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All families and home biz owners have to think about debt, finances, bills and income almost every day. There is no reason to be overwhelmed by something that can actually be CHANGED. How?
This article will show you how to:

Eliminate all of your debt (including your mortgage) in 5 - 7 years
Take control of your finances
Become financially independent (the dream of most Americans) by retirement.

The First Step is to get a copy of your CREDIT REPORT. In it you will find your entire credit history. It may be shocking to you, but it will be revealing. I suggest that you do it today. At the bottom of this report is a link to help you get started.
The Second Step is to make a list of all the debts you have using the
“ROLL DOWN SYSTEM.” This is a powerful but little known system that will allow you to pay off all your debts, including your mortgage, in half the time or less than you may have thought possible.
Start by calculating the entire amount you are spending on all debt payments each month, including your mortgage. Then list the credit cards, credit lines, car loans and other short term debt, from the smallest to the largest. From this time forward, simply spend the same amount each month to service your debt you have always spent. Here’s the secret to accelerated payoff…
Once you have completely paid off your first debt, DO NOT begin spending the amount of the payment - add it to the payment of the next debt on the list! As each debt pays off, continue this process. In a year or two, you will get to…
Your MORTGAGE! But now you have considerable extra money to pay each month. Using this strategy, you should be able to pay off all your debts, including your mortgage, in 5 - 7 years! So, after you pay off everything, you can begin living the life of Riley, right? NO!
Now it’s time for Step Three. You simply take the ENTIRE AMOUNT you were using to pay off your debts and begin INVESTING it in sensible mutual funds. This will be a considerable sum, and will allow you to reach that enviable state of FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE that most Americans truly want to reach.
Here are two bonus strategies to create wealth even faster…

Add as much as you can to your monthly debt payment from the beginning. The more you can add, the sooner all will be paid off and the sooner you can begin investing.
Start a sensible home business to add extra income to your budget, but use its profits in this plan, not for high priced “fun.” Added attraction - having a home business offers numerous tax benefits for even more savings.

For many people, doing all of this seems a little complicated and difficult. That’s why most have not implemented such strategies in the past. Many of these things can be done automatically with the right service. WealthLink is one such service which I highly recommend. It helps you get your credit report, analyze it, creates your debt payoff plan, helps you make a sensible investment plan and even offers an excellent business opportunity by giving you your own website to promote the service. Here’s the link: http://www.wealthlink.com/familybiz
Good luck on the road to financial independence!

