Spotlight on: Thanksgiving

Rexanne's Web Review 
Web Sites & Insights

Issue #83 - November 1, 2004 

Brought to You By: Rexanne.com

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Welcome all newcomers and faithful readers! 

There are times in life when we are humbled. This is one of those times for me as I (and many others) must say goodbye to a dear friend and a remarkable person, Terry Dillworth, who passed away last month. 
Terry was the voice and spirit behind "Instamom" - a nifty little ezine. Terry had become a friend to me over the past two years. She will always be remembered by myself and her many readers. My heart 
goes out to her family and her three terrific sons whom she loved dearly and always bragged about. :-) They had a wonderful mom ... the world is a better place because of Terry. Rest in peace, girlfriend. 

It's almost Thanksgiving in the U.S! Here's all you'll need for TDAY on one page: Rexanne's Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers! We really do have enormous benefits in our lives, not the least of which are our families. I am grateful for my children, family, friends and for all of you in my life!

Oh and we had an absolute blast on Halloween! Trick or treating until our legs gave out, lots of kids here for dinner ... the usual. :-) 

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Reader's Comments:
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Deanna wrote:

"Enjoyed your newsletter as usual ... Was real interested in seeing you tell about "book crossing"... My son was telling us about it. He had also gone to London, and he left one of his books there. We just got back from our trip to Sweden, and the greatest time... Lots of memories were made that we will cherish forever. It was the trip of a lifetime for us, and I hope you will enjoy seeing and reading about our travels: http://home.comcast.net/~sdsisters/Stockholm.html" 

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Kathy writes:

"A special friend of mine is a wonderful little boy named Billy Gowacki and he has bone cancer. His parents are Ali and Bill. Ali has MS and now this has happened to Billy, yet this is truly a wonderful and courageous family. Billy has become a hero to so many people. Eric Horner has penned songs for and about Billy and Eric is playing these songs in concert all over the USA. Audiences are generously donating for a wonderful cause, which is a huge Christmas surprise for Billy's family. I am not normally a person who asks total strangers to donate but if I can get folks to donate just $1 each I'd be eternally grateful. I know all the people involved and I can vouch for their honesty and motives. This family is so deserving for the love and strength they exhibit to everyone. Since this is a secret - please don't let it get back to the Gowacki's until after Dec 15. There is a link on Eric Horner's web site  set up for donations. You are welcome to use this site to make a donation - just note that it is for Billy."
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OK, here's the scoop:
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Quote of the Month: Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time. Hebrew Proverb
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Supporting the sponsors and advertisers in Rexanne's Web Review keeps this newsletter alive and a portion of revenue is donated to various children's charities. . Each advertiser has Rexanne's Seal of Approval. Please visit them today.
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This Month's Web Review Sponsored By: Holiday Gifts for Everyone

Think it's too early to think about holiday presents? Think again. :-) Shop online to avoid the mall hassles as much as you can. And start early to avoid holiday postal rushes and worries. You'll find my holiday mall easy to navigate - pages for specific people and lots of great selections. All merchants are honorable and care about customer service. You'll never go to the "real" mall again. Oh sure you will but you won't have to. ;-) Rexanne's Christmas Mall

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Parenting & Family Topic of the Month: “High-Low’s” 
By Dionna Sanchez

There’s a movie called “The Story About Us” where they share their high and low points of the day together. I thought this was a fabulous idea so I transferred this game our own home. My children fell in love with the idea of sharing “highs” and “lows” right away. We started out sharing our “high-lows” at the dinner table. Some evenings I would even forget and my daughter would remind me! When our children had friends over, they shared their “highs” and “lows” with us also! It was fun and sometimes a real eye opener into what “made” or “did not make” someone’s day. Last year I decided to start doing our “high-lows” on the way home from school. It clued me in to my children’s day and helped start conversation on many occasions. Our carpool kids even did it with us! I personally love this tradition of sharing the good and bad things of our day. It is a great way to bond with each other, communicate and 
share as well as learn to be sensitive to one another. Give it a try and see if you don’t agree.

