MAKE A NOTE!! -- February 2nd, 2005
CIRCULATION - 45,989 (From Around the World! :-)
WEB SITE VISITORS - 97,029
A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT FEBRUARY 16TH, 2005
Previous Issue | Back To 2005 Back Issues
| Next 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
* * * * * * *
Valentine Date/Dance
In past issues, we've suggested organizing a Father/Daughter Valentine Dance (see 12/5/01 Back Issue). Even if it is too late for that, you can still check your area to see if there is a Father/Daughter event to attend. If all else fails, then dads can still take their daughters to a nice restaurant for dinner. If you treat your daughter with kindness and respect, that is how she will expect young men to treat her as well. So make a special date with your daughter...better yet, make it a monthly event. But don’t forget to do something special for your wife as well. The back issue featured below may give you some clues for making the day a special one.
POST IT...on your calendar.
* * * * * * *
*YOUR* Mask on First
The line is familiar to anyone who has traveled on a commercial jetliner. In an event where the oxygen masks come down, adults are to put their "mask on first," and THEN help their child get their mask on. The reasoning is simple, you won't be much help to your child if you pass out before you can help them. It isn't being selfish to put yourself first; in this case, you are doing it *FOR* your child. But shouldn't we extend this out to other areas? How many mothers (it could apply to fathers, but I address mothers as they seem particular susceptible to this line of thought) are so busy taking care of their families, the house, their community groups, or other jobs, that they just don't take care of themselves? You (you know who I'm talking to) don't get enough sleep, you don't exercise, you don't eat right, you don't give yourself any quiet time. Many times it results in your not being patient or in the best mood around the very people that you are trying to help. You tell your friends that you would like to do all those things, but "the kids keep me so busy, and then there's the housework...well, I just don't have the time." But you can find any number of studies that show that if you don't do these things, your life will be (usually) years shorter, a lot unhealthier (as in, more illness), and less happier. You should know that if you take care of yourself, that you will feel better, interact with those around you in a happier way, and be around longer to actually BE there for the ones you love. Most people find that if they exercise, they actually seem to need LESS sleep to feel rested. If you take care of yourself, then you are sick less often, which means fewer illnesses to spread to your family. New positive findings come out every day, for example, they've found that if you get enough sleep you are less likely to have a weight problem. The same goes for getting enough calcium. You are also teaching your children how they should take care of themselves when they are older, and have children of their own. Prioritize your tasks, make time to take care of yourself. If that means cutting back on volunteer activities or going longer between dustings, then do it. Make the time, and you AND your family will all be the better for it. If you won't do it for yourself, then do it for your family. By way of an example, I'd like to offer Pres. Bush. No matter what your politics are, it is well known that he makes the time to take care of himself and has said that he can do a better job for the country if he does this. He goes to bed at 9pm, and makes time for exercise. When he injured his knee and was unable to run, he switched to other exercise. If you look at photos of presidents at the beginning of their term, and after 4 years, you will often see they look considerably older, but you don't see that as much with Pres. Bush. For more ideas on making healthy changes, see our back issue from 8/1/99 and read the article on Real Age. Consider making a big sign that says, "MY Mask First!", and
POST IT...on your fridge or bulletin board.
* * * * * * *
Incremental Resolutions
Now that you are all fired up to make some changes in your life, may I suggest "incremental resolutions." Too often the reason that we don't keep resolutions is that we try to do it all at once (not even the government does that!;-). Write down a series of steps that you add each week, to improve the area you are working on. For example, let's say it is exercise...week 1-walk 10 min/day, week 2-walk 15min/day, and so on. You can also try to pick up your speed a little bit each day. After you are up to 20 min, add a weight workout weekly, then twice a week, and just keep adding. If your big problem area is eating sweets, then start by finding products that have less & less sugar in them. Then start cutting back on the amount you eat when you get to the least amount of sugar. So if you LOVE Oreo cookies, then move to the low fat kind, then when you finish that bag find a type of cookie that has less fat & sugar maybe Vanilla Wafers, then move to graham crackers, then eliminate. But always give yourself a free day when you don't worry about exercise or diet, it gives you something to stay strong for the rest of the week. If you smoke, gradually switch to the lowest tar products out there, then try to smoke one less cigarette every day until you are done. It always helps to replace the bad habit with a good one. So if you are tempted to eat a cookie, have something else to eat that will fill you up, or take a walk. If you are tempted to skip exercise, find a partner. If you are tempted to smoke, take a walk or have a little snack. If you want to get a degree, just take one class at a time, but you may find you want to take more the next time. If you want to cut down on TV/internet time, then allow yourself a certain amount each day and gradually decrease it. No matter what your area of difficulty is, take it one step at a time. Have weekly or even daily goals.
POST IT...on your calendar, and make a plan!
