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7/30/2006
Top 50 Baby Names
7/29/2006
Foreign Baby Names Baned
7/25/2006
Home Remodeling
I Mind Very Much If You Smoke
7/23/2006
Don't Bully My Child
7/22/2006
Should Baby Boys Wear Pink?
7/8/2006
Vacation Was Wonderful
5/20/2006
Losing A Child
4/22/2006
Stress, Menopause, Stress - Take Me Away!
4/16/2006
Easter 2006
3/26/2006
Nutrition for Babies
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Date: 7/30/2006
Title: Top 50 Baby Names
Naming your baby will be one of the most important decisions that you will make as a parent. It's a decision that you and your child will live with for the rest of your lives. Often children ask how we came up with their name. Your decision should be thought provoking at best. To help you decide, we've provided the top 50 boys and girls names in the United States. While choosing your baby's name, take the time to research the origin and meaning. To help you decide, we've provided the top 50 boys and girls names in the United States. The names are listed in order of popularity:
Boys
*Jacob
*Michael
*Joshua
*Matthew
*Andrew
*Christopher
*Joseph
*Nicholas
*Daniel
*William
*Ethan
*Anthony
*Ryan
*Tyler
*David
*John
*Alexander
*James
*Zachary
*Brandon
*Jonathan
*Dylan
*Justin
*Christian
*Samuel
*Benjamin
*Austin
*Nathan
*Noah
*Jose
*Logan
*Robert
*Kevin
*Thomas
*Gabriel
*Caleb
*Jordan
*Hunter
*Cameron
*Kyle
*Jason
*Elijah
*Aaron
*Jack
*Connor
*Isaiah
*Luke
*Isaac
*Evan
*Eric
Girls
*Emily
*Madison
*Hannah
*Emma
*Ashley
*Alexis
*Samantha
*Sarah
*Abigail
*Olivia
*Elizabeth
*Alyssa
*Jessica
*Grace
*Lauren
*Taylor
*Kayla
*Brianna
*Isabella
*Anna
*Victoria
*Sydney
*Megan
*Rachel
*Jasmine
*Natalie
*Sophia
*Chloe
*Morgan
*Hailey
*Jennifer
*Destiny
*Julia
*Kaitlyn
*Haley
*Katherine
*Nicole
*Alexandra
*Savannah
*Maria
*Amanda
*Mackenzie
*Stephanie
*Allison
*Mia
*Brooke
*Jordan
*Jenna
*Rebecca
*Mary
Date: 7/29/2006
Title: Foreign Baby Names Baned
Authorities in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico are enforcing a new set of rules they are dictating to parents on what they can name their children. Now the authorities state they have the children at heart. They are trying to prevent children from a lifetime of ridicule and legal troubles. I've never known anyone to be arrested or encounter legal problems because of their name, but I have seen a few names where they should have locked the parents up for giving it to their child. I've often wondered what people were thinking when they named their children. For example: Blanket, Rumer, Tallulah, and Phinnaeus. How much thought did these celebrities put into the selection process? Did they think about the children and what they would have to endure growing up? I forgot, these are celebrity's children they won't be in the real world.
Anyway, authorities in Mexico don't want foreign, odd or creative names used or odd spellings. If parents do use a foreign name, they must use a Spanish surname such as Maria. I'm for Maria, my middle name is Marie. Don't you love it! I decided to check out a database of Hispanic names. I wanted to see what was so great about Spanish names that authorities would enforce such a rule. Here's a sample of the names listed in the database under A: Argentina, Africa, Adabelle for girls. Adelio, Achill, and Abdallah for boys. I believe parents should be able to name their children without interference from the government or anyone else, but I personally would not choose any of the names listed above for my children. I would not want to place the burden of carrying any of these names on them. For those who have chosen one of these names, no offense. I'm just expressing my opinion. People's taste are different.
When I was in school, I knew a girl by the name of Candy Kane. She was tortured; kids can be cruel. Here's a few other names that Americans have given to their children: Apple, CoCo, Whizdom, Avon, Dianionique, and Puma. I see legal trouble surfacing when some student starts torturing and humiliating these poor children, and parents start yelling harassment! Do you think these children will take on an "alias" at some point in their life? Who knows they may end up loving their name.
