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Your Child and Your Dog

I recently received an article to post on my blog entitled: Kids & Dogs. The author, and avide dog lover, shared ideas for different ways that your kids can get involved at all ages. We have had a dog for almost a year now, and my husband and I do all of the dog chores. My never thought of involving my children: ages 6, 4 and 2, in her care. Before reading this article, I had not realized how much they could do to help out!

My children can help with cleaning up his toys and washing his dish, they can help with walking(though not alone) and could begin helping with grooming as well. She talkes about how you are reinforcing the importance of proper care even before they have the full responsibility of a pet, and you are also helping to create a bond between your pet and your child!

One thing I also learned NOT to do was to allow my children to feed the dog. I have in the past, allowed my four year old son to bring out his food dish. The author warns about the possibility of a young child getting bitten in the dog's excitement. So, my son will not be feeding the dog anymore! I had never thought of that possibility, but it is so true!!

You can read the whole article here: Kids & Dogs.

Crystal Unrau

http://twomomsinablog.com

Me and My Weight - or should that be My Weight and I

I have been fighting my weight for some time now, since my second child was born. On a recent post on my blog, I shared pictures of my at my eldest daughters first brithday and 6th birthday. I made a commitment to try and loose weight earlier this year and then forgot all about it until last week when someone posted a comment on a old posting asking how I was doing with my weight loss plan.

The post I wrote in response started like this:

"Well, I am sitting here reading my emails and notice that someone posted a new comment on a post I made back in the beginning of February: Why Do I Want To Lose Weight? I am reading her message: “I can’t wait to hear how you are doing with your weight loss!” as I eat chocolate pudding straight out of the mixing bowl with a ladel, and sipping my 4th glass of pepsi(not diet either) for today. Okay, I can explain the ladel: my daughter has managed to loose all of my regular spoons at school so I am improvising. As for the pepsi, well no excuses there, it’s just a habit. SO I  am thinking, not much has changed has it?"

As I think about it, and read back over that first post, I realize that I took the time to make a nice list of all the reasons I wanted to lose weight: good and bad. I even identified some of the reasons I haven't. And then I left it there! Well no wonder I never got any were!! So, I spent some time making a bit of a checklist of things I should do:

1. Realize I need to loose weight - done

2. List the reasons why I want to loose weight, honestly - done

3. Identify the issues that have stopped me so far, or caused the wieght gain - mostly done

4. Identify what things in my life may be preventing change, and find solutions to those issues.

5. Begin setting small goals, overcoming one thing at a time: Minor changes to an overall permanent lifestyle makeover.

So I started by identifing a few of the issues in my recent post, So what happened to the weight loss plan? and came up with solutions for those problems. Then I choose a few small changes to make to start off with. I am considering starting the Arbonne diet, since I will be selling it starting this month, but first I want to start with a few changes that need to be made to my lifestyle itself. After all, I don't want to loose all this weight just to put it back on again!

So, now 3 months later, I am back on the weight loss path. I am hoping that some of the things I have put in place this week will help to keep me on my path. And now that the weather is getting warmer, I have fewer excuses not to go outside and walk:)

 

Crystal Unrau

http://twomomsinablog.com

 

March Contest Winner: Spinach Salad

This salad was the winning entry in the March Recipe Contest at Two Moms In A Blog. The April contest, Easter Favorites, is now on with a $50 prize package! Visit the Contests 4 Moms Page at Two Moms In A Blog for details.

Spinach Salad

Salad:
1 lrg bunch or 1 ready bag of spinach
1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 small or 1/2 large red onion chopped
1 pkg sliced mushrooms or 8-10 whole sliced
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped or sliced
1/2 to 1 lb bacon, up to you.
Place all ingredients in very large bowl and toss with the dressing.

Dressing:
1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil (olive oil is too light)
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce
These are approx, you can make sweeter or tangier to taste.

Place all ingredients except oil in small saucepan on medium heat. Whisk to incorporate.  Slowly drizzle oil into pan, whisking the entire time.  Whisk one more minute.  Bring mixture to a boil and immediately remove from heat.  Whisk one more time.  Allow to cool somewhat then whisk again.  You can put directly on salad when warm and serve immediately or make dressing 1 day ahead and store in fridge in a plastic liquid container and shake well just before serving. For variation, sometimes I add 1/2 cup bean sprouts or one can of them or chopped cauliflower for extra crunch.  Enjoy!

