I watched Oprah's farewell episode on Wednesday, May 25th. As only expected she ended her show with a monologue that raised self-awareness and inspiration. It does make me incredibly sad to lose the Oprah Winfrey Show as I've been an avid viewer and admirer since its premier. I am disappointed that I never made it to her show and now the possibility is gone. However, I take her words to heart and she has inspired me to be more and do more.
Find the light inside yourself were her words. Steph and I have been writing this blog for three months. We have been talking for a while about what our focus should be and what we are passionat about. I think we realize what our passion ir and what our purpose is. Empowering girls and women. To value themselves especially in relationships. To demand more for themselves through education and careers. And to find the light in themselves so they can help others in the World. Whether you touch one person or ten or 100. Build a platform and shine.
Steph and I have talked since college about our opposition to how women and girls are portrayed in the media, about relationships, about the roles girls fall into, about how hard it is for women these days trying to be "superwoman", about overcoming obstacles and hardships, about feeling stuck or trapped and how to overcome, about staying healthy and fit so you can be your best you, about the pressure of being a good mom when balancing a career and the pressures of finances, working, being a role model, teaching our kids good morals and ethics and trying to fit in fun. These are some of the things we will be talking about.
So this will become the focus of this blog. Girl power if you will. I hope you will find this blog interesting, empowering, insightful and inspirational.
Oprah thank you for helping us find the light inside us. I hope to some day meet you and thank you.
Jan
Moms. Friends. Girl Power All the Way!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Pass the Biscuits
I received this in an email and don't normally pass these on and certainly not blog about it but I thought it was a good one reminding us to appreciate the people in our life.
Pass the Biscuits
When I was a kid, my Mother liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my Dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my Dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school.
I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my Mom apologize to my Dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired.
And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"
You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to
accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine.
Life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't.
ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE !
Pass the Biscuits
When I was a kid, my Mother liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage, and extremely burned biscuits in front of my Dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my Dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Mom and ask me how my day was at school.
I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember hearing my Mom apologize to my Dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."
Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your momma put in a long hard day at work today and she's real tired.
And besides... a burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"
You know, life is full of imperfect things... and imperfect people. I'm not the best at anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to
accept each others faults and choosing to celebrate each others differences, is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.
So...please pass me a biscuit. And yes, the burned one will do just fine.
Life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat you right and forget about the ones who don't.
ENJOY LIFE NOW - IT HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE !
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Tour de Cure for Diabetes
I am thinking about joining the Tour de Cure for Diabetes. My father lost his battle with Diabetes three years ago. Diabetes is prominent in my family. My husband and his family members also have diabetes. This is a cause close to my heart.
My father also was a cyclist and in his younger days rode competively winning the Connecticut State Cycling Championship. He was even invited to try out for the Olympics. So it seems raising money through the Tour de Cure in his honor is suiting.
The problem is I haven't not worked out in 6 years and this event is just 3 weeks away. There is a short route and there is no time limit but I just don't know if I can pull it off. I am not in shape and I tire easily. The time I have available to train and fundraise is very limited. I have a demanding full time job, kids and the housework to do. So just when I feel charged up to do this, I pause and think how can I possibly pull this off. If I at least had a couple months to prepare, it would make it less daunting but less then three weeks, this is a tough call. I want to but I don't know that it is realistic. I'll keep you posted if I give it a go.
Jan
My father also was a cyclist and in his younger days rode competively winning the Connecticut State Cycling Championship. He was even invited to try out for the Olympics. So it seems raising money through the Tour de Cure in his honor is suiting.
The problem is I haven't not worked out in 6 years and this event is just 3 weeks away. There is a short route and there is no time limit but I just don't know if I can pull it off. I am not in shape and I tire easily. The time I have available to train and fundraise is very limited. I have a demanding full time job, kids and the housework to do. So just when I feel charged up to do this, I pause and think how can I possibly pull this off. If I at least had a couple months to prepare, it would make it less daunting but less then three weeks, this is a tough call. I want to but I don't know that it is realistic. I'll keep you posted if I give it a go.
Jan
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Men in the Media--Promoting Infidelity
What is up with the media nowadays! All I ever hear about is how another man cheated on his wife! Is monogomy going out of style? I always thought that Arnold Schwarzenegger was just a nice guy with not much to say, to hear he fathered another child while he was married to Maria Shriver is horrible and unbelievable! It is scary to think not only did he have an affair with one of their staff, he had a child with her under the same roof where he lived with his wife and children! If that's not a slap in the face! They were married for over 20 years and 10 of those years were a lie! How sad.
