My Secret Support System That Keeps Me Sane #mommiesnetwork

I have been a member of this wonderful network of support since 2007 and can't live without it. The Mommies Network and my local chapter Centralfoothillsmommies has been there for me in good times and bad. I just wish I had found them sooner when I was pregnant with my first child or trying to conceive many years ago. I have formed friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime and memories that my children will recall throughout their lives. I now serve in a leadership role and enjoy giving back to my local chapter and on the national level. Like all great non-profits though, it does take funds to run a network that is doing so much. 
Please consider supporting this worthy network by donating this month via our May is for Mothers campaign.  I challenge you to match my $100 donation or give at least $10 towards our goal. Come on, together we can do this! 
I want to share the post from The Mommies Network blog today: video is priceless!

Across the country, we have been proud to provide support to mothers from all walks of life for the last 11 years. But, as time has gone by, we have seen a shift in the dynamics between mothers and we have seen a divide that the media has dubbed "The Mommy Wars."

When The Mommies Network was founded, we saw that mothers have a unique bond- a shared strength from loving for our children. We identified that the characteristics of being a mother- the passion, the sacrifice, the deep conviction of providing to our children a better world- all of these things were also aspects that could create a community of women who could make the world a better place. 

The Mommies Network 2013 from The Mommies Network on Vimeo.

  However, in order to make these communities, we have to overcome the hurdles of the "Mommy Wars." We need to come back to our place of support, and see that how we parent is not nearly as important as our love for our children. What divides us is weaker than what unites us.
Supporting mothers does not always look like what you think it might. But, to us, supporting mothers means ...

providing a place for them to feel safe...

giving them a free corner of the world where they can find other mothers who have been where they have been....

giving them a community where they can be themselves..

providing these things to mothers we don't always agree with...

we stop defining ourselves, and each other, as being different, and instead we unite under the idea that the diversity of our members makes us stronger.

We serve over 30,000 women in our mission to provide a safe and FREE place to find support and encouragement, advice and friendship.

Your donation to The Mommies Network provides us with the means to unite mothers from across the country and to provide a real network of support. Help us end "The Mommy Wars" by making a donation in honor of a mother who may not be like you, but is part of the community of moms that makes your world a better place.

Donate to MOMMIES NETWORK at Razoo

Join us today to help end "The Mommy Wars" , uniting mothers across the country! Donate with me! All donations are tax deductible! 

The Motherhood: my secret weapon

In What State are you trying to survive? Here are our local chapters located in states listed, find your place to call home. Lets help each other out this year through this journey called surviving motherhood.

The Mommies Network currently operates local chapters in 32 states. We have 21,882 active members network-wide.

For those moms who do not have a local chapter in their community, we welcome you to join the National Chapter.

Find Your Local Chapter:

TMN Chapters by State
• Alabama
  • BirminghamMommiesserving Jefferson and Shelby County
• Arizona
  • PhoenixMommiesserving Phoenix and surrounding areas of Maricopa County
• Arkansas
  • LittleRockMommiesserving the greater Little Rock area
• California
  • NorCalMommiesserving Northern California from South Valley California north to the Oregon border
  • OceansideMommiesserving Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista, including Camp Pendleton
  • SantaBarbaraMommiesserving Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties
  • SCValleyMommiesserving Santa Clarita Valley and surrounding areas
  • SLOCountyMommiesserving San Luis Obispo County
• Colorado
  • ColoradoSpringsMommiesserving Colorado Springs
• District of Columbia
  • NorthMetroDCMommiesserving Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties and surrounding areas
  • NoVaMommiesserving Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Arlington Counties and surrounding areas
• Florida
  • FortLauderdaleMommiesserving Broward County
  • JacksonvilleMommiesserving Jacksonville
  • KeyWestMommiesserving Key West and the Lower Keys
  • SEGeorgiaMommiesserving Camden, Brantley, Glynn, Wayne, and Charlton counties in Georgia, and Nassau county in Florida
  • SWFloridaMommiesserving Lee and Collier Counties
  • TampaMommiesserving Hillsborough and southern Pasco Counties
• Georgia
  • AtlantaAreaMommiesserving Atlanta and surrounding areas (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Cherokee, Paulding, and Bartow counties)
  • ForsythMommiesserving Forsyth County
  • GwinnettAreaMommiesserving Gwinnett, Barrow, Walton, Hall, Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Madison, and Jackson Counties
  • SEGeorgiaMommiesserving Camden, Brantley, Glynn, Wayne, and Charlton counties in Georgia, and Nassau county in Florida
• Illinois
  • StLouisMommiesserving the greater St. Louis area
• Indiana
  • CincinnatiMommiesserving Cincinnati and surrounding areas
  • IndyMommiesserving Indianapolis and Lafayette area
  • LouisvilleMommiesserving Louisville and surrounding areas
• Kansas
  • KCMommiesserving Kansas City and surrounding areas
• Kentucky
  • CincinnatiMommiesserving Cincinnati and surrounding areas
  • LouisvilleMommiesserving Louisville and surrounding areas
• Maryland
  • BaltimoreMommiesserving Baltimore, Howard, Eastern Carroll and Northern Anne Arundel Counties
  • ChesapeakeMommiesserving Harford and Cecil Counties
  • FrederickMommiesserving Frederick, Washington and Western Carroll Counties
  • NorthMetroDCMommiesserving Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties
• Massachusetts
  • MerrimackValleyMommiesserving areas around Concord and Manchester, including northern Mass
• Michigan
  • NWMichiganMommiesserving Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska & Leelanau Counties
  • ToledoAreaMommiesserving greater Monroe, Michigan and greater Toledo.
• Missouri
  • KCMommiesserving Kansas City and surrounding areas
  • StLouisMommiesserving the greater St. Louis area
• Nebraska
  • MyOmahaMommiesserving Omaha and surrounding areas
• Nevada
  • VegasMommiesserving Las Vegas
• New Hampshire
  • MerrimackValleyMommiesserving areas around Concord and Manchester, including northern Mass
• New York
  • BuffaloMommiesserving Buffalo and surrounding areas
  • HudsonValleyMommiesserving Mid-Hudson Valley Area (Ulster, Dutchess, Columbia, Putnam and Orange Counties)
  • RochesterMommiesserving Rochester and surrounding areas
  • SaratogaCountyMommiesserving Saratoga County
• North Carolina
  • AlamanceMommiesserving Alamance, Caswell, Western Orange, Person and Granville Counties
  • AshevilleMommiesserving Buncombe County
  • CentralFoothillsMommiesserving Alexander, Catawba, Burke,Caldwell & Iredell Counties
  • CentralPiedmontMommiesserving Rowan, Cabarrus and Stanly Counties
  • CharlotteMommiesserving Charlotte, Pineville, Matthews and Mint Hill
  • CrystalCoastMommiesserving Carteret, Onslow, Jones and Craven Counties
  • FayettevilleMommiesserving Sandhills area: Cumberland, Hoke, Harnett, Moore, Lee, and Chatham Counties
  • GreenvilleMommiesserving the Greenville area including Pitt, Martin, Lenoir and Greene Counties
  • HighCountryMommiesserving Ashe, Avery, and Watauga Counties
  • JohnstonMommiesserving Johnston and Northeast Harnett Counties
  • LakeNormanMommiesserving the Lake Norman Area
  • NorthPiedmontMommiesserving Davidson, Davie, and Randolph Counties
  • SWPiedmontMommiesserving Gaston, Cleveland and Lincoln Counties
  • TriadMommiesserving Guilford, Forsyth, Stokes, and Rockingham Counties
  • TriangleMommiesserving Durham, Wake and Eastern Orange counties
  • UnionCountyMommiesserving Union and Anson Counties
  • WilmingtonMommiesserving Wilmington and surrounding areas
• Ohio
  • CincinnatiMommiesserving Cincinnati and surrounding areas
  • ClevelandMommiesserving Cleveland
  • ColumbusOHMommiesserving Franklin, Delaware, Licking, and Fairfield Counties
  • ToledoAreaMommiesserving greater Monroe, Michigan and greater Toledo
• Oregon
  • PortlandMetroMommiesserving Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas Counties
• Pennsylvania
  • BuxmontMommiesserving Bucks and Montgomery Counties
• South Carolina
  • CharlestonMommiesserving Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester Counties
  • UpstateSCMommiesserving Greenville and Spartanburg Counties
  • YorkCountyMommiesserving York County
• Tennessee
  • ClarksvilleMommiesserving Montgomery County
  • KnoxvilleMommiesserving Knoxville and surrounding areas
• Texas
  • CentralTexasMommiesserving Central Texas including Austin, Fort Hood, and San Antonio areas
  • ElPasoMommiesserving Greater El Paso Region
  • HoustonAreaMommiesserving Houston and surrounding areas
  • MidessaMommiesserving Midland, Odessa and surrounding areas
  • NorthDallasMommiesserving Collin and Denton Counties
• Utah
  • SaltLakeCityMommiesserving Salt Lake, Davis, and Utah Counties
• Virginia
  • FredericksburgMommiesserving Stafford, King George, Westmoreland, Spotsylvania and Caroline Counties
  • HamptonRoadsMommiesserving southside of Hampton Roads
  • LynchburgMommiesserving Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford and Campbell Counties
  • NoVaMommiesserving Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and Arlington Counties
  • PeninsulaMommiesserving Peninsula Area of Hampton Roads
  • RichmondMommiesserving Richmond and surrounding areas
• Washington
  • KitsapMommiesserving San Juan Islands and Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Pierce Counties
• West Virginia
  • CharlestonWVMommiesserving Kanawha, Putnam, and other southern WV counties
• Wisconsin
  • MilwaukeeMommiesserving Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties

Welcome to the best support network for moms, hands down!

That's my secret weapon, my local chapter here in North Carolina is http://centralfoothillsmommies.com, I have been a member since 2007. The support and long term friendships I have built are priceless. It's we're I go online to start and end my day, many times throughout the day.
Find your secret weapon today!

Amish Friendship Bread Starter to the Pan~~

Starter Recipe:
1 package active dry yeast
2 - cups warm water (110 degrees)
1 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup sugar

For Amish Friendship Bread Starter: Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup of the warm water in a deep glass container. Stir in remaining warm water, milk, flour and sugar. Beat until smooth. Cover a large glass jar or bowl with a tight fitting lid works best for this. DO NOT REFRIGERATE! The starter requires 10 days for fermentation as follows: DAYS 1, 2, 3 and 4:... Stir batter
DAY 5:................ Add 1 cup each milk, flour, sugar and stir
DAYS 6, 7, and 8,9..... Stir batter each day
DAY 10: ............. Add 1 cup each flour, sugar, milk; stir.
Put 1 cup of starter in each of three containers or larger zip lock bags. Give away to friends and keep one. This will begin their Day 1.

Directions after you have your Starter:
Do not use any type of Metal Spoon or Bowl Mixing. Do Not Refrigerate.
It is normal for the batter to rise and ferment. Do not taste raw batter and Date Bag.

Day 1: Do Nothing.
Day 2: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 3: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 4: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 5: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 6: Add to the bag 1 Cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk. Mush the bag and let the air out.
Day 7: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 8: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 9: Mush the bag and let the air out
Day 10: Mix and divide starter as follows. Pour the entire contents of the bag into a non metal bowl. Add 1 1/2 Cups Flour, 1 1/2 Cups Sugar, and 1 1/2 Cups Milk. Next measure 1 Cup Batter into 4 gallon size zip lock bags. Keep one for yourself and give the other 3 to friends along with a copy of the recipe. You will end up with 5 batches of bread (4 bags and 1 in the bowl)

I make a double batch yielding in (6 loaves) then i only have 2 starters left, one to give out and one to keep for myself and start all over again in 10 days.

