tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33673052841599856532024-03-08T06:43:38.417-08:00Mom's Work Is Never DoneThis Blog is created to maybe help other mom's, but most of all to do some experimenting in writing. I need an outlet to get my stories out there.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-66643780871454240472012-04-16T13:14:00.000-07:002012-04-16T13:15:41.365-07:00Coupon Class 101<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> 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mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Coupon Class 101:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">How do coupons work?</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Stores get back value of manufacture coupon plus payment</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Store coupons are a value directly from the store.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Manufacture coupons are directly from the manufacture.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Where do you get coupons?</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Newspaper</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Printables from the internet </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Blinkies and Peelies</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Can buy coupons from EBAY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">In Store dairy coupons, or booklets, or in small cook books at store</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:53.25pt;line-height:18.4pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">Each Sunday copy holds an average of $200.00 in savings. Plus additional papers mean additional Michael's Craft store coupons! </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt; color:windowtext">It </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">is recommended that you order one paper per member of your family. Albertsons deals come out on Wednesday and the others come on Sunday! Subscribers get guaranteed inserts, the stores may not The Internet is another source of coupons. I love www.coupons.com. You should </span><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">NEVEK make </span></i><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">a copy of a coupon. </span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:74.0pt;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.75in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-3.25pt;line-height:18.4pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">Coupons picture all kinds of products Usually limited to print </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext">2 </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">coupons per computer. Download a coupon printer from the site to your computer and print away </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">What coupons to save? How many to save?</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Save every coupon- why? Clearance Items, Seasonal sales, Brand loyalty </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">When to use your coupons?</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Big Secret is to use coupons with matching<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>store sales and promo’s!</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Buy one get one free sales- you can use two manufacture coupons with this and you get more savings, Stocking up on a product, Stacking your coupons, Rebates, Store match or double-planning to make several trips through the check out line.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Respecting store policies and why best to learn one store at a time:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Coupon etiquette and not hoarding nor “ clearing the shelves”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">This is most likely isn’t the last time you will see these products at this price.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Make it easy on the cashier make sure coupons are in order and not expired.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Choose great time to shop early in the morning or late at night.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">Give all coupons to the checker before items go through the line.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%">If you are separating your items make sure cashier knows ahead of time.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Organization of coupons:</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Binders with baseball pages are the most popular way then you can organize by categories: </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%">Bread, toiletries ,body wash, shampoo, deodorant, cosmetics, lotion shaving, tooth paste, ,cleaners, laundry, kitchen, medicine, paper goods, meat, office supplies, can goods, soup, sauces, box, frozen, dairy, baking, snacks, drinks/soda, produce, pet supplies, misc Make sure to go through your binder once a month and get rid of expired coupons.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:35.85pt;text-indent:-18.15pt;line-height: 18.15pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">FILE FOLDER OPTION, Organize your coupons according to date, do not clip. just simply lay pages together </span><span style="font-size:10.0pt; color:windowtext">& </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">staple in one place. Organize by date. And clip as you need them. </span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:35.6pt;text-indent:-15.5pt;line-height: 18.4pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">MAKING YOUR </span><i><span style="font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">LIST, </span></i><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">Go through the blogs to make a list on what you want to buy at each store, then put it into an envelope along with the coupons needed. With the binder option. I spend about an hour and a half a week clipping and organizing, with the folder option. only 20 minutes! And then a little bit of extra time on my shopping trips. </span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="color:windowtext"> </span></p> <p class="CM2" style="margin-left:35.25pt;text-indent:-35.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Stores relationships with manufacturers, </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">If 10 items are bought, then 10 manufacturers coupons may be used. All stores <i>get </i>reimbursed for manufacturer coupons, plus a little extra.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So you should never feel guilty for using them. You are not stealing from the store. </span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="color:windowtext"> </span></p> <p class="CM2" style="margin-left:35.25pt;text-indent:-35.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="CM2" style="margin-left:35.25pt;text-indent:-35.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="CM2" style="margin-left:35.25pt;text-indent:-35.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="CM2" style="margin-left:35.25pt;text-indent:-35.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Albertsons, </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Has been using the "double coupons" lately. These come in our newspapers. Usually has 10/$10.00 deals. more coupons will help you to get better deals on those items. They also have "Catalina’s" good for an amount off, or else a specific product Surveys... used to be french bread, now $2.00 off! "Gas rewards" give you .05 off a gallon for every </span><i><span style="font-size:10.5pt">$50 </span></i><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">you spend ....BEFORE coupons </span></p> <p class="CM2" style="margin-left:35.25pt;text-indent:-35.25pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Walgreens. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Walgreen's has an array of in-store coupons. which you can "stack" with your manufacturer coupons for added savings. If a store has a coupon in-ad or in-store, and there is a manufacturers coupon for the same item. BOTH CAN BE USED. Watch for Register Rewards. (RR). These are long coupons that print out after your transaction that can be used on future purchases. just like cash (also called Catalina’s). You cannot use a </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">RR </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">from the same manufacturer to receive another </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">RR </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">A </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">RR </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">is considered a manufacturer coupon, you may need to </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt">add </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">an item to your order </span></p> <p class="CM6" style="margin-bottom:2.6pt;text-indent:-31.75pt;line-height:19.0pt"><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rite Aid, </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rebates are available through Rite Aid also called Single Check Rebates. To access the rebate programs go to www.riteaid.com. enter your receipt information. and wait until the end of the month to request a check. Ifs that easy! Make copies of all rebates that you send away. and keep a note on when it should arrive. </span><span style="font-size:13.