Celebrating Fathers
December 23, 2007
On Father’s Day, we celebrate the guys in our lives. Not just our dads and the fathers to our children, but all the men who have made a positive impact on a child’s life.
A number of recently published studies call attention to the effects of good fathering. Men who play an active role in their children’s lives stimulate all aspects of development: emotional, academic, behavioral, and social, even when those men don’t live in the same home as their children.
But we don’t need a study to understand that the men in our lives matter, whether he’s a husband who lives at home, an ex-husband who lives across town, a stepfather, a grandfather, an uncle, or a mentor in the community.
Even from a child’s conception, a supportive father makes a difference in the lives of mothers, their children, and the world-at-large. In fact, research shows that women with supportive partners experience fewer health complications in pregnancy and have better attitudes about the inevitable physical changes to their own bodies. Studies indicate that even labor and delivery may be shorter and easier when your partner is by your side.
SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 2 of 2 Parts
December 22, 2007
First, a disclaimer:
This article requires information about John the Baptist, whose life and works and words are holy, divinely inspired, to Christians. The sources I’ve accessed are religious, historical, literary, exegetic, and anecdotal. In order to avoid disrespect for the sacredness of the words and concepts with which Christians hold The Gospels and with which Jews hold The Torah, I’ve renamed both ‘translated redactions.’ I also use the euphemism, monotheistic god, to avoid any disrespect to any deity and religion. This is an essay designed to entertain and inform you, Dear Reader, not to cause any religious discussion or foment.
Second, a thank you:
To friend Pam and friend Vanessa, both of whom got my research juices going on Salome, whom, I believed, was trivial, too trivial even for our newsletter. It boiled down to "Who did she do the belly dance for?" I hadn’t a clue, because I didn’t think she was real. They both assured me she was a real person. I checked it out. Yup, she was real and… To discover how the belly dance became associated with Salome, we have to veer away from her. It’s Herodias and John who carry the story line forward.
Is a Vacation Rental Near Disney World the BEST Choice?
December 21, 2007
Orlando is calling to you and your family to come and visit! You have been putting it off long enough, finally it is time to give into the urge to come to the sunshine state and enjoy the many attractions that Orlando has to offer! Orlando houses Disney World of course, one of the main attractions that makes you want to come. So where should you stay and how close to the huge theme park do you really want to be?
Here are a few tips in finding lodging and how far you should go to make your family vacation one that you will remember forever.
Where to stay:
* Trade in the old hotel rooms that are too cramped without enough room for you and your kids to have some breathing room. Instead, rent a villa that is so close to the park you’ll feel like you know your way around in no time.
* Only a few miles from the Disney attractions, vacation villas are perfect for families big or small, with any size villa available for the perfect lodging amount for your family!
SALOME and HERODIAS, A Curious Mothers Day Story, Part 1 of 2 Parts
December 21, 2007
First, a disclaimer:
This article requires information about John the Baptist, whose life and works and words are holy, divinely inspired, to Christians. The sources I’ve accessed are religious, historical, literary, exegetic, and anecdotal. In order to avoid disrespect for the sacredness of the words and concepts with which Christians hold The Gospels and with which Jews hold The Torah, I’ve renamed both ‘translated redactions.’ I also use the euphemism, monotheistic god, to avoid any disrespect to any deity and religion. This is an essay designed to entertain and inform you, Dear Reader, not to cause any religious discussion or foment.
Second, a thank you:
To friend Pam and friend Vanessa, both of whom got my research juices going on Salome, whom, I believed, was trivial, too trivial even for our newsletter. It boiled down to "Who did she do the belly dance for?" I hadn’t a clue, because I didn’t think she was real. They both assured me she was a real person. I checked it out. Yup, she was real and…
Give Presence Not Presents
December 20, 2007
Throughout the year we have many gift-giving opportunities to show love to those around us. From Christmas to Birthdays, Valentines Day and more, our thoughts turn to finding the perfect gift. Before you shop and wrap remember that our loved ones need more of our presence than our presents! This type of gift giving uses more creativity, less of our money and more of our heart. Need some ideas on how you can give of your presence and not just store bought presents?
DINNER FOR 2
Instead of purchasing restaurant gift certificates for someone, invite them to dinner with you! Make sure they understand that you are picking up the tab as your gift to them, but the real gift will be the time you get to spend together.
