How Many Are There?

There are 37,845 Rebekah's in the USA. My last name is not registering any others, but my husband has the same last name (I think his grandmother told me in 1996 there were 49 in the US- many more in Germany! About 1 in 10 names are not listed in the database- check yours out!

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Are You Ready for Black Friday?

It seems a little early to start making preparations for Black Friday, but it is never too early to start making a plan. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when all of the stores have the greatest deals, before 8:00 am! I live in a rural area, so for the past few years, my mom, my sister, my sister-in-laws and I have pack up Thanksgiving night and drove at least an hour and a half to go to the closest biggest city, spend the night in a hotel (one time the hotel was IN the mall) and then we get up at 4:30 am to be at a super store at 5:00 am when the doors open.

And it is crazy! No carts, people fighting and pushing for the best deals (of which there are usually on one or two per store), and mass chaos for the first hour or two of your day.

Then we go to the mall. More craziness and more deals, but at what price! Not to mention I buy so many things that are not even Christmas presents because I cannot resist the deal!

This year I have a new plan. It is a great website that provides you with all of the black friday ads by email alert before anyone else. You don't have to wait for the Thanksgiving newspaper! You can purchase all of the items online WITHOUT standing in line through direct links from the Black Friday ads.

The store I go to first every year is Target. And Black Friday list Target's after Thanksgiving specials via email right when they get them. Then you can sit at the comfort of your computer and place your order for the same deals that are available in the stores (I am sure there are some limitations to some deals and times to purchase, but it is STILL better than standing in line!).

As the holiday season gets closer, the Black Friday website will be my main source of planning for the great deals! I WILL NOT be in line this year at 5:00 am! I will be in the comfort of my home with my crazy family instead!

I am a Top Momma

I finally made it to Top Momma. Vote for me to see how long I can last. It is the same picture that is on the corner of this blog. Thanks for your help.

Back to School Tips

I am participating in the Smart Moms Back to School Tips contest to win a $25 gift card to my choice of a few different places. Of course, I cannot win, because I am a Smart Mom, but I still want to promote it in case any reader wants to participate!

My back to school tip is to schedule a fun activity one day of the week after school. We have made this day Thursday, because our children's museum is open late on Thursday's. I pick up the kids at 4:00, we go get ice cream at our local ice cream shop, and then go to the museum for an hour or so. It is our special event. Especially when I am convincing the 4 year old to go to school, it is a good motivator! We may add in dinner out (and some restaurants may offer free kids meals on Thursday's) but right now they are a little tired to sustain that long.

Plan a special week night event, especially if you have older kids- my parents used to call it "family night." We were all forced to join in, no exceptions, and now I am thankful to have had that time with my family!

One Word Meme

I was tagged by Make Money From Home and thought it would be fun to do.

One Word Meme: A fun idea. Simply cut and paste these questions onto your blog, answer them and then find other blogs to tag! It's fun and easy and something a little different!You can only answer each question with ONE word.

1. Where is your cell phone? car
2. Relationship? Married
3. Your hair? Blonde
4. Work? teacher, entrepreneur
5. Your sister? four
6. Your favorite thing? my family
7. Your dream last night? too long ago to remember
8. Your favorite drink? COKE
9. Your dream car? BMW
10. The room you’re in? family
11. Your shoes? None
12. Your fears? thunder
13. What do you want to be in 10 years? at home
14. Who did you hang out with this weekend? Ali & Stephen and Rick
15. What are you not good at? cleaning
16. Muffin? Banana Nut
17. One of your wish list items? financially free
18. Where you grew up? Florida
19. Last thing you did? fix links
20. What are you wearing? shorts and t-shirt
21. What aren’t you wearing? shoes
22. Your pet? dog
23. Your computer? gateway
24. Your life? busy
25. Your mood? frantic
26. Missing? ?
27. What are you thinking about right now? conference
28. Your car? vibe
29. Your kitchen? empty
30. Your summer? Hot
31. Your favorite color? green
32. Last time you laughed? a few minutes ago
33. Last time you cried? days ago
34. School? continuous
35. Love? my family

I am joining the "I Reply Movement"

I am making an effort to reply if you comment on my blog. So check back for the reply later- let's make a blogging community!

A Screaming Toddler

Our toddler girl has been screaming every morning and afternoon for three days. Not screaming over pain, but over frustration and anger. We don't know if she is taking it out on us that she is in preschool now or if she is not sleeping well or if she is just frustrated over her lack of speech!

It is not really a tantrum at first, but can certainly move into one if we make her do what we want her to do... she is a determined child!

Here are some tips from experts on how to handle toddler tantrums and some discipline tips for toddlers that may help me out and anyone else suffering!

I Won The Picture Of the Week

I was on of the selected winners of the picture of the week from Mommy's Coffee Break.

You can join too- just go to the Mommy's Coffee Break to see the rules.

Thanks Lara!

