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Welcome
to emommieNews
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10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 -
5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Ok, so I'm a little
late. But better late than never right?! Welcome all you
emommies out there to the 5th edition of emommieNews. I hope
all of you had an enjoyable and safe New Year. By this time, I
hope all of you have noticed that there seems to be something
happening at emommies.net. Actually, you might be thinking
that nothing is happening, but you couldn't be further from the
truth! There is so much in store for you at emommies that
Kimberly and I are bursting at the seams trying to get it all
ready. The biggest change behind the scenes is that we've
decided to switch servers. The company we chose to host our
web site is Cendant. They offer so much more in the way of
perks that we couldn't not switch. There are many other
changes that we'll be talking about in this newsletter, so I'll
leave the details for another article.
While you are waiting for us to get the site back up, enjoy the
newsletter and feel free to contact Kimberly or myself with any
questions. We promise that your wait won't be a long
one.
If you would
like more information on how you can contribute to emommieNews, e-mail me
at Noelle@emommies.net
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| Feature
Article |
Mom's 2001 Resolutions
by Cheryl Gochnauer
The beginning of a new year is a natural time to muse over fresh
ideas and commitments, and the homefront is a perfect place to
start. For 2001, I'm resolving to take conscious steps to improve my
relationship with my kids, my spouse, and myself.
KIDS, I HEREBY
RESOLVE TO...
Catch your eye with
a smile and a wink; to prove I love you everyday.
Notice good stuff
on your report card first, bad stuff second, and grade it all in
perspective.
Be affectionate
with Daddy in your presence so you can learn how to treat your own
mate someday. I'll not hide minor disagreements, but will avoid
being petty so you can learn how to work through conflict while
maintaining another person's dignity.
Encourage you to
spend time with your sibling, even if there is a gap in your ages.
We'll discover activities you can enjoy together, and I'll treat you
in such a manner that you'll realize you're both my favorite child.
Resist trying to
fix all your problems. Instead, I'll give insight on possible
actions you might take by asking you questions you can answer
yourself.
Treat you so you
never doubt my love for you, even when I am disciplining you. I will
speak well of you in public, and never intentionally humiliate you.
Praise but not
flatter you, and thereby build in you a fair sense of your
abilities. We'll work together to temper any perceived weaknesses,
and pursue your known strengths so that, this time next year, you'll
be that much more rooted as you look toward future plans.
FOR MY SPOUSE, I
RESOLVE TO...
Make time to
freshen up, both physically and mentally, a half an hour before we
get together after work each day. If that means putting on makeup in
the car, I'll do it!
Monitor your
nonverbal signals and avoid being "chatty" if you're not.
I'll let you finish your story of what happened at work, without
interrupting with my own day's crisis.
Resist asking you
to fix anything until after dessert. Unless it's leaking. Or
smoking.
Spend an evening
each week talking alone with you, whether away from home or relaxing
while the kids are out at an activity or with a sitter. I'll also
encourage you to carve out occasional getaways with each of our
children, where they can have you all to themselves.
Encourage you to
develop close friendships with other men who share your moral values
and treasure their families.
Tell you everyday
that I love you, and prove it in action and in word.
Remember you'll be
here long after the kids are gone, so our relationship is the most
important one under this roof.
AND TO MYSELF, I
HEREBY RESOLVE TO...
Do what I can, and
guiltlessly let the rest wait. I'll try to be content in whatever
circumstances I happen to be.
Strive to be the
best thing that happened in someone's life today.
Keep everything in
perspective and not over-react. Unless it's leaking. Or smoking.
Accept the love of
family and friends, and reflect it right back.
Plant happy
memories in my children's thoughts, and water them daily with
encouragement and humor.
Cheryl Gochnauer is author of "So You Want to Be a
Stay-at-Home Mom" (InterVarsity Press, 1999) and founder of
Homebodies, a website (www.homebodies.org)
for at-home parents and working parents considering the at-home
lifestyle. Copyright 2001 Cheryl Gochnauer.
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| Attention:
Recalls (Dec 2000 & Jan 2001) |
| Attention
everyone! This is a partial list of recalls and
other press releases provided by the Consumer Product Safety
Commission. Please check out their website for more
recalls. I only included child/family related ones here.
You can find more at http://www.cpsc.gov.
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| What's
New @ emommies.net? |
Where in the world do I start? Well, in order for you not to
feel totally overwhelmed with the changes, I'll just give you the
basics here. You can check out all the new changes in detail
once emommies.net is operational again.
- You'll notice that emommies.net has given it self a
facelift. We have changed the layout of our index page as
well as many of our other pages. We've also designed a new
logo.
- We've developed a mission statement which we've included in
this newsletter. Our main focus at emommies.net has always
been our fellow mommies. Now, we've put it in writing.