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If someone you know and love is in the hospital there are a few things you need to know especially if you are the Heath Care Agent or the surrogate that will be acting and making decisions for the patient.
Keep a notebook and a pen available with you at all times. You will have many things going through your mind that you may need to keep track of and the notebook will be helpful. Much of this information will be exchanged in the days to come with physicians, other family members and friends, and the discharge planner. Family or friends may be asking you questions and offering to do things for you. You do not have to do all of the writing, assign whoever is with you to do some of the writing for you.
Be sure to use the opportunities that family and friends will be offering you now. Select someone you trust who is supportive to be your helper. Let that individual know what it is that you need for them to do. Several others will be offering to help as well, but for the next few days you need a support person. There will be those that offer to do specific things for you, allow them to do those things as long as you trust them. Then, there will be other individuals that will ask if there is anything that they can do for you that is non-specific, if know what these individuals can do for you, go ahead and ask them to do it. Make the most out of this opportunity to allow others to give to you when they offer. (They may not later).
Find out who the discharge planner is and schedule a meeting as soon as possible. Discharge planning is a process and it begins at admission. The discharge planner will help you arrange the care needed for your loved one or friend when it is time for them to go home. They must notify you of their plans before the discharge occurs. The discharge planner can also be your liaison to get needed information from physician and the different specialists who are following your loved one or friend.
Ask the nurse when the physician will be doing his rounds. Most physicians do daily rounds or have rounds assigned. Be there during rounds. Make the most of these daily opportunities. This will be the time that you can ask the physician questions and set up a meeting to talk about your loved ones condition, progress, diagnostics, treatments, medication and what may happen in the future.
Contact your insurance company to find out what is covered or not covered in your policy. Get the name of a contact person and their assistant’s name for future questions that you will have for them about rehabilitation, home care, nursing home care, etc. If, you have Medicare, the discharge planner or admissions office will be able to help with Medicare coverage while your patient is in the hospital.
You are the advocate now. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Every question you ask and receive answers to will help you make better decisions about the care your loved one will need. No matter what it is that you do not know or understand about the care that your loved one is receiving, ask. Some professionals forget to break down their knowledge in to terms that are easy to understand. Ask them to simplify or use layman’s terms.
Take care of yourself. Make sure that you are drinking adequate fluids including water. Be sure to have your regular meals and don’t rely on snacks to keep you going. You need rest. Try to take small naps when your loved one is napping even if it is at bedside. Use a Do Not Disturb sign if you need to. Remind others when you need privacy. You may require emotional support. The hospital has a Chaplin and social workers available that can offer you support and counseling.
Take some time to think about how you may or may not be able to care for your loved one. Think about the treatments your loved one is receiving and if the treatment is one that you can learn to do. How will you help your loved one with tasks of activities of daily living? Will you be able to help them walk, transfer, toilet, dress, bath, and eat if that is the help they need? You may not be able to some of these tasks, you may require help, training or maybe a caregiver. You may have to work. Your loved one may require more treatment or rehabilitation to be able to come home. In any case, you should carefully evaluate your circumstances and meet with the discharge planner and let him/her know what help you may need and find out what alternatives are available.
Following are resources links to additional information:
Your Medicare Coverage
http://www.medicare.gov/Coverage/Home.asp
National Alliance for Caregiving http://www.caregiving.org/Family Discharge Planning.pdf

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1. Take care of the birds.
First spend some time learning about birds. Check out the bird photo library (http://birding.about.com/library/weekly/aa020100a.htm). Download free kids kit “Learn about Backyard Birds” (http://www.birdfeeding.org/kids.html). Go here (http://birding.about.com/cs/kidssongs/index.htm) to learn bird songs and calls.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Learning how hard the winter is on birds and helping. Appreciating your own warm house with plenty of food and companionship. Gratitude.
2. Next make some food for the birds.
Never feed birds spoiled leftovers, salty snack foods or sugary cereals, and never chocolate (it contains theobromine which is toxic to birds, dog and cats). Only use peanut butter if you mix it with seed. Alone, it could choke a bird. Different feed attracts different birds. Learn about it here (http://birds.cornell.edu/pfw/AboutBirdsandFeeding/BirdFoods.htm).
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: That not everything is good for everyone [thing] to eat. Taking time to prepare something nice for the birds. Intentionality, empathy, teamwork, interpersonal skills.
3. Decorate a tree in the back yard with the food for the birds.
Take pine cones and coat them with peanut butter. Then roll it in birdseed. Then hang them from the tree branches.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Putting love in what you do. Going the extra mile. Innovation - how are you going to “hang” those pinecones? Make a spiritual celebration as you decorate the tree.
4. Tuck a child under each arm and curl up in front of the fire with some good books.
Here are two fitting ones: (1) “Lights of Winter: Winter Celebrations Around the World,” by Conrad. (2) “Snowflakes: Winter’s Secret Beauty,” by Rasmussen and Libbrecht. Written by a physics professor, it has stunning photographs of snowflakes all ages can enjoy.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Learning about winter and multiculturalism. Learning what you can see under a microscope. Extend the learning by asking the children what other very tiny things around the house might look different under a microscope, dust for instance.
5. Now that you know all about snowflakes, how about making some of your own?
Get out the scissors and paper, take a look at “Easy to Make Decorative Snowflakes,” and you’re on your way. Hint: My Grandmother used to let me pin them to the curtains with straight pins. I thought that was a pretty cool way to display my work.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Creativity. Trying something new. Taking pride in one’s work. Completing the task by displaying the work and then cleaning up!!!!!
6. With any of these experiences, let your child write about it and submit it here (http://www.osweb.com/kidzkorner/writeus.htm).
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Emotional expression, sharing with others, patience.
7. Go to the local art museum with a Winter Theme in mind.
If it’s February, choose Valentine’s. Look all through the museum for paintings with red in them, or couples or that show love. Then come back to the house and make some creative Valentine’s. If it’s March, choose March winds, and look for photos exhibiting the wind. This would really be a learning experience since we know “Mr. Wind” only by his effects.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Art appreciation, right-brain, symbolic thinking. The “energy” of colors and how they make us feel.
8. Buy the children the disposable cameras, or use your digital and have a “warm” photo project where you go through the house photographing things that are “warm.”
There should be some differences of opinion and some interesting discussions, i.e., colors are warm, appliances are warm, Mommy is warm, the fire is warm. End with a picnic around the coffee table in the great room, with hot cocoa and marshmallows and the meringues you’ve made (see below).
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Symbolic thinking, empathy.
9. Make some snowball cookies to go with your treats.
On this site, http://www.himonkey.net/cooking/pavlova/index.html , follow the directions for the Pavlovas, only make them round-shaped. If you skip the berries, they’ll look like snowballs. Then put together a winter puzzle, such as Mystical Realms Winter Rose Puzzle ( http://tinyurl.com/39dov ) - from the fine art series.
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Teamwork, fine art, working together toward a goal.
10. Dance!
A Child’s Celebration of Dance Music” really hits the spot. “Disco Duck,” Ba ba ba Ba Barbara Ann,” “Shake a Tail Weather,” Wooly Bully” … don’t stop us now!
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE FOCUS: Laughing, dancing and being silly — an end in itself!