I think that with all these men cheating and it being publicized it is promoting infidelity. It is becoming much less shocking and almost the norm. We all think that it is just celebrities that these things happen to but it is becoming so mainstream now. There are various statistics out there saying that the majority of marriages: one or both spouses are cheating!
In my local town a 50 year old man called his wife telling her he was at the grocery store and was having car trouble and he would be late for dinner. He never returned , after days his wife reported him missing. All I could think was he ran off with some 20 year old girl and wasn't coming back. Sure enough they found him months later he had hooked up with some 20 year old and was living out in Utah with her. It just wasn't at all shocking, it just seemed like typical behavior these days. Isn't that sad?
It is time to promote good old fashioned family values! It isn't that hard to respect your family and not cheat! If you don't value your marriage and family you shouldn't of made that commitment in the first place! Arnold Schwarzenegger might be a famous actor, a governor, and a rich man but I have absolutely no respect for him. I have much more respect for my grandfather and husband. My grandfather fought in WWII, lived through the depression, borrowed 5,000 from his best friend and started his own business and was married to the same women, the love of his life, for over 50 years! There are not many men left like that in the world these days! If you find a good one don't let him go!
Steph
I think that with all these men cheating and it being publicized it is promoting infidelity. It is becoming much less shocking and almost the norm. We all think that it is just celebrities that these things happen to but it is becoming so mainstream now. There are various statistics out there saying that the majority of marriages: one or both spouses are cheating!
In my local town a 50 year old man called his wife telling her he was at the grocery store and was having car trouble and he would be late for dinner. He never returned , after days his wife reported him missing. All I could think was he ran off with some 20 year old girl and wasn't coming back. Sure enough they found him months later he had hooked up with some 20 year old and was living out in Utah with her. It just wasn't at all shocking, it just seemed like typical behavior these days. Isn't that sad?
It is time to promote good old fashioned family values! It isn't that hard to respect your family and not cheat! If you don't value your marriage and family you shouldn't of made that commitment in the first place! Arnold Schwarzenegger might be a famous actor, a governor, and a rich man but I have absolutely no respect for him. I have much more respect for my grandfather and husband. My grandfather fought in WWII, lived through the depression, borrowed 5,000 from his best friend and started his own business and was married to the same women, the love of his life, for over 50 years! There are not many men left like that in the world these days! If you find a good one don't let him go!
Steph
A Rare Sighting - A Gentleman Offers Romantic, Sincere & Fun Engagement
These days it's hard to find a true gentleman making a grand gesture to proclaim his love for a girl. But I am happy to report that I just saw a video that has renewed my faith that men can be romantic, sincere, thoughtful, fun, creative and respectful. I hope other young and old men alike find this inspirational and bring back some good old-fashion values, romance and respect.
Watch the video!
I wish my husband thought of it. But I'm the videographer so I'll have to think up a fun and romantic video for our anniversary. And hopefully he can think of something unique, sincere and romantic on his own to make me feel special.
Jan
Watch the video!
I wish my husband thought of it. But I'm the videographer so I'll have to think up a fun and romantic video for our anniversary. And hopefully he can think of something unique, sincere and romantic on his own to make me feel special.
Jan
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Man takes pictures of 8 year old girl at pool
A 63 year old man took pictures of young girls aged 8 to 10 at a town swimming pool because he found them sexy, as reported on Yahoo.
My thoughts turn to the Abercrombie and Fitch padded top bikini, as I discussed in a previous post. Anyone that defends the "parents choice" in buying such a bikini and that defend A&F for producing this kind of sexy garment for children should think about the children being affected and exploited, not a retailer's greed for money and attention or the few parents that don't put the welfare of their children first. It is this kind of acceptance to sexualize young girls that give perverted men the ammo to look at young girls sexually.
Let's remove any connection of sex and young girls out of the public perception that it is ok. It is NOT ok. Retailers should not be producing garments that sexualize young girls of 8, 10 or 12. No one in their right mind should endorse it. Parents should not buy it. If Abercombie and Fitch have not yet pulled this exploitive bikini from their shelves, I hope they do now and if not I hope the public will boycott this store.
