Cherished Memories

A Birth Certificate shows you were born.

A Death Certificate shows you died.

A Completed Scrapbook shows you LIVED!

Cherished Memories 4 U Blog
Now Open!

My friend, Teresa, and I have started a new endeavor. Actually, we have been teamed up for several years as scrapbookers and even longer as friends. We had a Yahoo Group and then a Forum and recently decided to move our scrapbooking ideas, tips, challenges, games, etc., to a blog. It is a collaborative effort that we hope will be a success.

Cherished Memories is about cherishing family and loved ones and getting those memories on paper. Cherished Memories is all about scrapbooking and paper-crafting. We play games, host swaps, send RAKs, and have a busy schedule of contests, challenges, and activities. We also learn new and re-visit old techniques, share layouts, and chat.

Thought of the Day - 4/25/09

We are what we believe we are.
~~ C. S. Lewis ~~

Simply Healthy #5

Dehydration may increase the chance of an asthma attack during exercise. Everyone, particularly those with asthma, should always stay hydrate in order to safely exercise.

Aloha Friday #8

In Hawaii, Friday is a day to take it easy and look forward to the weekend. Therefore, posting should be easy too, so I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer.

My question this week:

What bill do you hate to pay each month?

Join the hostess, Kailani, at An Island Life to see other fun, thought-provoking questions.

Thought of the Day - 4/24/09

God determines who walks into your life. It's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

Thought of the Day - Bonus #3

Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away. Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong. Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late.

Thought of the Day - 4/23/09

We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today.
~~ Stacia Tauscher ~~

Happy Earth Day!

In the Beginning...
In 1963, former Senator Gaylord Nelson began to worry about our planet. Senator Nelson knew that our world was getting dirty and that many of our plants and animals were dying. He wondered why more people weren't trying to solve these problems. He talked to other lawmakers and to the President. They decided that the President would go around the country and tell people about these concerns. He did, but still not enough people were working on the problem.

The Idea
Then, in 1969, Senator Nelson had another idea. He decided to have a special day to teach everyone about the things that needed changing in our environment. He wrote letters to all of the colleges and put a special article in Scholastic Magazine to tell them about the special day he had planned. Most of the schools got this magazine and he knew that kids would help him.

The Holiday
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held. People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing. Isn't it great?

One person had an idea and kept working until everyone began working together to solve it. See what happens when people care about our world?

My suggestion is that Earth Day evolve into a week (or a month or a year) of activities. Ideally, these activities will provide your family with a means to act on their convictions. Most importantly these activities can provide a progressive model which can make Earth Day activities part of your schedule all year long. The following list offers examples of activities at various levels of involvement:

• Minimize the use of chlorine bleaches, which can create toxic compounds in waste water.
• Only water your lawn once a week. Apply about one inch of water, slowly and deeply. Be sure to water your lawn only before 10 AM or after 6 PM, never in between, to prevent excess evaporation.
• To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive (because it uses up valuable natural resources and contributes to pollution and litter problems), contact the Direct Marketing Association Mail Preference Service.
• Set the refrigerator's temperature to between 36° and 39° F.
• Turn your water heater down to 120° F.
• Identify local as well as global environmental crises.
• Show the film "The Lorax" by Dr Seuss.
• Create awareness posters.
• Create poetry, essays, rap songs, and speeches,etc., about your Earth Day concerns.
• Read published poetry and stories related to environmental concerns.
• Research environmental organizations in order to make informed decisions about where to send proceeds from fundraising.
• Read and post daily environmental announcements.
• Involve students in presenting environmental information to local media, such as writing letters to newspaper editors or science reporters at local T.V. stations.
• Bring in environmental speakers.
• Have students carry a trash bag with personal garbage for one school week.
• Make recycled paper.
• Investigate the purchase of recycled paper for school use.
• Make bird houses and feeders or other wildlife feeding stations.
• Propagate house plants to sell as a fundraiser or to give to teachers to display in their classrooms as air fresheners.
• Draft petitions and actively inform as signatures are sought.
• Do a garbage study from cafeteria waste cans at the end of a typical school day. Identify and quantify aluminum, plastic, paper, food, glass, etc. Propose ways to reduce the amount to the student council or other appropriate organization.
• Write letters to congressmen and senators to support environmental legislation.
• Have a school art exhibit (photography, sculpture, etc.) that focuses upon the environment.
• Plant a tree.
• Plant seeds.
• Have high school students present environmental information to middle and elementary schools.
• Volunteer locally to do habitat preservation.
• Clean up a nearby roadway.
• Recycle at home.
• Volunteer at a recycling center.
• Begin recycling programs in your school or analyze the ones already in place and suggest improvements.
• Plan a field trip to a sewage treatment, sanitary landfill, zoo, arboretum, or nature center.
• Interview directors or presidents of local environmental organizations, not only to learn what the organization does, but also to find out why these people volunteer their time and how they became interested in the environment.
• Get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
• Go for a walk and pay attention to how many different kinds of plants, animals, and insects you see.
• Find out about different ways to save energy.
• Stop using pesticides on your lawn.
• Buy organic.
• Buy energy-saving, compact-fluorescent light bulbs and other energy efficient products.
• Create an outdoor compost receptacle.
• Clean up a nearby beach or stream.
• Arrange 'A Used Battery Drive.' Ask everyone to bring in their used batteries so that they can all be brought to a recycling depot.
• Adopt a rainforest animal.
• Learn the history of Earth Day.
• Make leaf prints.
• Avoid products with excessive, unrecyclable packaging.
• Fix leaking faucets and toilets.
• Use phosphate-free detergent.
• Run full loads of laundry.
• Have the local water utility distribute information on the benefits of low-flow shower heads.
• Adjust your thermostat up one degree in the summer and down one in the winter to drastically reduce emissions.
• Turn off electronic devices, lights, and appliances when you are not using them.
• Carpooling and using public transportation reduces emissions and is cost effective.
• Bring your own bags to the market.
• Create good thoughts. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “All we have to fear is fear itself.” By creating the awareness that we can heal the Earth -- that it is not too late, we combat the paralysis that fear often produces. So if all you can do on this Earth Day is think one good thought about the Earth, you will have contributed to a changing of the fear-based mentality.