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You’ve read all the “best digital camera” articles, got the best price on your first digital camera, and even glanced at its owner’s manual. Are you itching to take some shots of your family, or what?
Slow down, soldier. Before you take 200 shots that seem great at the time, but then upon review of the final picture are less than what you expected, let’s prepare. Prepare?!?! I’ll bet you thought charging the battery was the hardest part of taking great photos, didn’t you? Sorry to disappoint you, but if you want to improve your photo results 50% in 2 minutes, let’s review some basic advice of the pros.
There are two categories of GENERAL ADVICE which applies, regardless of whether you’re using a digital camera to take family portrait poses, baby pictures, pet portraits, group pictures, funny photos, or even maternity portraits. The first category is…
“Good Planning” Advice for Photography Poses
1) Prepare For The Event
Prepare for the event by thinking about every photograph you want to take and what kind of photography pose or poses you would like to capture. Consider who, where, how, and the type of environment.
2) Take Multiple Photographs
Take multiple shots of each pose (remember, digital memory is reusable, a.k.a. “free”). Regardless of what you say or do, people will blink. And don’t count on spotting small problems on the tiny camera LCD screen (even on full magnification); which leads to…
3) Check LCD Screen
Check the digital camera’s LCD screen for general framing of the picture, any movement, visibility of faces, and the histogram. Note that you can think up a fantastic photography pose; arrange everyone perfectly; and, have the photograph “frozen” (no blinking, and no shaking of the camera)…but, when you check it out in the LCD, you see 2 drunks fighting in the background! And, my favorite…
4) Funny Phrases
Have some funny phrases handy to use just before you take the photo. Don’t use it when setting up for the shot. And, don’t use the same phrase all the time. Throw in funny anecdotes, phrases, names, words that you know your family will find more amusing than “cheese.” A natural smile looks four times better than a fake one. The second category is…
“Location” Advice for Photography Poses
Taking indoor family photography, is very different than outdoor family photograph (duh!). For INDOOR pictures…
1) Wide Angle
You will tend to use the wide angle more often than your telephoto setting. Pay particular attention to your “end people” (those farthest to the right and the left in your viewfinder), and verify there is enough space in picture, so that if cropping is required, the end people don’t have to lose a limb.
2) The Flash
Flash considerations are critical. Do not be outside your “flash range.” For example, if at ISO 100, your flash can properly illuminate 12 feet, don’t attempt any photography pose that requires anyone to stand at 14 feet (unless, of course, it’s evil cousin Ira who you want to appear in darkness).
3) Plan “B”
If you need to be further away than your flash allows, here are 2 things you can try…First, increase the ISO setting (but not so much as to produce to much noise), or second, move to a significantly brighter location.
4) Watch Your Background
If there are distracting features, change your settings to blur the background (see the Techniques page). The best photography pose in the world won’t look right with a distracting background. And finally…
5) Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
If there are mirrors or reflective surfaces in the background and you can’t find a different location, only take the picture in such a way that the flash is NOT PERPENDICULAR to the surface, but at an angle (unless you WANT a nice photo of your flash).
Outdoor family photography has completely different issues. For OUTDOOR photography…
6) The Sun
Avoid photographing in direct sunlight, or in mixed light and shade, especially faces. Optimal lighting results from a slightly overcast sky.
7) Shade
When photographing in shade, use fill-flash (see terms) when necessary. And, REALLY finally…
8) Beauty
If practical, take the picture at one of the beautiful natural settings near you. Imagine the result of a creative photography pose captured in a stunning environment. Can you say: “Over the mantle!”?
To see 5 different categories of poses with tips, scroll to the middle of http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/ photography-pose.html.
Article courtesy of http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com, where you can see some sample pictures including more photography tips.
Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved.

