I love Christmas, it is my favorite holiday of the year, but I am not ready to get into the Christmas spirit yet. I went to the Junior League of Plano's 'Neath the Wreath event this weekend. It was a beautiful show and I enjoyed it but even my daughter kept asking "Where are the turkeys?" You see, I love Thanksgiving, too. For me, Thanksgiving is the time to sit, relax and enjoy family without some of the craziness of presents and lots of decorations. It is a time to gather and reflect on what I am thankful for this year.
It feels like the retailers and the media are completely overlooking Thanksgiving more than ever this year, trying to bring in those Christmas dollars. It makes me sad! I hope you enjoyed our November issue this month, with the turkey on the cover. I hope you get to eat some yummy food, too, on Thanksgiving day, and enjoy a few quiet days with family and friends.
I love to cook almost as much as I love to eat and I am already pouring over magazines and cookbooks to figure out how to prepare our turkey this year. My kids are already putting in their orders for pumpkin pie, pecan pie and something chocolate, maybe my dad will make his special chocolate cheesecake, mmmmmm... What are your Thanksgiving favorites? Let us know what you will be making for turkey day.
I am going to go dig out my cornucopia and fall decorations and enjoy them for a few short weeks before the kids start begging for the Christmas tree.
We are also going to do the family fun run at the Dallas Turkey Trot, benefiting the Dallas YMCA. Got to burn some of those calories we will be gleefully consuming later in the day. Maybe we will see you out there, too!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Modeling Behavior is the Best Way to Teach our Children
We had a big planning meeting for North Texas Kids today with our 4 core staff members and my friend Kathy Garland, a phenomenal business coach and strategist. We were working on our goals for 2009 and for 5 years from now, really looking at who we want to be and what we stand for as a company. It was hard work, fun work and very enlightening! You might not see a lot of change on the surface, but we are committed to growing and continuing to be a great resource for North Texas parents. We all feel very blessed to love what we do!
We did this in my dining room and my kids were roaming around, along with the daughter of one of the other women. They were in and out of the meeting for snacks, drinks, lunch, etc. They watched some t.v., played outside and were pretty quiet for long periods of time. Turns out they were creating their own business plans for generating income. One was working on a plan to rake leaves for our neighbors while the other two worked on a plan to start a dog sitting business. Wow!
Our kids always model what we do, not what we say. I try to live by this motto, to say my please and thank yous, to treat others with respect. Sometimes this philosophy strikes me in new and surprising ways. Normally we would not be working on a Sunday afternoon, but we knew we needed time away from and outside of the office to do this work. Our kids all spend a lot of time watching us work in our office and at home. Part of company culture is to be as family-friendly as possible. We have a Kids' Zone in the office that is their private domain when they are there.
You never know how your actions impact your kids. I want them to be proud of what I have accomplished with North Texas Kids and they are. Little did I know that I was incubating an office full of young entrepreneurs. They watched 5 adults planning, talking and being creative and so off they went to do the same thing. Now we have to do what we can to support them in their business goals. Owning a family business, we make a lot of sacrifices of time, energy and money to that business but right now we wouldn't have it any other way. We want our kids to be with us as much as possible and grow with us!
Will I get my son business cards printed for his leaf-raking business? You bet I will! I am proud that I am raising kids who want to be of service and are excited about making their own way in the world. Sometimes it is hard to just step back and get out of their way and find the time to help them make their dream a reality. Fall is finally here, and soon those leaves will be falling off the trees. We had better get ready!
We did this in my dining room and my kids were roaming around, along with the daughter of one of the other women. They were in and out of the meeting for snacks, drinks, lunch, etc. They watched some t.v., played outside and were pretty quiet for long periods of time. Turns out they were creating their own business plans for generating income. One was working on a plan to rake leaves for our neighbors while the other two worked on a plan to start a dog sitting business. Wow!
Our kids always model what we do, not what we say. I try to live by this motto, to say my please and thank yous, to treat others with respect. Sometimes this philosophy strikes me in new and surprising ways. Normally we would not be working on a Sunday afternoon, but we knew we needed time away from and outside of the office to do this work. Our kids all spend a lot of time watching us work in our office and at home. Part of company culture is to be as family-friendly as possible. We have a Kids' Zone in the office that is their private domain when they are there.
