This is an email that I received that I just had to share.

I just want to thank all of you for your educational emails over the past year.

Thanks to you, I no longer open a public bathroom door without using a paper towel.

I can’t use the remote in a hotel room because I don’t know what the last person was doing while flipping through the adult movie channels.  

I can’t sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine what has happened on it since it was last washed.

I can’t enjoy lemon slices in my tea or on my seafood anymore because lemon peels have been found to contain all kinds of nasty germs including feces.

I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because the number one pass-time while driving alone is picking your nose (although cell phone usage may be taking the number one spot)

Eating a Little Debbie sends me on a guilt trip because I can only imagine how many gallons of trans fats I have consumed over the years.

I can’t touch any woman’s purse for fear she has placed it on the floor of a public bathroom.  Yuck!

I must send my special thanks to whoever sent me the one about poop in the glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every envelope that needs sealing.

Also, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.

I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny Brown)  who is about to die in the hospital for the 1,387,258th time.

I no longer have any money at all, but that will change once I receive the  $15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for participating in their special e-mail program.

I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St. Theresa’s novena has granted my every wish.

I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or feathers.

I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day.

Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers only get answered if I forward an email to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.

Because of your concern I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can remove toilet stains.

I no longer can buy gasoline without taking someone along to watch the car so a serial killer won’t crawl in my back seat when I’m pumping gas..

I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr Pepper since the people who make these products are atheists who refuse to put ‘Under God’  ! on their cans.

I no longer use Saran wrap in the microwave because it causes cancer.

And thanks for letting me know I can’t boil a cup of water in the microwave anymore because it will blow up in my face…disfiguring me for life.

I no longer check the coin return on pay phones because I could be pricked with a needle infected with AIDS.

I no longer go to shopping malls because someone will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me.

I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.

I no longer shop at Target since they are French and don’t support our American troops or the Salvation Army.

I no longer answer the phone because someone will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a phone bill with calls to Jamaica , Uganda & Singapore a nd Uzbekistan .

I no longer buy expensive cookies from Neiman Marcus since I now have their  recipe.

Thanks to you, I can’t use anyone’s toilet but mine because a big brown  African spider is lurking under the seat to cause me instant death when it bites my butt.

And thanks to your great advice, I can’t ever pick up $5.00 dropped in the parking lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting underneath my car to grab my leg.

I can no longer drive my car because I can’t buy gas from certain gas companies!

If you don’t send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM this afternoon and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend of my next door neighbor’s ex-mother-in-law’s second husband’s cousin’s beautician… Have a wonderful day…

Oh, by the way…..

A German scientist from Argentina, after a lengthy study, has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their e-mail with their hand on the mouse.

Don’t bother taking it off now, it’s too late.

Three New Podcasts!

We welcome three brand new Podcasts to the Mom’s Talk Radio family:

• New Urban Mom Podcast with Sharon McMillan
• Snuggles Podcast with Annette Yen
• The Cravings Coach Podcast with Diana Walker

Be sure to stop on by and tune in.

Many people think that once a child gets older, it loses its interest in crafts.  That isn’t necessarily the case.  These craft ideas for older children can help bring the artist back out in your child.

Girls seem to love scrapbooks, and who can blame them?  It gives her a chance to create a personalized book for all her memories.  You purchase a small scrapbook and allow her to fill it up.  She may surprise you by adding some journaling in it, too.  Stickers and other embellishments make them more individual.  The sky is the limit on what she can do with a scrapbook.

Polar fleece blankets have been all the rage. Your older child, girl or boy, may like to create one of these.

  • Decide how big they’d like the finished blanket to be, and then add 12 inches to the length of the fabric if they would like to create a fringe for it.  They may choose all one color, or use two contrasting colors for variety.
  • Make sure each piece of fabric is the same size and shape.  Trim any excess fabric off where needed.
  • Lay the fabric out in front of you, wrong side up, so that it is horizontal.
  • Draw a vertical line on the fabric, going up 6 inches from the cut edge.  Do this with both ends.
  • Now create horizontal lines going from the vertical line, ½ inch apart, on each end of the fabric.
  • Cut along the horizontal lines to make the fringe.
  • If you’re using two pieces of fabric, tie the corresponding fringes together to join the fabric and create one blanket.

