic is being ignored and you are being abused.</div>
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But how do you leave a company when you feel loyalty toward it? If loyalty is the case, consider this: is the loyalty reciprocated? Does your employer want you to succeed as much as you want the company to succeed? If the answer were yes, they would want to see you do better with your life. But if the answer is no, they don't deserve you.</div>
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Whatever you decide to do, make sure you have another job lined up before you quit this job. Etiquette requires you to give a two-week notice. Your resignation can state simply, "I will be leaving (this company) as of (date)." Sign it, date it, and place it in an interoffice envelope or directly on your employer's desk. Some companies conduct exit interviews so they can discuss with you any unpaid vacation time, 401K disbursements, insurance, etc. and your reason for leaving. Be honest, but remember, the person who asks you is probably going to be the same person who recommends you to your next employer.</div>
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Some companies treat their employees so disrespectfully no notice is necessary. Probably, if you check around the community, you will discover what everybody else knows to be true: the company has a terrible reputation and was never worthy of your time or your effort in the first place.</div>
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<b>Red-flagging A Job</b></div>
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Pay attention to your own feelings about accepting employment. As a future employee, you too get to weed out the "undesirables" from the pack. Before women's lib became highly vocal in the 1970s, many women found themselves working for what can only be described as perverts. With no voice, many of them endured the pain and frustration of working in uncomfortable environments where sexual favors where forcibly imposed. Today women (and men) can report the abuses. This linked article gives lots of helpful information about <b><a href="http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/harassment.cfm" target="_blank">how to report harassment at work</a></b>.</div>
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<b>In Closing - Improving Your Chances For A Better Job</b></div>
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Most of our days are spent working. Because the jobless rate is so high, we often hear that we should be lucky to even have a job, but a minimum wage job doesn't pay the bills. Low-income families can qualify for free classes to improve their chances of getting a better paying job. Some businesses offer educational grants applicable to job-related classes. Check with your employer to see if such benefits are available. Also check with local state agencies to find out what opportunities are available to you. Keep improving yourself and you will keep improving your income.</div>
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And finally, some work at home - or work from home - jobs are legitimate. Word of caution: check with the <a href="http://www.bbb.org/"><span style="color: #4860e9;">Better Business Bureau</span></a> to find out if any complaints have been lodged against those businesses. And check out their rating.</div>
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So whether you're looking for office jobs, driver jobs, retail jobs, part time jobs, or work at home jobs, good luck with your search!</div>
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<i>Sources: </i></div>
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<b>Compliance Assistance - Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)</b> The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour effective July 24, 2009.</div>
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<b><a href="http://www.ncsl.org/research/labor-and-employment/state-minimum-wage-chart.aspx" target="_blank">National Conference of State Legislatures Minimum Wage by State</a></b> in effect June 1, 2015. Washington, D.C., has the highest minimum wage at $9.50/hr. 21 states still (as of June 2015), require employers to pay only the federal minimum wage stated above.</div>
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<b>United States Department of Health & Human Services</b> <b><a href="http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/15poverty.cfm" target="_blank">THE 2015 HHS POVERTY GUIDELINES</a></b></div>
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Looking fora job? Check out <b><a href="http://www.usajobs.gov/" target="_blank">USA Jobs</a></b></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-49713875245819028852015-05-26T02:00:00.000-07:002015-05-26T02:00:00.710-07:00Toddler Talk With a Baby Whisperer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Previously published a couple of years ago on (and removed from) Persona Paper.</i></div>
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Understanding our little ones sometimes takes a little imagination. When my kids were young, they didn’t always pronounce their words correctly, so I had to take the words <i>in context</i> to figure out their meanings. My youngest daughter carried around a cloth diaper, but couldn’t pronounce the word, “diaper,” for instance, but when she asked for a “yepper,” I knew what she meant. </div>
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However, I had to leave a dictionary for my mom once:</div>
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Yepper – Diaper</div>
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Sow – Pacifier</div>
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Yoke – Milk</div>
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Yo Yoke – More milk.</div>
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Yes, I am the baby whisperer, who can figure out what children are saying. I just have to pay close attention to what’s going on around them. One little girl, who came to my house for the first time while I provided daycare, said something that left me a little stumped – “Mahtimihaab?” </div>
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With no context on which to base the comment, and with no personal experience with her until that day, I finally said, “Show me.” (Those two little words have helped me to understand the ramblings of babies and toddlers for decades, by the way.) Kayla grabbed my hand and brought me to her purse. What was it about the word, “purse” that sounded similar to mahtimihaab? I wondered. Nothing. But then she held up her purse and said, “Teemihaab,” and I figured it out! Before you read the next sentence, can you figure out what that word means? </div>
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Well, if you said that Mahtimihaab meant, “Want to see what I have?” you were right. And if you figured out that, “Temihaab,” meant, “See what I have?” you just might be a baby whisperer too.</div>
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OK, here’s another one. Yesterday, when I was playing Barbies with my 2-year-old granddaughter while her brother and sister played something else, she pulled from her box of Barbies and Barbie doll clothing, a barrette that still had a clump of Barbie hair stuck to it.</div>