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How Personalized Child Books Can Be the Key to Faster Learning
Have you ever noticed how your child learned his or her name first, before mommy, daddy or anything else you tried to teach him? His name becomes equal to his identity. He immediately becomes more interested in objects and concepts as it relates to him.
A children’s story book that includes his name will instantly be more meaningful than a run of the mill children’s book. Personalized stories with life lessons that include his name and some of the things he loves to do will have that much more of a chance of really sinking in.
The more personal information included in the story, the more of an impact it will have on your child. Choose books that include their name, age, and activities that he truly enjoys.
A book that is catered to your child is one that he will have probably for the rest of his life. It is part of his upbringing now and a wonderful keepsake that he can share with his children later in life.

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In a time where very few of the products we buy in this country are made in this country there is a TV show on the air that makes everything own their own. That show is the Discover Channel’s highest rated show, “American Chopper”. There is a tremendous following for this show and I think it is easy to see why. This show is not just about motorcycles, it is the ultimate in reality TV.
Even people who are not into motorcycles enjoy this show and I think it is because they can relate to the show in one way or another. Either they are fascinated by the workmanship displayed by Paul Jr. and Vinny, on the theme bikes they build. Or they have been a part of a dysfunctional family at some point in their life. Or, maybe they even work for a boss that thinks he/she knows what he/she is talking about all the time, even when he/she really does not.
I started watching this show because I was always amazed at how the bikes turned out. Paul Jr. comes up with some amazing ideas for his bikes. The paint jobs on the bikes are unbelievable as well. It is simply amazing what they are able to do with some metal and tools. After a few episodes I found myself laughing at the people and enjoying that part just as much as I enjoyed the end result of the bikes. If you examine the family, they are a real life family. They fight like some families, if not worse. Paul Sr. has been divorced, he has used drugs in the past, he has one son that helps run the business and build bikes while the other one shows up to work late, has no motivation to succeed or get ahead. I understand we only get to see what the editors want us to see but if you have seen them in an interview they basically say that what you see is what you get. They are a typical real-life family. (except now they are famous and get to give their mother/grandmother the opportunity to meet the Yankees which has been a dream of hers.)
Paul Sr. as a boss? I think most people can see things in him that they see in their boss. He always thinks he knows it all. He likes to remind people that it is his way or the highway and that he is the boss. And, he really does not appear to do any work himself, while always professing he is so busy. Once again, I realize we only see what the editors want us to see. In order for him to make his business as successful as it has become he must be doing something right. But, we are watching the show and the dynamics involved on the show and this is what the audience gets to see. We see Paul Sr. yelling, swearing, hitting things, and then he goes into his office and sits back in his chair and puts his feet up on the desk.
All the things mentioned above are factors in why the show is so popular, in my opinion. There is one other reason I feel it is so popular and that is because it shows that it is possible to become a success in this country if you work at it and make good decisions. It gives hope. You do not need to graduate from Harvard to become rich. You can be a steel worker, a painter, an electrician, or an accountant. Opportunity is endless in this country. American Chopper’s success was “Made In America” and yours can be too. This shows supports the motto I live by which is; “To be a success you do not always have to work the hardest, you need to work the smartest.”