Let your older child create their own “treasure” box by decorating an old cigar box.

  • Find a wooden or heavy cardboard cigar box, with the hinge intact.
  • Using craft glue called “Modge Podge”, paint a thin layer of the glue onto the surface they are working on.
  • They can decorate the box with photos from magazines, handwritten notes, or whatever they like.  Then paint at least three coats of the glue over the paper, allowing it to dry thoroughly before adding the next coat.
  • When it’s dry, they can add other embellishments to make it entirely theirs.

Painted flower pots have been popular for years. This could lead your child into a new business, or just allow them to release their artistic nature.

  • Purchase small terracotta flower pots and the dishes that go with them.
  • With an acrylic paint, decorate the outside of the pot however they like.
  • Decorate the dish in a similar fashion so they obviously go together.
  • Your older child can plant something in the pot after it has dried, or fill it with something else. The choice is theirs.

Just because your child is growing older, doesn’t mean that they cease enjoying crafts.  These are just a few of the many crafts an older child may enjoy.  There is also cross-stitch, painting, drawing, and a myriad of others.  Encourage them to spend some time creating; they’ll probably be glad to have the creative outlet.

I am staring to shop online for flights to Tally, FL!!

Shayna (my oldest)  is now 32 weeks preggo!!!  I have just started the online search for flights out to her apt. in Florida (YAY).

I am excited as all get out but she is considered High Risk so she has been ordered as of today to stop all work and take it easy. She is on weekly Dr. Visits now with a u/s and blood work done at each visit. I am sure they are trying to track little mans lungs to see when it will be ok for her to deliver.

She isnt officially due until May 27th but I doubt she will make it. With her BP problems I think as soon as the babys lungs are developed - they will encourage her to be induced (but what do I know). Either way I am *thinking* that I will fly out to Florida around her 37th week (thats May 7th or so) and then wait it out until the baby arrives. I want to stay a FULL week after the baby is here.

This means I will have to be away from home for quite some time. I’ve NEVER been away from my 2 I’s (Isreal and Isaac) for a long period of time and I know Lance will have a hell of a time at the office and at home without me and with the baby coming RIGHT towards the end of the school year — that just adds to the Williams’ craziness.

Anyway -the control freak in me wishes I had exact dates to work with so that I can ultra-plan everything but I can’t do that so I am flying but the seat of my pants!!

Looks like I will be a Granny next month!

Taken December 07′

The school year is coming to an end and many parents are struggling with what to do with their child(ren) for the summer months. Choosing a summer camp program for your child involves some important research. Since the summer camp experience will have significant impact on your child’s life, it’s important for parents to learn to choose a summer camp wisely. Many parents can benefit from guidance in this area.

Here is a great resource to help you choose a good summer camp for your child: http://reallifesolutions.net/personal/summer-camp.htm

With spring here, you will be planning to tackle a number of chores in the backyard.  Perhaps you are even thinking of cleaning out the garage.  If so; here are some tips for getting your kids involved in outdoor chores.

With the very harsh weather our country has been experiencing, you may want to begin to clear out your flower beds; prepare a compost pile; and generally prepare your backyard for additional planting such as an herb garden. As soon as the weather gets a bit warmer, there are plenty of chores your entire family can participate in.  Make a list of all of the tasks you have to accomplish, and make a list assigning each member of your family to handle one chore.

* Assign an older child to rake the leaves; and younger children to put them into a bag.  Of course, they will want to stomp on the leaves before they put them in the bag.
* Have another child help you clear out the flower beds, or help you pull out weeds.
* Have each member of your family help you spread the mulch.
* Have the kids start a compost pile.
* Maybe dad and son may want to build a new birdhouse.
* You may decide to put a rock border around your flower bed.
* One of the children can accompany dad to buy fertilizer.

There are probably more chores you can think of to assign to each family member. Depending upon the weather, of course, working in the backyard or garden allows your kids to not only have fun, but become involved in every aspect of planting. Perhaps your daughter would like to plant some special flowers.

The more you involve your kids, the easier it will be getting your kids involved in outdoor chores. They will not only have the opportunity to see the backyard come to life, but will begin to appreciate nature as well.