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After this brief tutorial on how to understand toddler talk, I’ll bet I won’t even have to tell you the meaning of the word she spoke. Can you figure out what, “Assasussing!” means? Go ahead. Sound it out. You’ll get it. Who knows? Maybe this post just helped you to become a baby whisperer too! </div>
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How well do you think you did? Still don’t have it figured out? OK, I’ll tell you. It means, “that’s disgusting!”</div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637594305211617941.post-38713070825314334722015-05-07T15:29:00.001-07:002016-10-16T05:52:14.632-07:00Imagination and Monsters – How to Teach Children the Wonders of Imagination: An Imagination Game<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #757575; font-size: 11px;">Previously published on Yahoo Contributor Network August 2, 2010</span></div>
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"Remember when we were living in the castle, and the monster grabbed me, and wouldn't let me go?" my grandson asked me.</div>
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As one who is enchanted by dreams and castles, I couldn't help but want to interpret my grandson's dream. As I usually do, I started asking questions.</div>
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"Why wouldn't the monster let you go?"</div>
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"I don't know."</div>
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"What did the monster look like?"</div>
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"You - don't you remember?"</div>
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So much for interpretation. I HAD put him in the corner the other day for misbehaving. Was that why he perceived me as a monster? Because I had raised my voice and put him and his sister in two separate corners for mistreating each other?</div>
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Or was it the scary movie they had watched that same day? Though the movie was somewhat benign as far as "scary" goes, perhaps to a child <b>Ghostbusters</b> truly is frightening. Maybe the old librarian, with her see-through body and her ability to warp into a monster, had scared him.</div>
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Or worse, maybe he thought I looked like the old librarian, and since she turned into a monster, he was afraid I might too.</div>
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This episode immediately triggered in me a desire to explain imagination with an <i>Imagination Game</i>. I wanted to explain that monsters in movies were "imagined" into being through ideas that somebody thought into existence. I wanted to show my grandchildren what it was like to create images using only their minds.</div>
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So Audrey (five and a half), Nolan (three), and I (age unspecified) sat down at the table for a game of imagination - a <b>What if</b> game.</div>
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Audrey, because she was older, came up with her own ideas. Nolan, using bits and pieces from what Audrey and I had concocted, showed us that he understood the concept of imagination quite well, though all of <i>his</i> imaginations, because of the first <b>What if</b>, included ants:</div>
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<b>What if</b> ants had human heads and wore clothes? <br />
<b>What if</b> cars had centipede legs instead of wheels? <br />
<b>What if</b> ants could drive cars? <br />
<b>What if</b> people had legs coming out of their heads where ears should be? <br />
<b>What if</b> people could walk on their ears? <br />
<b>What if</b> people drove ants instead of cars? <br />
<b>What if</b> people had wings and could fly? <br />
<b>What if</b> bugs had human hair and human eyes? <br />
<b>What if</b> ants had cars? <br />
<b>What if</b> all you had to do was think about being somewhere and you could instantly be there? <br />
<b>What if</b> people could sit on clouds? <br />
<b>What if</b> cars looked like ants?</div>
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The more odd the combination, the more fun we had. The longer we played the <i>Imagination Game</i>, the more we laughed.</div>
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The <i>Imagination Game</i> was so much fun, in fact, that we played it again with their ant - I mean, aunt (one of my daughters) the following day.</div>
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Playing an <i>Imagination Game</i> requires only one thing - an imagination. But it also necessitates coming up with ideas. Though the process might be difficult for some people at first, with a little practice, anyone can easily come up with fun - and funny - ideas.</div>
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Innovative, inventive, and creative minds use this type of method for coming up with inventions, new concepts, and remedies. Why not have fun with it?</div>
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Here's how to get those creative juices flowing and to gather ideas for playing an <i>Imagination Game</i>: Look around. Choose two items, any two items. What do those items have in common? What makes them different? How can you combine them into one unique item or ability?</div>
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Need an example? Well right now, for instance, I see a brand new bottle of laundry detergent (that I forgot to put in the laundry room) and a magazine.</div>
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<b>What if</b> we could throw magazines and laundry detergent into the washing machine, and, when we switched laundry from the washer to the dryer, discovered a brand new wardrobe filled with all the clothes that appeared on the pages of the magazine, freshly clean?</div>
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Here's another idea: A giant photo of my son in his Dress Blues sits on my dresser. Draped over his photo are my necklaces. <b>What if</b> he walked out of the photo and handed me the necklace he had purchased for me years ago?</div>
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Imagination has no limits. And playing an <i>Imagination Game</i> is one of the most creative activities you can play. I'm hoping the next time they see something scary on TV or at the movies, my grandchildren will remember how imagination played a role in developing frightening images, including monsters.</div>
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When we finished the game, I asked Nolan, "Do you think the reason the monster wouldn't let you go was because she loved you, she was trying to protect you, and she wanted to hug you?"</div>
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He gave the idea serious consideration, nodded, and said, "Yes."</div>
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I straightened my crown, cleaned the castle, and got rid of the monster hiding under my grandson's bed.</div>
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<i>image courtesy of morguefile.com</i></div>
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Theresa Wizahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09991340792082953965noreply@blogger.com0