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Target, </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Go </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">to www.afullcup.com. there is a link for the "Target Coupon Generator" You may "stack" Target's in-store coupons with your manufacturer coupons. </span></p> <p class="CM6" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:2.6pt; margin-left:4.75pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Walmart. </span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p> <p class="CM3" style="margin-left:36.25pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Walmart will price match competitor ads, but they will not match </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">"% </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">off". "buy 1 get 1 free", prices after Catalina’s. or rebates. Watch out for clearance items. you can use your coupons on these products. </span></p> <p class="CM2" style="margin-left:35.25pt;text-indent:-35.25pt"><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Rain Checks. </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">If </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">any of the stores have an item out of stock, ask to get a rain check! Rain checks are usually good for 30 days. You can use a rain check with a coupon. </span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-indent:38.75pt;line-height:20.15pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">Although you cannot get a rain check on a sale that includes a Catalina or rebate. </span><span style="font-size:14.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">Using nearly expired coupons. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">When coupons are getting close to expiration I use them up on the "travel" sized items. Often </span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="color:windowtext"> </span></p> <p class="CM3" style="margin-left:36.25pt;page-break-before:always"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">times, I get these items for free! Be sure to check the fine print of your coupon for size exclusions. </span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:38.5pt;text-indent:-38.5pt;line-height: 18.55pt"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">Stockpiling: </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">Why not buy 6 boxes of cereal when at it's lowest price. paying -$1.00 a box rather than $2-$4 each. </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:windowtext">Be </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">sure to check those expiration dates. You </span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">will </span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">not be spending more than .25 cents on hygiene products any more! </span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:167.35pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:31.25pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.1pt;line-height: 18.65pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">Having multiple papers. means multiple coupons. Coupons make this possible! </span><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">Tips: </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">Plan your meals around the items in your food storage. Avoid trips to convenience stores. Don't shop when you are hungry. This will reduce impulse buys. Avoid items at eye levell Search higher or lower for the best deals! Please don't take your kids, at least for the first few tripS! You'll need the concentration! Some of the cashiers are not as well informed as you are on sales and coupons. write comment cards! </span></p> <p class="Default" style="margin-left:139.75pt;line-height:18.3pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">Great blogs . </span><span style="font-size:15.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">.Je,. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">www.discoun!queens.blogspot.com </span><span style="font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext">/fJ </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:windowtext">:www.krazycouponlady.blogspot.com </span></p> <p class="CM4" style="text-align:center" align="center"><a href="http://www.athriftymom.com/"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">www.athriftymom.com</span></a><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p> <p class="CM4" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><a href="http://www.savvyshopperdeals.com/"><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">www.savvyshopperdeals.com</span></a><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""></span></p> <p class="CM4" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><a href="http://www.idahodealdivas.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:11.5pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">www.idahodealdivas.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"><a href="http://www.couponmom.com/">www.couponmom.com</a></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"> </p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Figuring Out the Lingo</b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.15pt;line-height:24.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>B<span style="color:black">OGO: Buy one, get one. Will usually end with "free" or "half off" meaning buy one, one half off, or buy one get one free. B1G1, BZG1: Another way to write 'buy one, get one'. The "B" stands for "buy", the Gstands for "get". The numbers indicate how many </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:14.6pt;margin-bottom: 12.4pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:21.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">of a product you must buy to qualify and the number of products you get when you redeem the coupon or offer. B1G1= Buy one, get one. B2G1= Buy two, get one B2G2= Buy two, get two Catalina: Store issued manufacturer coupon good for us on additional item (also called Up reward or Register reward) EXP: Expires or Expiration Date IP: Internet Printable coupons may be printed right from your home computer. Usually limited to 2 prints per computer, download </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:16.75pt;margin-bottom: 5.9pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:24.8pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace: none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">quick and safe printing software to be able to print securely from home. MMV: Your Mileage May Vary. A phrase used to describe that an experience one shopper has may differ from your experience. One </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.4pt;line-height:18.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">store may allow you to stack additional promos and another location may not do the same. Some stores do not have a universally enforced coupon policy will often let one customer do one thing and another do something completely different. MIR: Mail in Rebate, refers to rebates which must be submitted by mail. These are the traditional rebates that require you to mail in </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.4pt;line-height:24.55pt;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">both your receipt and proof of purchase in the form of UPC barcodes. MFR: Manufacturer abreviation. OOP: Out-of-Pocket; refers to the amount of money you will pay a store to make your purchase. Does not incl ude and after-purchase </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:7.85pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:24.65pt;mso-layout-grid-align: none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">savings, coupons or rebates. OYNO: On Your Next Order. Store promos such as Spend $25, save $10 on your next shopping order. P&G: Proctor and Gamble manufacture a wide range of consumer goods and are one of the largest corporations in the world. Proctor </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:15.6pt;margin-bottom: 5.85pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">and Gamble puts out monthly coupon inserts filled with coupons for a variety of Proctor and Gamble produced brands, just a few of which include: Always, Bounty, Crest, Dawn, Gillette, Olay, Pampers and Tide. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 18.4pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">ROLLING: Using a catalina to buy the same item again, or sometimes just that the catalina is prininting RR: Register Rewards. Walgreens drugstore rewards program, and version of the catalina coupon. Look for the same machines located at register, dispensing long receipt-like coupons that may be used on a future purchase. RRs cannot be 'rolled' like catalinas. </span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"">RP: Red Plum. 5CR: Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid Drugstore monthly rebate program. S5: Smart Source. STACKING: Using a store coupon and a manufacturer's coupon (and sometimes a catalina) on the same product WAGS: Abbreviation for Walgreens Drugstore WYB: When You Buy. Some sales or coupons require purchase of multiple items.