SHOPPING SPREE GIFTS
My mother simply hates shopping for me. She also hates shopping with me. Ok, she hates shopping period. But she knows how much I love it! That’s why it is such a wonderful gift to me when she takes me on a shopping spree for my birthday every year. If you had planned to buy a loved one something at the store, you can still give of your presence too. Invite your special someone to come pick it out with you. I still remember when I was younger, and a boyfriend took me shopping. He had me model the knit sweater for him before he bought it for me. The sweater is long gone and moth eaten but the memory is still knit tightly in my mind.
Vacation Villas in Orlando Florida - What are They?
December 19, 2007
What is a villa? Come to Orlando, Florida to find out!
Among the many hotels and accommodations of Orlando, Davenport, and Kissimmee, Florida, there are vacation villas.
What are vacation villas?
? Like a house with two to four rooms, your choice
? With a kitchen, cooking supplies all ready for you to use, and a grocery store a few minutes away
? Fully furnished with a pull-out sofa for that extra family member of friend coming to stay a few days
? With clean bathrooms, some even with a Jacuzzi tub to relax after a long day of sightseeing and touring around the city.
So, now that you know what they are, you want to know what they have to offer. Some will vary in price and others will vary in the luxuries that go along with the villa. Be sure to choose one that will not only best suit your needs, but also be the most practical! The necessary items that will make your vacation one that you will never forget! Make sure you get the following when signing up for one these vacation villas.
The Perfect Birthday Present for that Little Girl (No Batteries Required)
December 18, 2007
The Dilemma
As a mom of a five-year-old girl, I have attended countless birthday parties in the past few years. With each event, comes the inevitable trip to the toy store to find an appropriate gift for the child of honor. I began to dread the gift-buying process. Toys had either too many pieces, were too sophisticated, were too popular and bound to be duplicates, were too expensive, or just not cool enough (according to my resident expert). The toys my daughter received last year were played with once or twice and piled up in the closet along with the rest of the colorful plastic presents of the past.
The Answer: Dress-up Costumes!
With no small piece to be choking hazards, no instructions to read, no set up necessary, no batteries required and plenty of variety from which to choose, I had come up with a unique and perfect Birthday Present.
Every little girl dreams of being a princess and every little girl love to dress up in beautiful silky dresses, wear crowns, wave magic wands and dance around the house. But, dress-up costumes are not limited to princesses alone. With so many costumes to choose from, there is something special and unique for each child.
Orlando, The Vacation Station
December 17, 2007
If you were asked to name 10 reasons why you vacationed in a certain place, you would probably start slowing down as you reach 5 or 6. But with Florida the list goes on and on. Theme parks are the obvious choice and could fill more than 10 places without a doubt just on theme parks alone.
Starting at the top
Wiltshire - Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral, & Much More
December 16, 2007
Wiltshire is a large English county situated in central southern England. Although it does not boast any coastline, it is crisscrossed by beautiful rivers teeming with rainbow trout.
As in many other English counties the capital, Salisbury, is not the largest city. That honour now belongs to the sprawling town that is Swindon, but it is in Salisbury that we will start our tour.
You cannot think of Salisbury, you cannot visit Salisbury, without paying your respects to the magnificent Cathedral. It boasts the tallest spire of any English cathedral at 404 feet and indeed it was the tallest building in all of Britain for an amazing 700 years. The spire was added around 1300. See www.salisburycathedral.org.uk for more details. And yet it was not the first cathedral in the area, the previous one was began in the eleventh century out at Sarum, on a windswept site. Not surprising then that when the time came to replace it, those in positions of power chose a more amenable site down in the valley close to the river.
Mothers Day Flowers & Gifts!
December 16, 2007
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 8th! Whether she lives next door or across the country, Send Mom a beautiful Fresh Flower Arrangement to celebrate her “Special Day!” Your local florist can design and deliver the perfect gift to Mom this year.
~A Vase or Basket of Mom’s Favorite flowers will be a welcome surprise. Lilies, Roses and Orchids are especially popular for Mother’s Day. Ask your local florist for creative suggestions based on your Mom’s favorite floral variety and/or colors.
~A Green or Blooming Plant can be delivered with your “Happy Mother’s Day” message. A decorative bow can be added for that special touch. Fresh Cut Flowers can also be added to a planted gift for an extra splash of color.
~A Floral Centerpiece can be created just for “Mom” to highlight her table of homecooked meals she is so famous for! Centerpieces can even be designed with a candle as an extra keepsake for Mother’s Day.
~Fruit/Gourmet Baskets offer Mom some delicious treats in a decorative basket. Consider sending Mom some special Teas, Coffees, Cookies, Chocolates or any Gourmet treats. Ask your local florist about the many delicious options available for Gift Baskets.