You never know how your actions impact your kids. I want them to be proud of what I have accomplished with North Texas Kids and they are. Little did I know that I was incubating an office full of young entrepreneurs. They watched 5 adults planning, talking and being creative and so off they went to do the same thing. Now we have to do what we can to support them in their business goals. Owning a family business, we make a lot of sacrifices of time, energy and money to that business but right now we wouldn't have it any other way. We want our kids to be with us as much as possible and grow with us!
Will I get my son business cards printed for his leaf-raking business? You bet I will! I am proud that I am raising kids who want to be of service and are excited about making their own way in the world. Sometimes it is hard to just step back and get out of their way and find the time to help them make their dream a reality. Fall is finally here, and soon those leaves will be falling off the trees. We had better get ready!
Friday, October 31, 2008
November Is All About Gratitude and Thanksgiving.
I am so excited and hope you will all come out to join us at our huge FREE family expo on Saturday, November 15 at the Plano Centre at 2000 E. Spring Creek Pkwy. in Plano. We have been working on this for most of the year and I can't believe it is almost here. I am so excited. Come and introduce yourself to me. I will be wearing a pink cowboy hat and pink shirt that says North Texas Kids. Check out our website for all the details: www.northtexaskids.com. I am so grateful for all of the vendors, sponsors and staff who are helping to make this an amazing event for families. You won't want to miss the chance to see a rising star, Kenya, perform a free bilingual concert at 4:30pm.
I am also grateful for the support of my personal trainer, Pamela Micks, who is supporting me on my journey to getting healthier. I have lost 13 pounds to date and have about 50 more to go. It's going to be a long haul and I couldn't do it without her guidance and silly cartoons and supportive emails. I had a couple of rough weekends this last month with birthdays, State Fair, a wedding shower.... I am happy I didn't gain weight but am ready to jump back on the path of success.
I am grateful this month for family, friends and fall weather. What are you grateful for? Send me a post, I'd love to share with our readers what touches your heart.
Great Program for Teen Drivers and Their Parents
TOYOTA’S FREE DRIVING PROGRAM OFFERS DALLAS/FORT WORTH-AREA TEENS AND PARENTS CRUCIAL DEFENSIVE-DRIVING SKILLS NOVEMBER 7-9 and 14-16
Dallas, Tex. (October 2008) – The multi-tasking life of today’s teens – complicated by cell phones, texting, MP3 players and everything in between – makes getting behind the wheel a distracting proposition, and Dallas County has taken note. In an effort to promote driving safety, communities in Dallas County have issued a ban on the use of hand-held communication devices while driving within school zones. To support this measure and better prepare teen drivers, Toyota is hosting its hands-on teen and parent advanced driving skills program, “Toyota Driving Expectations,” in Grand Prairie, Tex. at the Lone Star Park, November 7-9 and 14-16.
With teenage drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents at more than twice the rate of the rest of the U.S. population, Toyota’s free of charge program goes beyond what is taught in the typical driver’s training class by putting teens behind the wheel to face challenging, real-world scenarios. It is also one of the only programs of its kind that requires teens to attend with a parent or guardian so they can learn safe driving habits together. In Grand Prairie, 28 program sessions will be held—two four-hour sessions on Friday, November 7 and 14 between 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. and six four-hour sessions on both Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9 and November 15-16 between 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Registration is now open online at www.toyotadrivingexpectations.com.
“Safety is a priority for Toyota, and we are dedicated to supporting both teens and parents in developing responsible driving habits and protecting them on the road,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota’s vice president of philanthropy and community affairs. “Our goal with Toyota Driving Expectations is to prepare teens with the critical skills and knowledge to handle real-world driving situations and to give parents some guidelines to be an effective coach and mentor.”
Each four-hour Toyota Driving Expectations program begins with an opening session for all participants where they are introduced to the privilege and risk associated with driving. Combining both hands-on and interactive learning through driving courses and classroom style sessions, the program’s curriculum includes tailored content on a variety of driving-related topics.
While driving on the courses under the supervision of professional drivers, teens practice ways to best keep their eyes on the road, learn how to engage anti-lock braking systems on both wet and dry roads and demonstrate how everyday distractions, to which new drivers are especially prone, can have unexpected, dangerous effects. Both parents and teens also drive an actual “distraction course” while navigating through potential distractions such as talking and texting on a cell phone, drinking water and listening to loud music, to experience firsthand how hazardous these activities are behind the wheel.
