5 Phrases to Stop Kids From Crying and Begging

1. "Asked and answered."

This is the motherload of all chocolates. Although I use the four below, I use this one ten more times then I use anything else. Let's replay the scenario from above.
Child: "Mommy, can I have this?"
Mother: "No, honey."
Child: "But Mom, I don't have one."
Mother: "Asked and answered."
Child: "You never get me anything."
Mother: "Asked and answered."
If the child keeps at it, you become a robot, saying the same three most blissful words over and over and over again.

2. "I'm done discussing this."

Child: "Can Ashlynn spend the night?"
Mother: "No, she just spent the night here last week."
Child: "Please?"
Mother: "I'm not discussing this again."
Child: "But ..."
Then, from the mother, all action, no words. Smile pleasantly, tilt your head to the right, give the best devil eyes you can, and then simply walk away.

3. "This conversation is over."

Child: "Can I ride my bike?"
Mother: "No, it's raining outside."
Child: "But I'll wear my rain coat and it's only sprinkling."
Mother: "This conversation is over."
Child: "But pleeeasssee?"
Mother: "Asked and answered."
Become your usual robotic self. Remember, you're a rock.

4. "Don't bring it up again."

Child: "I want these shoes."
Mother: "No, those cost too much."
Child: "But I don't like those."
Mother: "You're getting the shoes in the cart and that's final. Don't bring it up again."
Child: "I need them!"
Mother: "You brought it up again. There went your dessert for tonight."
Yes, you're going to get more crying with that response, but remember: getting your child to understand you mean business is a marathon, not a sprint.

5. "The decision has been made. If you ask again there will be a consequence."

Child: "Can I watch the iPad?"
Mother: "No, you know you're not allowed having technology at the table."
Child: "I won't get food on it."
Mother: "The decision has been made. If you ask again there will be a consequence."
Child: "But I promise!"
Mother: "I told you not to bring it up again. No iPad for the rest of the day."

Prepare for a few tantrums until your child learns they're not going to get anywhere. This is part of their normal testing stage.

Your child will eventually realize nothing changes your mind. This is how you will earn your child's respect and set up a relationship where your child accepts your decisions the first time.]

Don't forget: their best friend, Timeout, is only a few short steps away.

Timing is Everything

What a great idea!  This is pretty cut and dried for families with children in school.  Even the younger ones who don't know how to tell time can understand it.  I wish I had been this creative when my boys were young.

Circumstances

Here is a little positive advice for anyone struggling with life.  The closing of doors is usually not a fun decision but a necessary one.  We have to do the best that we can for ourselves and those we love.  

Published: August 26, 2015

SEBRING — When O.H. Foster and John Harrison teed off Monday afternoon in the Jim Travis Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club Men’s Golf Association group, they didn’t have any idea that by the time their round was done they would find themselves in extremely exclusive company. After Foster hit a hole-in-one on No. 13 on Sun ‘n Lake’s Deer Run course, Harrison followed up with one of his own on No. 18, giving two golfers in their threesome an ace in the same round.
“I’ve never seen that happen in the same group on the same day,” said Sun ‘n Lake pro Andy Kesling.
It was the second hole-in-one for both Foster and Harrison.
“I just hit the ball and was looking at it and saw it going towards the hole and by the time I realized it, it had dropped in,” Harrison said. “I thought it was odd that both of us got a hole-in-one. O.H. was playing good golf and I wasn’t playing good golf, but it made the day a lot lighter. My last one was in 1992 in Michigan, so it’s been a long time.”
Foster said he knew his tee shot was good when he first hit it, although he didn’t realize just quite how good it was going to be.
“When I looked up and found mine I knew it was going to be close hollered ‘be close!’ and that’s the last time I saw it,” Foster said.
Foster finished his round with a score of 80, which happens to be his age. He said he’s done that several times recently and has shot better than his age on occasion.
“I had a 78 on Turtle Run several months ago,” he said. “I’ve hit 80 three or four times.”
The other player in the threesome was Don Kennedy, who happens to be the oldest member of the Men’s Golf Association at 88.
“Don said he was our inspiration,” Harrison quipped. “Don is 88 and he plays very good golf and is a lot of fun to play with.”
The hole-in-one barrage wasn’t limited to Monday. There were aces made during both days of the weekend’s Highlands Sertoma Golf Tournament.
Kesling said it’s unusual to see three days of consecutive aces, although it has happened in the past.
“The course is in excellent shape and we’re having a bunch of hole-in-ones,” he said. “So if somebody want to make a hole-in-one, they better come to Sun ‘n Lake.”

- See more at: http://www.highlandstoday.com/hi/sports/matching-hole-in-ones-20150826/#sthash.lt5a6Cmx.dpuClosing doors if often not a fun decision but there are times 

Creating A Simple, Easy Job Chart for Kids

I wish I had come across this idea when my boys were young.  I would have implemented it right away.  It's easy money for them, a controlled allowance system for you, and happiness all around!  I am definitely passing it along for them to use for their own children (aka my grandchildren).