 Entry Submitted By: Kathy Everman

http://www.kathyskitnkaboodle.com/

I’m a mother of two girls.  Victoria is almost 8 and Vanessa is 3.  We live in Indiana, with my husband David.  I am a virtual assistant, direct sales rep and more.  I love to cook so when I tried this salad I knew I had to have the recipe and thought it would be great for sharing.

Moms are underpaid

I read this in a magazine today and though you guys might find it interesting:

"Labor analysts estimate that if a Canadian stay-at-home mom with two children were paid for all the work she does, her annual salary, including overtime pay, would be $163,852(canadian). The figure is based on current market wages and a 100 hour work week consisting of six 15-hour days an one 10-hour day."

Okay, now I think that sounds great. But according to that, I should be getting 9 hours a day to myself and 14 hours once a week! I wish someone had told me that! I wouldn't have bothered getting up for all those mid-night feedings had I know I was off the clock, lol.

 

 

 

My Hands Were Busy

My hands were busy through the day ,
I didn’t have much time to play ,
The little games you asked me to ,
I didn’t have much time for you ,
I’d wash your clothes ,
I’d sew and cook ,
But when you’d bring your picture book ,
And ask me please to share your play ,
I’d say ” a little later in the day . “
I’d tuck you in all safe at night ,
And hear your prayers ,
Turn out the light ,
Then tip-toe softly to the door ,
I wish I’d stayed a little more .
For life is short ,
The years rush past ,
A little child grows up so fast ,
They are no longer at your side ,
Their precious secrets to confide .
Now the picture books are put away ,
There are no longer games to play ,
No goodnight kiss ,
No prayers to hear ,
That all belongs to yester year ,
My hands once busy ,
Now are still ,
The days are long and hard to fill ,
I wish I could go back and do ,
The little things you asked me to .

Author : UNKNOWN

Commenting on a blog: How will it help you?

A well maintained blog will have high search engine rankings because of the frequently updated content. Having your website link on a high traffic blog can be very good for your own website rankings as well, and for your traffic! So, most people’s first reaction is to jump in and start their own blog. But, with thousands upon thousands of blogs out there, it takes a lot of time and possibly even a financial investment, to get a blog off the ground successfully. That being said, there are ways to use other people's blogs to promote your website, and commenting is one of those ways!
 
Many blogs will allow you to give feedback on individual posts, in fact many encourage it. Unless the blog is specifically there to promote a company or product, the comments will in fact boost the search engine rankings and reader interest in the blog!
 
How do you benefit? Well, posting a comment allows you to share your own thoughts and ideas, and at the same time, you can include your own link when you sign your post!
 
Having your link on a high traffic blog will boost your search engine rankings. I spend a little time each week searching for new blog posts related to weddings and posting my thoughts with my link. For these types of comments, you want to search for your key words and post comments on blog posts that include those same keywords.
 
Posting comments regularly on the same blog can also be beneficial, provide the blog’s readers are in your target market. When a loyal reader sees the same person contributing to the blog over and over, you begin to build a rapport with them. For that reason, I have also picked out 2 blogs that I visit and comment on regularly. 
 
It is important in this case to make sure the both the blog itself and the posts you pick to comment on are relevant to your website and target market. If your target market is moms, posting regularly on a wedding blog would be pointless. But posting regularly on a blog specifically for moms, like mine, would be perfect.
 
It is also important to make sure that all your comments are relevant and actually add something to the blog. Posting: “Nice Post, Crystal, http://chryscrossbridal.com “ is not commenting – it is spam, and most blogs will delete it. Pick posts where you can share additional advice, or your own experiences or thoughts.
 
And the last thing to remember when commenting: try to avoid topics that will lead to controversial discussions (abortion, same sex marriage, etc). While it is good to have an opinion on those topics, engaging in a “blog battle” will simple make your business look very unprofessional. You want to maintain professionalism any time your business is linked to your words.
 
