Spotlight on: Thanksgiving

Rexanne's Web Review
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #67 - April 1, 2003 

Brought to You By:  Rexanne.com

Please forward this complete issue of Rexanne's Web Review to a friend and recommend they subscribe. Thank you!

Find subscribe, removal and advertising information at the bottom of this newsletter.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome All Newcomers! 

These are some tough times, not just for the countries and people involved in the current warring. I'm assuming we're all breathing a little shallower, wondering if our children are safe no matter where we live. I wish you all safety and peace in your hearts. Hopefully, peace will begin in each individual and eventually prevail on earth. 

I had my first mammogram a few weeks ago. This isn't something I'd normally address in this newsletter, however, I feel compelled to tell you that it did not hurt, it wasn't comparable to having one's breasts smashed in the refrigerator door or any such nonsense. Mammograms are an important part of preventative health care, ladies. Fear not. While you're at it, click here to help fund mammograms for underprivileged  women ... it only takes a second: Donate Mammograms

It's going to be egg hunts and Easter bunnies for many on April 20! Click here for all the WWW Easter goodies you can handle: Rexanne's Easter

I will once again be supplying the service of personalized Easter Bunny letters through my Easter site. Special for all RWR readers: Receive a dollar off the price just by submitting your information and adding RWR in parenthesis (RWR) after the billing address on the form. Normal price is $3.00 per letter. Your price is only $2.00 per letter. Kids love receiving a personalized, decorated email letter from the Easter Bunny and the letter can be printed out or read online. Make a special kid or two smile big this year: Personalized Email Letter from the Easter Bunny

Enjoy Spring. Pray for peace. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Reader's Comments:

Martha wrote about our guest article from last month's newsletter, Brag Anyway:

"Good guest article - ha ha, though, thinks he's almost done!"

Sure ... laugh at our guest writer's expense, Martha. ;-)

---

And Terry wrote:

"Another terrific issue. I do think each one is better than the last. I especially enjoyed the article about raising three boys. The writer was right on target."

---

OK, here's the scoop:

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote of the Month:  It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up, that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it were the only one we had.  - Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

---------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

This Month's Web Review Sponsored By:  Love to Scrapbook?

Want to make money and scrapbook at the same time? Ever wondered what it would be like to have gotten in on the ground floor of one of the extremely successful direct sales companies like Mary Kay, Home 
Interiors, etc.? Here's your chance to find out! Start at the top of a brand new direct sales scrapbook company. Don't let this awesome opportunity pass you by! Low minimums, high commissions, super 
bonuses! 

Send any email for information and site link to: Scrapbooking 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Parenting & Family Topic of the Month: Grieving Children

This subject has been on my mind for almost a year. In May 2002, Rexanna (nice name!) wrote:

"We've had a rough year around here. We've lost two students who were involved in vehicular accidents. One of the boys killed was my 17 year-old son's best friend. I don't know if I've ever felt more at a loss in helping my son deal with anything. The schools had counselors and ministers on hand, but I know a lot of the parents had trouble knowing how to help their kids once they got home. With your wisdom and insight, and your knack for finding just the right web sites to direct people to, maybe you could give info to help other parents facing this situation." 

Rexanna is very kind to feel I have the wisdom and insight to tackle this topic, however, I feel no more qualified than any other parent in addressing this issue. I have found a few articles and web sites dealing with grief that are indeed helpful. Links to these articles and sites for children and teenagers will be listed at the end of this section. 

While it is my belief that death is just one more experience to seek growth and soul development in our current physical forms, losing a loved one is never easy. Our family has experienced its fair share of grief in the past few years. We've lost my sister-in-law (my daughters' aunt), a beloved uncle and a cherished pet, to name just a few. 

I try to reassure my daughters that a loved one who has moved on is safe and happy, however, we still need to grieve and accept the inevitable feelings of loss and sadness. Loved ones will be missed. Opportunities to share life and experiences will have been cut short. They know that it's OK to feel sad and to cry. As soon as possible after the initial shock and sadness over losing a cherished one has passed, I try to bring happy memories of the person back into our lives. It's important to remember the love and lessons we've learned from them with joy in our hearts and with respect for the time we've had to share our lives in their company. 

I tell my daughters that they can talk to the person who has passed on any time they feel like it. That person will now always be available to listen. We will still feel love for our missed relative or pet and we include the departed soul in our prayers until it feels right to let them go. We ask that they are well taken care of and loved as much as we love them. This helps ease their anxiety of the unknown and allows them to feel that their loved one is in some way protected from whatever they might imagine exists "out there." 

I'm sure, among our readers, religious and spiritual beliefs are many and varied. It is our responsibility to help our children understand that the unknown is not a scary place and to feel secure in life's mysteries. Even if you feel there is "nothing" after this life, children will benefit by assurances that they and their loved ones have a purpose for being. 

