In this quick-to-read book by Doug Hewitt ($16.95 from Hatherleigh Press, the author discusses 101 creative, affordable and fun weekend activities to do with your children. Many of the ideas can be used with just about any age child.

My favorite—one that I used when Erin was little—is the “Make up a story” activity. Hewitt calls it “Round Robin Stories.” Erin loved it. I would generally start the story. Something like:

“Once upon a time there was a little brown bear named Delilah. She lived in the woods with her mom and they went blueberry picking every day. It was a fun and delicious adventure, but one day…”

And then Erin would have to continue the story. When we first started this game, she would say something like:

“Delilah met a rabbit in the blueberry patch and…”

And then she would give it back to me. But as time went on, she got better and better at telling stories. Sometimes she would go on and on with a very elaborate tale. We always had loads of fun.

I enjoyed my quick scan trhough Hewitt’s book, The Practical Guide to Weekend Parenting. It reminded me of several activities I plan to do with my granddaughter when she comes to visit.

Get more information and ideas from WeekendParenting.com

~Lois

Because JMU’s annual Employee Appreciation Day is Thursday, May 10, we are POSTPONING our Women’s Forum Meeting one week.

Next meeting:
Thursday, May 17
12N-1P
Spotswood Country Club
$12 Members/$15 Guests

Speaker: Deb Bullis, Program Coordinator, Hand-in-Hand Resource Mothers Program

The Hand-in-Hand Resource Mothers Program is a mentoring program for pregnant and parenting teens from early pregnancy until the baby’s first birthday. Its mission is to improve birth outcomes for teens and their babies.

Why are we having this program (since most of us aren’t teenagers)?
After the teenage mother in Harrisonburg abandoned her newborn in January and the baby died, I thought it was important for everyone to know about this amazing program that’s helping teens in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham area.

Our speaker, Deb Bullis, has a Bachelor of Science in Health Education from Western Michigan University. She’s been in the position for the past 10 years and has seen the Hand-in-Hand program grow from 10 teens in 1997 to 57 enrolled last year (over 102 touched in 2006)! Deb got involved with the program after doing a few years of homebound teaching for the county schools. Most of the students she taught were teens that had just delivered their babies. She saw a lot of very unprepared teens that just needed a little guidance and support.

“When this position became available, it seemed like a perfect fit and it has been! I love my job!” says Deb.

We’ll also have a 5-7 minute member introduction by Linda Elliott.

To register, email Lois at lcf@marketingideashop.com or call 540.820.3840.

Or be brave! Use the online registration and prepay for your meeting. It’s very easy. Just click on the link below and follow the prompt to do it through a secure shopping cart.

Members: $12
Guests: $15

~Lois

Please put these dates on your calendar right now. Don’t miss the meetings. We want to see you, and we know you want to see us!

Thursday, May 17
(Note change in date)
Deb Bullis presents “RMH Hand-in-Hand Resource Mothers”
Meet the WF Member: Linda Elliott

Thursday, June 14
Brandi Simmons, Carlson-Wagonlit Travel Agency
“Penny-saving Travel Tips”
Meet the WF Member: Lois Carter Fay

Thursday, July 12
Brenda Black, CTP, Tourism Manager
Harrisonburg Tourism & Visitor Services
“Fun Things To Do In & Around Harrisonburg”
Meet the WF Member: Margo McIntire

Thursday, August 9
Karen Barnes, Community Resource Center
“Introducing the Community Resource Center”
Meet the WF Member: TBD

Thursday, September 13
No Speaker
Focused Networking Event/Member Drive

Thursday, October 11
Patty May and tentatively Dawn Womack
“Learn About Toastmasters”
Meet the WF Member: TBD

Thursday, November 8
TBD Speaker
“Safety Tips for Women”
(Tentative)
Meet the WF Member: TBD

Thursday, December 13
“Holiday Social & White Elephant Exchange”

~Lois

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She
picked up something off the ground and started to put
it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I
asked her not to do that.

“Why?” my daughter asked.