I don't believe that anyone should have the authority to dictate what a parent should name their child, but I do believe that some thought should be put into a child's given name. It is something they will have to live with for the rest of their life. For the Mexician authorities, I wonder if the parents will have legal recourse if they choose one of the names that they have selected and the child is ridiculed. Will the parents be able to sue the authorities? Afterall, they enforced the rule.
Date: 7/25/2006
Title: Home Remodeling
The time has come for me to make some updates to my home, and I'm feeling overwhelmed once again. I manage 20 employees, Blog, maintain an on-line business, manager a house, and I can't decide on carpet or paint colors. What's with this? I've visited several carpet stores along with Lowes and Home Depot several weeks ago, and I'm no further along now than I was than as far as making a decision. I have made a decision on my hardwood floor. I decided to use hardwood in my dining room. The floor is beautiful, and I can't wait to get it installed.
I have decided to stay with the country theme, I have too many country accessories to deviate at this time. I've always used an off-white or eggshell color throughout my house, but I've decided to add a little color. I painted the room that I use for my on-line business a creamy yellow, and I fell in love with it. Now I want to use color in the kitchen and the bathrooms.
I've decided on a color scheme for my bedroom as well, but I can't decide if I want to tile the master bath or replace the carpet. The thought of stepping onto a cold tile floor in the middle of the night or early morning is swaying me toward carpet. I need to select a new comforter for my bedroom too.
My main bath has a stencil pattern that I absolutely love, but I don't know if I'm up to stenciling again. It was a difficult pattern to maneuver in a small space. I hate the thought of not seeing my sunflowers and picket fence when I enter that bathroom though.
If any of you have any thoughts or ideas on decorating, please send me an email.
Date: 7/25/2006
Title: I Mind Very Much If You Smoke
Should smoking be banned in private vehicles? If the Marco Firebaugh Memorial Children's Health and Safety Act of 2006 is passed, drivers in California will be fined if they are caught smoking with a child under the age of six in their vehicle. This applies to moving or parked vehicles. Vehicles on private property will not be an exception. If you pull into your driveway and decide that you want to light up before you enter your home, don't have a child under the age of six in your vehicle. I don't know if you will be forced to the ground and asked to place your hands behind your back so they can slap handcuffs on you or not (now there's a picture for you), but the driver will be warned the first time and fined a $100.00 thereafter.
Lets take a look at this bill: health professionals who testified on behalf of the bill stated that recent studies show that secondhand smoke contributes to high rates of bronchitis, pneumonia and asthma in children. I personally believe this is true and I'm all for protecting our young, but why doesn't this bill apply to children over the age of six? Are they saying that children over the age of six who aren't in car seats or boosters aren't as important as those under age six? Are they saying that children over the age of six aren't harmed by second hand smoke as well? I'm not understanding the logic.
Furthermore, are they going to pull police patrols from crime ridden neighborhoods to monitor private vehicle owners who smoke and their children? Do you think they are trying to shift the focus away from their smog infested cities to smokers because they can't clean up their own state? You would think that one of the most smog infested states in the country would be more concerned about the rapists, murders, robbers, molesters, and gangsters. If they're not going to concern themselve with the criminals, you would think they would be trying to elininate the smog that's affecting all of their citizens instead of focusing on smokers and their children. What's next, a bill that allows police officers to peep through the windows of private homes to detect parents smoking around children under the age of six?
Back to the controversial cigarette. If this product is so harmful, why is it legal? Could it be the almighty dollar? Industries make billions of dollars on the sell of tobacco annually. If these products are legal, how can one be fined for using them? Why don't they fine the tobacco companies for perpetrating an addiction? To me selling cigarettes and fining a person for smoking them makes as much sense as alcohol being sold to an alcoholic, but locking up the alcoholic after he kills someone, beats the hell out of wife or kids, gets fired from his job because he or she is dysfunctional from the effects and can no longer provide for his/her family, and than costing society thousands of dollars for rehabilitation.