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One week before Father’s Day.
Father’s Day, that once a year tribute to Dad, is fraught with confusion. Many offspring pay no more than lip service to it through phone calls or commercial cards.
Because 70% of U.S. prisoners grew up without a father and because poets use few words to get to the heart of things, they encourage brief hand-written communication to all fathers whether or not they live with you, whether or not they are still living. Therefore, three poets in San Luis Obispo, California added Write-to-Your-Father’s Day to the calendar of U.S. National Holidays.
“Okay,” you might ask, “What do I write to my Dad? ‘I love you’ would be a lie and the truth would just hurt him.”
One of the poets answers “Simply write and ask your father what he does or did that is 1. Most enjoyable, 2 Most scary, 3. Most exciting and 4. Most satisfying.
Don’t expect an answer. If you don’t know where he is, write his answer as you imagine it. Repeat the question each year, adding to it briefly when you desire.
There will be results. Risk them.”
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR FATHER?
Take the following survey to see where you fall on the scale. “How well do you know your father on a scale of one to ten, with one standing for “Who?” and ten for ‘very well’?”
Who?1___2___3___4___5___6___7___8___9___10 Very well
In a survey of 100 random adults,
11 chose 10, 7 chose 9, 15 chose 8, 12 chose 7, 3 chose 6, 3 chose 5, 17 chose 4, 9 chose 3, 13 chose 2, 10 chose 1
The younger the respondent, the more likely he or she asked, “Which father?”
One comment, typical of many, came by email. An adult son wrote, “Both my bio dad and step dad are gone from this earth. And I never really knew either one. They were men troubled all their lives and suffered John Wayne Syndrome.”
Another: “What an interesting question. I neither knew my father nor my father-in-law despite years with them.”
The National “Write-to-your-Father’s Day” one week before Father’s Day encourages an end to silent suffering, to John Wayne syndromes, to bitterness and loneliness.
Writing letters to fathers whether or not they are still alive, whether or not there’s a known address, changes the writer for the better. And delivered letters change the fathers.
Here’s one that came by email. This writer didn’t ask his father the suggested questions. Because he was one of the few that chose number ten on the scale, he felt that he knew the answers. Feel what happened, though, when he wrote to his long dead father:
“Dear Dad,
How is the weather down there? I know it must be particularly hot this time of year. I was asked by someone how well I know my father. I know you well enough to know that if they have an air conditioning concession down there, then you have total distribution rights and you have by now probably cornered the market on ice cream as well.
And that’s good, Dad; I know you had a hell of time on earth especially during the time that you and I were alive simultaneously. I know it wasn’t easy being the blind black sheep of a family of Mississippi plantation owners. I guess if anything confused me growing up, it was how you could hold two opposing views on things like skin color.
I should tell you I have done most of the things that you tried to teach me not to do, most of which you were doing too, but would never admit it, being a hypocrite’s hypocrite in a land of champion hypocrites. That is one of the few things that you told me not to do that I have been relatively successful at.
I am sorry it took me so long to write. If the poets had come up with their “Write Your Father” holiday earlier, I would have written you sooner.
I hope you do OK down there. I know it is probably too hot for you to throw those tantrums you used to throw when I would demonstrate my extreme absentmindedness. I have not gotten any better by the way. Remember how you used to call me all those names wrapped in epithets when I would forget something?
Well, I tell you what, Dad. If you can forgive my absentmindedness, I will forgive you your tantrums. Let’s call it even. I love you as much as you loved me, Dad, and you know that is more than zero.
Wishing you a hell of a time, Your son”
=============================
When a son knows his father’s love is more than zero, he knows something truly significant no matter how late he discovers it. When all of us recognize the role of our fathers in our subconscious thoughts about ourselves, we gain greater control of our lives.
Help spread the word: Write-to-Your-Father’s Day is one week before Father’s Day. In 2006 it will be June 11.
The more you know your father, the better you know yourself.
Copyright 2006 Cole’s Poetic License