</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Monthly Food Cycles and Season’s</span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>January:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> Quaker Oatmeal, Diet Foods including: Healthy Choice, South Beach, Lean Cuisine, Special </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; color:black">K, </span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">Kashi, Smart Start, 100 Calorie Packs Super Bowl Sunday: Pepsi, Coke, Chips, Dips, Cheese, sandwich items, crackers, snacks, wings, Oranges, Pears,Grapefruit, Tangerines, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, Kiwi, Avocado, Cabbage, Spinach ,Cold Medicines and Vitamins</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">February:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> National Canned Food Month: Canned Fruit, Vegetables, meats: Tuna, chicken, salmon, pie fillings, Malt 0 Meal, Oatmeal, Eggo Waffles, Syrup, Chinese New Year: Soy Sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, Noodles Artichoke, Asparagus, Raspberries, Potatoes, Strawberries, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Kale, KiWI, Avocado, Spinach</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>March:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> Frozen Food Month: Frozen Meals, TGI Fridays, Contessa, Foster Fanns Chicken, Eggo, Sara Lee, Healthy Choice, DiGiorno, Freschetta, Breyers, Dreyers, Marie Callendars, Artichoke, Asparagus, Avocado, Haas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collards, Fennel, Kale, Leek, Lemon, Ume, Mushrooms, Onions, Spring, Orange, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Tangerine </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">April:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black"> Ham, Eggs, Some Baking Supplies: sugar, spices, baking mixes, chocolate chips, Earth Day: Organic foods, Energy saver Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbages, Carrots, Grapefruit, Hass Avocado, Mushrooms, Onions, Peas, Rhubarb, </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">May:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black"> BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, Paper Products: plates, utensils, insect repellant, sunscreen, Salsa, tortillas, Artichokes, Asparagus, Avocado, Beans, Green, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Onions, Sweet Vidalia, Peas, Edible Pods, Peas, English/Shelling, Potatoes, New, Raspberries, Strawberries</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>June:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> Eggs, Milk (Free Milk Catalina, wyb cereal), Ice Cream, Cheese, Butter, Yogurt, cool whip, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, 88Q Sauce, Ketchup condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, Apricots, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boysenberries, Cherries, Com, Cucumber </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">Eggplant, Grapes, Honeydew, Nectarines, Peaches, Potatoes, Raspberries, Red Onions, Squash, Summer, Strawberries, Sweet Vidalia Onions, Tomatoes, Watermelon </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">July</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, BBQ Sauce, Ketchup, condiments, charcoal, salad dressing, potato chips, dips, crayons, pencils, folders, binders, Asian Pears, Bartlett Pears, Beans, Green, *Blueberries, Com, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Garlic, Grapes, Nectarines, Onions, Red, Oranges, Valencia, Peaches, Peppers, Sweet/Bell, Plums, Potatoes, Squash, Summer, Tomatoes, Watermelon</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>August:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> Pudding cups, Lunch meat, school supplies, Disinfectant: Clorox, Purell, Clearance: Insect Repellant, Sunscreen, charcoal, Apple, Gravenstein, Avocado, Hass, Beans, Beans, Green, Berries, Com, Cucumber, Eggplant, Figs, Grapes, Melons, Onion, Peaches, Pears, Bartlett, Pepper, Bell, Plums, Raspberries, Squash, Summer, Tomatillo, Tomato </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">September:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> crayons, pencils, folders, binders, Diabetes: Bayer Glucose Meters, Glucerna Cereal, Apples, Artichokes, Beans, Bell Peppers, Chile Peppers, Cucumber, Eggplant, Grapes, Onion, Orange, Valencia, Pears, Asian, Pears, Bartlett, Pomegranate, Squash, Tomatillo, Tomatoes, Winter Squash</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>October:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> Canned pumpkin, evap milk, baking chips, National Seafood Month, Adopt a Shelter-Dog Month: Pedigree, Purina Almonds, Apples, Artichokes, Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Chard, Chestnuts, Cranberries, Lemons, Parsnip, Pears, Pomegranate, Potatoes, Potatoes, Sweet, Pumpkin, Spinach, Squash, Winter, Turnips, Yams </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">November:</span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> nuts, chocolate chips, evap milk, sweetened condensed milk, coconut, cake mixes, soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce, Turkey, canned pumpkin, stovetop stuffing, betty crocker boxed potatoes, gravy mixes, rhodes rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, jello, marshmallows, Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice pears, cranberries, kiwi, lemons, orange, potato, squash, yams </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-line-height-alt: 12.3pt;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; color:black">December: </span></b></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Egg Nog, Deli Platters, Instant Potatoes, gravy mixes, rhodes rolls, frozen pies, cranberry sauce, jello, marshmallows Baking: Flour, Sugar, Butter, Cream, Cake mix, Brownie mix, Muffin mix, Breads, Pie Crust, Marshmallow, Whipped cream Canned foods -soup, broth, condensed milk, vegetables, fruits, spaghetti sauce</span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p> <p class="Default" style="text-align:center" align="center"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif""> </span></p>Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-87543311038837415782012-03-09T14:41:00.002-08:002012-03-09T14:48:37.060-08:00Anniversary # 17I am so happy to say that I have now been married 17 years to my best friend. We now have known each other half of our lives. I can't believe we haven't hurt or killed each other over the years. WOWSERS!!!!! This is definitely an accomplishment. I am proud of him and this accomplishment.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-33663714630331598982012-03-09T12:59:00.004-08:002012-03-09T14:19:45.499-08:00Notes from Personal Development<span style="font-weight: bold;">March 2012</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Notes from Woman’s Conference / Bob Berg</span><br style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lisa Thorne IBWN 3/8/12</span><br /><br />Surround yourself with those people that have achieved more than you you have.<br />Law of the Lid Raise your Lid<br />Value experience and reflection<br />Training<br />Coaching and Mentoring<br />Participate in a master minds group<br />A stop doing list<br />Make a new Friend<br />Learn Something New<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Empowering Woman’s Conference Lauralyn Design your Dreams</span><br />1 Vision Board<br />2 Life in Balance Quote “ You can do anything but you can’t do everything.” David Allen<br />3 Integrity in all situations<br />4 Gratitude for what we have. You were given this life so live it!<br />5. Kindness to others and service to others<br /><br /><br /><br />Bob Berg Meridian Chamber 3/7/2012 put on by Julie Larson<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Law of Value:</span><br />Give more in value than what you take in payment. There is a difference in price and value. Value is relevant worth and then you male great profit. This also gives you peace of mind. We want to give our customers so much more in value than we take in payment. Value is through the focus on them. The higher they perceive the value then they will exchange their goods.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Law of Compensation:</span> How many you serve and how well you serve them will determine the amount you earn. You need to have significant reach.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Law of Influence: </span><br />Put others peoples interests first. This is the golden rule of networking.<br />Make sure things are win win mutually beneficial<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Follow Systems:</span><br />You need to follow systems process of achieving a good base on simple how to logic. Bottom line you do business with who you know like and trust.<br />Networking always leave somebody feeling good.