Lets look at this from another perspective, are they questioning a parent's decison making skills? If a parent won't protect their child from second hand smoke they will. I think the citizens/parents in this country should question these lawmaker's decision making skills. If they are so righteous and adamant about protecting children, why aren't they protecting all children? What's your thoughts?
Date: 7/23/2006
Title: Don't Bully My Child
Do you have a child going back to school? Are they concerned about returning because of school bullies? School bullies are a national problem in America's school systems. Bullies can be found in elementary, junior, and high schools. A bully is defined as a person with internal anger, resentment, and aggression. A bully also lacks interpersonal skills and chooses to displace their aggression onto another person. It's anti-social behavior. School bullies usually come from families who lack warmth and affection or from abusive homes. They are usually poor students and aggressive; however, this is not always the rule. A new bred of bullies have emerged. They are referred to as the "brat bullies".
Parents, teachers, and students should take bullying seriously. The possibility of violence is real. Also, bullying isn't gender specific. Girls are just as capable as bullying as boys, they just use different tactics. Boys usually resort to physical violence. Girls inflict psychological pain by calling their targets names, starting rumors, gossiping, backbiting, or excluding them from groups or parties etc. Psychological abuse can be just as devastating as physical abuse. Some of the effects of psychological abuse are eating disorders, ulcers, depression, and suicide.
I've experienced bullying first hand with my daughter. In high school, she was threaten with violence and had her car keyed because she wouldn't give a girl a ride home. Now the girl who asked for a ride, was not a friend. She wasn't even friendly toward my daughter, but she expected my daughter to drive her around. There were a group of 3 - 4 girls involved in the clique. After involving the school officials and the local police department, the reasons that the bullies gave for disliking my daughter were geared toward material possessions. My daughter's cloths, her car, and her financial means. I should also mention that my daughter is petite; bullies usually choose victims that they perceive as vulnerable in some respect. Three of the girls came from dysfunctional backgrounds; however, 1 came from a stable and financially secure home. She just happened to fall into the wrong group. In today's world, she would be referred to as a "brat bully". Nasty emails and text messages are a part of her psychological warfare. So, bullies are not limited to children who come from poverty, low income, or broken homes. Bullies can be disguised in the lightest fashion trends, engage in the lastest technological trends, and come from middle income and wealthy families.
If your childs displays any of the following signs, they may be having problems with a bully:
Afraid to walk or ride the bus to school
Feeling ill in the morning, and not wanting to go to school
Asking for extra money or starts to steal
Starts bullying siblings
Stops eating or starts eating excessively
Poor grades
Cloths torn or dirty
Starts stammering
Crying themselves to sleep at night
Crying before going to school
Attempts or mentions suicide
States that they hate themselves
Withdrawing from activities that they previously enjoyed
Nightmares
Bullying is real, and you should take your child's concerns seriously. Let them know that not everyone will like them, but they don't have to put up with abuse. Notify school officials of your concerns, and ensure that proper action is taken to safeguard your child.
Date: 7/22/2006
Title: Should Baby Boys Wear Pink?
Should baby boys wear pink? Supposedly, the color pink was designated for girls and blue designated for boys so people would be able to distinquish a baby boy from a baby girl. This theory is somewhat confusing since it's appropriate to use the "neutral" colors, mint green and yellow for both a boy and girl. If these colors are appropriate for both, how do we distinquish the gender? We ask if we're unsure. You know the question, I'm sure you've asked it a hundred times too, "Is it a boy or girl"? If asking a simple question will clarify this uncertainty, why can't we put little boys in pink and little girls in blue and eliminate the stagima. It seems to be more acceptable for baby girls to wear baby blue than baby boys to wear pink.
Could it be that we, society, have developed a phobia and we're afraid that if we put little boys in pink they will end up Gay? America sees pink as a Sissy color! Afterall, pink is seen as quiet, calm and feminine color. On many occasions, I've heard mothers of baby boys say, "I'm not putting my baby boy in pink". Blue is seen as strong and steadfast, but in today's society it's acceptable for a woman to have these characteristics, at least to a certain point. Which leads to more contradiction.