One of the biggest battles in any home is getting the kids to clean their rooms.  If you build in success, by providing them the tools, it’ll make it easier on everyone. 

When selecting the storage for your child’s room, be sure that it’s something that the child can use.  There are tons of options, from plastic storage bins, the fold up cardboard under-bed boxes and drawers and build-it-yourself furniture, and don’t forget garage sales.  Take your child with you when getting new storage, to make sure it will be user friendly.

Younger children have trouble opening heavy dresser drawers, so consider using cardboard box storage, or open stacking baskets.   Use the dressers for out of season clothes until they are older.  Put stickers on the drawers to show what goes in each one, so they can start learning to put away their own clothes. You can find a wide variety of stickers in scrap booking supplies.

Clear plastic bins are great for toys.  The lids are usually easy to work and the children can see what’s in the box.  It’s also fun to label the storage with bright pictures of what goes in each box.  Stuffed animals can multiply like rabbits, but storing them on a Velcro covered pole is fun and helps decorate the room.  A large decorative laundry basket can make good storage for the stuffed animals as well.

By sorting the toys into groups, and storing some in either the basement or garage, you can limit the amount of toys in their rooms at one time.  Rotate which toys they have once a month or so, helping limit boredom with the toys.  This is also a good time to sort out the things the kids no longer play with or have gotten too old for, and either pass things on or have a garage sale.

Grab more organizing tips here: http://reallifesolutions.net/personal/getorganized.html

This is how to impress new clients and old clients alike, by having professional sounding receptionists.

Gyn-Psy. Office

 Mommy guilt is one of the most common feelings mothers go through at some time. Moms will feel guilt for not being able to provide the very best for their children. This makes them see themselves as inferior at being a parent as other moms. Just remember that you are not alone. There are many other moms who go through the same thing. Here are some ways to help combat the mommy guilt before it takes over your self esteem.

Be nice to yourself – Every mom has experienced a moment, when raising their child, where something happened to them that made the mom feel like it was their fault. This is probably one of the most popular forms of mommy guilt ever. Your child falls and bruises their knee; your immediate reaction is to berate yourself as a mother.

“I’m a terrible mother,” is how it usually begins. Be kind to yourself, because you are a good mother. Things will happen with your child and no matter how hard you try to provide for the safest environment possible, things will still happen. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad mother.

Release the need to control everything - Remind yourself that you are not in control of everything that happens to your child. A part of growing up is learning from mistakes. The harder you try to keep them from everything bad out there, the harder they will ultimately fight you on it.

Even though you are an involved parent and see after your child, there is no way you can prevent some things from happening. Just spend that energy on being there for your child to help them through life and not try so hard to control it.

Trust yourself - You are the best person for the tough job called ‘Mommy’ to your child. Don’t second-guess yourself. When your intuition says that your child shouldn’t be doing something; then learn to trust it and stand firm. Don’t give in just because you don’t want them mad at you. Your internal leads are there for a reason.

Don’t cave in to guilt trips - Kids like to take their parents down guilt trip lane. We all want our children to have and do whatever they want, but it’s not always the safest or best thing for them. When you make a decision, stick to your guns.

Don’t allow others to influence your parental decisions - It’s typical for other parents to offer unwarranted advice. While it’s nice to receive other’s opinions on something about your child, you are ultimately the one who will need to make the decision. If you are faced with this kind of circumstance; clearly tell them that you appreciate their opinion and will keep it in mind, but don’t let them influence you too much on your decisions.

You know your child, better than anyone, so you are the one that will know what’s best for them. All parents as well as kids make mistakes, so it’s important not to let yourself doubt your mothering abilities. You’re raising your kids the best you can, so it’s time to start believing in yourself.

Be sure to visit Real Life Guidance to Balancing Work And Family an Easy Step-By-Step Guide To Balancing Your Work And Family Time.

As much as I love to pamper myself, it is very rare that I get to visit a Spa. Usually I will splurge once a year and treat myself to some lovely spa treatment and it usually costs a pretty penny.

Well Spa Week is coming (April 14 - 20) and they have some lovely $50 services.  A Friend and I just booked our appointments for Warm Shea Butter Body Melts (I can’t wait) www.spaweek.net

Check it out - hopefully a spa in your area will be participating