When Dealing with Old Folks...

AN OLD WOMAN WALKED UP AND TIED HER OLD MULE TO THE HITCHING POST.
AS SHE STOOD THERE, BRUSHING SOME OF THE DUST FROM HER FACE AND CLOTHES, A YOUNG GUNSLINGER STEPPED OUT OF THE SALOON WITH A GUN IN ONE HAND AND A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY IN THE OTHER. THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER LOOKED AT THE OLD WOMAN AND LAUGHED, "HEY OLD WOMAN, HAVE YOU EVER DANCED?"

THE OLD WOMAN LOOKED UP AT THE GUNSLINGER AND SAID, "NO,... I NEVER DID DANCE... NEVER REALLY WANTED TO."

A CROWD HAD GATHERED AS THE GUNSLINGER GRINNED AND SAID "WELL, YOU OLD BAG, YOU'RE GONNA DANCE NOW," AND STARTED SHOOTING AT THE OLD WOMAN'S FEET.

THE OLD WOMAN PROSPECTOR -- NOT WANTING TO GET HER TOE BLOWN OFF --STARTED HOPPING AROUND. EVERYBODY WAS LAUGHING. WHEN HIS LAST BULLET HAD BEEN FIRED, THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER, STILL LAUGHING, HOLSTERED HIS GUN AND TURNED AROUND TO GO BACK INTO THE SALOON.

THE OLD WOMAN TURNED TO HER PACK MULE, PULLED OUT A DOUBLE-BARRELED SHOTGUN, AND COCKED BOTH HAMMERS.

THE LOUD CLICKS CARRIED CLEARLY THROUGH THE DESERT AIR, AND THE CROWD STOPPED LAUGHING IMMEDIATELY.

THE YOUNG GUNSLINGER HEARD THE SOUNDS, TOO, AND HE TURNED AROUND VERY SLOWLY. THE SILENCE WAS ALMOST DEAFENING. THE CROWD WATCHED AS THE YOUNG GUNMAN STARED AT THE OLD WOMAN AND THE LARGE GAPING HOLES OF THOSE TWIN BARRELS.

THE BARRELS OF THE SHOTGUN NEVER WAVERED IN THE OLD WOMAN'S HANDS, AS SHE QUIETLY SAID, "SON, HAVE YOU EVER KISSED A MULE'S ASS?"
THE GUNSLINGER SWALLOWED HARD AND SAID, "NO M'AM... BUT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO.

THERE ARE FIVE LESSONS HERE FOR ALL OF US:

1 - Never be arrogant.
2 - Don't waste ammunition.
3 - Whiskey makes you think you're smarter than you are.
4 - Always make sure you know who has the power.
5 - Don't mess with old people; they didn't get old by being stupid.

Harvest Trail Mix

Ingredients:

Pretzels
Bugles chips
Honeycomb cereal
Candy Corn
Candy Corn Pumpkins
Chex Muddy Buddy
M&M’s or round Chocolate Candy
Other Options: (Nuts, Marshmallows, Popcorn, Goldfish, Cheerios, Chocolate Chips, Craisins)

It looks good.  I'll have to make some of this!

Just in Case...

Happy Monday.

Peace and Tranquility

I would love to enjoy this view off my back deck every morning.  It's looks so quiet and tranquil.  Sharing the beauty of God's majesty with someone special would truly be a blessing.  Peace to you, my friends.  I wish you a wonderful weekend.

When Lies Go Bad

Moral of the story:  Don't lie.

And if you do, be ready to face the consequences!
Happy Friday!

37 Calorie Brownies

I can't wait to try this recipe! 

When Your Conscious Talks

Can I get an Amen!

I Opened a Book

The perfect poem for one of my favorite activities.

Inexpensive Yard Project for Autumn

Want a cute and easy fall project for your yard?  Take your yard or garden to a new level with this cute Halloween tipsy pot idea.  Instead of using clay pots, drill holes in plastic pumpkins, angle and stack them on a steel rod, then fill them with fall mums. 

Can I Get an Amen?

I had to laugh but yes, football season is upon us!  

(My Dad is secretly doing the Happy Dance.)

Go Chiefs!  We need a winning season!

Senior Moments

An elderly Florida lady did her shopping and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle.

She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her lungs, “I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!”. The four men didn't wait for a second threat. They got out and ran like mad.

The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and got into the driver’s seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition.
She tried and tried, and then she realized why. It was for the same reason she had wondered why there was a football, a Frisbee and two 12-packs of beer in the front seat. A few minutes later, she found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down.