“Because it’s been on the ground, you don’t know where
it’s been, it’s dirty and probably has germs” I
replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with
total admiration and asked, “Mommy, how do you know
all this stuff? You are so smart.” I was thinking
quickly. “All moms know this stuff. It’s on the Mommy
Test. You have to know it, or they don’t let you be a
Mommy.”

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes,
but she was evidently pondering this new information.
“OH…I get it!” she beamed, “So if you don’t pass the
test you have to be the daddy.”

“Exactly,” I replied back with a big smile on my face.

~Lois

One of the specialties of the company that my husband and I own, Marketing Idea Shop, is helping women business owners and women sales reps learn techniques to help them close more sales and make more money.

We’re always looking for tips and ideas to share with our ezine subscribers and clients.

If you have an exceptional sales or marketing tip, or a good sales, marketing or publicity story, post it here or contact us at ideas@marketingideashop.com! If it’s a good tip, we’ll include it in our next book or our Brainy Tidbits ezine. It’s a great way to publicize your business and gain credibility.

Send us your stories and tips today.

~Lois

It’s no news that Boomers are the “sandwich generation.” You all feel it, don’t you? You’re squished between all of your duties and responsibilities.

Many Boomers are finally coming out of the child-rearing age, and now we’re hit with having to help our parents as they become older and more frail. Some of us are still supporting children. And we might be working full- or part-time, juggling volunteer responsibilities, trying to manage our own health, and still get more than just a few hours of sleep each night.

Whew! I don’t know about you, but it’s no wonder I’m tired. And my parents have all passed on.

For those of you who are either just beginning to deal with helping your parents in their elder years, or those who are deep in the throes of it, there’s a book for you. It’s called Unwrapping the Sandwich Generation. The author is Susan L. Cunningham, CSA, of Senior Resources Group in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In little, easy-to-read vignettes, the book will help you come to understand the issues of managing your senior’s care and show you that you are not alone in these issues. I highly recommend it.

~Lois

My online friend, Priya Shah, has a terrific blog (actually 2)! Why don’t you go visit? She posted this article today: Mind Your Blogging Manners

Read her posts on the Law Of Attraction, too.

~Lois

An 80-year-old man goes for a physical. All of his tests come back with normal results. The doctor says, “Chuck, everything looks great. How are you doing mentally and emotionally? Are you at peace with God?”

Chuck replies, “God and I are tight. He knows I have poor eyesight, so he’s fixed it so when I get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, POOF! The light goes on. When I’m done, POOF! The light goes off.”

“WOW, that’s incredible” the doctor says.

A little later in the day, the doctor calls Chuck’s wife. “Ethel,” he says, “Chuck is doing fine. But I had to call you as I am in awe of his relationship with God. Is it true that he gets up during the night and POOF! The light goes on in the bathroom, and when he’s done POOF! The light goes off?

“Oh my!” Ethel exclaims. “He’s peeing in the refrigerator again!”

———————————————————–

This story reminds me SO much of my friend, Jan. When we were kids, I stayed at her house one night. It was late, but we were still awake. Then we heard her little brother get up, pad out to the kitchen and pee on the garbage can.

We cracked up in a fit of giggles.

“If you think it’s so funny,” said Jan’s mom, “get out there and clean it up!”

We did, laughing all the time.

~Lois

This week’s meeting will be a fun one! One of my goals with Women’s Forum is to help everyone get to know one another better. So this month, I’m beginning something new. And we’ll start the new program off with a bang and then continue it every month with volunteers.

Meet the Women’s Forum Members:

Several members have agreed to give a 5-minute presentation on themselves. This month we’ll hear from:

Milla Sue Wisecarver
Holley Watts
Tina Updike
Lois Carter Fay

I’ll have a sign-up sheet available on Thursday so you can volunteer for one of our future meetings.

Women’s Forum Meeting
Thurs, April 12
12-1 pm
Spotswood Country Club, Harrisonburg

Members: $12
Guests: $15

Please let me know by Tuesday, April 10, if you can make it. I hope to see you there!

lcf@marketingideashop.com or 540.820.3840

~Lois

I just found a list of sites that take press releases online. I haven’t tried them. If you do, please let me know which ones you favor!

http://technoflak.blogspot.com/2005/08/press-release-websites.html

~Lois