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On AC since: 10.12.06
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I think with my right brain most of the time and have enjoyed writing ever since I learned about the 5 paragraph essay in 6th grade. I studied advertising in college & interned in New York City hoping to get a job writing copy, but motherhood came first.
Education/Experience:
Brigham Young University Graduate
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Homemade fortune cookies can be personalized and taste delicious
A humorous look at how to avoid indulging in high-calorie, decadent fudge.
Luckily, there are plenty of indoor activities for families to enjoy in Seaside, Oregon. Don't let the threat of rain keep you from enjoying this fun spot on the Oregon coast.
What better way to enjoy and remember your vacation to Seaside than by picking up a little salt water taffy to enjoy. Seaside has many shops that sell salt water taffy, so you shouldn't have a problem finding a place to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Seaside, Oregon is an easy 90 minutes from Portland and a wonderful weekend getaway any time of the year, but especially during the summer. Seaside has a beautiful beach as well as lots of fun, nearby attractions that make it the perfect destination for families.
A review of Edwards Key Lime Pie in two serving packages.
A review of Cranium Super Fort
A review of Cranium Hullabaloo
A review of Cranium's Balloon Lagoon
While there are many different ways to create your scrapbook pages and preserve history and memories, there are a few things you should definitely avoid. These "mistakes" will decrease the sentimental value of your scrapbooks and even cause their premature deterioration.
If you are wondering whether or not to plant zucchini in your garden this year here are a few reasons why you should.
Don't let the vernal equinox pass you by without standing an egg on it's end. That's right! On the Vernal and Autumnal equinoxes, regular, raw eggs will stand on their ends. This oddity is fun, as well as entertaining, but does take a little patience.
Are you anxious for Spring to arrive? Here are a few ways to welcome and get ready for Spring.
Are you thinking about Spring and planning your garden? Many gardeners enjoy growing flowers and vegetables from seed and each Spring, look forward to browsing through seed catalogs and choosing from the vast selection of specialty flower and vegetable seeds.
If you enjoy reading, but have a hard time finding books you enjoy, you may need to find a few new ways to get book recommendations.
If you are looking for advice, entertainment, a little honing of your advice-giving skills, or even help of your own, you won't want to miss these great advice columns on-line.
Since humans can survive only 3-4 days without water, it's important that water is stored for emergency purposes. Here are a few things to consider before storing water.
If you are serious about your food storage and are ready to take your organization to the next level these are a few products you may be ready for.
If you are interested in having a home food storage system, you might feel overwhelmed by the task. Several websites have great resources available to those getting started with food storage.
Are you interested in starting a home food storage system, but feel overwhelmed with the process? Take it step by step, and before you know it, you will have your own home food storage system.
The thought of having a home food storage system may be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are some excellent reasons to have a home food storage system.
What happens when you click on a pop-up offering fabulous free prizes?
Planning a birthday party doesn't have to be stressful. Consider the following tips for putting together a birthday party for your child you will all enjoy.
Kids will love being the super hero at their very own super hero themed birthday party. This party idea can be tailored to appeal to kids anywhere from pre-school age to 5 or 6 years old.
Is your birthday boy or girl a gourmet chef at heart? Is Food Network one of her favorite channels or does she dream of being an "Iron Chef?" Treat your child to a cooking themed birthday party, perfect for kids 6-8 years old.
Little girls who love the idea of a sleep over birthday party but aren't ready to spend a night away from home will love a pajama party. Perfect for girls ages 6-8, parents will also love being able to send party guests home at "bedtime" to sleep in their own beds.
Americans drink, on average, 1.6 cans of soda pop daily or 597 cans of soda pop a year! Do you drink too much soda pop? Is it time for you to cut back, or even eliminate consumption of soda? Here are ten reasons to quit your soda pop habit.
You know it's Springtime when homemade poster board signs advertising neighborhood yard sales start popping up around your town. Here are a few reasons for you to have your own garage sale.