She loaded her bags into the car and drove to the police station to report her mistake.  The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing. He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a car jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun.

No charges were filed.

The moral of the story:  If you’re going to have a senior moment… make it memorable.

I Am Strong

I am strong because I am my parent's daughter.  

They have loved and supported me through all of these phases of life,

whether deserved or not.

Thank you both!  I love you to the moon and back.

The Preemie Project

Are you looking for a good project to use up all those fabric scraps in your sewing room?

The Preemie Project is an Iowa based nonprofit. Our mission: The Preemie Project seeks to provide comfort and support to critically ill infants and their families in Newborn Intensive Care Units in Iowa.

One of the TPP projects that is in ever increasing demand is "Developmental Hearts" The pattern for Developmental Hearts is on our website.

Here is the pattern:
https://www.facebook.com/ThePreemieProject

TPP donates the Developmental hearts to Iowa NICUs. The hearts are given to moms and dads when their baby is admitted to the NICU. The heart is worn against the parent's skin so that it absorbs their scent. The heart is then placed in the infant's bed.

The pattern includes a template for an 8 inch heart. That is the largest size needed. You can use your smaller scraps and make hearts as small as 5 inches for the tiniest babies.
Two heart shaped layers of cotton, flannel, fleece or minky are serged or sewn together. There is NO batting between the layers. St. Luke's in Cedar Rapids LOVES the hearts that have minky fabric on one side. They request, "Many more please!" So SOFT!

Please wash all fabric before sewing the hearts. Special detergent is NOT needed. Do NOT use fabric softener. If you have pets in your home please wash your items before sending. You might need to iron the hearts. Place in a plastic bag immediately.

We need many hundreds of these hearts every year. The demand keeps growing as more hospitals request the hearts from us.

Please use sweet baby and kid prints for the hearts. Right now our supply is low. We could use several hundred in the next couple of months. Mail the hearts anytime to

The Preemie Project
2607 Flagstone Court
Coralville, IA 52241

As always, we cannot donate items to any hospital if it comes from a smoking household due to contamination with "third-hand smoke".

Getting Old...

For you Mom, Happy Birthday!

(Yes...this means I'm getting old, not you!)

Crash & Burn by Lisa Gardner

My name is Nicky Frank. Except, most likely, it isn’t.

Nicole Frank shouldn’t have been able to survive the car accident, much less crawl up the steep ravine. Not in the dark, not in the rain, not with her injuries. But one thought allows her to defy the odds and flag down help: Vero.

I’m looking for a little girl. I have to save her. Except, most likely, she doesn’t exist.

Sergeant Wyatt Foster is frustrated when even the search dogs can’t find any trace of the mysterious missing child. Until Nicky’s husband, Thomas, arrives with a host of shattering revelations: Nicole Frank suffers from a rare brain injury and the police shouldn’t trust anything she says.

My husband claims he’ll do anything to save me. Except, most likely, he can’t.

Who is Nicky Frank, and what happened the night her car sailed off the road? Was it a random accident or something more sinister given the woman’s lack of family and no close friends? The deeper Wyatt digs, the more concerned he becomes. Because it turns out, in the past few months, Nicky has suffered from more than one close accident. . . . In fact, it would appear someone very much wants her dead.

This is my life. Except, most likely, it’s not. Now watch me crash and burn.

Holy cow!  If you like psychological thrillers, this book is a must for you.  It's both deep and goes down a dark path but keeps you wondering who these people are and what is going on?  The same questions Wyatt Foster has and the deeper he digs, the more questions he has - and so did I.  You think you've figured it out and then...not so much!

If you are looking for a read that will keep your mind engaged and guessing at the plot line, this is it.  Run out and pick it up today.  You won't be disappointed.

Two Very Special People

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Your lives and relationship have taught me a lot,

That love and affection can’t be bought.

I have learned how to trust,

How to be fair, righteous and just.

Where would I be without you both, I don’t know,

Thanks for always being my shadow.

My best wishes are with you on your anniversary,

To have parents like you, I am extremely lucky.

I love you both with all of my being.

Congratulations!

P.S...Happy Birthday Dad!

Picking Five Favorites

I honestly don't think that it's possible for me to do either!

Happy Friday!...Now go read a book!

A Random Act of Kindness

My husband wonders why I give so many compliments out to complete strangers.  It's not because I'm out to increase my popularity but a genuine act that comes from my heart.  Sometimes when I pass someone, I need to tell them that "I love your shoes," or "what a pretty necklace," or "you have beautiful eyes," or "what a great laugh you have."

Life is difficult and the world can be a very cruel place.  Mean-spirited people are everywhere.  Taking an extra step to show just a little kindness can mean the world to someone.  You can't know what they are going through and hearing a compliment can change the outlook of a complete stranger.  For me, it's a positive step in the right direction.  I believe that it's much harder to be miserable than to be nice.  So why not share a little kindness with the world?  A simple act of kindness can change a life and quite possibly start a revolution to change the world.  Now that's a bandwagon that I would jump on!