Did you know that prisons use pink to help diffuse violence. Are they trying to turn our violent criminals into a Sissy? Why aren't the prison walls painted blue, it's a manly color? Instead they're painting the walls pink and encouraging men to get in touch with their feminine side. A side that we've taught little boys since infancy that they weren't suppose to have. We all know that violent criminals need more that a pink wall for rehabilitation, but many believe that the color pink helps with this endeavor. Pink is a soft, non-threatening color. That's what we want our violent criminals to be, soft and non-threatening. Shouldn't we have put them in pink at infancy if this is the goal?
Lets look at this contradiction from another perspective. It's inappropriate for baby boys to wear pink, but men are wearing shades of pastels these days. Lavender, corral, yellow, and pink. Yes, I said pink! I've witnessed it in corporate America with shirts and ties, and polos for golfers. I witnessed one of my doctors the other day wearing a beautiful fuschia tie. I wonder if an NFL linebacker would strut a fuschia tie! Probably not, pink is for a Sissy.
Date: 7/8/2006
Title: Vacation Was Wonderful
I closed the store for a week, and headed out for a week's vacation. I decided before leaving that this vacation would be different. I was going to sleep, lay on the beach, read a few good books, and eat until my heart was content. I usually pack several cameras, a dozen rolls of film, and map out my routes to all the points of interest before I board my flight. I need a rest from my vacation when I return.
I did exactly as I planned no cameras, no sight seeing, no lap top. When I wasn't laying on the beach, I enjoyed the turquoise water from the kitchen, living room, bedroom and balcony. It truly had a calming affect. I actually read several books, something that I haven't done in years. It turned out to be one of the most restful vacations that I've had. As a matter of fact, I'll be taking another vacation in the upcoming months. I'll keep you posted.
Date: 5/20/2006
Title: Losing A Child
This week has been quite stressful. A message awaited me on Monday at my office. It informed me that a co-worker and friend had lost her 25 year old son. To say that I was shocked would be a understatement. My heart broke for her. I wondered what had happened, but most of all I wondered how a mother would ever recover from the lost of her child. I still haven't come up with an answer to that question.
My daughter and this young man grow up together. We lived in the same neighborhood for years, and I've worked with his mother for 25 years. What would I say to her? We had just discussed our kids in the hallway at work several weeks before. She was planning to retire in several months, and I was expressing my envy. I thought of the pain and confusion she must be feeling. How do you make funeral arrangements for your child? How do you say good-by to someone that you gave birth to, nurtured, disciplined, loved unconditionally, and vowed to never allow any harm to come to them? How do you say good-bye to someone that you would literally die for? The answer to my these questions have not come.
I knew that I had to go to her. What was I going to say? How was I suppose to act? I had no answers. The obituary appeared in the paper, and the viewing would Thursday night and the funeral Friday. My initial plan was to go the funeral. As time grow near, I decided that I could not sit and watch this lady's pain from the loss of her son. I would have to go to the viewing.
I left the office early heading home to prepare for the evening. My mind was racing a hundred miles an hour. I wondered if my daughter was okay. I lost count of the number of times, I had called this week. I just wanted to know that she was safe. She understood, she never complained about my calls. She took the time to chat and tell me what was happening with her life. As I drove to the funeral home, I tried to prepare my condolence speech. I'm an eloquent speaker, I could do this. I pulled up at the funeral home, and saw that there was only 1 car in the parking lot. I realized that I had driven to the wrong funeral home. At that point, I also realized that I was an emotional wreck. I prayed for clarity, strength and the right words for my meeting with Cindy.
I arrived this time at the correct funeral home. I had planned to arrive early, but to my surprise the line was already coming out the door. I took a deep breath, and took my place in line. I felt my blood pressure rising, as I read the obituary and looked at pictures of her son around the room. A kind gentleman standing behind noticed my discomfort, and placed his hand on my shoulders. He talked to me until it is was my time to approach Cindy.
