Slideshow
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Reflections :: Concerning the Topic of Love
On the Topic of Love: When I was approached to write for this site it was concerning the topic of love. Not romantic love. Rather, how to be loving. In a practical, real-life, day after day way. A standing in a non-moving line in the grocery store, getting cut-off on the freeway, or coming home to find out yet again that the internet is down kind-of-way. There is a fundamental ancient meditation practice from India known as Vipassana. It teaches a person to steadily witness from within this moment. A primary principle of Vipassana is a Sanskrit word, Anicha. Western translation of Anicha means changing. Anicha is taught as…
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Parenting :: Swimming the Tide of Autism
This spring marks two years since my son’s Asperger diagnosis. His younger sister has been professionally diagnosed with Asperger’s and nowhere near the spectrum. I am currently in the midst of a divorce with their father, who is a walking billboard for autistic characteristics but refuses my pleas to get evaluated. When April came celebrating Autism awareness, I felt I was already not only quite aware but drowning in a sea of autism. Somehow, I managed to swim the tides for two years unaware of many frequently vicious debates within the autism community. I naively put a blue bulb on our porch on April second, then read such frightening attacks…
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The Happiness Project
Hap-pi-ness n. 1.good fortune: prosperity 2.a state of well-being and contentment: joy 3.a pleasurable satisfaction While perusing through many big-box book sellers’ shelves, you are bound to come across a precipitous amount of self-help guides and list-it journals. You might find some on weight loss or dealing with spouses, but more so than not, you will definitely come across books regarding the most elusive and sought after human condition – happiness. To be honest with you, I haven’t really read many self-help guides in the past, but recently I came across Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project. In fact, I’m not sure I would personally classify it as self-help, rather…
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Walmart’s Empowering Women Together Program
Walmart Gives Back: Recently, a Walmart moved into our neighborhood and that center where it is located is just popping now! I checked it out and was happy to see a healthy lunch box alternative to the packaged lunch boxes my daughter begs me to buy when we are at the grocery store. Not sure what her fascination is with these lunch boxes – oh yes, I do – must be the Oreo cookie that is inside! But when I came across a healthy version of the lunchbox at Walmart it was a big relief and now I don’t feel so bad buying a couple as a treat for my…
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Crafts :: Fun and Easy Earth Day Craft for Kids!
Celebrate Earth Day With An Easy Craft: With Earth Day approaching, many are wondering how to show kids how important our earth really is to us. My kids are too young to really understand what Earth Day is all about but that did not stop me from looking for a fun (and easy) craft idea to do with them. I found this craft while doing a bit of research and was immediately drawn to the simplicity of it. I have two girls who are ages 3 and 2 so easy is important. I look for ideas that will keep them engaged while being fun to do. And what toddler doesn’t…
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Tips For Turning Your Bathroom into a Sanctum Of Tranquility on a Budget
Is your bathroom boring? Are you fed up with the color, the style-less faucets, hardware and very little storage space? Well you don’t have to live with a cramped or out of style bathroom just because a remodel isn’t in your budget. You can update your bathroom without breaking the bank just by adding color, relaxing décor, replacing hardware and adding inexpensive storage for toiletries and linens. Say goodbye to your dreary old bathroom and hello to your new sanctum of tranquility. Don’t take on too much at once Start small. Redoing one element of the bathroom at a time means less stress on you and your wallet. The…