<br />Let people talk about themselves.<br />When you are telling you are not selling.<br />Ask feel good questions like: How did you get started in your business? Then authentically listen.<br />What do you enjoy most about what you do?<br />One key question: How can I tell who would be a good prospect for you<br />Talk about the following:<br />Family, Occupation, Recreation, and their special interests charity, sports ect…<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Other Suggestions:</span><br />Have note pads on hand to pass out to customers.<br />Hand write cards with a color picture on it sent to people you meet.<br />Publish something!<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Law of Authenticity:</span><br />Giving of yourself from who you truly are. A lot of times we don’t value ourselves with our true value. Assess your true value. “Wise person will learn from others.” Learn from others but don’t adapt their personality. Adapt not adopt.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Law of Receptivity:</span><br />Open to receiving you need to work on both of them at the same time. Giving and receiving in tandem.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Communication:</span><br />Mighty is the person who can control their emotion and make a enemy into a friend. We have a choice to react or respond.<br />Great eight words to use in customer service: If you can’t do it I will definitely understand. If you could do it I would greatly appreciate it. Don’t get yourself in any hot water over it.<br />Tact is the language of strength<br />How to say NO!<br />Thank you for asking but that is not something I choose to do right now. I am honored you thought to ask me but that is not something I choose to do. Please think of me in the future.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Customer Service:</span> Say Thank You and response My Pleasure<br />Excellence, Consistency, Attention, and Empathy.<br />Say good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Deflection or Persuasion:</span><br />I appreciate you coming to me with this problem I have great respect for _______. I will have to look into it.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Law Of Left Field</span>: Gifts will come from left field. Golden Opportunities will come that way also. Benevolence will come from your influence.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suggested Books and Websites and Blog:</span><br />Acres of Diamonds<br />Masteryourtraits.com<br />The art of talking so that people will listen<br />Paul J Myer A fortune to share<br />Oprah.com/money<br />The Big Leap<br />Speed of trust Dave Lachani<br />Tremendouslifebooks.com<br />Randy_Gage prosperity blog<br />Burg.comSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-31099382423683084602011-03-02T10:39:00.000-08:002011-03-02T10:52:28.740-08:00Our FamilyI was recently asked about our family.So I thought I would do a little write up on it.<br />Steve is the father and daddy to three beautiful children and Sherri is the mommy. They have been married 16 years. May is their oldest daughter 14 and is very talented in acting and playing her piano. She is also very academic, but we don't want it to get to her head. Sam is their oldest son 13. He likes science,expierments,and slimey creatures. He is also very smart, but we don't want that to go to his head. .Jeremiah is 4. He is the youngest in our family and came to us last year from Haiti. Our adoption was finalized Dec 2, 2010. He is very smart and has learned English very quickly. He also is very cute, but we don't want that to go to his head. <br />We have lived in Nampa for 6 years and really enjoy living here. Steve is a peds nurse at St. Luke's hospital. Sherri is a full time mom and a part time Sales rep for Copies Plus in Nampa.<br />Sincerely,<br />Sherri SwihartSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-82733998599702794832011-01-09T10:07:00.000-08:002011-01-09T10:11:59.106-08:00Jeremie's first Christmas in the USJeremie's first Christmas was exciting. He learned about Santa Clause and Baby Jesus. We saw a man at the pizza place who looked like Santa. He crawled up in his lap and said he wanted presents. Very cute. The concept of taking turns has been a hard lesson the past two months. He is starting to get it.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-17690047047271287912010-11-04T14:47:00.000-07:002010-11-04T15:04:04.401-07:00Changes / Mind DumpI need to be away like a piece of drift wood on a calm lake until I get my roots set down. This Summer has been so busy and the Fall is settling down to where my head is back on straight and level.Work is great and a wonderful fulfillment. I love to find ways to save clients money and make their life a little easier.<br /><br /> Before I know it Steve will be fund raising for his trip back to Haiti in Feb.<br />We are looking into our second adoption. I hope the possibility will give birth.I'm not sure exactly what that looks like quite yet.<br /><br />I'm so looking forward to Thanksgiving. Meeting my little nieces I haven't seen yet. I feel like the next time I see them will be 1st grade. i will enjoy the family chaos for the holiday though and I'm looking forward to it. <br /><br />Well Steve is off to a writing class so I need to start dinner.<br />Mom's work is never done.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-57440692584473820522010-10-25T10:07:00.000-07:002010-10-25T10:09:16.985-07:00Jealousy This one was in a diary from 09.Today, I was confronted with my jealousy. Yes, I envied someone else who was getting an opportunity to meet someone I really want to meet. The thing of the matter was I really felt that at the time they didn’t appreciate the opportunity. I really wanted the best for all parties. When a good friend pointed this out to me: I at first was shocked they did it in front of friends. Then I wanted to defend myself and released and let go for there was no reason to defend. The feeling I’m now sitting here with is wondering about the jealousy and telling my friend to confront me in a more one on one setting. I’m always open to the input. Even this seems like a oxymoron welcome the input but only in a personal setting or what’s comfortable. I crack myself up!Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-70004721643658906112010-09-24T09:58:00.000-07:002010-09-24T10:16:06.497-07:00Unexpected BlessingsI woke the other day thinking it was going to be a normal day. Normal, what is that anyway? Well, truthfully a little late. So we were in the race against time a bit.Jeremie and I were headed over to spend a little time at his new preschool. We wanted to see how he would do.<br /> Right away he started playing with the toys and the other kids.One little boy was very cute in asking why he was black. I said he was born that way. He continued to tell me we are all born and you could see the wheels turning in his head processing why Jeremie was black. Music time started and he sat with the other children. He was doing so well. I was practically kicked out to go do something else.<br /> Proceeding to the car. I thought about the last few taxing months and how I haven't had alone time in awhile.I decided to go to downtown Nampa and sit and have coffee. I went into one of our little tea shops Cafe De Coco in a little quite corner to myself.The shop was empty and very quite. I sat reflecting still on the past few months and started counting the blessings. I am truly in awe and then some.....<br /> I wonder if we ever sit down and slow life down to really count our blessings.<br />I started to write all the blessings and my hand got cramped and I don't dare try to type them all either. I did have a full page on a hand written piece of paper. <br /> I dare you to write them all down.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-60056913324976508252010-07-02T19:44:00.001-07:002011-01-09T10:07:04.526-08:00Haiti to get JeremieI have held on to this almost a year. I have to edit it some more but I thought I would get it out there. <br />Today is my first full day back from Haiti.<br /> The experience going there was incredible.I will start by telling of my first impressions and thoughts when we landed in Haiti. We have been traveling a total of 18 or 19 hours when we reach Haiti.