If you would like to participate in TV Turnoff Week this April 23-29, 2007 but are wondering how you will be able to keep from switching on the TV, here are ten things you can do to fill up your time and keep the TV turned off.
The war against slugs in your garden will be constant and never ending. You won't ever win, but with some effort and perseverance you can do a lot to control the slug population and save your flowers and vegetables.
Cooking with fresh herbs can make a good dish great and also add flavor which reduces the need for extra salt. Having fresh herbs at your fingertips in your own herb garden makes using herbs in cooking practical and easy.
you can play "Mother Nature" and create your own beautiful wildflower meadow. However, if you think you can throw the seed into a nearby field and get good results, you will most likely be disappointed.
Decorating your garden with home made crafts will make your yard an enjoyable place to spend time. In the warmer months, it may even serve as an additional room for your home where you can entertain, enjoy nature and unwind.
By making your own hanging flower basket, you will generally save around 75% when compared with pre-made flower baskets. With that kind of savings, you can afford to make more than one hanging flower basket and create a stunning outdoor floral display in your own yard.
Kids will love experimenting with kitchen scraps to see what they can grow. While many of these scraps will not produce actual fruit, they will grow into plants that will brighten up a kitchen window sill.
Kids are natural scientists, questioning the world around them and looking for answers. Tap into this curiosity by providing fun ways for kids to learn and experiment with plants.
There are so many benefits to having raised garden beds for your garden. While some may seem cost prohibitive, building raised beds will be an investment that will pay of in years of happy gardening.
If you've got a little extra room in your yard, consider adding a vegetable garden plot. Many have grown successful vegetable gardens in just a little amount of space, but the bigger the garden, the more you will be able to grow and enjoy.
For many families with small kids, attending church each week can present at least a few challenges. Here are some ideas to make attending church with children more enjoyable.
With out a shopping plan, it is easy to spend too much money on groceries, buying things you don't need and won't use.
Cleaning your bathroom does not need to be a dreaded chore. In fact, with a few simple tricks, your bathroom can be sparkling clean in around 7 minutes.
A book group provides an escape from a routine, a chance to get to know other people, talk about a shared experience and hear a wide variety of ideas.
Container gardening makes growing flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees possible on a balcony, a patio, or even a front porch.
Gardening has continued to increase in popularity from just 10 years ago. More and more people are picking up the gardening hobby and sticking with it for the joy it brings and the health perks as well.
Ben & Jerry's introduces a new ice cream named after Stephen Colbert.
One way to get a jump on the growing season is to start flower and vegetable plants from seed indoors. Little plants can get as much as 4-6 weeks head start on seeds that are started outside, directly in the ground.
In a world where many people desire instant gratification, growing a garden will teach children patience and that hard work does have rewards.
Recently, salad eaters have been put on alert by reports of e-coli in commercially grown spinach, lettuce and green onions. Planting your own salad garden will allow you to keep enjoying your big, delicious salads with confidence.
Kids will love having these fun plants in their garden. They will enjoy watching their progress as they grow through out the season and harvesting the rewards in the Fall.
Gardening can be a very creative process and kids will certainly love to be a part of it. Here are three great garden projects that will get kids excited about planting and working in their garden.
Knowing how to use your body language to enhance your verbal communication will allow you to send a strong positive message to your interviewer.
In choosing what to wear to an interview, remember, you are marketing yourself to a potential employer. Dressing in a conservative, non-distracting way will give you a competitive edge and make a positive first impression.
If the crop of 2007 Super Bowl ads were the best the world of advertising had to give, then there must be a shortage of creative juices on Madison Avenue.
The American Heart Association's message is an important one, considering that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States.
Thank you Sierra Mist, finally, a funny commercial where no one gets hurt. Jim Gaffigan and Michael Ian Black return for this simple, but funny ad.
I've read a lot of negative feed back about this ad. Everyone from FedEx employees to ad industry critics were less than impressed. What I expect from Super Bowl Sunday advertising is a big budget, a big idea and a big delivery. FedEx delivered!
