Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Televison/Internet alternative

We'd like to think that we have superpowers by working faster and smarter in lieu of the non-support. Let's face it, we are human, and fall short. We all used the TV for a "sitter" so that we could catch up on stuff that needed to be done or just process. We know that TV is a drug that keeps you stupid. 20 years from now some of the peeps will still accuse you of neglect for having been a single mom, for having done things that were immature, survival, lack of coping skills, needing space, being a woman, and not the mom and dad they "deserved", for picking a sitter we could afford instead of a Montessori School, etc.
We love to share and offer options. Throw out the TV and allow the kiddos to watch http://www.wimp.com/ documentaries instead. Some are fascinating, entertaining, informational, educational....
Spare yourself the entitlement guilt trip and teach them responsibility for their choices - but DO offer choices. Boundaries are not a lack of love but a safety net (of love) from a free fall to destruction of relationships.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving

To know the value of generosity, it is necessary to have suffered from the cold indifference of others. Eugene Cloutier


                                  


Readers are Leaders - donate* your books

My kids had a friend over who participated in a family activity, called reading. I could not believe what I heard him read. First we laughed at the words he mutilated until I realized how serious his handicap was. After reading the statistics on illiteracy I want to inspire all who read this blog.
Collect any worthwhile, educational, entertaining books and donate them to your local school/congregation/prison*.  They can pass them on to kids.
Mentor a child with reading difficulties.

Why learn to read early?
Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of the 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare. The fourth grade is the watershed year.


literacy statistics and juvenile court
•85 percent of all juveniles who interface with the juvenile court system are functionally illiterate.
•More than 60 percent of all prison inmates are functionally illiterate.
•Penal institution records show that inmates have a 16% chance of returning to prison if they receive literacy help, as opposed to 70% who receive no help. This equates to taxpayer costs of $25,000 per year per inmate and nearly double that amount for juvenile offenders.

•Illiteracy and crime are closely related. The Department of Justice states, "The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure." Over 70% of inmates in America's prisons cannot read above a fourth grade level.

Many of the USA ills are directly related to illiteracy. Just a few statistics:
•Literacy is learned. Illiteracy is passed along by parents who cannot read or write.
•One child in four grows up not knowing how to read.
•43% of adults at Level 1 literacy skills live in poverty compared to only 4% of those at Level 5
•3 out of 4 food stamp recipients perform in the lowest 2 literacy levels
•90% of welfare recipients are high school dropouts
•16 to 19 year old girls at the poverty level and below, with below average skills, are 6 times more likely to    have out-of-wedlock children than their reading counterparts.
•Low literary costs $73 million per year in terms of direct health care costs. A recent study by Pfizer put the cost much higher.

*If you donate to Goodwill etc. Juvenile prisoners can not get the books. Moms can not afford to purchase from Goodwill....

We collected 551 Pounds for the Food Bank!

Eagle Scout project - 4H project - it works in any neighborhood.
We are proud of the Royal Oaks Eagle Scouts who selected this community project.

Happy Thanksgiving to all your family.

Friday, November 18, 2011

good deal or just a good idea?

Safeway has a 49cent per pound turkey with $35.00 purchase or free with $75.00.
Here is what some churches are offering...

Purchase your $20 Voucher* to receive the following:
Turkey, approximately 14lbs
1 box Stuffing Mix
1-14oz can Chicken Broth
2-15 oz cans Corn
1 -32oz can of Sweet Potatoes
1-lbs Brown Sugar
1 bag Marshmallows
1 –14 oz can Cranberry Sauce
1 lb Margarine
2 14 oz cans Green Beans
1 pkg. Brown & Serve Rolls
5 pounds Potatoes
1 Vidalia Onion
1 tub Whipped Topping
1 Pumpkin pie
*Offer available while supplies last (Basket valued at more than double the voucher price!!)

The good thing, it's open to any family and worth it since the shopping has been done for you considering that everything comes down to time and money.

Breaking bread together (reaching out and sharing your bounty) might have been nice-er too.



Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Join in the LEGO® Store Monthly Mini Model Build!


