Spotlight on: Thanksgiving

Rexanne's Web Review 
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #50 - October 1, 2001 

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com


If you find this newsletter helpful and interesting, pass it on to another parent and recommend they subscribe. Thank you!

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Welcome All Newcomers!

As we, in the United States, try to rebuild our lives and maintain our calm, life is getting back to a new kind of normal. I think we will forever value what freedom meant before September 11, 2001. 

We have a wonderful article in the parent and family section of the month, by Brenda Hyde. Great advice on being a parent who allows their children the innocence of feeling loved and protected. Thank you Brenda!

Also new this month ... our very own food and cooking editor. A huge welcome to Martha Jones, AKA Queen Can-ivore. Martha's witty style and awesome command of kitchen basics is a downright pleasure. Thanks for hopping on board during busy times, Martha. You know I love you. :-)

And Halloween is a scant 30 days away! Time to scramble for props, costumes, decorations and give the kids something to be delighted about. First place to start the foray into ghouls and witch territory is BuyCostumes.com, our sponsor for this month's newsletter.  Super place, makes Halloween a breeze! And do check out my Halloween site for a great head start on the plans and festivities: Rexanne's Halloween

AOL readers, please read this version online if the links don't click. There are so many changes on AOL, it's become a nightmare trying to keep up with their ever-changing format. The online version link is at the top of this page. 

Now, on to the slightly modified Rexanne's Web Review. :-) 

Reader's Comments:

I received so many wonderful emails filled with kind words and encouragement these past two weeks. Thank you all so much for the love you show and express. My heart is swelled. :-) 

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Lisa wrote:

"As much as I love your newsletter and think it is wonderful that you are doing it, I also think it is important for you to give the time to your family. Thanks for even doing it once a month. Can't wait until the first of every month."

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Pam wrote:

"I have to commend you for your decision to take more time with your kids. I would rather be able to say at the end of it all that Rexanne had a good newsletter, but she was a great mom than the other way around. I am proud that you have made this choice and may God bless you each and every day that you look at your children and are able to tell them how much you love them."

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David wrote:

"A colleague of mine and I are trying to raise money to donate to the American Red Cross and have designed a shirt that we feel represents our feelings." 

David's beautiful T-shirt can be found here: T Shirts for Relief Effort 

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Jill wrote:

"Emmy, Marshall and I are trying to do our part by helping all the people left homeless by the attack. We need clothing donations. Any help would be welcome."  Hand Me Down Haven

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And Pete wrote:

"With our nation's present situation, there is an urgent need for people who speak specific foreign languages. Likely they could be asked to translate and interpret various languages and to train more people to speak those languages."

For more information about these positions, please visit: WLR or call (207) 392-1403.

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OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Month:  Live your lives and hug your children ... George W. Bush

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This Month's Web Review is Sponsored By:  BuyCostumes.com

BuyCostumes.com is home to the largest selection of costumes in the world and we're gearing up for the best Halloween ever! Adult Costumes, Children's Costumes, Makeup & Accessories, Decorations, Props, Clowns, Magic and much more. 

BuyCostumes.com makes Halloween easy and fun!

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Parenting & Family topic of the Month: 

Feeling Safe and Loved Amidst the Turmoil 
By Brenda Hyde 

As parents, our concerns since the September 11th tragedy are for the victims, their families, the rescue workers and our own children. We want to shelter them from what happened, yet we need to explain it to 
them and reassure them that they are safe. It's not an easy task, especially when we have to deal with our own emotions. We need to take care of ourselves in order to care for our kids. First, make time to reflect, pray, cry or meditate by yourself. Even if you have to do this early in the morning before the kids are awake or late at night. Vent your own frustrations and fears with friends or family.

There are many simple, but important things you can do to make your kids feel safe and loved during this time. 

1. Give out extra hugs and kisses. This is healing for everyone in the family! 

2. Provide extra quiet times with reading, singing and talking about what happened or things in general. 

3. If you had plans, such as a birthday party or field trip, don't cancel. If you need to tone it down a little that is fine, but don't change plans. You could even hand out small flags, make cards for the NY Rescue Workers or sing songs like God Bless America or the national anthem. 

