Rexanne's Web Review - Issue #21

Shopping

A friend startled me last week when she mentioned her child was about to start school. Whoa! I was planning a "Back to School" parenting topic of the week somewhere toward the end of August. I'll get that topic of the week going sooner! Meanwhile, I am also planning a topic of the week on home schooling. If anyone has good resources, stories or ideas to share about home schooling with your fellow readers, please send them in!

Sylvia wrote in response to my request for winter stories from our readers living through the cold months this time of the year:

"I had always heard about 'The Empty Nest Syndrome,' but wow! When it happens to you, it really is quite a blow. Life does keep going on after children, and tell your friend this is now 'her' time, and she can do the things she has put off doing ... I once read a cute saying which I will never forget: 'You hold your child's hand for a while, their hearts forever' ..."

Deneen wrote in response to the security blanket issue:

"Joey still has his Biggie Bird (his security blankie) from when he was a baby and he is eight. I did learn one little trick that you might want to pass on: If your child gets attached to a blankie or stuffed animal, buy another one just like it. It helps for the days you need to wash it. I would trade the Biggie Birds each week so that it would have the same texture for him."

Excellent advice, Deneen. Thank you!

A man who enjoys responsibility usually gets it. A man who merely likes exercising authority usually loses it. - Malcolm S. Forbes

This Week's Web Review is Sponsored By: Bargainchildrensclothing.com
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I have an incredible stepmother whom I love dearly. She is sometimes more a mother to me than my blood mother. I cherish her and my children adore her. She is Grandma Bobbie and no one could take her place in our hearts. I am thankful daily for her loving presence in our lives.

Stepparents have been getting a bad rap since the very first Disney film. When my daughters realized that Grandma Bobbie was my stepmother, they looked at me with horror in their eyes! They have learned firsthand that stepparents can be wonderful, caring and a huge, happy part of our lives.

A 'net friend, Dennis, sent an email with a heartfelt plea for me to do a piece on stepparents. His words were so amazing, I knew I couldn't write it any better myself and asked permission to share his thoughts with you. I am grateful he agreed. His words are a deeply touching request to appreciate what being a stepparent means:

"You wrote a nice article about daddies, but how about the largely unheralded stepfathers and stepmothers of the world? They take on the responsibility for a child not their own, often making greater sacrifices than the real parent(s) do for their stepchild(ren) and often do so without the same respect and emotional rewards given to the real mother/father. Those who marry into a 'ready-made' family often never experience the joy of a child calling them mommy or daddy, but are referred to by their first names instead. Sometimes they sacrifice ever having their own children to marry into a fatherless or motherless family. The sacrifices they make are often greater than many real parents make, and the rewards and respect for it all are often not as deep or as direct.

I think you could write a good article on that, and maybe open some eyes enabling them to see stepparents as equals with parents. And perhaps even open some stepchildren's hearts to be more grateful to guidance, love, support, and protection a stepparent may have made on their behalf. All you ever hear about in the news is the evil ones, that rape or abuse their stepchildren. You never hear about the everyday heroes that are unremarkable in every way except the challenge they've accepted in raising someone else's children."

Oh my ... Dennis, there is no way I could have honored these sentiments as you have. That was beautiful!

The author of the above piece, better known as "Boogie Jack," is famous for his amazing tutorials, graphics and simply the best computer-related newsletters online. If you'd like to get to know this remarkable man and learn everything you ever needed to know about your computer and web design, you can visit his awesome site: Boogie Jack's. Or subscribe to his newsletter, Almost A Newsletter, by sending a blank email to: Subscribe ANN

This first article speaks volumes about what a child can go through when trying to blend with a stepfamily, yet struggle with feelings of disloyalty to the biological parent: Loyalty

Another wonderful article dealing with the joy and positive aspects of stepparenting is: Strong Step Families

David's Yum Yums is a terrific food & cooking site! From the whimsical sound wave file on his main page to the many amazing and exotic recipes he has complied, his site rocks! There are classic recipes, Mexican dishes and a super page with lots of delicious-sounding Russian recipes. Appetizers include an avocado and olive dip to die for and there is a caramel pecan cake in the dessert section worthy of royalty!

David's Yum Yums has a nifty online store where you can browse or buy, from cooking magazines to small appliances. Also on this site, a conversion chart for measurements, food tips and a very useful seasoning guide. I think you're going to love David's Yum Yums as much as I do!

The ancient Japanese art of Origami, or paper folding is the focus of this visually spellbinding site. Beautiful illustrations and precise instructions for creating many various shapes and forms will amaze and delight your children. From insects to dinosaurs, there are hundreds of ideas and patterns to choose from. This would be an ideal craft project to keep summertime boredom at bay!

One of the more interesting fact pages is the Origami & Math page, where kids can learn how math plays an integral part in the creation of these beautiful paper sculptures.

Be sure to have plenty of paper handy before you pass this link on to the munchkins! ;-)

If your home is like our home, you've got pounds of paper stacked all over, waiting to be organized, sorted through and put away or thrown away. UGH! It's one of the biggest challenges I face daily ... what to do with the paper piles and where to put them. I found this page on The Dollar Stretcher and knew I'd found gold! Great organizational ideas and tricks to help you (and ME) de-paper our domains. The author is one very organized lady! Check it out: Conquering Paper Piles.

Be sure to peruse the rest of the site, too. Lots of super articles, dollar-stretching ideas and tips: The Dollar Stretcher

And yet another good paper monster tip page: Paper Management 101.This page deals with office clutter but the tips are useful for all rooms where paper piles tend to multiply.

Got a tip or trick your fellow readers would enjoy or could use? Please send it here for possible publication in one of the next issues: Tips

Oooo Oooo Oooo!!! Fill in your name and address on this page and the folks at Sriniva's Fine Arts will send your choice of a cute little address book or a jumbo coloring book for the kids.

Weekly Time Waster: Mystery Sea Museum
(Because life is supposed to be fun!)

OK, I might be stretching the limits of time waster here ... this is one of the most bizarre sites I've seen! Weird, wild and very mysterious sea creatures are featured, including specimens that look eerily like mermaids or dragons. This is the ickiest collection of unimaginable sea creatures! Kinda made me wonder about evolution, the origins of the universe and all manner of outer-limit fantasies!

Some images on this site could be frightening to little children so please consider this fair warning. I would hate to know a little one was scared by something originating from my newsletter!

Anyone remember The Little River Band? If you were a fan, you'll definitely recognize what I consider their greatest hit, Cool Change. The author of this page has created the most remarkable Java applet and graphics to compliment the sound clip which is the complete LRB recording. No muzak here! ;-)

Enjoy this peaceful and inspiring journey. There's also a link to The Little River Band's web site on the page if you'd like to find out what they've been doing lately. :-)

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The fine print: This newsletter is copyright - 2000 - in its entirety. Please pass it on, but also please leave it intact. :-) You are receiving this email because you sent a specific message asking to be placed on the mailing list for this newsletter. If you wish to be removed from this list, see the unsubscribe notice above. This is NOT SPAM, nor will you ever see a recipe featuring SPAM in this newsletter! ;-)

I have personally checked out the links provided here but they could possibly lead you to any number of bizarre and/or offensive sites. Surf at your own risk. The DIRECT links on this page are all family friendly unless stated otherwise. While this newsletter is family friendly, it is not necessarily intended to be read by children. Parents should always monitor their children while they are on the Internet.