At the end of the program, to reinforce what they learned, teens and parents develop a safe driving contract together to maintain an open dialogue about responsible driving habits at home.
Since the program’s debut in 2004, the National Safety Council, a leading resource on strategies for advancing safety and health programs, has been involved with Toyota Driving Expectations. The program includes elements of the Council’s signature driving programs, including Alive at 25 and Family Guide to Teen Drivers.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.
Dallas, Tex. (October 2008) – The multi-tasking life of today’s teens – complicated by cell phones, texting, MP3 players and everything in between – makes getting behind the wheel a distracting proposition, and Dallas County has taken note. In an effort to promote driving safety, communities in Dallas County have issued a ban on the use of hand-held communication devices while driving within school zones. To support this measure and better prepare teen drivers, Toyota is hosting its hands-on teen and parent advanced driving skills program, “Toyota Driving Expectations,” in Grand Prairie, Tex. at the Lone Star Park, November 7-9 and 14-16.
With teenage drivers involved in fatal traffic accidents at more than twice the rate of the rest of the U.S. population, Toyota’s free of charge program goes beyond what is taught in the typical driver’s training class by putting teens behind the wheel to face challenging, real-world scenarios. It is also one of the only programs of its kind that requires teens to attend with a parent or guardian so they can learn safe driving habits together. In Grand Prairie, 28 program sessions will be held—two four-hour sessions on Friday, November 7 and 14 between 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. and six four-hour sessions on both Saturday and Sunday, November 8-9 and November 15-16 between 8 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Registration is now open online at www.toyotadrivingexpectations.com.
“Safety is a priority for Toyota, and we are dedicated to supporting both teens and parents in developing responsible driving habits and protecting them on the road,” said Michael Rouse, Toyota’s vice president of philanthropy and community affairs. “Our goal with Toyota Driving Expectations is to prepare teens with the critical skills and knowledge to handle real-world driving situations and to give parents some guidelines to be an effective coach and mentor.”
Each four-hour Toyota Driving Expectations program begins with an opening session for all participants where they are introduced to the privilege and risk associated with driving. Combining both hands-on and interactive learning through driving courses and classroom style sessions, the program’s curriculum includes tailored content on a variety of driving-related topics.
While driving on the courses under the supervision of professional drivers, teens practice ways to best keep their eyes on the road, learn how to engage anti-lock braking systems on both wet and dry roads and demonstrate how everyday distractions, to which new drivers are especially prone, can have unexpected, dangerous effects. Both parents and teens also drive an actual “distraction course” while navigating through potential distractions such as talking and texting on a cell phone, drinking water and listening to loud music, to experience firsthand how hazardous these activities are behind the wheel.
At the end of the program, to reinforce what they learned, teens and parents develop a safe driving contract together to maintain an open dialogue about responsible driving habits at home.
Since the program’s debut in 2004, the National Safety Council, a leading resource on strategies for advancing safety and health programs, has been involved with Toyota Driving Expectations. The program includes elements of the Council’s signature driving programs, including Alive at 25 and Family Guide to Teen Drivers.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, with another under construction in Mississippi. Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Through its corporate initiatives, manufacturing operations and philanthropy, Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. In 2007, Toyota contributed more than $56 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
A Lesson in Kindness
My daughter had a playdate over for a while yesterday. This little girl lives in our neighborhood and we decided to walk her home, rather than drive. Lesson #1, kids love to walk now that the weather is cooling off, we saved gas and the environment by walking 4 or 5 blocks and not driving. It was a beautiful fall afternoon in Texas and lots of flowers are in bloom.
We are walking along and the friend stops to pick up a newspaper and say she needs to run it up to the door of this house. I don't know if she knows this family and it doesn't matter. For her, this was a small touch of kindness that she could easily give. Lesson #2, I learn from kids every day, my own and others, how easy it is to share a small kindness. This simple act, carrying a newspaper to the front door, is easy for a child to do and fun. Any excuse to scamper madly up a sidewalk and back down again is great fun for them and extra exercise. The two friends did this at every house along our walk that had papers out front. If there was only one paper, they would carry the bag together, great cooperation!
My stepfather walks several miles every morning and he has what he calls his paper route. He is almost 80 years old but many of the people in his neighborhood are older. So he stops at about 10 different houses to carry their newspaper to their doorstep, saving them the trip down the sidewalk. When he doesn't walk, his friends know it and all call to check and make sure he is okay.
