We walk many paths which lead us to the major decisions we make throughout our lifetime. Read how one mother’s journey through poverty, child abuse and loneliness brought her to
Son of My Soul ~ The Adoption of Christopher

Scheduled for release November 1, 2007
@ http://www.sagabooks.net/

Debra Shiveley Welch, Author of
A Very Special Child - An Adoption Story
Co-author Jesus Gandhi Oma Mae Adams
Both available at Amazon.com

More information about Diva sister Debra Shiveley Welch @ DebraShiveleywelch.net

     

Once the school buses start to roll and the bells begin to ring, you know it won’t be long before Friday night football begins. Whether your child plays or not, it’s likely that they will want to attend some of the games during the year. It’s normal for students to attend high school or college football games, not so much for the game, but for the social aspect of the game.
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Each year, millions of people clear an area for a garden, hoping to enjoy the fruits of the harvest throughout the summer. If they’ve had an especially bountiful garden, they may even be able to can or freeze some foods to enjoy long after the summer is over. Choosing to can or freeze your produce doesn’t need to be stressful, but will require a bit of extra time from you.
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Most people believe that once the weather begins to cool, gardening must come to an end. However, if you plan things correctly, the autumn can be the perfect time to start a whole new garden. Depending upon where you live, you can use the fall to plant some hardy vegetables and flowers.
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Each year hundreds of dollars are lost because homes aren’t winterized properly. Heat escapes through leaks around doors and windows or by inadequate insulation, but there are steps you can take to stop those leaks and keep more of your hard-earned money. By following these simple suggestions, you should be able to save money and help keep your family and yourself a little warmer this winter.
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Fall is a great time to enjoy activities that you may not have had the opportunity to enjoy during the summer because of the oppressive heat. Now would be a great time to plan a trip to enjoy the great outdoors. Camping, hiking, backpacking, and geocaching are just a few of the activities that would be more enjoyable during the crispness of autumn.
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Most people think that once the weather begins to change, the grass will stop growing and their yard duties will be over until the next spring. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, fall is a great time to begin planning and planting for spring, and making sure that your lawn and plants will be protected for the winter.
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Your automobile is one of the most expensive purchases you will make, outside of your home. So, if you plan on keeping your car in top working order, winterizing your car each year is a must. The following tips will help you know what you need to do to winterize your car before the cold weather arrives.
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Unless you live in Hawaii or some other tropical destination that the weather never changes, you probably have sports equipment that is only used during one season of the year. This equipment may include baseball, soccer, basketball, or swimming items. And, since you can’t use these items throughout the year, you have to store them during the off-season. These hints may help you decide how best to store your sporting equipment so that it’s ready for you when next year’s season arrives.
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The summer is winding down and the days are getting shorter. Soon the weather will begin to change, as well. Now would be a great time to begin a new hobby. In fact, cooler weather is the perfect time to try your hand at crocheting, knitting, or sewing. Not only will you be able to create a useful item, you may also keep yourself warmer during the colder temperatures.
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As the seasons change from summer to autumn, school systems and communities begin to plan for the annual fall or harvest festival. Thanksgiving, one of the most well-known holidays in the United States, is really nothing more than a harvest festival. The harvest festival, celebrated throughout the world, was used as a means to give thanks for an abundant harvest and a way to share the bounty with those less fortunate.
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If you’re a gardener, you know how expensive tools can be. If you leave them caked with dirt at the end of the summer you may have to replace them the next season. Proper care and maintenance at the end of summer can save money and help you start gardening sooner the next year. Follow these tips to keep your tools in working order for next year’s gardening season.
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It won’t be long until autumn officially begins. You can already feel the crispness in the air. You might even notice a little nip that hints at autumn’s soon return. Cooler weather causes the leaves to change throughout the country. It also encourages people to plan trips to enjoy nature’s beauty.
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Ah! As the weather begins to cool, people think about traditions from their childhood, activities that they used to enjoy as autumn descended upon their communities. Soon you will see men raking leaves into huge piles, and kids spreading the leaves as they jump into them. The scene is played out along streets and lanes and in the memories of those that once enjoyed the past time.
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When your child started kindergarten, one of the first historical people they learned about was John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Chapman was known for traveling across the country helping pioneers plant apple trees. And, since apples are harvested in the late summer or early autumn, they are a common theme for a child’s first year of public school.
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Everyone enjoys jack-o-lanterns at Halloween, but it can be frustrating to carve one. If you haven’t done very many of them, it’s best to start out with a simple design. The traditional jig-jog smile and triangle eyes and nose are pretty easy for anyone to do.
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For most Americans, Labor Day signifies the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year (although many schools now start before Labor Day). We enjoy Labor Day as a great time for a cookout and spending time relaxing with family. Most people have forgotten the origins of Labor Day, which was a day to recognize the labor force in America. Labor Day had its beginnings the 1880’s, although there is a bit of discrepancy as to when it actually began and who started it.
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All of us like to feel special and loved. Our kids are no exception. Take time each month to set aside time for each child to have their own special “Kid Day”. It is hard for some families to do things together, with everyone running in so many different directions between work, sports, school and other activities. It’s good to just slow down and take time to be a family.
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A scavenger hunt is a fun activity that not only provides a chance for kids to get outside before the weather gets colder, but it can help them think creatively too. There are a few different ways to do a scavenger hunt. Depending on where you live, you can have different kinds of scavenger hunts. If the children are too young to go on their own, you can team them up with older children or adults or even have small teams.
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Halloween has come under a close scrutiny by families over the last few years. Some have chosen to not celebrate Halloween because of the connection to pagan and satanic beliefs, others for safety reasons. It can be hard for children to understand parents’ decisions, especially when they see their friends going trick or treating without them or when they are not allowed to attend a party. The history of Halloween blends so many different ideas from so many cultures and religious beliefs that it could take awhile to explain it, especially to younger children.
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“I’ll get you, my pretty!” These infamous words were spoken by the wicked witch in the beloved movie “The Wizard of Oz.” If your daughter wants to be the good witch, Glenda, on Halloween, or would like to portray the wicked witch, here are some ideas on how to make either homemade costume.
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Ah, the 80’s. What a time that was. If you have a son or daughter or who wishes to recreate that time in the form of a Halloween costume, here are some suggestions.
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The hottest movie out today, which all kids enjoy, is “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Well, it makes sense that your son or daughter may wish to be a pirate for Halloween. These are not only fun costumes to make, but quite easy as well. So let’s make a homemade pirate’s costume!
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Nothing exemplifies Halloween more than a ghost costume. It is probably the easiest to make and can be as simple or complex as you wish. Let’s take a look at two ideas for a ghost costume for Halloween.
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Butterflies are lovely to look at, but it is even more beautiful when your child decides to become one for Halloween. Here are some tips on how to make a homemade butterfly costume.
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Children love Halloween, dressing up, getting candy and having fun, but adults enjoy it as well. There are many ways to make the party more fun for the grown ups.
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Making a scarecrow costume for Halloween is not only fun, but you can allow the creative juices to flow endlessly. This is one easy homemade costume to make.
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If you have a young daughter, odds are she will want to dress up as a princess for Halloween. While it may be easy to just go out and purchase a costume, it can be quite expensive in the long run. Making a homemade princess costume for Halloween can be not only affordable, but fun as well.
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