I enjoy having people involved in my blogs, and at Two Moms In A Blog, we actually have a section in our newsletter were we share suggestions for posts were comments could be made!
 
If you want to learn more about Blogging, you may attend on of my Blogging with Chrystal Workshops, every Thursday, 2 pm EST, at the Expo Connector!
 
Crystal Unrau
http://twomomsinablog.com
 
 

How to add a entry to the WNC Magazine Tips and Comments thread.

You first need to register with the SBRN Blog sites.

Then log into your Blog and choose to visit the WNC Magazine.

 

ONLY Member Tips and Comments and the Ads Thread can be posted to by members.

The other theads have Editors and Authors.

 

Thanks,

Nancy

 

 

WNC/SBRN Special offer from the Founder

Your name: Nancy F. Johnson

Location: Cheshire Oregon

Business name: Small Business Referral Network
Wahmsoftware.com, Expo Connector

URL: http://smallbusinessreferralnetwork.com
http://wahmsoftware.com
http://expo-connector.com


Product and services you have:
SBRN We are a home business community and Cooperative dedicated to
working together to grow business, our member are very supportive
and helpful. We have a vartiety of business services, advertising
and live networking opportunites.

WAHMsoftare has great ebooks, scripts and software for your business
you can get one to dozes of itms at affordable prices.

Expo Connector is our online event center and shopping Portal find
dozesn of business to shop with everyday, and attend online parties
and events. Prizes, discounts, great business contacts.





Any discounts on shipping or % off: End of the year membersip in
SBRN and WNC $29.95 right now.

Expo tables $40.00 for a full year until Dec. 31st 06

$5 Software buy three grab two free.


And your top three best offers for the Holiday.

Sign up now as a SBRN/WNC full member and get all or wonderful
benefits, multiple business directories, free advertising and more.
http://smallbusinessreferralnetwork.com/benefits.html
Several options to choose.

WAHMSoftware offering $5.00 software buy three get two free.
This week only. http://wahmsoftware.com/specials

Expo Connector lock in a table for one full year right now for just
$40.00 this is half price from our non member prices going up Jan.
1st. Or join the SBRN/WNC and get discount prices.
http://expo-connector.com/join.htm


These prices will not last long so grab them now.

Happy Holidays,
Nancy Johnson

Welcome to Woman's Networking Community

Welcome to the Blogs of The Woman's Networking Community, find and share great ideas, advice and solutions for home based business, and the issues women face working from home.

Free posting in the Members tips and comments then come an read our featured writers post on the various channels.

Join our group Woman's Netwroking Community Home.

Then interact on our egroup on Yahoo sign up at the home page.

 

Nancy Johnson

Founder the WNC

Hot beverages for holiday gift giving and entertaining.

Watkins 2005 Holiday Gifts & Entertaining

Whether it's coming up with just the right gift or entertaining with style, some people just seem to make it all look easy. With the help of Watkins, you can be one of those people! Serve a hot, creamy beverage to accompany delicious baked goods. Give your host a gift that looks like it was made just for her. The holidays are hassle-free with Watkins!

Cinnamon Chai Latte

Spiced tea (chai) has been enjoyed in India for centuries, and with the addition of steamed milk (latte) is a coffeehouse favorite today. Now crank up the cinnamon just for fall, and you have a truly unique instant hot beverage that complements apple or pumpkin pie and a variety of holiday favorites.

Limited Edition Hot Cocoa Mixes

Over the last few years we’ve established a tradition of releasing new cocoa flavors for a limited time during the holidays. This year we’re bringing back two of the most popular flavors from holidays past with brand-new labels! Perfect for cuddling up by the fire après-ski or after the holiday meal, these instant cocoa mixes deliver gourmet flavor instantly.

Beverage Sampler Set

Want a comforting variety of this year’s hot beverages? Try all three—our Peppermint Stick Cocoa, Raspberry Truffle Cocoa and Cinnamon Chai Latte! Set of six packets includes two of each, all packed in a black tin.

To view all of Watkins 2005 Holiday Gift Line, visit Watkins Online

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Melody, CA

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WATKINS Winona, Minnesota Winnipeg, Manitoba www.WatkinsOnline.com