For me, the thoughtfulness of a small act of kindness like this inspires our children to want to do more, to look for opportunities to be kind and to continue to be kind throughout their life.
We are walking along and the friend stops to pick up a newspaper and say she needs to run it up to the door of this house. I don't know if she knows this family and it doesn't matter. For her, this was a small touch of kindness that she could easily give. Lesson #2, I learn from kids every day, my own and others, how easy it is to share a small kindness. This simple act, carrying a newspaper to the front door, is easy for a child to do and fun. Any excuse to scamper madly up a sidewalk and back down again is great fun for them and extra exercise. The two friends did this at every house along our walk that had papers out front. If there was only one paper, they would carry the bag together, great cooperation!
My stepfather walks several miles every morning and he has what he calls his paper route. He is almost 80 years old but many of the people in his neighborhood are older. So he stops at about 10 different houses to carry their newspaper to their doorstep, saving them the trip down the sidewalk. When he doesn't walk, his friends know it and all call to check and make sure he is okay.
For me, the thoughtfulness of a small act of kindness like this inspires our children to want to do more, to look for opportunities to be kind and to continue to be kind throughout their life.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
The Upcoming Election
I've been very excited about the upcoming presidential election. I love the diversity of the candidates and that so many people are interested and actively involved. However, I've become tired of all the rhetoric and negative campaigning.
Election Day is just about six weeks away. What can we do in the meantime to maintain some personal peace? My plan includes the following:
I will continue to listen to the candidates, but not to what others have to say about the candidates.
I will prepare for Election Day as an informed and proud citizen, and I will not tell others how they should vote.
I will continue to manage my own household budget, make responsible fiscal decisions, and not obsess about the overall economy.
I will continue to delete unwanted political email, otherwise known as SPAM, and share with you 10 reasons to consider doing the same.
1. It's inaccurate.
2. It's biased.
3. It's rude. You shouldn't assume that your friends and family share your political views.
4. It's disrespectful.
5. It's negative.
6. It is not a good source of information. If you want to be informed, do your own research.
7. It adds to the volume of "junk" mail.
8. It wastes time.
9. It tends to be fear based and intended to manipulate people.
10. Although you might be well intentioned, it spreads ignorance to pass along propaganda.
Instead, be "for your candidate" not against the other guy. Lift up the positive reasons you support your candidate, not the negative reasons you don't like the other guy. And most important, keep things in perspective. After all, this is America, and it always will be. Fear and ignorance have no place in furthering the progress of the "land of the free and home of the brave!"
This post is courtesy of Brenda Bonin of Working Mother Matters. Check out her website and sign up for her great newsletter full of useful tips for moms.
Election Day is just about six weeks away. What can we do in the meantime to maintain some personal peace? My plan includes the following:
I will continue to listen to the candidates, but not to what others have to say about the candidates.
I will prepare for Election Day as an informed and proud citizen, and I will not tell others how they should vote.
I will continue to manage my own household budget, make responsible fiscal decisions, and not obsess about the overall economy.
I will continue to delete unwanted political email, otherwise known as SPAM, and share with you 10 reasons to consider doing the same.
1. It's inaccurate.
2. It's biased.
3. It's rude. You shouldn't assume that your friends and family share your political views.
4. It's disrespectful.
5. It's negative.
6. It is not a good source of information. If you want to be informed, do your own research.
7. It adds to the volume of "junk" mail.
8. It wastes time.
9. It tends to be fear based and intended to manipulate people.
10. Although you might be well intentioned, it spreads ignorance to pass along propaganda.
Instead, be "for your candidate" not against the other guy. Lift up the positive reasons you support your candidate, not the negative reasons you don't like the other guy. And most important, keep things in perspective. After all, this is America, and it always will be. Fear and ignorance have no place in furthering the progress of the "land of the free and home of the brave!"
This post is courtesy of Brenda Bonin of Working Mother Matters. Check out her website and sign up for her great newsletter full of useful tips for moms.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Halloween, Health & Hope
Yes, the title will make sense, bear with me for a minute. October is a fun-filled month and a very busy month, full of great activities and opportunities. We are all back in the full swing of school. The first reports cards will be coming home this month, those initial parent teacher meetings are happening in elementary school and there are pumpkins everywhere you turn. Make sure you visit the pumpkin patch at the Arboretum. Fall at the Arboretum is outstanding and they have really outdone themselves this year.