<br /> The flight over the city is rubble everywhere.The earthquake has torn down many buildings. Then you see a tarp of white and blue material on the ground in the middle of the rubble in the clearings in between. These are the tent cities.The fact that many people are living under these blue and white tarps exposed to the elements. The questions started racing through my head where are they showering, the toilets and where are they cooking? How are the misplaced children? How are the people that lost loved ones. Then out of know where we land in Haiti with rough turbulence suddenly. <br /> We get off the plane and have to walk around a wing of the airport damaged by this huge earthquake.I should say the wing is pretty much flattened. We get in a line and go through security, then immigration to check our passports. Then we are in this big hanger where we pay for a cart and it's mass pandemonium. People are everywhere and there is no order.You are standing there in total amazement that getting our bags was like a bunch of kids trying to get candy after the pinata breaks open. So we decided to join the craziness to get the cargo. After that we go out of the airport to be swarmed by these men dressed in gray outfits like auto mechanics. They are luggage carriers and they are fighting to grab your bags to carry them and fighting with the others to get the job. I found this frightening at first because you can't understand what is going on it is disorienting.We stood outside the airport for awhile trying to find out where our ride was from the airport since they had moved the gates since Steve had been there last.This of coarse took us paying someone to use a phone and Steve trying to speak to someone there at the gates that knew something. We hired one of the men to get our cart down the drive of dirt and pot holed pavement to our ride. I was very happy to see that Meray, Ceres and the driver were there to take care of us. We get all of our things packed up into the truck and the tarp on due to the rain.Five of us squish into the small pick up.The truck goes first to the guest house in Port A Prince so we can go to the bathrooms and get a few supplies. We load up for the 4 hour drive to the town of Massade. As we are leaving town we get a call we need to pick up Pastor YOYO. This took a little bit finding him due to some road construction and confusion. The ride was long. I think because we had been sleeping on and off in the planes.At one point we stopped to pee on the side of the road. We get to Massade and we are sitting around with Driver, Meray " head of our trip", Ceres " our interpreter" and then Johnny shows up. <br /> Johnny was another of the towns people there in Massade he was a great help to Steven and I during the whole trip. Johnny came to make sure we had arrived. Jeremiah's family knew we would be coming and sent Johnny to see if we had arrived. We sent Johnny with a message to make sure Jeremiah's dad stayed home in the morning to go to court with us to do the necessary paperwork for Jeremie's adoption.<br />Steve and I then went to get ready for bed. The dogs barked most of the night. The first night there we heard singing down the streets at 2 am. Yes, we think it was a vodoo practice.I begged Steve to take me to the bathroom because I am a chicken. Things settled back down and we slept until 6am.<br /> We then had a simple breakfast. Everyone got ready for the day and we walked to where Jeremiah's family lives. While we were walking it was serial to see people living in such horrible circumstances.Circumstances in which we would consider horrible.Some of the people don't know anything else. The little children and other would peek out of there homes when our parade went walking by. Some of the little kids were laughing and pointing saying blanco. Blanco meaning white or white people.<br /> I looked around and saw the worst poverty ever. Kids running around naked because they don't have clothes. Elderly begging for food saying they were hungry. Houses that are like a dog house and don't keep out the rain. Shacks and I mean real shacks.My shed in the back yard would be considered good housing.<br /> We arrive at the Bien Aime house and they pull out these plastic lawn chairs wipe them off. Then others bring chairs and we all sit on the porch. Meray starts off by saying why we are all there and asks Jeremiah's mom if she has anything to say to us. She said that she was blessed to have Jeremiah to go with us. How she wants him to know Jesus and not to forget them. Papa said the same. He also said he was grateful that we could take him and raise him because they couldn't. I told his mom that she was an incredible woman to give up her son for a better chance. It's the most sacrificial gift anyone could give is child.The emotions at this point were very overwhelming for me.The tears at this point kept coming. Weeks before I had gotten to Haiti I asked myself How can a mom give up her child? What would cause a mom to give up only one child? Why not the other two children? What kind of desperation would I be feeling? What are the circumstances? I would like to say that I have all the answers to these questions. What I did walk away with is seeing the desperation and poverty know one can describe. The commercials for the third world countries our real. Even worse than the pictures they show us. <br /> The walk from Jeremie's house was sobering seeing people poking there heads out to look at us. Seeing the little ones with no shoes or clothes. A older woman pleading for food and dogs fighting over a bone in the dust.We continued on to Judge Pierre's house. This was a sight to see the Judge come out on his front porch and sit on his plastic chair with two wooden posts as arm rests. Judge then gave us instructions that we needed three town witnesses and to go over to the notary.Someone left and got more family as witnesses and all of us headed over to the notary. We all arrive over at the Notary's house. We all crammed into this 10 by 10 room around a table. Everything was explained to the notary papers were filled out and money and receipt's were made out. Then we went back to Judge Pierre's home to fill out papers for the adoption and sign our declarations.Come to find out that the day we decided to do the adoption it was a holiday in Haiti. The court reporter wrote everything out by hand it then was taken and officially typed old school. The Judge then had to travel to the next town over to file the papers in Hench. We would have to then pick the papers up the next day.<br /> This process seems straight forward but we had a huge language barrier. Luckily we had wonderful people taking excellent care of us the whole way through.<br /> The next day was a big travel day back to Port A Prince. We finished giving out all of the medicine,dolls and balls for the orphanages that evening. I felt very sad we ran out of time to go to the feeding center. I also was sad for all the need around me. This was the first time I understood why Jesus would leave the crowd and go by himself to pray. The feeling of overwhelming of inadequacy to help felt as big as the whole world.<br /> The judge and Meray returned in the late afternoon while we were passing out gifts.There was a bit of confusion about picking up the papers from the Judge in Hench the next day.Everyone is wondering who was presented to the Judge in Hench to pick up the papers. Well this went on for a while until everyone got there wires uncrossed. Steve and I explained to the driver what was going on and he started laughing because he was the one present before the judge in Hench to pick up the papers knowing we couldn't go anywhere without the driver. This was comical in the end. <br /> At some point Steve and I had a tour of Pastor YOYO's House. This was humbling knowing this man has pored his life out to the people and his house is in devastating condition. Steve and I think it would take about 17,000.00 to replace or fix it to a simple living condition. My thoughts are with this man and the wheels are turning on how we can help.<br /> Travel day back to Port A Prince was an experience. We were getting ready to leave after breakfast/ mid day lunch when we hear this horrible screaming. Jeremiah had just got bit by one of the scavenger dogs. Luckily it didn't break the skin. We continued to load the truck with all of our luggage. I was then really surprised to see how many of us were traveling together in this one Ford Ranger type truck. We had the driver, Ceres,Steve, Meray,Jeremiah,and myself in the cab.In the back of the truck on top of all the luggage We had Jeremie's mom, dad, Jennica, Meray's employee.So a total of 10 in this truck down dirt roads to Port A Prince. The driving is very uncivilized. They drive very fast and who ever beeps the horn the loudest and longest gets the right away. I closed my eyes many of times praying we would make it.<br /> We arrived in Port A Prince at the guest house. Jeremie's family stayed downstairs in the one bedroom with many beds. We were upstairs in a room with air conditioning. I had many feelings about being treated with better accommodations. I felt like it was unfair in some ways. Steve and I enjoyed learning Creole and playing with Jennica and Jeremie. I really enjoyed watching Jeremie's mom take care of him. The most special moments was watching her take him outside to the side of the house turn on the water and give him a bath. She would hum and give him instructions on washing. She gently would wash his face give him a kiss on the forehead and send him to me to dry off and get dressed. <br /> The family dynamics were good. Kenchey was sick with a running nose and home with other family members. Dad was the disciplinarian and liked to play ball with Jeremy.Mom was a loving care taker with a beautiful smile. Jennica and Jeremie loved each other but liked to pick on each other a lot. <br /> We spent three days together times seemed long and others seemed to fly by.Times at the house with nothing to do and not being able to go for walks about killed me. We were never to travel alone due to safety. The day we all left was the hardest day that needed to happen and I know that none of were prepared for it.