* * * * * * *
Homeless Care Packages Pt 2
Occasionally we will do a story and receive so many good ideas in response, that we feel the need to do a Pt 2. This is definitely one of those times. Sue let us know that at the shelter she helps with, the homeless women seem especially touched by stuffed animals. I'm sure this would apply to the children as well. Donna R. suggested giving the homeless McDonald's (I'm sure other fast food places would have them as well) gift certificates. This way they can enjoy a meal in a warm building without being accused of loitering. Donna B. suggested adding a can opener to the list, which is also a good idea unless you give them pull top cans. So add these to your list and, as Sue said, we may be touching the hearts of "angels unawares."
POST IT...on a shopping list.
* * * * * * *
Recipe: Meat & Scalloped Potato Casserole
 | Preheat oven to 350F. |
| Grease 13x9 baking dish. |
| Place 4.5 lbs red potatoes (cleaned & cut into slices...leave the peel on) into a large pot, cover with water, bring to boil on high heat, reduce to low heat and simmer for 10-12 min. |
| Drain. |
| Take about 1/4 of the potatoes and place in a large bowl, add 16 oz sour cream, and mash together. |
| Add 12 oz shredded cheddar (or your favorite) cheese and mix well. |
| At this point you can add about 3/4 lb (more or less) of small chunks of cooked beef/ham/chicken, or a large can (12-15oz) of tuna/salmon. |
| Mix in well. |
| Add the mashed potato mixture to the rest of the potatoes that had been drained. |
| Stir gently. |
| Spoon into 13x9 dish and press gently into place. |
| Sprinkle 1/4C parmesan cheese on top. Bake for 25 min or until bubbly. |
| Remove from oven. |
| Sprinkle a little more shredded cheese on top, then sprinkle 1/2C sliced green onion. |
| Return to oven for 5 min, remove & enjoy. |
POST IT...on your shopping list.
* * * * * * *
Back Issue Treasure: February 1st, 1999
If you are feeling sorry for yourself because you don't have a special "Valentine," then read our article in this back issue on "Valentines for the Forgotten." We'll also remind you how to remember our veterans. If you or your spouse are constantly trying to figure out what kind of present to get, read our article on Valentine/Birthday/Special Occasion Gifts...it may be the last time you have to return anything! We tell you how to get a Valentine postmark, and start getting you ready for Easter with a special banner/book. All this and much more in this great back issue.
To retrieve this back issue click HERE.
POST IT...by your computer.
* * * * * * *
Missing Child: Joseph Allen Phillips and Kelli Lynne Meek
MISSING TEENS: Joseph Allen Phillips and Kelli Lynne Meek Joseph Allen
Phillips (17 yr old white male, brown hair/eyes, 5'9", 157 lbs) and Kelli Lynne
Meek (17 yr old white female, blonde hair, blue/green eyes, 5'7", 123 lbs) were
last seen at 4:30 p.m. on January 30, 2005 at a gas station in Pasadena, Texas.
They may be traveling in a white 1998 Ford F-250 extended cab pick-up truck with
Texas license plates 1YFX23. Police were treating the teens, whom have been
dating for five months, as runaways until Meek's mother found some entries in
her daughter's diary that caused some concern. They are now considered "missing
endangered." Meek told her parents she was taking Phillips home but the two
never made it to their respective homes. Go to this link for a poster...
http://www.ncmec.org/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet?act=viewPoster&caseNum=1007008&orgPrefix=NCMC&searchLang=en_US
Or go to
www.ncmec.org
Click on "More Search Options," then enter in Meek under last name, then click
on "View Poster."
POST IT...in your vehicle or business esp. if you are in the Pasadena, TX area.
Final Words
JOKE
This may be silly, and I'm not sure why it struck me as funny, but it did... "I shall rise up out of the ashes of destruction like a Tucson." --Unknown
QUOTE
"People don't understand that time is hydraulic."
--Norman H. Nie, director of the Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study
of Society
EDITOR'S NOTE: In other words, if you spend time in one area, it takes away
from another. Where are YOU spending your time? What are YOU taking time away
from?
* * * * * * *
Sponsorship Information
If you are interested in helping to sponsor our ezine, or others in the Dollar Stretcher family, drop an email requesting additional info to: mailto:marketing@stretcher.com?subject=MAN.
It may be more reasonable than you realize. And check out the other free helpful ezines offered at
http://www.stretcher.com/menu/subscrib.cfm
* * * * * * *
AT&T's Community Port
AT&T has a site about WorldNet members, like us, who have created their own personal web pages. If you think our site deserves to be featured on AT&T's Community Port , send them an e-mail about it, at communities@att.net. Be sure to include the page's URL http://home.att.net/~make-a-note/index.htm and why you think our site is special.
* * * * * * *
FEEDBACK TO THE EDITOR
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
Thank you to Pastor Wilson & Gary Foreman for all they do for the Make a Note.
SPONSORSHIP INFO
If you are interested in helping to sponsor this ezine or others in the Dollar Stretcher Family, drop an email requesting additional info to marketing@stretcher.com.
Previous Issue | Back To 2005 Back Issues
| Next Issue
****************END MAKE A NOTE****************