I love Halloween, the chance to get dressed up and be whoever you want to be. I confess, I love to dress up in costume and my husband and I met at a Halloween party. What inspiration, what joy, what a great way for our children to express their creative spirit. I hate Halloween, all the candy that comes home that I won’t let my children eat (at least not all at once on that night) and eventually gets thrown out at Easter and I have to hide from myself so I don't eat it. I love the jack-o-lanterns, the ghosts and all the wild, spooky decorations. The rule in our house is that our kids get one sweet treat a day and we try to stick to that but Halloween is a challenge!
The reason we have this rule is that our children’s health is our concern. We are responsible for what they eat, how much sleep they get and how much exercise they get. If we don’t guide them in the right direction, how will they learn what is healthy and what is not. The October issue of North Texas Kids has some great articles. Check out our current issue online at www.northtexaskids.com.
On a personal note, I am trying to do a better job of managing my own health. Since I started this business, I have gained about 40 pounds. Ugh! Weight has always been a looming issue in my life and I have spent many years yo-yoing! I am determined to make some changes that will last the rest of my life. My brother is getting married in March in Santa Barbara, CA and I want a new dress and I want to look and feel my best. Perhaps more importantly, I want to live to see my grandchildren and to be able to sit on the floor and play with them. I am 43 years old, my kids are 9 and 6. I have a long way to go. So I am asking for your moral support and your words of wisdom. Post your thoughts and suggestions here, I know there are many of you who have been there, done that or are doing that and need your support.
I will keep you updated on the plan that I am following and on my progress. I cannot promote health and wellness, or be a role model to my own children until I get my own issues under control. Our children model what we do, not what we say.
The theme of hope in the title refers to my own journey back to health and the hope for long life. It also refers to all of the amazing non-profit organizations that bring hope to people’s lives. We have a great article on cyber-bullying in the October issue sent to us by The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center. Based in Collin County, The Turning Point serves Dallas and other areas, too. They help women in crisis situations find hope and start a new life. They are having their annual fundraising gala this month and would love for you to join them. Visit them online to learn more: www.theturningpoint.org
I love Halloween, the chance to get dressed up and be whoever you want to be. I confess, I love to dress up in costume and my husband and I met at a Halloween party. What inspiration, what joy, what a great way for our children to express their creative spirit. I hate Halloween, all the candy that comes home that I won’t let my children eat (at least not all at once on that night) and eventually gets thrown out at Easter and I have to hide from myself so I don't eat it. I love the jack-o-lanterns, the ghosts and all the wild, spooky decorations. The rule in our house is that our kids get one sweet treat a day and we try to stick to that but Halloween is a challenge!
The reason we have this rule is that our children’s health is our concern. We are responsible for what they eat, how much sleep they get and how much exercise they get. If we don’t guide them in the right direction, how will they learn what is healthy and what is not. The October issue of North Texas Kids has some great articles. Check out our current issue online at www.northtexaskids.com.
On a personal note, I am trying to do a better job of managing my own health. Since I started this business, I have gained about 40 pounds. Ugh! Weight has always been a looming issue in my life and I have spent many years yo-yoing! I am determined to make some changes that will last the rest of my life. My brother is getting married in March in Santa Barbara, CA and I want a new dress and I want to look and feel my best. Perhaps more importantly, I want to live to see my grandchildren and to be able to sit on the floor and play with them. I am 43 years old, my kids are 9 and 6. I have a long way to go. So I am asking for your moral support and your words of wisdom. Post your thoughts and suggestions here, I know there are many of you who have been there, done that or are doing that and need your support.I will keep you updated on the plan that I am following and on my progress. I cannot promote health and wellness, or be a role model to my own children until I get my own issues under control. Our children model what we do, not what we say.
The theme of hope in the title refers to my own journey back to health and the hope for long life. It also refers to all of the amazing non-profit organizations that bring hope to people’s lives. We have a great article on cyber-bullying in the October issue sent to us by The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center. Based in Collin County, The Turning Point serves Dallas and other areas, too. They help women in crisis situations find hope and start a new life. They are having their annual fundraising gala this month and would love for you to join them. Visit them online to learn more: www.theturningpoint.org
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