- Another big change you will notice is a new way of getting
information. We will now be making it possible for any
emommie to contribute to emommies.net. And, as a reward
for contributing, you will be able to earn points that you can
redeem for cool stuff. We've dubbed this process the Point
System. You can read more about it when the site is back
up.
- Because we have switched the company who hosts our site, some
of you may notice that your e-mail has been affected. If
you notice this to be the case, and you haven't already heard
from her, please contact Kimberly
and she'll get you taken care of.
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| Our
Mission Statement |
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eMommies.net
Mission Statement
emommies.net is a community
developed by moms, for moms. We at emommies.net are dedicated
to providing ALL types of moms with excellent service and superior
resources. emommies.net recognizes that while every mother is
unique in her goals and ideals, we all strive to be the best mommies
we are capable of being. With this in mind, the owners promise
to strive to provide quality information that will aid our emommies
in achieving this objective. It is our goal that emommies.net
be a community where emommies can grow as individuals and as
mothers, network with other mommies, and most importantly, develop
lifelong friendships.
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| Our
Kid's Behavior |
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Potty Training....Woes to Wows
Any emommie who has a little one over the age of 3 knows how hard
potty training can be. I know for a fact that there is no one
method that works. My oldest, now 5, was a breeze to
train. We did the sticker poster, praise, etc... and she just
sort of fell right into wearing panties shortly after she turned
2. My middle child (whom I mistakenly thought would train
easily) has been nearly impossible to train. I keep telling
myself that she'll get it eventually. She's only 2½ so I
don't feel like I have to worry too much, but still, I fret. I
mean, if she can do it sometimes, why wont she do it all the time.
So, I'm calling out to all you emommies out there who have been
through the potty training woes, to share with me (and the rest of
us emommies who still have this to look forward to). How did
you turn those woes to wows? E-mail me (Noelle)
and let me know how you did it? What kinds of rewards did you
use? How did you deal with accidents? What about when
you were on the go? Any information that you could share will
be greatly appreciated. And remember, you'll earn points for
your responses!
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| Working
Moms |
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emommies.net is eager to begin preparations for our very own
classified ad section. This section will be a part of our
AtWork pages. All you moms out there who work either at or
away from home will be able to display your advertisement. The
best part is...it's totally FREE! If you are interested in
posting your ad with emommies.net, let Noelle
know.
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| In This Issue
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- Welcome
- Feature Article: Mom's 2001 Resolutions
- Attention: Recalls
- What's New?
- Mission Statement
- Our Kids' Behavior
- Letters To The Editor
- Romance Tip
- Humor
- Craft Corner
- Recipe
- Home Organization Article
- Working Moms
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| Romance
Tip |
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This time of year is perfect for rekindling the romance in your
marriage. With the New Year being a time of renewal and with
Valentine's day just around the corner, now is the time to
act. There are a million ways to show your spouse that you
love them, after all, how many different books are in print on this
very subject? For this month, our tip to you is to do
something together that your partner loves, even if it's not
something you would regularly enjoy. For example, does your
husband love hockey? If so, buy a pair of tickets to his
favorite team's next home game. Go with him and most
importantly HAVE A GOOD TIME! Even if you really don't like
hockey, you have to admit that you love spending time with your
husband. That in itself will be all that is needed to make the
evening a success for you too.
Do you have a romantic tip that you would like to
share with other emommies? If so, contact Noelle.
Ask about how submitting a tip will help you to get cool stuff for
FREE!
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| Humor |
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Why Parents get Gray Hair
The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about
an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the
employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's
whispered, "Hello?"
Feeling put out at the inconvenience of having to talk to a
youngster the boss asked, "Is your Daddy home?"
"Yes", whispered the small voice. "May I talk with
him?" the man asked. To the surprise of the boss, the small
voice whispered, "No." Wanting to talk with an adult, the
boss asked, "Is your Mommy there?" "Yes", came
the answer. "May I talk with her?" Again the small voice
whispered, "No".
Knowing that it was not likely that a young child would be left home
alone, the boss decided he would just leave a message with the
person who should be there watching over the child. "Is there
anyone there besides you?", the boss asked the child.
"Yes" whispered the child, "A policeman."
Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss
asked, "May I speak with the policeman"? "No, he's
busy", whispered the child. "Busy doing what?, asked the
boss. "Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman," came
the whispered answer.
Growing concerned and even worried as he heard what sounded like a
helicopter through the ear piece on the phone the boss asked,
"What is that noise?" "A hello-copper", answered
the whispering voice. "What is going on there?", asked the
boss, now alarmed. In an awed whispering voice the child answered,
"The search team just landed the hello-copper." Alarmed,
concerned and more than just a little frustrated the boss asked,
"Why are they there"? Still whispering, the young voice
replied along with a muffled giggle, "They're looking for
me!"