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Realtors have benefited from a new variety of homebuyer in today’s market: the young, single professional. It used to be that most single men and women resigned themselves to a somewhat transient, short-term renters’ lifestyle until Mr. or Ms. Right came along. That’s not the case anymore. With more and more people delaying marriage until their careers have assumed the direction they wish to take — and due to the fact that a greater percentage of young people are financially independent and quite successful — single professionals are changing from renters to buyers.
At the same time, however, many renters are content to stay that way. Although buyers will talk your ears off about the advantages of permanency and ownership, diehard renters enjoy the freedom their lifestyles provide. From hassle-free maintenance to the record number of luxury amenities present in new properties, many renters are perfectly content to stay that way.
However, the majority of people, whether single or married, will at some point ask themselves, “Am I ready to buy?” Buying one’s first home is a major step for anyone. Is there a “perfect” time in one’s life to make that transition? What are the advantages and disadvantages associated with renting and buying? Each one has its pros and cons. The following list can help you consider the inherent hassles and positives of both.
Renters …

Don’t gain equity; nor do they lose it. Regardless of what improvements renters make to their homes — and regardless of any outside influences that would cause the property value to increase — renters will never gain equity.
Don’t have to put down as much money up front.
Reap no tax advantages. Any and all tax breaks and other tax-associated advantages are enjoyed by landlords.
Enjoy the assurance of fixed costs that won’t fluctuate during the term of a lease. The lease is a contract — an insurance policy, so to speak.
Often cannot personalize their homes as they see fit. This includes such modifications as painting walls (some landlords will allow renters to paint their walls only if they paint them white again before they vacate their homes).
Can merely pack up and leave upon the expiration of their leases. They don’t face the hassle of finding a buyer and waiting until a sale takes place.
Face much less work in maintaining their homes, inside and out. In many multifamily properties, they enjoy the convenience of a full-time maintenance staff to handle appliance repairs and other minor repairs.

Buyers …

Often gain equity. However, they can also lose it. Their equity can also remain static.
Must go through the process of selling their homes and finding a buyer, either with a Realtor’s help or not, if they elect to move out of their homes.
Must put down a greater amount of money (a substantial downpayment) than a renter, who merely pays a security deposit and first/last month’s rent.
Are subject to variable costs in the absence of documentation that keeps costs fixed.
Must either perform maintenance/repairs on their own or using the services of a professional whom they hire and pay themselves. Buyers are fully responsible for any and all repairs. (Note: One exception would be some planned or gated communities, in which residents pay a maintenance fee for the convenience of having yardwork and general maintenance performed by a full-time staff of servicepeople.)
Are free to paint, redecorate and remodel their homes as often as they wish.
Enjoy the tax breaks and other tax advantages associated with homeownership.
Build equity regardless of whether the value of their homes increases over time.
Eventually own their homes and are free of a monthly mortgage payment.