~ Dionna Sanchez enjoys learning about her children’s day during the 30
minute car ride to and from school each day. She loves to share ideas 
that work with her family – visit her website at: Emphasis on Mom

Rexanne's note: Readers, I think this is a great way to establish open communication with our children. The sooner we can begin to "draw them out" the better they will be able to communicate with us through the tough times. I believe that being able to talk to us and feel safe and comfortable in doing so, helps our kids feel connected to family and helps them realize how much they are loved and cherished. At the end of 
each day, I join my children in saying prayers and going over the day's events. We call it "talk about your day" time. My girls love this special time together. It helps them safely release any negatives, re-live the positives and we can discuss any hardships they've faced. I try to let them figure out solutions to these issues on their own, with suggestions on how they might handle a similar situation in the future. They fall asleep with a sense of peace and I, as a parent, am more at ease knowing what's going on in my children's lives. If I can help, I do. If they don't want my help, I try very hard to stay out of it. The most important point is that they are communicating with you which gives everyone a deeper understanding of each other and a stronger sense of family values. 

Do you have a special "family communication" ritual to share? Please send your thoughts! Or know of a good parenting or family site your fellow readers might enjoy or do you have a topic you'd like to see 
covered in this section? Please send your ideas in for possible publication in an upcoming issue. 
Click here: Parenting Site

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Food & Cooking Site of the Month: Two Turkey Dinner Recipes

From the wonderful site 'Out of the Frying Pan' you'll find two full TDAY dinner menus with all the recipes. Mix and match or follow the recommended menus. Be sure to browse the rest of the site for other fun 
stuff and cooking inspiration. 

Bon Appetit!

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Kid's Site of the Month: Origami Turkey

The kids can get creative, learn the art of origami and make the table centerpiece! This page gives detailed instructions on making a darling origami turkey. Children can make a batch of these little guys to give 
dinner guests, friends and neighbors. 

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Freebie of the Month: Thanksgiving Place Cards & TDAY To Do List

Have the children make place cards for all your Thanksgiving dinner guests: TDAY Place Cards

This one's for the cook this year: Thanksgiving To Do List

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Advertisement: Turkey Lifters & Digital Meat Thermometer

Check out these great finds from The Home Marketplace. You just cannot do Thanksgiving dinner right without them:

Turkey Lifters:
Stainless steel turkey lifters lift 30-lb. toms, mammoth hams, and giant roasts with equal ease. Comfort grips put you in complete control while four widely spaced prongs end tilting and flips. Dishwasher safe.
Set of 2. Each 10"L x 4"W. 
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Digital Meat Thermometer:
One glance across the kitchen tells you how your roast or poultry is cooking, without pulling out hot pans. Programmable digital Thermometer displays both preset doneness and current reading, then beeps and 
flashes when desired temperature is reached, up to 329 degrees F. Stainless food probe connects to magnetic-and-easel-back screen. Battery included. 2-1/2"Hx3-3/8"Wx1"d. 

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Tip or Trick of the Month: How to Make Perfect Gravy

Refresher course on gravy making, everyone! :-) 

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

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Time Waster of the Month: Political Compass & U.S. Presidential Candidate Information
(Because life is supposed to be fun!)

Just in case you aren't sure which side of the fence you're on or if you're dangling in the middle somewhere, you'll be able to gauge your political leanings with this online test:  Political Compass Thanks to Rina for sending  it!
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And if you need a refresher on who's running in the US presidential election tomorrow, this site offers information on everyone involved: U.S. Presidential Candidate Information

No, I don't mean to imply that voting or finding information about our potential leader is a "time waster." Just didn't know where else to put this link and knew it was a good one for today's newsletter. ;-) I urge 
all US citizens, both here and abroad, to get out and vote! Make that difference and show your children by example that it's important to have a voice in our life issues. Some people don't have the basic right to vote that we take for granted. Take advantage of that right and let your vote speak. 

Feed the kids first ...

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Featured Site of the Month: Operation Iraqi Children 

This is a great effort by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand (Seabiscuit) in cooperation with our troops in Iraq, bringing needed school supplies to Iraqi children. Our troops have been rebuilding war-torn Iraqi schools and now, with Operation Iraqi Children, they will have necessary school supplies, bringing positive education to their lives. I have always believed that education is the root of world peace. This is a healthy influence that will go far in insuring understanding and peace for future generations. Check out what this excellent organization is about and what they are accomplishing.

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Advertisement: Personalized Family Turkey Platter

Count your blessings this season as you serve your holiday guests on this beautiful handcrafted, stoneware platter.

Artfully hand painted with colorful Thanksgiving design, and custom personalized with any special message, family name, etc. across the top and bottom.

Sure to become a family heirloom and a super addition to your special family traditions!

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