As parents, we will be challenged to guide our kids through a myriad of life's ups and downs. If we respect their limited understanding of the issues and direct their thoughts with a loving heart and acceptance of each aspect of life, no matter how difficult, we've will have done the best we can under sometimes-extreme circumstances. 

The following article deals with helping children of all ages grieve. There is also a list of resources to help your child cope: Helping Children Cope with Grief

Another excellent grief site for children that includes stories, peer support and resources for dealing with pet loss is: Kids Aid

And a beautiful, inspirational page with a prayer written by the wise Tom McCrath that will touch your hearts:
A Parent on the Sidelines of Pain


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

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Food & Cooking Site of the Month:  Robbie's Home Remedies

If only half of Robbie's awesome home remedies work for you, you'll be ahead in the game of life. 

The remedies found on this site range from acne to yellow teeth and everything in between. I think I'll try Robbie's stop smoking advice: "Lick a little salt with the tip of your tongue whenever you feel the urge to smoke. This is said to break the habit within one month." Hmmmm ... if you try any of these very interesting home remedies, let us know if and how they work for you!

Also be sure to check out Robbie's Kitchen, where you'll find recipes, cooking tips, pet home remedies and plenty more to keep you a happy kitchen God/Goddess for the rest of the month. 

---

Our food & cooking editor, Martha, will return next month. As coincidence will have it, her beloved dog, Buster, passed on last month and she is taking time to grieve her loss. You can still find amazing quick & easy recipes and her super site here: The Real Martha

Bon Appetit!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement: I loved staying home with my children, but it was straining my budget.

Do you need to bring in extra income, but don't want to work outside of the home? Do you fear falling for yet another scam? So did I. Thankfully, I found a group of women dedicated to earning an honest income from home - by working together. Interested? Visit us today: The Mom Team

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Kid's Site of the Month:  Easter for Kids

Want to find the children an Easter craft or a computer activity to keep them busy over Spring break that involves eggs, bunnies and/or a spiritual message? You'll find all that and more on this page. There are links to Easter games, stories, coloring pages, online egg hunts and some great egg hunt tips plus links to family activities and parent's Easter ideas. Go ...  

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Freebie of the Month: Donation Valuation Guide & Tax Forms

It's tax time in the United States ... ugh. Here are a few helpful sites to ease the pain:

---

The Salvation Army has created a list of donated article values to help you figure out what price you should list for any donated items on your tax forms. From blouses to wigs, you'll know what it's worth: Donation Valuation Guide

---

If you're doing it yourself, here are all the latest and greatest from the IRS ... tax forms to get you through the gruesome job and online tax preparation: Tax Forms

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement: DreamMaker Easter Baskets

DreamMaker creates the most incredible Easter baskets and they do not charge one penny for shipping. You will love the selection and ease of ordering through this awesome, tried-and-true specialty site. Send a custom Easter basket to your favorite kid, order baskets for the family and simplify your life. Great prices, never a charge for shipping ... you'll love DreamMaker's!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Tip or Trick of the Month:  Remove Mildew from Clothing

Amelia sent this super useful tip to share:

"To remove mildew from clothes, mix equal parts of non-chlorine bleach with dish soap. Make a paste and apply it to the mildewed portion of the garment. Use a toothbrush to work it in if the stain persists. When the mildew brushes off, launder as usual."

Thank you, Amelia!


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: Tips

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Time Waster of the Month:  The Year 2002 in Pictures
Because life is supposed to be fun!

OK, this might not be considered a waste of time but it is kind of fun, educational and thought-provoking! ;-)

Time Magazine has a wonderful site filled with the best photographs from last year. Check it out ... it will bring back memories of what we've lived through, where we were and how far we've come in so short a time.

Feed the kids first ...

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Featured Site of the Month: Wave a Flag *

Please show your support for our men and women in the U.S. military by visiting this site and signing your name. Your flag will wave and our heroes will know you are thinking about them, no matter what your 
stand on the current war situation. 

* This site did not accept my entry through an AOL browser. AOL users, if you have access to another browser, you will need to access this page through that browser to have your flag counted and visible.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Advertisement: Inspiring Parents

Work at home! NO Selling, NO Inventory, NO Home Parties, NO Risk! 100% guaranteed! For more information, visit us today!

----------------------------------------------------------------------

--- To email Rexanne click here: Email Me!

--- To subscribe to Rexanne's Web Review: Subscribe

--- To be removed from this mailing list, send a blank e-mail here: Remove Me

--- To sponsor an issue of Rexanne's Web Review or to advertise with us, click here and request sponsor or ad info: Sponsor/Ad Info

The fine print: This newsletter is copyright - 2003 - 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. Your email address will never be shared, sold or otherwise abused by us.

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: - 2000-2003