Happy Couples

17 Habits of Happy Couples

Do you and your partner do any of these things? If so, chances are you two are pretty darn happy together!

1      Change Your Focus

A lot of the problems that couples have can be fixed if both people can just change the things that they focus on in their partner. Rather than focusing on what your partner does that annoys you, remind yourself of the things that you enjoy about him or her.

So many people look for negatives even when surrounded by positives.

2       Always Say "Good Night"

We've all heard the phrase "never go to bed angry," and it holds true. Even if you and your partner are fighting, take a break to sincerely say "good night" before sleep and remind him or her that you still love being in a relationship with them.

3      Default To Trust And Forgiveness

Every couple has disagreements, but how you deal with those moments is what really defines your relationship. A lot of the things couples fight about is actually a very small issue that can be dealt with easily.

Before you start yelling, step back and take a look at the bigger picture. Make your trust in this person and your forgiveness for them your default mode, rather than suspicion and anger.

4      Go To Bed At The Same Time

You'd be surprised at how important something so simple as synchronized bed times is for a couple, but it really does go a long way in strengthening your relationship.

Sure, it's not always easy to match up your sleeping schedules, but couples who do fall asleep together are constantly reminded of their close bond and reassured by their lover's touch.

5      Hug Whenever You Come Home

Human skin holds memories of good, bad, and no touch, which it associates with a person. Being sure you get as much touching, like hugs and kisses, with one another as possible helps you lead a happier and healthier relationship.

6      Talk Throughout The Day

You might spend your days apart at separate jobs or responsibilities, but you should still check in every so often. Whether you prefer to have a phone call during lunch, an afternoon email talking about your day, or something more sporadic like texting or instant messaging, it's important to communicate how your day is going even while apart.

That way, your partner already knows how you feel when you get home.

7      Know Each Other's Love Language

The author Gary Chapman noted that different people communicate affection in 5 distinct ways: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, or physical touch.

While it's important to regularly focus on each of these love languages, you should also know which is most important to you and to your partner, as they may not be the same.

8      Develop Common Interests

It's natural for different people to have different interests, and of course you shouldn't have to do everything with your significant other, but having some interests or activities in common can really help to strengthen a couple.

If you already have a common interest, find out a way to actively participate in it together.  If you don't, then try out some new things together to try to develop one.

9      Cook Dinner Together

A lot of couples split up who cooks, but when only one person is doing it you're missing out on some quality bonding time. Not only do both people enjoy the meal more if they make it together, but cooking together is a unique experience the couples should experience often — it involves communication, creativity, and even sensuality.

10     Say "I Love You" Every Morning

It's important to start the day off on the right note, especially when the rest of the day may involve facing annoyances at work or other responsibilities.

Saying "I love you" or simply "have a good day" to your loved one is an important way to remain patient and tolerant throughout those daily nuisances.

11     Spend Alone Time Together

Happy couples are comfortable together, which means that they can spend time in the same room without trying to entertain each other. They don't feel pressure to always be amusing each other or doing the same thing — they can comfortably do their own things even right next to each other.

12    Regularly Make Decisions Together, As A Team 

Happy and secure couples share their lives together equally, and that means that they recognize the importance of communication and decision-making. Rather than acting alone, someone in a happy relationship will always talk with their partner before making a big decision.

13     They Love Themselves, Individually

The people in a relationship obviously love one another, but to make them truly happy they first have to love themselves. A relationship is really a reflection of the happiness of the individuals involved, so happy people make a happy relationship.

14    They Don't Try To Change Each Other

Everybody wants to be appreciated for who they are, so a truly happy relationship involves both people loving each other for the people that they are.

If you only love someone when they change to fit into your own ideas, then you love your own fantasy rather than another person.

15     Be Proud To Be Seen Together

Some people may not like attention, but everyone should be proud to be seen with their boyfriend or girlfriend. And sure, PDA isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it is true that happier couples can't always keep their hands off each other in public.

16     Walk Side-By-Side

Even the way you walk can help or hinder the strength of your relationship. Instead of walking behind or ahead of your partner, make an effort to walk side by side.

Holding hands and walking next to your significant other really does make you two stronger with each step.

17    They Don't Play Games

A happy relationship is not like the couples you see on a lot of sitcoms — they don't play games with each other. Openness and honesty help build a happy relationship, but lying will only ruin it.

Absent Minded Battle

Does this ever happen to you?

It did to me...last night!

God's Paint Brush

"A lake that is noisy cannot reflect anything"

- Robert Adams

My words:  Simply amazing.

Words on a Page

So, if you can't be where you want to be,

Enjoy where you are.

If you need some suggestions, just let me know.