We embraced for what seemed an eternity. The words poured from me as I gave my condolences from my daughter and me. I turned the focus to the good times that the kids had growing up, playing by the pond and fishing. Our common love of Longerberger Baskets, my manager who would be there for her tomorrow, and others at the office who wanted me to give their condolences etc. It was effortless, it was coming from the heart. I could see and feel that she was so glad that I had come to support her. I had brought a smile to her face inspite of her pain if only for a moment. I felt so good after leaving her that I stay and chatted with other co-workers and friends to help ease their discomfort while waiting to talk to her. Once again, through Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior all things are possible. I pray that Cindy will find strength in God, and she will at least be able to move forward with her life.
To all that have lost a child, may you be comforted and blessed.
Date: 4/22/2006
Title: Stress, Menopause, Stress - Take Me Away!
Stress - What is your definition of stress? My definition of stress is when you feel so overwhelmed that you can't decide if you should clean your house, do laundry, fill orders from your business, run errands or just throw in the towel. So you sit on the sofa, and watch all of it continue to grow and you continue to feel overwhelmed. Are you caught up in my circle yet?
Besides the stress, I'm menopausal for sure! This can be the only explanation for hot flashes, chills, memory lapses, and a complete state of confusion all within a 15 minute period. My doctor begs to differ, but when I told him that I had the urge to wrap my hands around his neck and shake the shit out of him a few weeks ago, he agreed that it could be the beginning. I think they're called mood swings. He's so understanding, and he has a great sense of humor. Thank goodness, that poor man!
I decided that I wasn't going to throw in the towel, I was going to gather a few beach towels, and book myself on a flight to my condo in West Palm Beach, FL. I'm going to spend a glorious week soaking up the sun. This could be the beginning of something wonderful. I can cure the chills by soaking in the sun and the hot flashes with a few dips in the ocean or pool. I found a cure for the memory lapses too, it's called a Franklin Planner.
This menopausal momma is about to enter a new phase of life and it's looking good! I'll blog you ladies from the beach.
Date: 4/16/2006
Title: Easter 2006
I love holidays and family gatherings, but I decided to spend the day at home with my daugher who's visiting for the week-end and her future husband. I've found myself exhausted from the week's activities.
My daughter always expects a home cooked meal when she's visiting, so I must push through my exhaustion today. Even though she's 27, I still strive to make her holidays happy. She announced before church that we would be having additional guests for dinner, 3 more. My response, "Oh my. The grocery stores are closed today". Because I hadn't planned a large gathering, I decided on Cornish Hens for dinner. How do you stretch Cornish Hens? She just looked at me and smiled. She had the same look on her face when she was about 5, and she would want me to buy her something. I would say, "Mommy doesn't have any money". She would always respond, "Just go to the bank. They always give you money". She was expecting Mom to make it happen once again.
The day turned out to be beautiful. As I prepared dinner, I remembered the true reason for the holiday and the family gathering. The flowers and trees were in bloom, the birds were chirping, and my 4 year old nephew took pride in showing Aunt Rhonda his new bunny, Carrot. Oh, the meal was plentiful and delicious too I might add.
Besides remembering the meaning of today's holiday, I'll also remember, "Thanks Mom". We can do all things through Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Happy Easter!
Date: 3/26/2006
Title: Nutrition for Babies
While reading my local newspaper, I came across an article on mothers preparing home made baby foods. The article referenced a site on preparing wholesome baby foods, which I decided to visit. The site listed several reasons for preparing home made foods. Two of the reasons listed really caught my attention. First, "You have total control over what is put into your baby’s food and you know it's free of additives that a tiny tummy simply does not need!"
I feed my daughter Gerber and Beech-Nut cereals, fruits, and vegetables until she was ready for table foods. She never acquired the taste for any of their meats. Not once did her pediatrician tell me that the foods that I was giving her was affecting her digestive system or was the cause of any of her health problems.
The second reason was, "Healthy eating habits develop earlier as your involvement is dedicated to making only high quality, healthy baby foods and snacks. Your baby will benefit from these healthy eating habits long after that college diploma is in hand!"
My daughter is a college graduate, and she is healthy and happy. She watches what she eats and works out regularly. I was able to achieve the same result as the mothers who are preparing home made foods.
If one is able to raise a healthy and productive child using store brought products, what are the true benefits of preparing home made foods? Did you raise a Gerber or Beech Nut baby? What's your thoughts? Send your two cents to sales@fabricgiftbaskets.com.
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