Visit your local LEGO Store (in Park Meadows) on the first Tuesday of every month and you can learn how to build a cool mini model, and take it home – for free! Quantities are limited to approximately 250 per store and offer is good while supplies last only. A new model will be available every month and will be specially themed to that month – ask a Store Associate for details! Models are not for sale and cannot be purchased. One free per child. Event is open to children ages 6 to 14 only. See store for more details.


Upcoming Mini Model Build:


LEGO Nutcracker: Tuesday, December 6, begins at 5:00 pm while supplies last.



Sunday, November 13, 2011

Monday meditation....

 give up your addiction to one of your customary forms of suffering.

ooooooooooom

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Veterans saluted in Fort Collins

On Sunday the city of Fort Collins will celebrate the unveiling of a new public plaza that will salute the nation's military veterans.
Opening events this Sunday at the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado, set on three acres at the entrance of Spring Canyon Community Park, 2626 W. Horsetooth Road, kicks off at 10 a.m. The day's events will also include a flag-raising ceremony, music, food, military re-enactments, displays of restored vintage military vehicles and a flyover by F-16 fighter jets, according to a media release from Maj. Diggs Brown, of the Colorado Army National Guard
The second phase of development for the Veterans Plaza will be celebrated with the unveiling of a bronze statue conveying the story of generations of sacrifice. Join supporters of the Plaza by attending the unveiling of the statue and public ceremony at 1:00 p.m. on Nov. 13. Other planned events include live music, raising of the flags on the plaza, an F-16 flyover and a keynote speech by Maj. Gen. H. Michael Edwards, the Adjutant General of Colorado.

"As we raise our flag and as the bugle sounds taps, we remember that the men and women of America's Armed Forces serve a great cause. They follow in a great tradition, handed down to them by America's veterans. And in public ceremonies and in private prayer, we give thanks for the freedom we enjoy because of their willingness to serve." George W. Bush

Eligibility questions?

Hi moms,
we are here for you and the kiddos. We try to soften the hard knocks by providing information  about services you may not know are available for YOU. Our words and actions line up. We get it.

Child Support – (303) 814-7145

Cash, Food, Medical Programs - (303) 688-4825 extension 5341

Child Care – (303) 688-4825 extension 5340


Help with housing needs is available for people eligible for Section 8 and general low cost housing referrals
Section 8 contact: (303) 761-6200
Other information about low cost housing in Douglas County: (303) 814-2965
Women’s Crisis and Family Outreach Center

Help with shelter and services for women and young children
Main number: (303) 688-1094
24 hour emergency line: (303) 688-8484


Human Services
4400 Castleton Court
Castle Rock, CO 80109
Phone: 303.688.4825








HIRING EVENT for ages 18-24


Mile High Youth Corps will be interviewing for
Energy Conservation ● Water Conservation

Qualifications

Must be 18-24 yrs., MUST complete Work Readiness and Work Values Workshops prior to the event and possess a High School Diploma or GED

Location: Lima Plaza, 6974 S. Lima, Centennial, CO 80012
Room: Career Village and Youth Resource Center

Additional Details:
Pre-screening required. Please call Sharon Reed at (303) 636-1619 to register for both workshops and to pre-register for the event. The first 30 candidates that meet all qualifications will be guaranteed an interview.

Coupons? you bet!

 Extreme couponers will tell you pre-Thanksgiving is the prime time to stock up on food for the year. "Don't settle for anything less than half off, and expect even better," advises Teri Gault, C.E.O. of The Grocery Game, a money-saving supermarket sweep site.
Check for freebies at websites like Red Plum, where a list of giveaways at national chains are posted weekly. Another tech-smart trick: download the Red Laser app to your phone and use it to scan sides you really want to make. The app will pull up the price of your dish and then roll out a list of similar products by other brands that are less expensive.

Some food banks have a box to deposit and withdraw coupons by month of expiration - just a thought.

Thanks for all the Thanksgiving memories. We laugh till we cry, and we are still here to tell about it.
The turkeys did not get us down after all....