Amish Friendship Bread(to bake the bread)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees 
 To the remaining batter in the bowl (about 2 cups) add:

3 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 baking soda
1 cup sugar
1 large box instant pudding (or 2 small boxes)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup oil
2 cups flour

If using Self - Rising Flour omit soda, salt and baking powder.

Grease two large loaf pans or one 9x13 inch pan. I use the disposable loaf pans, you get 3 loaf pans for $1.29. Mix 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon. Dust the greased pans with half the mixture. Pour batter into the pans and sprinkle the remaining cinnamon mixture on top. Bake for about 1 hour cool until bread loosens from the pan.

Wrap your breads in a decorative wrap with ribbon, add the recipe above and
you have the perfect pick me up gift for a friend, neighbor or coworker.
Enjoy!

Frugal Ideas ~ Vinegar ~ Unleash the Power!

Or if they are worn, she is a mom and a homemaker most likely. Frugal is where its at lately at this house, anything to save a dime and I am all over it! I recently bought a big gallon jug of white vinegar to use for cleaning and then I read this fantastic post by one of my friends via our Centralfoothillsmommies.com domestic goddess forum. I was happy to see so many uses for white vinegar!

~~Unleash the power of white vinegar―an all-purpose cleaner, brightener, herbicide and more. Just a bit of this multitasker, straight up or mixed with water, can replace many pricier products huddled under your sink. Try these tips to see how vinegar can make your life cheaper and easier.

1. Freshen up the fridge. Clean the shelves and walls with a solution of half water and half vinegar.

2. Brighten coffee cups and teacups. Gently scrub stains with equal parts vinegar and salt (or baking soda).

3. Eliminate odors. Swab plastic containers with a cloth dampened with vinegar.

4. Kill bathroom germs. Spray full-strength vinegar around the sink and tub. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

5. Save a garment. To remove light scorch marks on fabrics, rub gently with vinegar. Wipe with a clean cloth. This technique also works on antiperspirant stains.

6. Tidy up a toilet. Pour a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar into the bowl. Let sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.

7. Lose the carpet stain. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the stain and let dry. Vacuum the residue the next day. (Always test an out-of-sight part of the carpet first.)

8. Renew paint brushes. To remove old paint, place brushes in a pot with vinegar. Soak for an hour, then turn on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

9. Wipe off a dirty faucet. To get rid of lime buildup, make a paste of 1 teaspoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. Apply to sink fixtures and rub with a cloth.

10. Stop static cling. Add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid reduces static and keeps dryer lint from sticking to your clothes.

11. Make old socks look new. Get the stains out of old socks and sweaty gym clothes by soaking them in a vinegar solution. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring to a boil and drop in the stained clothes. Let them soak overnight, and in the morning stained clothes are fresh and bright.

12. Restore handbags and shoes. Wipe white distilled vinegar on scuffed leather bags and shoes. It will restore their shine and help hide the marks.

13. Banish weeds. Pour white distilled vinegar on the weeds growing in the cracks of your walkway and driveway. Saturate the plant so the vinegar reaches the roots.

14. Liven droopy flowers. Don’t throw out cut flowers once they start to wilt. Instead, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water. Pour the solution into your vase, and the flowers will perk up.

15. Put an end to itching. Dab a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on mosquito bites and insect stings. It will stop them from itching and help disinfect the area so they heal faster.

16. Whiten your teeth. Brush your teeth once a week with white distilled vinegar. Dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush thoroughly. It will help prevent bad breath, too.

17. Make nail polish last longer. Before you apply your favorite polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in white distilled vinegar. The clean surface will help your manicure last.