This direct comparison clearly shows that neither buying nor renting is the “perfect” choice. Depending upon your lifestyle — including such factors as the stability of your career, how often you travel for business and whether or not you plan to reside in your current hometown for a long period of time — either choice has plenty of valid advantages. The multifamily housing market has exploded nationwide during the last decade, offering renters more advantages and more amenities and more flexibility in housing styles than ever before. And yet, the dream of homeownership is firmly implanted in the minds of most Americans. It’s a worthwhile and significant achievement to be sure. Thanks to the success of the multifamily housing industry, however, renters no longer have to resign themselves to cookie-cutter accommodations until the dream of homeownership is within their reach — that is, if they ever choose to reach for it.

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Not too long ago my teenage daughter approached me with a very special request… one that not every father gets from his loving daughter. I was sitting in front of the TV after a hard day at work and while I was fidgeting with the defective cable company-provided remote (the one the kids only know how to operate) trying to find a movie I hadn’t yet seen ten times already on cable, she blurts out, “Dad, can I have a breast reduction?”
Now, if you’re a parent then you know there exists a certain ‘conditioning’ that occurs over the years when responding to questions from our children, especially if your attentions are focused elsewhere at the moment. They all have this tendency to ask questions at the most inappropriate times. For example, one time I was wrestling with a stubborn pipe while fixing a leak under the kitchen sink. To begin with, I was in a seemingly impossible body contortion trying to manipulate a wrench in a confined space so my frustration level was accelerating. At that moment a passing kid asked, “Dad, can I have ddgrfguff?”. I didn’t hear the last part of the question but I was safe in responding back, “Yeah, sure.” You see, it was a ‘can I have’ question which was usually food-related as opposed to ‘can I go’ which requires some passing thought to respond (later I caught holy-heck from my wife for letting my son eat something too close to dinner, but that’s a whole other story). But as the kids got older the ‘can I have’ questions became less about food and more about a request for money… lots of money.
So when my loving daughter asked, “Dad, can I have gufffunfgarble?”, (again being too sidetracked to hear the end of the question) my first fatherly instinct was to pause ever so briefly (while watching the TV screen fly uncontrollably past HBO and our local city council meeting and stopping at one of those shopping channels) and I reach for my wallet. Suddenly I realized as I was fingering the few singles left in my wallet that she was not asking for money. “You want whaaaat??”
Well, as you would expect, my daughter is “blessed” with rather predominant female accouterments (not sure who’s side of the family she got that gene from). She went on to express her reason for this request. “I’m tired of people not looking up at *me* when I talk to them, Dad.” Ahhh.. this was a deep human question coming from a 16 year old; an opportunity for lessons to be learned!
I could have blown this all off by simply telling her that when she is of age she could make her own decisions about that; and for now it was not something her folks were ready to consider. But these things always end up being something more. I was afraid her self-esteem would end up suffering somewhere down the line. So we talked about sincerity, understanding, guys, social attitudes, and personal appearance. We talked about reality… and expectations… and being self-confident. It was the proverbial quality time together.
She has never again asked that question because she has developed a pride in herself and how she looks.. and confidence in her natural instincts and social behavior. In the end my daughter asked a question that could have been answered with a simple yes or no. But what she was really asking was, “Help me, dad.” I nearly missed the boat.

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Many times, when you attend a party, you receive a party favor. This is usually something small that you can take home with you to remind you of the party for years to come. In most instances, party favors are only given to women or children as a small gift. Kids party favors might be a simple balloon or even a goody bag filled with small items for the child. Adults often receive small statues or trinkets as party favors.
Birthday party favors can be anything from balloons to toys given out at the end of a child’s birthday party. Baby shower party favors might be little booties with the couple’s name stitched in or simply a ceramic shoe that looks like a child’s. Wedding shower party favors may be very stylish and elegant, so simple and playful. Graduation party favors may be anything from a rolled up announcement of graduation to a graduation cap and tassel.
With so many reasons to have party favors its no wonder there are so many choices out there. If you are a crafty type of person, you may wish to visit a local craft store and see what they have to offer. Many times they have plastic or even ceramic items that can be dressed up and used as party favors. Adding some flowers or ribbon would add a nice tough. Often times, personalized party favors can be made by simply attaching a ribbon with a small tag with the details listed.

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