MAKE A NOTE!! -- May 1st, 2000

CIRCULATION - 2,047

WEB SITE VISITORS - 2,260

A Free Twice Monthly Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics

NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT MAY 15th, 2000

Previous Issue | Back To 2000 Back Issues | Next Issue

* * * * * * *

In This Issue:

NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.

* * * * * * *

My Favorite:     Books         Pet Stuff

* * * * * * *

CAR SEATS FOR CHILDREN + REBATES

While most everyone knows that it is the law to have babies or small children in car seats, you may not know that you really should keep kids in car seats and/or booster seats until they weigh 80 lbs.  In fact, some states have made it, or are in the process of making it, a law.  If some of you have already had your child in  a regular seat & feel that you will be hard pressed to convince them to revert back to a seat, fear not, help is on the way.  Several car companies, including Ford are planning a big campaign using the Blue's Clues dog to promote older children getting into the booster seats.  They will also be giving away seats, or offering them at discounted prices to low income families.  In addition to this, for those of you who have your insurance through USAA (open to families who have a member who is active duty/retired military), USAA offers a $25/car seat rebate for up to 3 seats.  You purchase the seat you want & then send in the form to get your rebate (By the way, if you haven't checked their rates, they also can save most people a LOT of money on their insurance rates AND many people also receive a check from THEM every year for subscriber savings.).  In our area Toys R Us had the biggest selection of  car seats with some good bargain prices.  If you want to buy a used one, check out this site http://www.carseat.org  to make sure they haven't had any recalls.  And remember keep those kids in the back seats as much as possible (in minivans the middle seats would probably be safer), in some countries they even require it.  Never put a small child in a seat with an air bag, but if it is unavoidable, be sure to move the seat back as far as possible.  POST IT...on your shopping list, by your computer, by your phone, in your glove compartment.

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

ACNE HELP

For those of you for whom regular soap just isn't enough, but you don't want to spend the money on expensive over-the-counter acne treatments, here's something that has worked for many of us.  Buy a jar of regular Noxzema cream, depending on your store it might run around $2.50, but goes a long way.  Then after you (or your teen) gets out of the shower & they have dried off, use the Noxzema cream like a lotion.  Put a thin layer on the affected area & let it dissolve into the skin & dry (it does not usually dry the skin out).  Do NOT wash off (until your next bath of course :-).  It will not be noticeable to anyone, and the smell (like menthol) goes away when it dries.  Usually you will see an improvement within a few days. Ideally it should be done at night before you go to bed, so that it has all night to work as you sleep.  Just to make sure your skin isn't sensitive you might want to try it on a small spot on your skin first, and it never hurts to check with your doctor.  Let me know if it helps!  POST IT...on your shopping list or in your bathroom (or your teens' :-).

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

EASY STOMACH TRIMMER

Okay, I'm not saying that this will give you the stomach/abdomen of a super model, but here is something you can do practically every moment of every day to help with this problem area.  A friend of ours used to have an extremely flat stomach, so I asked him what his secret weapon was....special sit ups, flutter kicks, whatever.  He said that he used to be in pretty bad shape & while he did do a lot of exercises, that the thing that helped him in that area the most was just to suck it in.  That's right, he said that whenever he thought about it, as much as possible, he just tried to keep pulling his stomach muscles in as tight as he could.  Most of the people who I have told about this say that they notice an improvement after only a few days.  Unfortunately many of us start to do it, but then forget & go back to our old habits (like me :-( ), so here are some ways to help you remember. Put a big loose rubber band around your wrist, preferably on your watch hand.  Whenever you look at the time you will see the rubber band & remember. Tie a string/ribbon around the top of your steering wheel to remind you in the car.  Tape a ribbon to the top of your computer monitor.  Change the colors of the rubber band/string, whenever it starts getting too familiar.  If you REALLY want reminders, ask your kids or spouse to remind you, but be sure you REALLY want that much reminding. :-)  My kids have my permission, when it is just the family around (and we aren't in the middle of school :-), to say "tummy check".  An added benefit is that whenever you pull that stomach in, it tends to make you stand up straighter too, which also improves your appearance. If you have back problems, remember that improving your stomach muscles may also help with your back, but it never hurts to check with your doctor first. POST IT...on your dash, by your watch, on your fridge, anywhere your eye might wander. 

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

HOME SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WIDOWS

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is offering $200/child, up to $600/family, scholarships to be used towards home school curriculum. Qualified applicants will also be offered free membership in HSLDA.  The scholarships will not be automatically extended to subsequent years, but applicants may reapply every year.  This is a good thing for churches & home school groups to keep on file, for whenever a loss may be suffered.  Interested parties should contact HSLDA at (540)338-5600. Anyone who would like to make a contribution to this fund is also encouraged to contact HSLDA at the same number.  POST IT...in church benevolence files, home school group files, with your Last Will & Testaments (every one should have the latter). 

 Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

KIDS HOME ALONE/BABYSITTING

Now that summer will soon be here, ever wondered when it is okay to leave your child home alone...for how long...who is old enough to baby-sit, etc?  The laws vary greatly from state to state and you should DEFINITELY check them out before you risk custody of your children.  In some states (like PA) the law says if you leave a child with a sitter under 14, it is considered child neglect.  In other states (like NC) there is no official age, but up to the judgment of the social worker (usually "after the fact" of  being reported).  The best way to find out what the rules are is to call your local Social Services and/or Child Welfare Dept and ASK!  If they don't know, then call the state office and ASK!  In most states there are rules on ages, lengths of time allowed, & surrounding circumstances.  For example, on most military posts, children age 11 can be left alone IF they have taken the Red Cross Babysitting course, which teaches them how to be careful in the home & how to handle emergencies.  However, they are only allowed to be alone for 2 hours or less WITH neighbors available nearby if help is needed.  In most states, a child can baby-sit other people's children at an earlier age than they can baby-sit siblings.  So find out what the rules are and follow them.  Granted there are some 13 yr olds that I trust with my children more than most adults, but if you don't follow the rules, it only takes one anonymous call to cause problems.  This is especially important for home schoolers who are more likely to be the target of such a call, than people who have their children in school buildings during the day. And have your kids take the Red Cross courses.  They can take the babysitting course at 11 and it is just one Saturday (boys too!), the First Aid/CPR courses in most areas can be taken at any age, but because they need to pass a test, they usually prefer 16 yr olds & up.  Most of the latter classes can be done on a Sat or on a series of nights.  And the Red Cross Swimming classes always include a day of showing the kids how to provide life saving assistance, without endangering their own lives.  We can never "plan" for emergencies, but we can "prepare" as best we can.  POST IT...by your phone.

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

"BACK ISSUE TREASURE"-- Memory Books, Marriage Saver, People Finders, Mysteries for Fun, Etc, Etc, Etc 

Great News!!!!  All of our back issues are now available online, providing access even to our oldest  (and previously unavailable) 1997 issues that still have (hopefully) useful info. So why not stop in & just browse a while?  Need a place to start?  Check out the May 18th, 1997 issue on putting together a Memory Book for your mom (or other special someone).  It may be too late for this Mother's Day (allow about 6 months to put together), but it isn't too late for the next birthday or Christmas.  Collect letters from all her friends & family about special memories of her & put them in a nice album to present to her.  I haven't heard of a person who was able to receive it with dry eyes.  :-)  Check out the Marriage Saver in the Dec. 16, 1997 issue...how to improve your marriage by doing practically nothing for an hour each day...yes, really, it will be noticed probably on the very first day.  Check out the People Finder Sites in the July 1st, 1997 issue.  The November 1st, 1997 issue has a great link to a web site that has a weekly mystery that takes about 5 min to read.  Great thought-provoking fun for the kids & adults alike.  Wanted to focus on some of our "lost issues" in this "Back Issue Treasure".  While ALL issues are now available on the web site, only the August 1998 and subsequent issues are available by email request.  To get a listing of what is available by email only, follow the instructions under "Back Issues" at the bottom of the ezine.  POST IT...by your computer

Back To Top of Page

* * * * * * *

JOKE (from Cindy P. in CT, via Mary A.)

Q:  How does a home schooler change a light bulb?

A:  First, mom checks 3 books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles.  Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill.  Finally after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed.  And there is light. 

Back To Top of Page

 * * * * * * *

QUOTE (for those of you who just paid your tax bill)

"Realizing the power to tax is the power to destroy,and that the power to take a certain amount of property or of income is only another way of saying that for a certain proportion of his time a citizen must work for the government, the authority to impose a tax upon the people must be carefully guarded.  It condemns the citizen to servitude."

So who said the above, some extremist on a mountain retreat somewhere?  Nope, the author of the quote is...

--President Calvin Coolidge ~1924

Back To Top of Page

 * * * * * * *

FEEDBACK TO THE EDITOR

Make-A-Note@worldnet.att.net

TO SUBSCRIBE TO MAKE-A-NOTE EZINE

Send a blank email to: subscribe-make-a-note@hub.thedollarstretcher.com

TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM MAKE-A-NOTE EZINE

Send a blank email to: unsubscribe-make-a-note@hub.thedollarstretcher.com

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF PASTOR WILSON'S HARD WORK AS OUR LIST MANAGER!!

    Back To Top of Page

Previous Issue | Back To 2000 Back Issues | Next Issue

****************END MAKE A NOTE****************