<br /> The day we all left Port A Prince. The morning was bright and sunny. We were called down to breakfast. The breakfast was a little bigger than normal.Jeremie's family and us all had breakfast together. The mood was good but the talking was at minimal. I think because we all knew what was in store for the day. They were leaving their middle child and we were leaving to the US. Jeremie's mom took the left over toast and put butter and peanut butter on the bread wrapped it up in napkins put it in a bag. The next thing I knew I heard the truck start. I asked the interpreter if they were leaving. The next thing I know is the scramble of everyone getting ready to send last gifts off and good byes the next thing I knew his family was in the truck taking off and the gate closed. Jeremie realized they left without him and this was it. He cried for about two hours and it killed my heart to hear his pain.The thought of this little one losing the only people he knows to perfect strangers. The pain I felt for his family losing a brother and a son for a greater cause or better life. I often ask how am I so privileged. The only thought I can come up with is when I have been given so much all I can do is be as generous and give back.<br /> We have had an exciting time the past nine weeks with Jeremie. Samuel and Jeremie are now understanding each other and playing together. We moved all the rooms around and have everyone sleeping in there own space. May loves to play with Jeremie and spinning in the front yard is there favorite thing to do.He has experienced so much The zoo, bowling, the water park, Science museum,Capitol Building in Boise, Farmers Market, Shopping, and Best of all a Birthday that has never stopped. He has given us great joy and will continue to do so.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-54024110387841173582010-06-22T15:25:00.001-07:002010-06-22T15:25:46.227-07:00More things to do this summer!1. zoo<br /> 2. beach<br /> 3. art museums<br /> 4. science museum<br /> 5. history museum<br /> 6. bible school<br /> 7. swimming<br /> 8. crafts<br /> 9. sports<br /> 10. day camps<br /> 11. camping outside in the backyard<br /> 12. picnics<br /> 13. slip and slide<br /> 14. water guns<br /> 15. bubbles<br /> 16. baking cookies<br /> 17. picking your own apples, strawberries, etc.<br /> 18. circus<br /> 19. sidewalk chalk<br /> 20. water sprinklers<br /> 21. water balloons<br /> 22. make your own pizza day<br /> 23. make your own ice cream sundae<br /> 24. decorate your own cupcake/cookie<br /> 25. possible<br /> 26. smoothies<br /> 27. renting movies<br /> 28. the library - usually they have a fun summer reading program!<br /> 29. acting your own play<br /> 30. make believe pirate ship adventure<br /> 31. playing doctor<br /> 32. playing store<br /> 33. make their own band<br /> 34. outer space make believe adventure<br /> 35. duck duck goose<br /> 36. lemonade stand<br /> 37. amusement parks<br /> 38. go to the movies<br /> 39. playdates<br /> 40. sleepovers<br /> 41. jump rope<br /> 42. Mother May I<br /> 43. Red Light, Green Light<br /> 44. day at the park<br /> 45. bikes<br /> 46. skating<br /> 47. soccer<br /> 48. baseball<br /> 49. badminton<br /> 50. football<br /> 51. volleyball<br /> 52. ping pong<br /> 53. frisbee<br /> 54. horse shoes<br /> 55. fishing<br /> 56. board games<br /> 57. card games<br /> 58. charades<br /> 59. hula hoops<br /> 60. I spy with my little eye<br /> 61. start a collection<br /> 62. start a journal<br /> 63. create an obstacle course<br /> 64. read together<br /> 65. tent - nothing is more fun than putting a big blanket over chairs and playing tent<br /> 66. take a tour of a factory<br /> 67. tour a radio station<br /> 68. tour a restaurant<br /> 69. nature trails<br /> 70. canoeing<br /> 71. horseback riding<br /> 72. helping in the garden<br /> 73. bowling<br /> 74. a day at the races<br /> 75. flying a kit<br /> 76. tye dye t-shirts<br /> 77. paper airplanes<br /> 78. homemade playdough<br /> 79. finger painting<br /> 80. coloring books<br /> 81. puzzles<br /> 82. make a vacation memory book<br /> 83. write their own mini bookSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-73766676701022910172010-06-19T08:55:00.000-07:002010-06-20T19:37:42.055-07:00MiraclesMiracles- What is a miracle? Definition an event that is contrary to the established laws of nature and attributed to a supernatural cause or any amazing or wonderful event.<br /><br /> This past week I have experienced a few miracles. Many of you know that we are in the process of adopting a little boy from Haiti. We have been fund raising due to Steve's past two trips going to Haiti.We had a casino night and raised funds by auctioning of an airline ticket voucher.Over the coarse of two weeks we raised 2,000.00 for tickets. We then went to purchase the airline tickets and the price had gone up by 600.00. Our good friend Mike got on the line and worked some magic with Delta Airlines and some airline miles. We then had enough to purchase the tickets.<br /><br /> Five days before we go to leave we get an email from Pastor in Haiti letting us know that our costs for everything in Haiti is 1000.00. Well needless to say the only thing left to sell was our second car. Thanks to the great gift of Craigslist we posted the car. We sold it in one hour after posting it for $800.00. We also received some other donations.The whole ride has been great and exciting.<br /><br />I definitely feel like this has been a test of faith for us. I wouldn't ask for a better lesson than the ones I have learned this past month.<br /><br /> I'm grateful to pastor Whitney and coordinating things there in Haiti. Three short days until we take off in the plane. Pinch me is this real. Yep it's real alright! <br />Miracles are real very real. <br /><br />Speaking of miracles: There is an angel in my life right now. She lives with us. Laura has been a God send. She has helped us fund raise put a party together, cooked dinner,watched kids, donating her time and money to the cause of bringing Jeremiah home. I couldn't of done this without her.She is a part of our family and we are truly blessed to have her in our lives. Thank you is not enough!Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-19321806329479582702010-06-13T19:34:00.000-07:002010-06-13T20:09:01.404-07:00Reflection<span style="font-weight:bold;">Today is a day of reflection</span>: We have been working as a family to raise the funds for us to go to Haiti. The Casino night was a success. We have purchased some clothes for Jeremiah even though weren't to sure of his size. A friend has donated a toddler bed and scooter.We also have the car seat. The time is nearing for Steve and I to leave in 10 days to Haiti.<br /><br />I can't explain all of the emotions I am feeling at the moment. The first emotion is sadness for the loss in Jeremiah's family not having him there any more.I can't imagine not having one of my children.I also feel the pain for his siblings. I then feel compassion for the situation the empathy.The love is just incredible to give up a child for a better life.The magnitude of the impact this will have on everyone will unfold in time. Love and my prayers have been highest and best good for all involved.<br /><br />I relate this to having a garden and having a plant where it's not growing well. You think it's beautiful with it's light green color and it's soft pink delicate blossoms. The area where it's planted will be ok and will grow fine. The spot gets ok sun and gets enough water to keep it alive. You know that this small flower would grow and flourish in better circumstances. A protected spot with great sun and water. The plant would first have trauma from uprooting it. The flower may wilt a bit then after it settles into it's new spot it starts to flourish.<br />I hope to really think of everything to ask his mom and dad while we are out there.<br /><br />I pray for wisdom beyond my eyes and preconditioning in our society. I pray for guidance and all things to fall into place.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-71895712486894638062010-06-03T13:55:00.000-07:002010-06-03T14:09:18.747-07:00School being out Ideas to keep the kids busy!Summer Ideas:<br />These are some ideas to keep the kids busy!<br /> * Grow a Garden<br /> * A Day at the Races (make up your own races!)<br /> * A Walk in the Past<br /> * Read a Book<br /> * Go to a Rodeo<br /> * Knot Tying<br /> * Go Fishing<br /> * Fly a Kite<br /> * Go Camping <br /> * Go on a Picnic<br /> * Blow Bubbles<br /> * Tye Dye<br /> * Make a Paper Airplane<br /> * Go on a Thrill Ride<br /> * Do a Zoo<br /> * Build a Sand castle<br /> * Color Summer<br /> * Learn to Play Guitar<br /> * Make play dough.<br /> Read a chapter book aloud to your kids.<br /> Read a novel (something just for you!)<br /> Go to an amusement park or local county/state fair and ride all the thrill rides!<br /> Go fishing.<br /> Make homemade ice cream in a Ziploc bag.<br /> Sit outside and sip iced tea.<br /> Make fresh lemonade. <br />Keeping kids brains working Check out these sites:<br />http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev073.shtml<br />http://www.kidsturncentral.com/games.htm<br />Or google: summer fun activities<br /><br />Everyone have a great summer!Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-79984945229167181492010-06-02T11:44:00.000-07:002010-06-02T12:11:51.904-07:00Why adopt?Many people have been asking me why adopt? I think this is a good question. I have been wanting more children for about 2 years now.The other children are getting older and I thought a lot about having more, but felt like I have been settling. Especially since I physically can't have more kids now. There is a lot of love and teaching I still can give.I knew the kids would love a younger sibling because they have asked us to have another baby over the years.<br /> <br />The opportunity just presented itself for Jeremiah. We weren't directly looking for it. I had always said that it would present it's self and I wouldn't go seeking it out. <br /><br />Over the years we had an opportunity. One was with an older girl that was older than Samantha. The situation changed and her parents held on to her and made it work. She is a wonderful young lady. We still keep in contact with her today.<br /><br />We don't think of adoption as a feel good thing to do. We are thinking of it as adding an addition to our family. A son and a brother for the kids.I'm looking forward to being his second mom to love and cherish him.Clean up the toys and fix his boo boo's. I don't think this will be the last one we adopt either. I think there is one more out there after this one. She will present herself also. <br /><br />I am enjoying being at home with the kids and wouldn't change it. I know this is where I'm suppose to be.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-11223707030965276052010-05-30T12:55:00.000-07:002010-05-30T13:22:32.481-07:00Comtemplation/Adopting JeremiahI'm sitting here in total contemplation. Have you ever made a decision? Maybe a decision that will not only affect you but all of those around you? This decision you have chosen is great idea to some and others are not big fans and try to persuade you other wise.<br /><br />Then all those things start swimming in your head: am I doing the right thing? How will this effect the family dynamics? How will it effect my kids? How will others react?<br />I then come back to the thing that keeps bugging me is it faith or just plain stupidity? I know in my heart of hearts I'm supposed to exhaust the possibilities. Deeply I feel a call to see if this gift is right for us.<br /><br />Your probably asking my gosh what decision is tormenting her.<br />Steve and I have decided to adopt this little cute boy in Haiti. Steve and I have wanted to adopt for awhile but we always said it would fall into our laps.The situation would just present itself.<br /> <br />Steve was on a mission trip in Haiti about three weeks ago.The minister there approached a few team members. Jeremiah is three and an American Citizen.His dad and mom want to send him to the US for a better life and to go to school here in the US. I think of this and it makes me cry thinking of the ultimate sacrifice of love. <br /><br />Steve and I really aren't in the best situation or timing for another little one to come into our lives. Then I say when are you ever ready?<br />We have started major campaigning for funds for our tickets. We are due to go to Haiti in three weeks. Please keep us all in your prayers.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-81086931515097845192010-05-26T09:09:00.000-07:002010-08-25T14:52:09.827-07:00The invitation by: Oriah Mountain DreamerReading books is not an easy task for me. As I have gotten older though it has been a great excuse not to do anything and say I'm reading.Over the coarse of the past few years there have been several books that have made a lasting imprint on my life. This is one of them. <br /><br /><br />The Invitation by Oriah<br /><br />It doesn’t interest me<br />what you do for a living.<br />I want to know<br />what you ache for<br />and if you dare to dream<br />of meeting your heart’s longing.<br /><br />It doesn’t interest me<br />how old you are.<br />I want to know<br />if you will risk<br />looking like a fool<br />for love<br />for your dream<br />for the adventure of being alive.<br /><br />It doesn’t interest me<br />what planets are<br />squaring your moon...<br />I want to know<br />if you have touched<br />the centre of your own sorrow<br />if you have been opened<br />by life’s betrayals<br />or have become shrivelled and closed<br />from fear of further pain.<br /><br />I want to know<br />if you can sit with pain<br />mine or your own<br />without moving to hide it<br />or fade it<br />or fix it.<br /><br />I want to know<br />if you can be with joy<br />mine or your own<br />if you can dance with wildness<br />and let the ecstasy fill you<br />to the tips of your fingers and toes<br />without cautioning us<br />to be careful<br />to be realistic<br />to remember the limitations<br />of being human.<br /><br />It doesn’t interest me<br />if the story you are telling me<br />is true.<br />I want to know if you can<br />disappoint another<br />to be true to yourself.<br />If you can bear<br />the accusation of betrayal<br />and not betray your own soul.<br />If you can be faithless<br />and therefore trustworthy.<br /><br />I want to know if you can see Beauty<br />even when it is not pretty<br />every day.<br />And if you can source your own life<br />from its presence.<br /><br />I want to know<br />if you can live with failure<br />yours and mine<br />and still stand at the edge of the lake<br />and shout to the silver of the full moon,<br />“Yes.”<br /><br />It doesn’t interest me<br />to know where you live<br />or how much money you have.<br />I want to know if you can get up<br />after the night of grief and despair<br />weary and bruised to the bone<br />and do what needs to be done<br />to feed the children.<br /><br />It doesn’t interest me<br />who you know<br />or how you came to be here.<br />I want to know if you will stand<br />in the centre of the fire<br />with me<br />and not shrink back.<br /><br />It doesn’t interest me<br />where or what or with whom<br />you have studied.<br />I want to know<br />what sustains you<br />from the inside<br />when all else falls away.<br /><br />I want to know<br />if you can be alone<br />with yourself<br />and if you truly like<br />the company you keep<br />in the empty moments.<br /><br />By Oriah © Mountain Dreaming,<br />from the book The Invitation<br />published by HarperONE, San Francisco,<br />1999 All rights reservedSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-40700631385871966182010-05-25T16:49:00.000-07:002010-05-25T17:01:18.323-07:00Getting your work doneDo you ever feel that no matter how much you do it's never enough. I do. Maybe because I'm an over achiever or something. I have to make a list of the things that need to get done. A lot of times I check everything off so at the end of the day I'm not focused on what didn't get accomplished. I think I put a lot of pressure on myself. Today, I have to tell myself to enjoy life don't focus on all the stuff. Take a moment and do something for you. Stop doing the dishes.Ask someone else to do them. heheheheSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-1977600076587101802010-05-24T09:37:00.000-07:002010-05-24T09:41:28.146-07:00Toxic HomeI received an email that changed my mind in a lot of ways. This is one of the reasons I have started selling Melaleuca a more natural way to clean and be healthy.I thought I would share it with you. <br /><br />Hello Sherri<br /><br />Thought I'd send you an interesting article on the health and safety of our<br />homes.<br /><br />KNOW YOUR A.B.C's.<br />by Dr. Joyce M. Woods<br /><br />Begin by thinking of your home as a toxic waste dump. The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals - more than a chemistry lab at the turn of the century. More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since WWII. Less than 2% of synthetic chemicals have been tested for toxicity,mutagenic and carcinogenic effects, or birth defects. The majority of<br />chemicals have never been tested for long-term effects.<br /><br />An EPA survey concluded that indoor air was 3 to 70 times more polluted thanoutdoor air.<br /><br />Another EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are<br />3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.<br /><br />CMHC reports that houses today are so energy efficient that "out-gassing" of chemicals has no where to go, so it builds up inside the home.<br /><br />We spend 90% of our time indoors, and 65% of that time at home. Moms,<br />infants and the elderly spend 90% of their time in the home.<br /><br />National Cancer Association released results of a 15-year study concluding<br />that women who work in the home are at a 54% higher risk of developing<br />cancer than women who work outside the home.<br /><br />Cancer rates have almost doubled since 1960.<br /><br />Cancer is the Number ONE cause of death for children.<br /><br />There has been a 26% increase in breast cancer since 1982. Breast cancer is<br />the Number ONE killer of women between the ages of 35 and 54. Primary<br />suspects are laundry detergents, household cleaners and pesticides.