Spotlight on: Thanksgiving

Rexanne's Web Review 
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #65 - February 1, 2003 

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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Welcome All Newcomers! 

My younger daughter turns nine years-old today. This means I only have four more years before having two teenagers in the house. ;-) They do grow up fast ... cherish those little fingerprints everywhere and the 
innocence. It's all so precious and short-lived. 

Last gasp for Valentine's Day everyone! Find all the WWW VDAY goodies you can handle here:

Rexanne's Valentine

To honor love and romance, I've written an article for this month's web review on the intricacies of dating when we have children. Still looking for that perfect compliment to your life? Well, the love of your life is looking for you, too! Try Yahoo Personals and see why this is the most popular match maker online:

Yahoo Personals

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Reader's Comments:

Stacy wrote about the parenting humor in last month's issue:

"Thank you for the belly laughs! I thought I would break a rib laughing so hard at Dave Barry's article. LOL!"

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Rebecca wrote:

"I loved the sleepover article you featured in the parenting topic of the month. I had to laugh out loud more than once, I related too well!"

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Danny wrote:

"You're right ... if we don't laugh at ourselves as parents, we'd never make it."

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Guess the humor last month helped a lot of you. Good. :-) 

OK, here's the scoop:

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Quote of the Month:  If you love life, life will love you back. - Artur Rubinstein

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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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This Month's Web Review Sponsored By:  Display & Store Frames

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The Display & Store picture frame with the secret storage compartment:

Take advantage of the limited time offer of free personalization.

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month:  Dating With Kids

Dating with kids isn't the easiest task in the world. I have just discovered the complexities of this phenomena. Trying to keep my daughters from being too curious is a lesson in discipline. Not 
interjecting every other conversation with repartee about my children is quite daunting, especially when the man is childless.

As it has been four years since their father and I divorced, my daughters are now willing to accept that Mom has met a man she likes. I actually think they're happy about it. I'm probably nicer to be around, just from me being paid attention for a change instead of always being the one to nurture and, yeah ... I'm probably smiling more, too. ;-) My kids are already asking if I'm going to marry him (no sweetheart, he's "just a friend") to wondering if he'll be their new daddy (of course not, you already have a daddy). Kids, no 
matter how mature they seem, tend to romanticize a situation like this.

All I know at this stage of the relationship is that this man must earn the right to meet my daughters. He's doing an admirable job and might actually qualify sooner than I had imagined, however, to introduce a new person into my children's lives, there has to be a very good reason. 

If a parent is spending a lot of time with another adult, the kids will need to be introduced sooner or later. I say make it later. As parents, we have a responsibility to protect our children from potentially harmful situations and people. Take time to know the man or woman, wait until you are reasonably sure he/she is worthy of being introduced to your children and that the relationship between you is more solid than a few dates and the initial butterflies would have you believe. When they do meet, keep it casual and brief, at first. 

In the beginning of an emotionally powerful relationship, parents need to keep their minds clear, attempt to maintain some semblance of sanity and try to keep the routine at home as normal as possible. If the marriage break-up is new, it is wise to not even mention a rival for the absent parent's affection without good reason. Children will always dream about their parents reuniting and the Daddy/Mommy coming home fantasy will linger longer than we'd like. Kids are subjected to the trauma of divorce along with the confusion of new potential mates for their parents. Give them time to adjust to one difficult situation before introducing another. It will probably be a good year or more before your children are ready to accept that you are a free agent. Try to be patient and respect their needs. 

I'm sure there are other parents out there dating with kids at home. Let's hear from you!


Know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy? Please send it for possible publication in an upcoming issue. Click here: Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month:  Ladyfolks' Cookbook

From our Food & Cooking Editor, Martha Jones, AKA Queen Can-ivore.

Cora Elizabeth's own original recipes and a few longtime family favorites handed down by oral tradition and deciphered into actual measurements for ease of use. A most interesting collection it is, you have to check out some of the titles (Goobledegoobs, Pasta Thriller) just to satisfy curiosity. Ran into the site by accident, looking for Slumgullion - which was what I happened to call a recent ground beef, tomato sauce, onion, garlic and parsley concoction (sort of like Sloppy Joes, without the sweet).

Ladyfolks' version calls for spicy sausage, shrimp, peppers, rice and a variety of seasonings. Between that and dozens more found on the search, I think I'm safe in saying you can throw almost any combo in a pot and call it Slumgullion.

Tip: Although I have occasionally stumped the search engines, most of the time you'll find an appealing version of whatever you have in mind.

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Queen Can-ivore is also known as 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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Advertisement: Parenting Secrets by Mother of Five

Transforms your kids into responsible young people who mind well, show respect, and do their chores cheerfully and willingly without pushing and prodding. Even doing more than their share! Makes growing up 
easier for them and parenting easier for you.

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Kid's Site of the Month:  Valentines Day for Kids

Children will find Valentine's Day activities, coloring pages, on and off line games and game ideas, Valentine's Day crafts, fun and plenty of links to help them feel the spirit of love on this page.

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Freebie of the Month:  Free Valentines & VDAY Patterned Paper

Kids will find all their favorite character Valentine cards to print out and give on this page, including Blues Clues, Powerpuff Girls, Pooh, Scooby Doo and more. Also has teacher cards: Valentine Cards

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For pretty Valentine paper decorations, wrappings or writing, here are pages and pages of VDAY themed patterns to print out: Valentine Paper

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Advertisement: Just Flowers

It's Valentine's Day. Time to send flowers! 

Beautifully arranged red roses, stunning floral arrangements, forever potted plants, beautiful baskets and adorable teddy bears ... Just Flowers makes sending flowers easy and affordable. Shipping is fast and reliable, with guaranteed time deliveries for Valentine's Day. Order your Valentine's Day flowers early for holiday delivery. 

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Tip or Trick of the Month:  Reheating Pizza & No Mess Finger-paint

Brad sent this tip on the best way to reheat pizza: 

"When reheating pizza, cover the top part of the slice with tin foil, leaving the crust and bottom exposed. Heat in a toaster over or oven until the cheese begins to melt. This will ensure that the crust is crispy and the pizza will taste better than when it was fresh."

You know what readers? It's true, it works and I will never again eat left over pizza cold. Thanks Brad!

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And Martha sent in this really good tip for no-mess finger-painting:

"When the little ones want to create another masterpiece, just pour a small amount of paint into the wells of an empty Styrofoam egg carton. When they're finished, just close the lid and toss the carton into the garbage."

Sounds like a perfect plan. Thank you Martha!

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Have 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: <a href=" mailto:rexanne@rexanne.com?subject=TIPS " > TIPS </a> 

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Time Waster of the Month:  Pogo
Because life is supposed to be fun!

Pogo is the place to play card, board, puzzle & word games online. Lots of fun. I'm a regular player in quite a few of the rooms and the quality of play and interaction is unbeatable on Pogo. Chat with other players or don't but do visit pogo and have a little fun. Joining Club Pogo gets you even more games plus lots of other goodies. This is the best time waster online!

Have fun, feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month:  Ethics

Ethics is a page to live by. Simple, straightforward and filled with the wisdom of ages, the philosophy on this page conveys what I wish every human being held in their heart and mind each minute of every day. It would help make the world a much better place.

Especially touching is the commentary by Whisper at the end of the page. In this celebration-of-love month, Ethics does much to remind us to love, honor and respect all living things. 

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Advertisement: Valentine Gifts, Flowers & Candy

All together in one place ... the ideal gifts for all the loves in your life. You have two weeks until Valentine's Day ... go shop! :-) 

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