Newberry Award Considerations 2008

After some research this morning on the Newberry Award considerations for this coming year, I was astounded by the amount of wonderful literature there is available from this year. I was disappointed to not find a very good list of the books that are possible considerations.

I have heard about and know something about the Newberry award, but I did not know that there is not a published list of books that are being considered by the committee. It is a big secret. There are books submitted for approval that are read, judge, and finally announced as the winner or as honor winner. The books for consideration must have been published during this calendar year, which is exciting to see all the new children's literature during one year!.

I created an Amazon Newberry Award List from the two sources I found. These books were given as suggestions from qualified individuals (not me!).

There is an online Newberry discussion group and some a Newberry blog to keep up with. I hope you will read some of these books before the announcement of the award winner in January 2008. Maybe you can start your own Newberry group! These books selections would be great to read with your children or have your children read at home.

For past winners, please visit the American Libraries Association for a complete list.

Defywire Mobile Guardian Back to School Safety Checklist

Defywire is dedicated to keeping students and teachers safe with their real-time wireless data to school administrators on Wi-Fi-enabled PDAs. This system gives administrators access to information that was previously only in the front office and could not be accessed at a moments notice. It gives administrators emergency and truancy information, class schedules, grades, and other critical student information wherever and whenever they needed it--in the gym or on the playground.

The have also created this Back to School Safety Checklist that is great information for all parents:

BACK TO SCHOOL SAFETY CHECKLIST
1. Designate an out-of-town person for your child to call in the event of a crisis. When emergencies happen, cell sites in the local area get completely overwhelmed, and a call from one local tower to another is unlikely to be completed.

2. Tell your child to use a short text message code with an agreed-upon meaning in an emergency. A pre-set word such as “stars” could quickly and safely convey the message, “I am in danger at school.”

3. Choose a social networking website as a back-up way to communicate when all else fails. When cell phone lines were jammed at Virginia Tech, students reverted to Internet sites such as Facebook to tell loved ones that they were safe and where they were located.

4. Make sure that the school has all of your up-to-date contact information. In today’s world, cell phone numbers and email addresses change frequently, but parents often forget to update this crucial information with school officials.

5. Know the school’s emergency plan and practice it. Go to PTA meetings, open houses and other school events where emergency procedures are likely to be presented as a handout.

These are terrific suggestions you may not have considered as a way to help protect the safety of your child. Make a plan and keep your child safe this school year.

Handmade Hair Clips- Get Them For Free!

Pajama Mama is hosting a contest for these darling toddler girl hair clips by Lil' Sugarplum. All you have to do is visit Lil' Sugarplum and comment on Pajama Mama's site about the two hair clips you like the best. You can also do a blog post, if you have a blog, and promote this contest, like I am doing. Support another work at home mom and a crafty lady!

These are my favorite hair clips. They are $6 or $7 each and are too cute! And the are handmade so no one in your playgroup will have them... until they see yours and go online and buy them! Too Cute!

What to do when your burn your hand!

I have done this before and I have done it again. I use my dutch oven in the oven instead of the stove top- which I do 90% of the time- and I grab the handle when it is on the stove after coming out of the oven. It really hurts and I am typing and putting my hand on the ice pack!

I do not know why I don't remember I just took it out and it is 350 degrees! I know to put something over the handle so you do not forget and I forget to do that too. So now I have a burn... and it hurts.

And I cannot type anymore!

My Best WAHM Networking Tip

I am participating in a Blog Carnival with Suzanne at The Moms In Business Blog. Our topic, The Best Networking Tip.

My best networking tip is to actually get out and network- online and offline! Sounds simple, right? But so many work at home moms don't get out of their house and don't join online groups. They work hard on their sites and blogs, but they are not out there promoting what they have to offer.

First, online solutions are easy for work at home moms with internet access. You meet some great and resourceful people online by joining quality online forums or groups. Some mom forums are not the greatest for networking because they are about being a mom, not a work at home mom. Others are great for both. It is all about what you are looking for.

Two terrific online forums for work at home moms are the Smart Moms forum and Mommy's Helper Forum. Read more about making new online friends at my work at home mom blog.

Second, offline solutions are also easy but sometimes harder to find. Join moms groups or community service organizations. The local Chamber of Commerce is also a great resource to meet other business professionals. I think sometimes work at home moms don't see their business as a business and do not think they are worthy of a business group. This is so incorrect! Find a local group and meet some local contacts. They may not be the main source of revenue, but you never what might result. And they are a great source of ideas and support.

No matter how you network, you must network! Networking is one of the most important parts of your business. Make sure your incorporate networking into your home based business.

Magic Eraser Myth- Email Urban Legends

I have just finished a series of emails from another mom who forwarded the magic eraser email to anyone and everyone. Knowing it was false and how many people take those emails as fact, I sent the link (above) from Snopes as a "reply all". Now I may have been wrong in telling everyone the TRUTH, because the mom said I made her embarassed. I never intend to make anyone embarassed, it is not in my nature. It is my nature to speak the truth. And would she had ever told all those moms she made an error if it would have embarassed her?