Jan
My thoughts turn to the Abercrombie and Fitch padded top bikini, as I discussed in a previous post. Anyone that defends the "parents choice" in buying such a bikini and that defend A&F for producing this kind of sexy garment for children should think about the children being affected and exploited, not a retailer's greed for money and attention or the few parents that don't put the welfare of their children first. It is this kind of acceptance to sexualize young girls that give perverted men the ammo to look at young girls sexually.
Let's remove any connection of sex and young girls out of the public perception that it is ok. It is NOT ok. Retailers should not be producing garments that sexualize young girls of 8, 10 or 12. No one in their right mind should endorse it. Parents should not buy it. If Abercombie and Fitch have not yet pulled this exploitive bikini from their shelves, I hope they do now and if not I hope the public will boycott this store.
Jan
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Season of the Tick
It seems every year there is a particular bug that seems to flourish in the season. This year it seems to be the tick. I have seen many already and just yesterday had three! One I found on my daughter's tupperware, one on my car seat which obviously fell off me and one on my other daughter's head. Yikes. I used to be ok with ticks years ago when I had horses. Now it makes me weak in the knees to pull them out.
I went to the vet and bought Frontline for the cats and just finished applying one to one cat and I have to do my other cat when she comes in. It's the applicator kind that you put on their neck and it works fantastically.
If you are in a wooded area, spraying your yard is probably a good idea.
Always check your head and body every night. It's important to get them early.
Jan
Dinner: BBQ Grilled Chicken and burgers, salad. Simple and yummy.
I went to the vet and bought Frontline for the cats and just finished applying one to one cat and I have to do my other cat when she comes in. It's the applicator kind that you put on their neck and it works fantastically.
If you are in a wooded area, spraying your yard is probably a good idea.
Always check your head and body every night. It's important to get them early.
Jan
Dinner: BBQ Grilled Chicken and burgers, salad. Simple and yummy.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Goodbye,Thunder Thigh -- Hello, Hot Legs!
With short season just around the corner it's time to tone those thighs! Get some hot legs for the summer with these great leg and thigh exercises! You will need either a paper plate or a towel. I prefer using a towel. This thigh exercise you will need to workout on a hard floor.
Place towel on floor.
Take right foot and step on towel.
Bending your knees, arms foward clenching fists.
Pelvis tucked in, adominals engaged.
Slide your right foot away from your center,
Then slide it back.
Repeat 24 times.
Now take the left foot on towel.
Repeat exercise.
Feel your inner thighs burn!
Another great leg exercise is squating in a seated position, use a wall to support the back.
Enagage the adominals.
Shoulders back, looking forward.
Hold this position for 10 seconds.
Then slide back up into a standing positon.
Then repeat 8 times.
For the back of the legs:
Stand facing wall.
Place both hands on the wall, for support.
Enagage adominals.
Squeeze glutes.
Flex right foot.
Bring right leg back, behind you.
Slowly bring foot foward and back.
Repeat 24 times.
Pulse for 8 seconds.
Then switch legs, left leg next.
Try these exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Watch your leg muscles tighten and transform. Now you can take out those short shorts! Enjoy! Good Luck!
Steph
Place towel on floor.
Take right foot and step on towel.
Bending your knees, arms foward clenching fists.
Pelvis tucked in, adominals engaged.
Slide your right foot away from your center,
Then slide it back.
Repeat 24 times.
Now take the left foot on towel.
Repeat exercise.
Feel your inner thighs burn!
Another great leg exercise is squating in a seated position, use a wall to support the back.
Enagage the adominals.
Shoulders back, looking forward.
Hold this position for 10 seconds.
Then slide back up into a standing positon.
Then repeat 8 times.
For the back of the legs:
Stand facing wall.
Place both hands on the wall, for support.
Enagage adominals.
Squeeze glutes.
Flex right foot.
Bring right leg back, behind you.
Slowly bring foot foward and back.
Repeat 24 times.
Pulse for 8 seconds.
Then switch legs, left leg next.
Try these exercises 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Watch your leg muscles tighten and transform. Now you can take out those short shorts! Enjoy! Good Luck!
Steph
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Please and Thank You
There's a great article on Yahoo! today, 25 Manners Every Kid Should Know By Age 9. Please and thank you naturally top the list. This a good reminder to keep you kids in check and teach them early so we have mindful and caring children as they grow up. Teaching good manners should be on the top of every parent list. There's so much to teach and sometimes it's easy to forget or just easier to let things slide. But it's imperative to lay down the principles of good manners when kids are young so they know what's expected of them and how to be a good, kind person. That's the best lesson you can teach your children.