Do you have a bit of humor that you would like
to share with other emommies? If so, contact Kimberly.
Ask about how submitting a humorous anecdote will help you to get
cool stuff for FREE.
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| Craft
Corner |
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Sweetheart Wreath Project
This is a great project that you can do with your kids.
Make sure to buy extra candy hearts if you plan on having enough to
finish the project. Somehow, they seem to magically disappear
when your kids help out.
You will need:
Styrofoam wreath in desired size
1½ inch valentine themed ribbon
hot glue gun & glue sticks
large and small conversation heart candy
Wrap the wreath with the ribbon and secure it with your hot
glue. Arrange the conversation hearts on top of the ribbon and
glue into place overlapping them as desired.
.Do you have a craft idea that you would like to
share with other emommies? If so, contact Noelle.
Ask about how submitting a craft will help you to get cool stuff for
FREE!
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| Recipe |
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Honey Heart Cookies
This recipe is perfect for little hands to help with. It's
great for an at school snack as well.
You'll need:
⅓ cup
butter
¼ cup honey
⅔ cup oats
⅓ cup
dry milk
4 tsp. water
¾ cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Mix
the butter and honey together then add the oats, dry milk and
water. Mix well. Once mixed add the flower baking powder
and salt. Mix until the proper cookie dough consistancy.
You can chill the dough if you would like it to be a little easier
to work with. Then, roll the dough to ¼ to ½ inch
thickness. Cut with heart shaped cookie cutters. Bake at
325° for 10-15 minutes. You can decorate the cookies or
choose to leave them plain. Enjoy!
Do you have a recipe that you would
like to share with other emommies? If so, contact Kimberly.
Ask about how submitting a recipe will help you to get cool stuff
for FREE.
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| Organization
Article |
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Creating Beautiful Storage
Space
- Where None Exists!
by Rachel Webb
If you want a golden rule for home decorating that will fit
everybody, this is it: "Have nothing in your houses that you
do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful."
--Walter Kitteredge. I have decided to use this quote as my motto
for the year and have tried to incorporate this belief while
attempting to declutter my home. However, have you noticed that
while most all organizational aids are very useful they are not
always beautiful! Can't they be both?
Finding beautiful organizational tools to enjoy in your home does
not happen by accident and won't be accomplished by running down
to the hardware store on a Saturday afternoon. With
careful planning of future purchases you can create beautiful
storage space even where none existed before!
QUALITY FURNISHINGS
Although beauty is defined by many people in different ways, I
would suggest that filling your home with beautiful organizational
tools should start with quality. Instead of looking for a quick
fix it solution, shop with the idea that this will be a permanent
feature in your home for many years to come. I like to use the
colorful, empty wet wipe containers to organize my children's
small toys and other plastic organizers are fine hidden away
behind the laundry room door or in the garage. But look for
quality attractive organizers for the main living area's of your
home that you can be proud to display. If your home office needs
file drawers look for products that have beauty not just
functionality. I love my wire and wicker file drawers and have
also found a wide variety of stained oak, stainless steel or
leather bound office organizers available as well.
CAREFUL PLANNING
Unless you have a budget primarily for organizing your home, it
will take time and planning to purchase and create beautiful
storage options. Start by making a list of any furnishings or home
decorating purchases you expect to make in the following year. Can
any of those items be turned into storage space as well as their
normal function? With careful planning furniture purchases can be
a beautiful organizational solution.
DOUBLE DUTY FURNISHINGS
For example, If you are wanting to purchase a couch or recliner in
the near future shop for options that include a magazine rack
attached to the side of the furniture. Many styles of beds, coffee
tables and end tables often come with drawers underneath as well.
If you are needing a bench for the entryway look for a piece that
may work double duty as a blanket chest or in the very least
offers a shelf underneath. A roll top desk may be a little more
expensive but the storage space and ability to hide the clutter
may be worth the additional cost in it's useful years to come.
Yesteryears apothecary tables are very popular today and are
available in a wide variety of furnishings from Compact disc side
tables, lamp bases with small drawers for organizing and even
spice drawers for the kitchen. These attractive drawer furnishings
"extend" the storage and look great on a bedroom dresser
to organize jewelry or where pockets can be emptied after a day at
work. They are also great on top of a sewing machine to hold
notions or on the kitchen counter for twist ties and rubber bands.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR: Rachel Webb is a SAHM of 4 and designs decorative
large Magnetic Fridge Calendars. Her calendars are made
entirely out of heavy duty magnet, guaranteed not to slide off when
the kids slam the fridge door! PERFECT Gift
Idea! Visit her site: http://www.Note-Ables.com
or e-mail: Rachel@Note-Ables.com
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| Letters
To The Editor |
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Do you have a question or comment for the
emommies.net editor? If so, I'd love to hear from you.
Send your letters to
Noelle@emommies.net.
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