<br /><br />There has been a call from the U.S./Canadian Commission to ban bleach in<br />North America. Bleach is being linked to the rising rates of breast cancer<br />in women, reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.<br /><br />Chemicals get into our body through inhalation, ingestion and absorption. We breathe 10 to 20 thousand liters of air per day.<br /><br />There are more than 3 million poisonings every year. Household cleaners are<br />the Number ONE cause of poisoning of children.<br /><br />Since 1980, asthma has increased by 600%. The Canadian Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada identify common household cleaners and<br />cosmetics as triggers.<br /><br />ADD/ADHD are epidemic in schools today. Behavioral problems have long been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.<br /><br />Chemical and environmental sensitivities are known to cause all types of<br />headaches.<br /><br />Labeling laws do not protect the consumer - they protect big business. The<br />New York Poison Control Center reports that 85% of product warning labels<br />were either inadequate or incorrect for identifying a poison, and for first<br />aid instructions.<br /><br />Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene, xylene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.<br /><br />Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The brain is a prime<br />target for these destructive organics because of its high fat content and<br />very rich blood supply.<br /><br />The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found more than 2500 chemicals in cosmetics that are toxic, cause tumors, reproductive<br />complications, biological mutations and skin and eye irritations.<br /><br />Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus, multiple<br />sclerosis, circulatory disorders, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease,<br />irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and hormonal problems are diseases<br />commonly related to chemical exposure.<br /><br />Pesticides only have to include active ingredients on the labels, even<br />though the inert (inactive) ingredients may account for 99%, many of which<br />are toxic and poisons.<br /><br />The New York Poison Control Center reports that 85% of product warning<br />labels are either inadequate or incorrect for identifying a poison and for<br />first aid instructions.<br /><br />Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene, toluene and xylene are all found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are known to be cancer causing and toxic to the immune and nervous systems.<br /><br />Chemicals are attracted to, and stored in fatty tissue. The brain is a<br />prime target for these destructive organics because of its high fat content<br />and very rich blood supply.<br /><br />The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has found more than 2,500 chemicals in cosmetics that are toxic, cause tumors, reproductive complications, biological mutations and skin and eye irritations.<br /><br />Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, lupus, multiple<br />sclerosis, circulatory disorders, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease,<br />irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and hormonal problem are diseases<br />commonly related to chemical exposure.<br /><br />Pesticides only have to include active ingredient on the labels, even though<br />the inert (inactive) ingredients may account for 99%, many of which are<br />toxic and poisons.<br /><br />There ARE solutions, alternatives and ways that we can make a difference.<br />The MOM Team is helping families every day to live healthy lives and it's<br />such a wonderful group to be a part of. If you have any questions don't<br />hesitate to let me know.<br /><br />Make it a great day!<br /><br />DebraSherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-43850483252966214062010-05-24T07:13:00.000-07:002010-05-24T07:24:17.941-07:00TodayToday is sad as we had a family member pass last night. Steve's grandfather had passed away.Steve is trying to figure a way to get to CA. We are diligently working on the paperwork for Jeremiah talking with lawyers and getting things in the right order. The communication with the husband has been difficult,but we are making huge progress.This situation has been difficult as well as faith building. I feel like our family is like the weather wait five minutes and it will change. I am optimistic and maybe just a little crazy.Well I'm off to start my fund raising campaign.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-39306196746890335452010-05-22T14:06:00.000-07:002010-05-22T14:21:55.128-07:00ChocolateChocolate: What kind do you like? Milk,Dark,Crunchy,Chunky,or Smooth?<br />I love it all. I really enjoy all kinds of chocolate but my favorite is dark chocolate.<br />I remember one night waking up to a horrifying call Steve, Sherri, I need some help!<br />At the time Steve's mom and grandma lived with us.<br /> Grandma was getting frail in her age and had fallen a few times before.We quickly raced up the stairs to find grandma past out in her bed. We couldn't wake her and she had this stuff all over her. It looked like dried blood. Mom thought maybe the dog had gotten her.Steve and I looked a little closer and it was chocolate. She had been eating it and fallen asleep with it in her hand .The alarm for Steve's mom was awful thinking it was dried blood.If it was dried blood it looked like a horror film. Steve and I just laugh at the thought of grandma falling asleep with the chocolate in her hand and having all over everything. We took care of getting her all cleaned up and to the hospital because her oxygen was out of whack.The sight was funny and we still laugh today. Thank you Grandma May for continued laughter.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-7465031638138373842010-05-22T13:13:00.000-07:002010-05-22T13:23:06.559-07:00BoundariesBoundaries: I love to push my boundaries! Don't you? Well, just recently with my children I felt like the kids were just not listening anymore. I had to take a look at myself and say why aren't they listening. I came up with the boundaries being a little grey instead of really clear. Mom's if your having a hard time with the children take a time out! Renew your self then take an assessment of your self. Get the lines clear and move forward. The whole world depends on you. It won't run with out you. (Laughing)<br /><br />Motherhood has definitely been my greatest challenge and greatest joy.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-42251009810142725062010-05-22T12:46:00.000-07:002010-05-22T13:12:27.960-07:00Steve's trip to HaitiRecently,Steve my husband has ventured on a few trips to help in Haiti. The first trip he went with about 23 other nurses and Dr.'s. They saw approximately 1056 patients and saved a few lives.The second trip he went on went to Masada Haiti. They built the boys dorm of an orphanage.<br /> We have the opportunity to adopt a little boy who is a American citizen. The family has a father, mother, older sister who is 12, a three and a half year old who is able to be adopted,another little one is about one year. The mother and the twelve year old were in the US for the 12 yr old's cornea transplant. Mom delivered the 3 yr. old in Miami FL.<br />I have many thoughts running through my head in the situation. We have talked with immigration and the embassy.Everything looks good on our side as long as all the paperwork is filled out in Haiti properly. The lawyer on our side will be contacted on Monday.The opportunity to give someone a different life has excited our family. We also have gone through fear and many concerns.<br />I have many feelings such as why and how can a mom give up a child? How is the child and siblings going to feel? How will my own children feel with another one demanding my attention? How will we afford another one? I cried for two days thinking of giving up one of my children.<br />Then when it's really quite I ask my God what should we do? The answer I get is: LOVE just LOVE. I'm waiting anxiously to hear from correspondence from Haiti. Steve and I are getting prepared to do some major fund raising for our flights to Haiti. Please pray for clear lines to follow in this process.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3367305284159985653.post-58019006901357513012010-05-21T10:42:00.000-07:002010-05-21T10:50:57.328-07:00The eye doctorToday, I went to the eye Dr. Trust me it was quite uneventful, but it reminded me of the time Samuel told us all he needed glasses. We were at a middle school parent teachers conference when all the teachers were making comments that May was doing much better now that she could see the board. Samuel piped up and said, "well I can't see the board." "What?" The next week we were in to see the eye Dr. He received glasses also. Well, last week we go in and the eye Dr. asked Sam if he was having any trouble seeing. He said no,but the teachers are using fuzzy markers. Oh my! Well his new glasses came in today. Lesson of my story: get the kids eyes checked out at least once a year so they can see the fuzzy markers.Sherrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05636085690299024455noreply@blogger.com