Bud Light had seven ads that aired during Super Bowl 2007. Among them were some of the best of the night. "Paper, Rock, Scissors" was not one of them.
Was SalesGenie.com's Super Bowl ad targeted at men having a mid-life crisis, or was it just written by one?
Many viewers probably recognized the Japanese influence in the Garmin ad. But what they might not have understood were the references to the Japanese TV show, "Ultraman" from 1966.
Making a good impression in an interview is crucial. It takes just seconds for someone to form an opinion about you based on first impressions. This is personal appearance is so important at a job interview.
There are many ways you can use volunteer work to help your career, however, don't be surprised when the benefits reach far beyond your resume.
Demonstrating good manners in the interview process will ensure you receive the consideration you deserve for the job.
Networking is simply building alliances. Start your professional network now and focus on building and maintaining relationships.
Glaring mistakes will immediately earn your resume a one-way trip to the recycle bin. Avoid these mistakes and your resume may just get you an interview with a prospective employer.
With so much pressure to be, say and do just the right thing, it's understandable that some otherwise sterling job candidates might crack under pressure. Don't fall victim to one of these big interview blunders and lose your chance to land a great job.
To some, Dove's ad may have seemed out of place on Super Bowl Sunday. However, it's very appearance along side ads for beer, cars and fast food spoke to some very interesting trends in marketing and demographics.
All of us, at one time or another have had to put up with less than perfect jobs. Don't worry! Your suffering is not in vain. In fact, it could be just the thing you need to catapult you into a job you love.
Take someone you love on a romantic weekend getaway to one of these beautiful and tranquil Oregon locales.
Kids will love making these Valentine goodies and will enjoy eating them even more.
You don't have to drop a wad of cash to impress your date on Valentine's Day. Put a little creativity into your planning and your date will swoon for around $20.
With a little time and creativity, you and your child can create homemade Valentines that will be as fun to make as they are to receive.
Let your kids exercise their creativity with these fun and easy Valentine crafts. Kids will enjoy the feeling of doing it themselves, with a little help from you.
A homemade gift is a gift from the heart. Your loved ones will recognize the time and thought that went into creating these wonderful Valentine gifts.
Spray paint is an easy and inexpensive way to improve many of the items around your home. The wide variety of paints available makes the do-it-yourself options practically endless.
For some, Winter is the time for outdoor sports and activities. Just an hour or so from Portland, Mount Hood and the surrounding areas are a winter wonderland.
A child's bathroom is a great bathroom to make over because you can have fun with color and accessories and can be completed in just a day or two. Here are a few tips to quickly update your child's bathroom.
If you are considering a home improvement project where you will need a large amount of fabric and don't have a lot of money to spend, and if your style is casual, a painter's drop cloth might be the money saving answer you are looking for.
From November until well into the Spring months, it can be hard for kids to get a lot of outdoor time. Here are just a few of the fun things to do with kids during winter in Portland, Oregon.
There are lots of other things to do in Portland, Oregon in the winter besides swishing down a ski slope or snowshoeing in the back country. Check out these great winter indoor activities in Portland, Oregon.
Creating a professional framed look for your prints and photos does not have to cost an arm and a leg. Here is how you can frame on a budget.
Get to know a little bit more about Content Producer Renee B.
Along with the daily news of war, crime and natural disaster, these little gems also made it into our newspapers. Here are some of the years most bizarre headlines.
Volunteers provide valuable services to communities by freeing up resources that can be used to make local improvements. Volunteer’s time is valued at $15.39 an hour.
Each year we lose a number of influential and wonderful people. Whether a death from natural causes after a life well lived, or a tragic and unexpected death, it is always sad to say good bye.
Volunteering comes in all shapes and sizes. If you have a special skill or interest, you can probably find a way to volunteer your time and share your talents.
Some urban legends turn out to be true, while some are distorted, sensationalized or exaggerated versions of the truth. Here are the top urban legends of 2006.
Cooking and food specialty shows have become increasingly popular over the last few years. In fact, the Food Network is completely dedicated to cooking and food related shows.