18. Keep car windows frost-free. Prevent windows from frosting over in a storm by coating them with a solution of three parts white distilled vinegar to one part water. The acidity hinders ice, so you won’t have to wake up early to scrape off your car.

19. Let your dog shine. Spray your dog with one cup white distilled vinegar mixed with one quart water. The solution is a cheap alternative to expensive pet-care products, plus the vinegar will help repel pests like fleas and ticks.

20. Battle litter-box odor. Cat litter can leave behind an unwelcome smell. Eliminate it by pouring a half-inch of white distilled vinegar into the empty litter box. Let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

21. Kill bacteria in meat. Marinating in vinegar knocks out bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Create a marinade by adding ¼ cup balsamic vinegar for every 2 pounds of meat to your own blend of herbs and spices. Let the meat sit anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavor, then cook it in the morning without rinsing.

22. Prevent cracked eggs. Prevent eggs from cracking as they hard-boil by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. The eggs will stay intact, and the shells will peel off more easily when you’re ready to eat them.

23. Steam away a microwave mess. Fill a small bowl with equal parts hot water and vinegar, and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. As the steam fills the microwave, it loosens the mess, making clean up a breeze.

24. Repair DVDs. If you have a worn DVD that skips or freezes, wipe it down with white distilled vinegar applied to a soft cloth. Make sure the DVD is completely dry before reinserting it into the player.

25. Get those last drops. If you can’t get that final bit of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the jar, dribble in a few drops of vinegar. Put the cap on tightly and shake. The remaining condiments will slide out.

26. Rinse fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to one pint water. Use the mixture to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. The solution kills more pesticide residue than does pure water.

27. Brighter Easter eggs. Before your kids dye Easter eggs, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar with ½ cup of hot water, then add food coloring. The vinegar keeps the dye bright and prevents the color from streaking.

28. Loosen a rusted screw. Pour vinegar onto the screw, and it will easily unstick.

29. Remove gum. To remove gum from fabric or hair, heat a small bowl of vinegar in the microwave. Pour the warm vinegar over the gum, saturating the area. The gum will dissolve.

30. Keep cheese from molding. Wrap cheese in a vinegar-soaked cloth, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate.

31. Renew a loofah. Soak your loofah in equal parts vinegar and water for 24 hours to dissolve soap residue, then rinse in cold water.

32. Remove wax. If you get melted candle wax on your wood furniture or floors, gently wipe it away with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

33. Take a relaxing bath. Add ½ cup of vinegar to warm bath water for a cheap spa session at home. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving you feeling soft and smooth.

34. Brighten your hair. Remove hair product buildup by rinsing a tablespoon of vinegar through your hair once a month.

35. Freshen fabrics. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz your home to neutralize odors in fabrics, carpets, shoes or any sprayable surface.

36. Erase crayon. If your kids get crayon marks on the walls or floor, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub. The vinegar breaks down the wax, making for an inexpensive, nontoxic way to clean up after children.

37. Sticky stickers. Don’t scratch at the residue left by stickers or price tags. Instead, apply vinegar to the gunk, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the glue away.

38. Clean the dishwasher and coffee pot. Reduce soap buildup and food residue by pouring a cup of vinegar into your empty dishwasher or coffee pot once a month and letting it run a full cycle.

39. Sanitize pet accidents. You can remove the stain―and smell―of your pet’s accident by mixing ¼ cup vinegar with a quart of water and blotting the mixture onto the mess with a washcloth. Continue dabbing until the spot is gone.

40. Prep for summer grilling. To remove charcoal buildup from your grill, spray white distilled vinegar on balled up aluminum foil and scrub the grate thoroughly.

41. Restore shower head pressure. If your showerhead gets clogged with mineral deposits, soak it for 15 minutes in a mixture of ½ cup vinegar and 1 quart water.

42. Clean your scissors. When your scissor blades get sticky, wipe them down with a cloth dipped in full-strength white vinegar. Unlike soap and water, vinegar won’t ruin the blades or rust the metal.