My daughter has a hard time at the end of a play date and sometimes like today, she gets a little moody and pouts and sulks. It's embarrassing and her friends won't want her to play if she continues this behavior. I ask her to say thank you and I have a talk with her about showing appreciation for having a fun play date. I'm hoping that with practice she will get better at this without my prompting but I guess this is how it starts. To be gracious and thankful for things we receive and enjoy.
Thank you for reading my blog and hope you visit again soon.
Jan
My daughter has a hard time at the end of a play date and sometimes like today, she gets a little moody and pouts and sulks. It's embarrassing and her friends won't want her to play if she continues this behavior. I ask her to say thank you and I have a talk with her about showing appreciation for having a fun play date. I'm hoping that with practice she will get better at this without my prompting but I guess this is how it starts. To be gracious and thankful for things we receive and enjoy.
Thank you for reading my blog and hope you visit again soon.
Jan
Friday, May 6, 2011
Summer Is Almost Here!--Time For Summer Camp!
Summer is almost here and it's time to start looking into summer camps for your children, that's if you decide to send them to summer camp. Summer camp has many benefits: helping children find and make new friends, continuing to help them stay on a good schedule, giving them an oppportunity to learn new skills or perfect their old ones. It can also help them to stay active both physically and mentally. There are so many different options to choose from when picking a summer camp. There are swimming camps, horsebackriding camps, dance camps, soccer camps, softball camps, tennis camps, sleepover camps and sailing camps, to name a few.
It is important for parents to think about what activity your child will enjoy and then start researching the many different summer camps. My older daughter enjoys softball and I am signing her up for a softball camp. My younger one loves ballet and I am going to enroll her in a dance camp. The great thing about summer camp is, you can customize the days and hours to fit your schedule and budget.
Most summer camps offer the option to send your child one, two, three, four or five days. If your child is older they might enjoy sleepover camp. Summer camps also offer different hours such as: 9 to 12, 12 to 3, or 9 to 3. If you are a working mom they also offer early and late pick-up, that costs a little more. Early drop-off can be as early as 7am and late pick-up as late as 6pm. If none of these times suit you, you can speak to the camp director about your specific needs and for unusual circumstances arrangements can be made to make things a little more convenient for you.
Summer camp can be so fun for kids and a lasting memory. It can also help ease your mind knowing your child is continuing to stay active. Being home for the whole summer with nothing to do can drive a kid crazy and you too. It is hard for a mom to keep your children constantly mentally and physically stimulated all summer long! It is best to get a head start on finding a summer camp that suits you and your children the good ones fill up fast!
Steph
It is important for parents to think about what activity your child will enjoy and then start researching the many different summer camps. My older daughter enjoys softball and I am signing her up for a softball camp. My younger one loves ballet and I am going to enroll her in a dance camp. The great thing about summer camp is, you can customize the days and hours to fit your schedule and budget.
Most summer camps offer the option to send your child one, two, three, four or five days. If your child is older they might enjoy sleepover camp. Summer camps also offer different hours such as: 9 to 12, 12 to 3, or 9 to 3. If you are a working mom they also offer early and late pick-up, that costs a little more. Early drop-off can be as early as 7am and late pick-up as late as 6pm. If none of these times suit you, you can speak to the camp director about your specific needs and for unusual circumstances arrangements can be made to make things a little more convenient for you.
Summer camp can be so fun for kids and a lasting memory. It can also help ease your mind knowing your child is continuing to stay active. Being home for the whole summer with nothing to do can drive a kid crazy and you too. It is hard for a mom to keep your children constantly mentally and physically stimulated all summer long! It is best to get a head start on finding a summer camp that suits you and your children the good ones fill up fast!
Steph
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Peace on Earth---Osama Bin Laden Dead!!!
It has been a long time, almost ten years now that the terrible tragedy plagued our city. A tragic event that none of us will ever forget. The worst tragedy that the United States has ever seen. Many lives were lost and many people lost their husbands, wives, moms, dads, sisters, brothers, children, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Now finally, we can all find some restitution and peace in knowing that the man who was responsible for such a tragic event is dead.
It was quit upsetting to hear that Bin Laden had been living in a mansion with all his wives and children. How come he wasn't hiding out in a cave, alone! How is it that no one knew he was living in a mansion with all of his family. If this is how he had been living for all those years why couldn't we have found him sooner?
I hope that his death can bring some peace and some justice to those who have lost their family members in 9/11. I think we can all sleep a little better knowing that such an evil man is no longer on this earth!