A name is something that will be used to identify your child for the rest of their lives. Will it have positive or negative connotations? Will it help them be successful, popular, environmentally conscious, or smart?
Each year, there are names that rise to the top of the heap as the most popular baby names. Here are the most popular baby girl names for 2006:
One impressive trend in children's television programming today is the large number of educational shows available.
This is a small sampling of the many volunteer opportunities currently available in Vancouver, Washington.
Kids will love having their very own New Year’s Eve party and having great kid food to go with it will really make it a special evening and a party to remember.
Volunteering is not just working in a soup kitchen or sorting clothes for a thrift store. Help is needed at many levels and in many areas. Here are a few opportunities currently available in Portland, Oregon.
Kids will love having their very own New Year’s Eve Party. Activities will keep kids interested and awake through out the evening until the big moment arrives.
A kid’s New Year’s Eve party will be a great way for kids to start off their new year and also create many lasting memories. Games will provide a way for guests to have social interaction with each other and stay organized until the big moment!
Are you looking for a good cause to volunteer your time or donate money? Celebrities often lend their name and image to different causes. One common thread with many of these celebrities is that many are involved with charities geared towards helping children
The Christmas Season doesn’t have to be a time of stress and anxiety. Follow these suggestions to enjoy yourself and relax this Christmas.
Whatever your skills, background or interest, you can find a volunteer position that fits you perfectly. This year, make a New Year’s Resolution that will have a positive impact on your life and the lives of those in your community: Volunteer!
With a little planning and dedication, you will soon be on the road to better health. Not only will exercise benefit you physically, but you will also benefit emotionally with lower stress levels and even a happier outlook on life.
There are many different ways to complete a scrapbook, but these basic steps will help you on your way to organizing your photos and memories, to be preserved for generations.
Whether you're spending hours in your car on a road trip, 30 minutes commuting to work, or 15 minutes running the kids to soccer practice, an organized car will be a car that is more enjoyable to travel in.
An organized kitchen will save you time and money, but also make food preparation more enjoyable while reducing stress. Whether getting your kitchen in tip top shape takes a few hours or a few days, it will be well worth the effort.
Creating healthy eating habits will not only save you money on your grocery bill, it will also save calories and help you lose weight and have more energy.
"Less is more" should be your mantra as you clean your bathroom. With everything in its place, you won't waste time searching for a tube of toothpaste or extra shampoo because you will know right where it is.
Family time doesn't need to be "Norman Rockwell" perfect. Families will reap the benefits from spending time together and kids will know they are loved and appreciated.
By June, 54% of those who had made New Year's Resolutions have broken them. Here are six things you can do to make sure you have the best chance for achieving your goals.
Whatever your New Year's Resolution is this year, know you are in good company as millions of people will be working to make positive life changes. Know that just by making New Year's resolutions, you are that much closer to accomplishing your goals.
There are many lovely options available for the person who wants to send a Christian themed e-card. Your friends and loved ones will enjoy the thought and feeling behind these meaningful gestures.
A simple clip from the Sesame Street of my childhood takes on new meaning when viewed through the filter of motherhood.
Having a personal computer with an internet connection can literally be like having a library in your very own home. Take advantage of all the learning sites out there and show your kids that the challenge to learn can be fun and rewarding.
There are many website where kids 7-12 can enjoy games and more. Parents need to take an active role in keeping track of where their kids are on-line by setting up rules.
With the hustle and bustle that comes with the Christmas season, it can sometimes be difficult to remember "The Reason for the Season." Here are some creative traditions that will help keep the real meaning of Christmas in our minds this holiday season.
While it's always fun to have outrageous, funny or embarrassing gifts circulate at a white elephant gift exchange, it's also nice to have a few nice gifts in the mix for people to fight over.
Many web sites offer age appropriate games for pre-school aged children. Although parents will probably need to be close by to help kids navigate and get their games set up, pre-schoolers will quickly get the hang of pointing and clicking.