43. Unclog drains. For a natural, nontoxic way to clean clogged pipes, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Let the products bubble and foam, then flush the pipes with a pot of boiling water.

44. Eliminate dandruff. If your scalp is feeling dry or flaky, vinegar can be a simple at-home remedy. Once a week, pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over your scalp, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

45. Soften your feet. Summer sandals leaving you with cracked heals and calluses? Soak your feet for 20 minutes a day in one part vinegar to two parts warm water. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving your feet soft and smooth.

http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/organizing-cleaning/uses-for-vinegar-00411000074974/


Now I am off the clean up the dog vomit present that somebody left me while I was busy blogging away......ughhh!!
Stupid dang dogs!!

Imagine the World if Everyone Sent out Love!

From the words of a very special lady Heather Fortune, Founder of the non-profit organization The Mommies Network

What does it mean to support someone?

It means that you assume benign intent. It means that you take them for face value and don't judge them. It means you put yourself in their shoes and see the world from their perspective, just long enough to empathize with them and understand their situation.

And then you love them. A lot. Maybe they are a stranger. Maybe you will never meet them in person. Maybe they will end up being your best friend. It doesn't matter. Because they are a fellow human being. And they are walking this same walk through life as you are, even though their path may branch in different ways. And doesn't that alone connect us all?

Imagine the world if everyone sent out love, instead of hate. If we all tried to see the good in each other instead of instantly looking for the bad? And if we could look past the differences and see what we share in common.

I'm proud that I am able to support amazing wonderful mommies every single day. I can't think of a better way to spend my life than this........

                                                          ~~~~~~~~Heather 

Can you image a world without so much hate and more beauty, slow down this week and notice the beautiful people in your world!

Leslie

Gratitude! Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you to all who have served and all who do serve today!

Mondays in the Parallel Universe still Suck!!

This pretty much sums up my Monday's perfectly, since I work every weekend Saturday and Sunday at a fast pace, by the time I get home on Sunday nights, this chick is worn slap out, tired and head bobbing as she sits on the couch trying to catch up work that I might have missed. Savage Chickens is prefect to depict my mood right now at 2:22 am........Zzzzzzz, image a mommy head bobbing back and forth now, a mommy head who needs to close the computer and get her butt in bed.
 

 

I do hope to turn my Monday around into a more positive light that will shine for others, especially my children today.

Have a blessed day!

Work of the heart is always "paid in full"

Somethings in life are close to your heart, and my work with the non-profit group The Mommies Network is one of those things. I have met some amazing women that I am honored to call friends thru this network. Even though what I do for this non-profit involves long hours, selflessness and of course no monetary pay, I continue to work late into the night at my "no pay job" so my spouse calls it. But is it a "no pay" job?
Not in the least! I am rewarded daily with the knowledge that I have help another mother some how thru a rough time in her life, maybe she is an new mom, new to breast feeding, new to homeschooling, suffering from post postpartum depression or many other possible problems that need encouragement, that I can actually offer support because I have been there at some time in my life also.
Maybe I just made another mom laugh with a blog post, or funny comment posted in a forum or fb page. At the end of my crazy busy day, I go to bed knowing that I have been paid in full.

Please take the time to help support my work and vote for The Mommies Network in the following contest:
The Mommies Network is a finalist non-profit in Eleventy Group's 4Good contest. With a simple click to vote and another to share, you can help boost TMN's fundraising power. Better fundraising means technology upgrades, an expanding network, and more time for our volunteers to focus on what they do best: make mom-to-mom connections everyday.

Join us and vote here https://www.facebook.com/questions/280273618735527/

Share this event with ALL your facebook friends and on your chapters, please spread the word that will help us spread our wings. Voting costs nothing but a minute of your time.

Help us Soar Higher and do more 4Good for you! Vote now! and tell every you know!

From this Mom I thank you for support myself!! 