Take the quiz below to see how eco-friendly you are.
Are You Living Green Quiz

National Mom's Nite Out Update

I want to first take the time to thank each and everyone one of you for taking a small idea and helping it grow into what is expected to be the largest offline and online event for moms ever. It's truly amazing how National Mom's Nite Out has become this wonderful celebration of motherhood that moms, companies, and members of the media have embraced. To date, we have over 400 events and celebrations happening across the United States in malls, stores, homes, hotels, and restaurants -- and these are only the ones we know are planned.

Works for Me Wednesday #16

Give a shake to your frozen boxes of veggies. If they rattle, they're fresh.

To see other household tips and ideas, check out We Are THAT Family.

Thought of the Day - 4/22/09

The ultimate test of a moral society is he kind of world that it leaves to its children.
~~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer ~~

Thought of the Day - 4/21/09

There are no more hours in a bad day than in a good one!

Thought of the Day - 4/20/09

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry
~~ E.B. White ~~

What I Need

What I Need . . . According to Google

Put your name in a google search box followed by the word 'needs' and post the first ten things that the search comes up with. Then comment on each of them (if you'd like).

1. Storm needs a bailout.
I do need a break from being a single mother, a little pampering.

2. Storm needs a bailout and stimulus package. Already mentioned the pampering and some money would never hurt.

3. Storm needs work to fix Loch.
Huh?

4. Storm needs vcast video.
I need the electronic first.

5. Storm needs donations.
Though, true; this is not how I would ask. : )

6. Storm needs now.
Not sure what I need now, except some sleep.

7. Storm needs ISP action.
True, I do need my Internet to work.

8. Storm needs to take two.
Two what exactly?

9. Storm needs the flight control.
I, Storm, do not know how to fly so please, I beg you, do not give me flight control.

10. Storm needs a drummer.
Not sure why I need a drummer at this point in my life. But, I hope, the rest of the band shows up with the drummer.


I got this idea from The Italian Bella Diaries.

Make Me Laugh Monday - Abbott and Costello

This is funny. You have to be old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, and too old to really understand computers to fully appreciate this. For those of us who sometimes get flustered by our computers, please read on. If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, "Who's on First?" might have turned out something like this.

Costello Calls to Buy a Computer From Abbott

ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows? ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software. ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals and track expenses and run my business. What do you have? ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO: You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: Ok, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! Ok, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need? ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W.'
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'w' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much? ABBOTT: One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!

A few days later...

ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on 'Start.'


Join me in the fun and giggles of making Mondays a better day by sharing some laughs. Add your link to your Make Me Laugh Monday post to Mr. Linky below. (All links not leading directly to your post will be deleted. All posts should be funny in some way. Yes, this is up to interpretation. Ideas include riddles, comic strips, jokes, silly graphics, funny lyrics, etc.)

How Often Should You Blog?

Although there isn't an exact science when it comes to how often you should post, it is a good idea to post regularly. I personally try to post 3-4 times a week. Since I use Blogger, I also have the ability to schedule my posts -- which I love.

When you start to build up a readership, you need to post regularly to keep them coming back. But don't start posting dozens of times a day, or your blog may be seen as Spam by the search engines and this could have a serious effect on your ranking.

After you have been posting for a while you will find your own formula for posting simply by keeping track of the results you receive.

Thought of the Day - 4/19/09