Steph
It was quit upsetting to hear that Bin Laden had been living in a mansion with all his wives and children. How come he wasn't hiding out in a cave, alone! How is it that no one knew he was living in a mansion with all of his family. If this is how he had been living for all those years why couldn't we have found him sooner?
I hope that his death can bring some peace and some justice to those who have lost their family members in 9/11. I think we can all sleep a little better knowing that such an evil man is no longer on this earth!
Steph
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Breaking the bin Laden news
While of course I am happy to hear the news that President Obama had Osama bin Laden taken out, I am disappointed in the way it was announced. It seems the media has no regard for "top secret" information and quite frankly I was annoyed that they interrupted regular program to tell the people that President Obama was about to give a "top secret" announcement which they then proceeded to tell was that bin Laden had been killed and proceeded to repeat this news and provide analysis and speculation for 25 minutes before the President came on. After 20 minutes and knowing what the President was going to announce, I turned off the TV and went to bed.
Why did the media feel it was OK to leak "top secret" information and steal the thunder from the President. Why does the media feel they have the right to announce classified top secret information for the sake of being "the first" to break the news? Is being first to break the news so important that they forgo any morals and ethics? I believe the media should have left the announcement for the President to break as it was intended, out of respect for him.
That said, this is incredible news and our thanks and gratitude go to President Obama for being able to keep this information classified and ordering special forces to get the job done right and well done without unneccessary bombing and destruction.
There's a great article on Yahoo with reactions from celebrities and include a funny clip of the Daily Show that is worth watching.
God Bless America!
Jan
Why did the media feel it was OK to leak "top secret" information and steal the thunder from the President. Why does the media feel they have the right to announce classified top secret information for the sake of being "the first" to break the news? Is being first to break the news so important that they forgo any morals and ethics? I believe the media should have left the announcement for the President to break as it was intended, out of respect for him.
That said, this is incredible news and our thanks and gratitude go to President Obama for being able to keep this information classified and ordering special forces to get the job done right and well done without unneccessary bombing and destruction.
There's a great article on Yahoo with reactions from celebrities and include a funny clip of the Daily Show that is worth watching.
God Bless America!
Jan
Creative Kids--Keep your child's imagination alive
My 3 year old is always battling me on what to wear! I would like her to be freshly bathed, wearing a nice outfit with comfortable shoes but she has a mind of her own. She hates having her hair washed and puts up a fight when it comes to getting in the tub! Once she is in the tub, she doesn't want to get out, but she never wants to stop what she is doing to get into the tub. She also always wants to wear dresses with high heels and tons of make up, which is fine for dress up, but not to go out in!
Today I had a busy schedule and I didn't have the time to battle her on what was apropriate to wear, she also never considers the weather. So today, she decided to wear her halloween kitty costume with the ears and tail, pink princess high heels and a red long haired mermaid wig! It was ridiculous but she looked quite cute. She then told me she was a mermaid kitty. I took her to my office and boy did she attract alot of attention. I now see her motivation. She loves attention and will do almost anything to get it!
We were once at a church function and she proceeded to get up on stage and sang and danced to an audience of close to a hundred people, with no fear. It was quite embarrassing since it was a serious function. My husband had to jump on stage and drag her off.
I learned to let her do things that I might not necessarily agree with but I know it is just harmless fun. She is quite creative and artistic and I don't want to stiffle her creativity by being strict and non-comforming. I think it is important to encourage a child's individual ideas and find their own interests and abilities. So let your child's imagination take off and encourage them to be creative.
Steph
Today I had a busy schedule and I didn't have the time to battle her on what was apropriate to wear, she also never considers the weather. So today, she decided to wear her halloween kitty costume with the ears and tail, pink princess high heels and a red long haired mermaid wig! It was ridiculous but she looked quite cute. She then told me she was a mermaid kitty. I took her to my office and boy did she attract alot of attention. I now see her motivation. She loves attention and will do almost anything to get it!
We were once at a church function and she proceeded to get up on stage and sang and danced to an audience of close to a hundred people, with no fear. It was quite embarrassing since it was a serious function. My husband had to jump on stage and drag her off.
I learned to let her do things that I might not necessarily agree with but I know it is just harmless fun. She is quite creative and artistic and I don't want to stiffle her creativity by being strict and non-comforming. I think it is important to encourage a child's individual ideas and find their own interests and abilities. So let your child's imagination take off and encourage them to be creative.
Steph
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