How do you catch one? - Leprechaun Chow

                                                                 Source: sweetology101.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

       

Chasing a rainbow? looking for a little leprechaun that is hiding a pot of gold? I wish I could find that sneaky little booger and get that pot of gold. 

You might just tempt him with this snack made with "Lucky Charms" cereal

Lucky Leprechaun Chow (they can't resist it, me either)

What you need:
Lucky Charms
Green M&M's
Peanuts
Pretzels
White Melting Chocolate
Green Sugar Sprinkles (optional)

How to:

Take your Lucky Charms (about 6 cups)
and separate out the Marshies!

Take the cereal WITHOUT marshmallows(marshies) add pretzels, peanuts and well..whatever you want, then spread it out on a rimmed baking sheet or pour into bowl to get ready to mix with the chocolate.

Melt some white chocolate and pour over and mix well.
I ended up using about 2 bags of the Wilton white
chocolate melts in the Color-burst pastel.

Next add the magically delicious MARSHIES
and some GREEN M&M's. 

Thank you to Sweetology for this fantastic recipe, check out her blog for more sweets and treats, I really enjoyed reading all her posts, such fun!

Now your Lucky Leprechaun Chow Trap is ready to catch the little sneaky green men 

and then find your pot o' gold! 

Ok Time Out for You!!

Is Time Out a Waste of Time? Why is it so difficult sometimes to get kids to listen? You know she heard you, but she ignores you. You ask again and still . . . no response. Now what? If Time Out and other "tried and true" discipline strategies aren't doing the job in your house - this session is for you! The Mommies Network is excited to partner with Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions & TODAY Show, contributor to offer a FREE LIVE training webinar on Thursday, March 8th from 9-10 PM Eastern Time. Join us to learn easy to implement strategies to get kids to cooperate without the slightest hint of fussing, whining or complaining. All you need is your computer (no webcam required). You'll see and hear Amy on your screen and you can even ask questions and she'll make them part of the presentation. Parents RAVE about this session. RSVP today and then kick back and learn from the comfort of your home. Webinar seating will be limited so RSVP now! We look forward to welcoming you. In the meantime, we'd love it if you could let your Facebook friends and fans know about this exciting webinar - just click here to share on Facebook. Parenting expert Amy McCready is the Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions and a "recovering yeller." She is a champion of positive parenting techniques for happier families and well-behaved kids. Amy reaches a worldwide audience with her Positive Parenting Solutions Online course and is a frequent guest on the TODAY Show and has also appeared on Rachael Ray, CNN, Fox & Friends, MSNBC, and elsewhere. In her most important role, she is mom to two teenage boys.

  Parenting expert Amy McCready 

You've seen her on The TODAY Show.  Now here's your chance to ask Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, a question LIVE in a FREE webinar for The Mommies Network!  Join us to learn why Time Out is a waste of time and how to implement strategies for cooperation that work.

Reservations are limited, so RSVP now.  Then join us on Thursday, March 8 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time from the comfort of your computer; no webcam required.  Save your spot, then Share on facebook.

We'll see you there!

St Patty's Day Mini- Unit fun

How about some fun for St Patrick's Day upcoming, a cute little mini-unit that you can do with all ages Clipart and/or fonts copyright Diane J. Hook. Used with permission by djinkers.com
Found this on the site  http://whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com/2011/03/st-patricks-day-activities.html

Here are some of the cute items in the mini- kit you can download on the What the Teacher wants blog 

 More to download and have fun with, so go to it, your kiddos will have a blast with these activities, I know mine will.

Greatest Love of All...

  "Greatest Love Of All"
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
Everybody searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone to fulfill my needs
A lonely place to be
So I learned to depend on me

[Chorus:]
I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be
[Chorus]
And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love

 

RIP Whitney Houston 2-11-12 

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. ~From a headstone in Ireland

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight. ~Kahlil Gibran

Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy. ~Author Unknown