Play Santa's helper by brightening someone's holiday season with twelve gifts. Delivering the gifts anonymously adds to the fun for both giver and receiver.
Spode's festive Christmas Tree patterned dishes and serving pieces are fun to use and collect.
Get a lot of laughs at your next white elephant gift exchange with these great gift suggestions.
Artificial Christmas tress look better than ever. With many varieties and options for height and width, you can get a tree that is perfect for your needs.
The sense of smell is powerful and scents of home baked goodies and fresh evergreen boughs can quickly create a festive mood. Here are some ways to fill your home with the aroma of the holidays.
When kids are out of school over the holidays, they may struggle to find things to do to stay busy. Providing a craft that you and your child can do together will create great memories and will be a lot of fun as well.
Creative children love to create. Gifts that focus on arts and crafts will appeal to any creative child.
Educational toys allow kids to learn while they are playing and will provide a foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Don't get caught fighting with toy packaging or boxes taped too securely. Avoid losing small parts or warranty informaton in a sea of wrapping paper on Christmas morning. Be prepared with 7 helpful items and relax and enjoy the magic of Christmas.
Around age 7, kids are ready to move on from picture books to chapter books. Reading a longer book will give kids a sense of accomplishment and improve their reading skills. Spending time reading with a child is one of the best gifts you can give.
Move beyond grocery store ingredients when buying gifts for the friend or family member who loves to bake cookies. High end supplies don't necessarily cost a lot, but will be used and appreciated by the recipient.
A hostess gift is by no means manditory, but it is a good idea and a wonderful way to show your gratitude.
If you are a guest in someones home this holiday season, you can help ease the burden of your hostess. These little acts will ensure you are invited back, and make the holiday happy for everyone.
Too much emphasis on children having a high self-esteem may do more harm that good. Children should learn to be taught to have a healthy view of their own self worth in the home.
Make your Christmas newsletter something your friends and family will eagerly anticipate with a few creative ideas.
This year, make your Christmas newsletter stand out. These ideas will be sure to get your creative juices flowing and your Christmas newsletter written in no time.
Writing a Christmas newsletter is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family. A newsletter provides more information than a greeting card and is easy to mass produce.
Take care of your whole gift list with gifts from Oregon.
Try one of the many U-cut Christmas tree farms in the Portland, Oregon area for this years Christmas tree. Your tree will be absolutely the freshest it can be and many farms offer assistance and other added services to add to what can be a fun tradition.
Books make great Children's Gifts. They are inexpensive and can be enjoyed over and over. A hard bound book will last longer than a paperback book and can be passed down to grandkids, if taken care of.
Spark your child's love for learning about dinosaurs this holiday season with these great gift ideas.
Bunco is a fun game that is easy to play. It brings friends together to enjoy each other's company, chat, laugh and eat. As hostess, focus on planning your menu, confirming your guest list, shopping for prizes, final touches and having fun.
There are plenty of ideas for luxury items for your child's holiday gifts. On the more conservative end, choose bone china place setting or real silver ware. If you have more disposable income, have a dollhouse built exactly like your house.
With a plan, some great friends and a little technology, Black Friday can be a great shopping experience.
Seaside Oregon is a great family vacation destination. Kids will love the attractions along Broadway and adults will love browsing the shops, strolling along the beach and relaxing in this laid-back Oregon beach town.
Portland, Oregon is a great place to live and visit. Starting from Portland, you can drive about an hour and a half in any direction and find a variety of activities to appeal to a wide variety of tastes and skills.
Save time in the kitchen by preparing meals that can be frozen and prepared later. With a group of friends, you can cut down your prep time further by doing a meal swap. Tips for having a successful swap group
Working with a temporary agency is much more than one or two day jobs filing or answering phones. To be sucessful as a temporary employee, take your interview seriously and be flexible. Great temps will get great jobs.
A prepared parent can actually enjoy flying with a toddler. This article offers tips for having the best shot at a stress-free flight and minimizing those "dirty looks" from other passengers.
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