4. Keep up with your family routine. Kids see and hear so much about what has happened and they need to know that home is the same as it's always been and you aren't going anywhere. They need the continuity that family offers them. 

5. Have a family sleep over in the living room with videos, popcorn, and ice cream. Sleep in sleeping bags (Mom gets the couch!), laugh and enjoy a night of togetherness.

6. Get involved in your community efforts. There are most likely fund raisers, memorials, prayer meetings and other events. Find one that your kids express interest in and go together as a family. 

Our children need our assurances, our love and our consistency. Even infants and toddlers will sense that something is wrong if mom and dad are tense and sad. We can't hide these emotions, but we can make extra efforts to help our children understand them. Mostly, we need to show them that they are safe and loved, even amidst the turmoil. 

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Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three children, a freelance writer and editor of  Seeds of Knowledge   You can reach her here:  Brenda Hyde

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Have an opinion about this topic or a story to share? Please send it:  My Opinion

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month:  I Don't Cook ...

From our new Food & Cooking Editor - Martha, AKA Queen Can-ivore:

The rest of the title to this web site? But My Family Loves to Eat. Or to put it another way, there are thousands of more interesting ways to pass the time than spending it in the kitchen, however, people have 
to eat, somebody has to cook.

An admirable collection of Queen Can-ivore approved LTFs*. (Can-ivores use cans and otherwise conveniently packaged ingredients to prepare meals. *Less-Than-Five preferred.) 

You'll find appetizers, main dishes, breads and rolls, snacks, pasta, salads, desserts and more; tasty basics (easily adjustable to your family's liking), "kidlet" agreeable (and doable) and take-alongs when you're it for a bring-something. Excellent hint collection includes several NOOMs (new ones on me). True kicks for certifiable hint junkies! "Pros" especially will appreciate a most liberal sprinkling of humor. Go there.

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Queen Can-ivore is also known as The Real Martha. Find her at The Real Martha - real easy recipes for real busy, real people. Not for fans of the UnReal Martha.

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Bon Appetit!

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Kid's Site of the Month:  Have a Cow Dude

Kids will love this site, where they can choose one of many Holstein cows to "adopt" and follow her progress through the site's free newsletter. They can ask the farmer questions, learn about life on a
dairy farm and finally realize that milk comes from a cow, not the refrigerated section of their local grocery store. :-)

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Tip or Trick of the Month:
"Camera Ready" 

Thanks to Deneen for sending this month's tip:

"It's a good idea to keep one of those one-time-use 35mm cameras in your car's glove box in case of an accident. That way you can show damage of your vehicle and the accident scene if you have to go to court."


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 

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This Month's Time Waster:  Pogo.com
Because life is supposed to be fun!

Here's a great place to escape reality for an hour or so. The games at Pogo.com are among the best I've played online, with super graphics and easy registration. Backgammon, cribbage, slots, roulette, dominos and so many more to waste your time. Have some fun! :-)

Feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month: The World Mourns 

Every American I know is deeply touched by the overwhelming support, love and respect shown us by the many nations and people in the world. Our innocence has been shattered but our spirit is incredibly strong 
and fortified by the solidarity shown by our fellow man. We will be forever grateful for their friendship.

The World Mourns is a site that captures images of a world united in compassion and solidarity:

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Supporting the sponsors and advertisers in Rexanne's web review keeps this newsletter alive. Each advertiser has Rexanne's Seal of Approval! Please visit them today.

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Advertisement: Electric Food

Between "Everyday and Gourmet." You'll love Electric Food! From baking goods to oils and vinegars, the most amazing selection of fine foods, basic supplies and deliciousness. Free recipes, too!

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Advertisement: Audio Books

Now you can listen to the latest bestsellers in your car, at the gym, or even at home. Join Audio Book Club today and get 4 audiobooks for only 1 penny! Click here:

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Advertisement: Catalog Link

CatalogLink offers a large quantity of free catalogs including an international section for overseas requests. You'll find something for all tastes here from office and computers, to recreation and hobbies and more! 

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The fine print: This newsletter is copyright - 2001 - 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. 

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. 

All material on these pages: Copyright: - 2000-2001