So here it is- quit forwarding emails to other moms about things that MAY NOT BE TRUE! It causes fear and panic by anyone that does not do their research. The hand sanitizer email, TRUE! I looked it up before I believed it. And I did not forward it to one person- with all the media coverage, most everyone knew the facts anyway.

Do not believe everything you read. Check it out. And do not pass along incorrect information.

Better yet, do not pass along forwards... they are time consuming and mostly without validity. Do not waste your time reading forwards either. There are plenty of great websites with comedy, humor, and FACTS that we do not have to fill up our inboxes with forwards. Not to mention, the potential viruses you can be sending to your unsuspecting friend.

Now I am off my soap box!

Boys Will Be Boys- Extreme Stunts!

This is every moms nightmare- well most of these stunts on this youtube video are- some are not too bad, but they make me cringe!

Boys will boys! (The music is good, but I did not listen to the lyrics so there may be some inappropriate words.)

Alzheimer's Memory Walk for Charity- Be A Team Captain!

The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research. This event is held annually in hundreds of communities across the country. They need volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder. More than 5 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s. It is a very common, but very serious brain disorder with a wide variety of symptoms ranging from minor forgetfulness to complete memory loss. And the symptoms only get worse over time and eventually lead to death.

Scientist cannot find a reason some brain cells are affected by Alzheimer's, but they do not some risk factors. Most people are over age 65. People with a family history of the disease are also more likely to have the disease. They need to do more research because there is no cure!

The Alzheimer's Association also provides information on symptoms, how the brain works, and how the brain is effected by Alzheimer's.

Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $225 million.

Team captains are needed NOW! Team Captains need to sign up early to ensure they have enough time to recruit a team so some fundraising for the cause! Being a team captain is a rewarding experience, especially is you have been directly affected by this terrible disease.

Dinner Planner Menu With a Shopping List!

I love to cook, but hate to cook dinner. I love to cook, but hate to plan the menu. A while back, I found a service that provided dinner menus with a shopping list and it was great! Until I started looking at the processed foods and calories/fat that were involved. Today, I found a new menu planner with a shopping list, called DinnerPlanner.com. You get your first menu free, then it is $10 for three months. You get a menu sent to your email each Friday before 10:00 am est!

I got this weeks menu and it looks great. The shopping list was already organized by category and was simple to follow. It looks like I will be signing up!

Zookoda- Email Marketing Tool for Bloggers

Zookoda is a new email marketing tool designed to specifically help bloggers increase their readership. You can drive more traffic to your blog through an email newsletter. Using Zookoda, you can give readers a daily, weekly, or monthly summaries of your blog. It also gives you the option to design your newsletter to match your blog with professional templates or design your own. They also help to manage your subscriptions and schedule reoccurring broadcast to your subscribers- that means your subscribers get an update with less work from you.

Best of all, this service is FREE! So many other newsletter services are labor intensive and cost per month or per subscribers. Zookoda is giving it away for free.

I am definitely checking into this service to use for my blogging newsletter. By sending updates to my readers I can attract those that do not check back often enough. This way, I can increase hits back to my blog with little effort.

And remember, you want your home based business, even if it is a blog, to be automated. If you want to take a vacation, you can and your readers will continue to get updates and continue to visit your site. Be the first to be in Zookoda!

Check out Zookoda and see how it can work for your blog.

Genius Denied

I have always taught students with learning difficulties, and now my new job is with advanced learners. For the past week, I have been learning about how the No Child Left Behind Act has so much focus on the lowest learners improving that they have lost touch with the advanced learners accelerating.

There are great options for students that are advanced or gifted learners, including a great site call Genius Denied. If you think you have an advanced learner, make sure to make your feelings of advanced learning known to school administration. Parents need to be advocates for their child to get the learning the need to success, even if it is ahead of the other students.

As I learn more, I will share more!

Work at Home Moms, Make it Official

As many of you know, I have many home based businesses as well as my new outside the home career. I am joined with three other moms as 4fabmoms. When we began this journey last spring, we decided to make it official and become an LLC. Fortunately, one of our partners has an attorney husband who create our official LLC documents. This way, we are not only a business and get to join our many different organizations as a business, we also get to deduct many business related meetings and expenses. We made it official.

There are many ways to set up your home based business, not just an LLC. One thing is for sure, you cannot do it alone.

There is new company that is helping people make their business official. IncParadise.Com. This company is helping thousands of entrepreneurs each year to start their own business. They are not lawyers. They don't charge high fees. All they do is to help with all the paperwork which might be complicated to people who are not familiar with starting businesses.

Some of the services and states that are available are:
Texas corporations
Florida
Nevada
Arizona
Other states may be available.

They also have a virtual office program and executive suites. Starting at $45 per month, you can basically use their office with free phones and internet and their conference room. "Why meet clients in Starbucks when you can meet them in professional office."

It is one more option to make it official.

This is a sponsored post.