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SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WOMAN
Features,
Resources and $avings for Busy Women
in Lee, Collier &
Charlotte Counties
11.15.2003 - - -> Subscribers
increasing
daily!
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Welcome to the November 15th issue of Southwest
Florida Woman eZine! Join us on the first and fifteenth of every
month for valuable information and savings from local,
female-friendly businesses!
DID YOU KNOW?
Southwest Florida Woman will be donating a portion of our profits to several important women's charities! If you do business with any of the businesses featured in this ezine or advertisers on our website, you will be helping women. Please check out our website for details.
Every issue will begin with
"Words of Wisdom" and "The Funny Side". Then keep reading for more
great features. Here's what you will find in this issue:
Internet Savvy
Easy Money? Not!
Parenting!
Evolving Motherhood
Women's Guide To Home Maintenance
Tips to Save Time & Money
Helping Our
Community
Hispanic Woman of Distinction Award Nominees Sought
Thanksgiving Planning
How to Have Thanksgiving on a Budget
Leftover Turkey Casserole (Four Star Recipe!)
THIS ISSUE'S FEATURED SPONSOR
  
Words of Wisdom
Failure is just a kind of garbage disposal, clearing the way for fresh, useful works. Feel the power from such a release from anxiety.
The Funny Side
Top ten things you'll NEVER hear one woman say to another woman
1. That swimsuit really flatters your figure! Would you mind keeping my husband company while I go for a swim?
2. Oh, look, that woman and I have the same dress on! I think I'll go introduce myself!
3. His new girlfriend is thinner and better-looking than I am, and I'm happy for them both.
4. If he doesn't let me hold the remote, I get all moody.
5. He earned more than I do, so I broke up with him.
6. I'm sick of dating doctors and lawyers! Give me a good old-fashioned waiter with a heart of gold any day!
7. We're redecorating the bedroom, and he keeps bugging me to help him with the color choices!
8. He talks our relationship to death! It's making me crazy!
9. Why can't I find a guy who'll have a wild carefree night of sex and then just go his separate way for once?
10. I just realized -- my butt doesn't look fat in this -- my butt *is* fat!
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Easy Money? Not!
By Dave Balch
I recently read an article in a postal publication about a scam where people are sent letters asking for help transferring a very large sum of money (tens of millions of dollars) out of Nigeria. In return for their help, they will be paid a percentage of the transfer resulting in a fee of millions of dollars. As it turns out (no big surprise here) they have to pay large fees for "red tape and taxes"; some people actually went to Nigeria where they ended up paying more fees before being abandoned. A few were even murdered in connection with the fraud!
While reading the article I remembered receiving such letters and turning them in to the postmaster. Someone is going to just give me millions of dollars as a fee for doing something simple? C'mon!
I continued to read the article and was astounded to read that it is estimated that, in America alone, over $100 million dollars has been taken by this operation! What is wrong with this picture?
The Internet is teeming with offers of "$10,000 per month working 2 hours per day from home GUARANTEED" (I just love the "guaranteed" part...), "Sign up for our program and start receiving thousands of dollars in the mail", "As seen on national TV you can be debt free in six months..." and so on. It is disgusting, disgraceful, and disheartening. These sorts of offers have been around for years, and that fact alone tells the saddest tale of all; the ads must be working.
How can people be so gullible? Have we become so lazy and greedy that claims like these are actually plausible? And what about those people (I use the term loosely) who prey on the lazy, greedy, and gullible? How do they sleep at night or look at themselves in a mirror?
As someone who has been out there making a business happen, I can tell you this with absolute certainty: there is no such thing as a free ride. There is no such thing as easy money. And there is no such thing as getting rich and debt-free quickly.
I hate to be the one to tell you this, but if you want to be successful and make a lot of money, you are going to have to work hard. Very hard. There is no getting around it.
But there is more to true success than making a lot of money. There is having balance in your life, time for your loved ones, peace of mind, feeling like you are making a difference, etc. The irony is that the very people that are selling their get-rich-quickly-and-easily schemes are probably working ten times harder than required by the very scam they are offering!
It's tempting to look into these offers isn't it? Who doesn't want to make a ton of money with no work? I know I do! Who wouldn't want to win the lottery? I would! Everyone needs a dream. Everyone needs a fantasy or three.
Now it's time to face the real world. The easier an offer sounds to make money, the faster I run from it. I hope you do too.
"Make More Money and Have More Fun" with your small business! Dave will show you how with his FREE newsletter, "Big Bucks in a Bathrobe" sent by e-mail. Visit www.TheStayAtHomeCEO.com to sign-up, for information on speaking services, or for copies of past articles and newsletters. Comments and/or questions are always welcome at 1-800-366-2347 or email Dave@DaveBalch.com
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Evolving Motherhood
By Patricia R. Chadwick
When I first became a Stay-At-Home mom 15 years ago, my days were filled with diapers, picking up toys, cleaning up messes, and running after busy little preschoolers. The days started early, usually at 6 am, and I moved almost constantly until early evening when I could tuck the little darlings into bed and then collapseon the couch, wondering "will it EVER get any easier?"
As the years moved on, we entered into the "Elementary Years" and while I wasn't chasing my children anymore, I was driving them. It felt like a I was always in the car ; I was tempted to get a sign designating my vehicle as "Mom's Taxi". There were classes to get them too and sporting events and practices they where they needed transportation. If I wasn't driving them, I was driving myself to be with them. There were field trips, class events, and special school programs to attend. After supper, when the dishes were done and the kids were settled in doing their homework and preparing themselves for bed, I would collapse on the couch, wondering 'will it EVER get any easier?"
As the years moved on, we entered into the "Elementary Years" and while I wasn't chasing my children anymore, I was driving them. It felt like a I was always in the car ; I was tempted to get a sign designating my vehicle as "Mom's Taxi". There were classes to get them too and sporting events and practices they where they needed transportation. If I wasn't driving them, I was driving myself to be with them. There were field trips, class events, and special school programs to attend. After supper, when the dishes were done and the kids were settled in doing their homework and preparing themselves for bed, I would collapse on the couch, wondering 'will it EVER get any easier?"
The years keep moving on; time has a way of doing that. My presence is not requested much at school anymore and my teens would rather be involved with their friends than with Mom. While I do have more free time since my kids have learned to become more independent and care for many things themselves, "Mom's Taxi" is still in service, getting much use picking kids up from school at various times,(since they never seem to get out at the same time!), dropping off their friends whose parents both work outside the home, and transporting them, and a multitude of friends, to different activities. But this won't last much longer. My two oldest have passed their 16th birthdays and have their driver's permit and my daughter is soon to take her road test. Soon they will be begging to borrow the car, even
if it means they have to transport their siblings!
Now, in the evenings, there are times I can actually sit on the couch WITHOUT collapsing and I ask myself, "IS parenting any easier since my kids are teenagers?" The answer...no, not really. Parenting isn't any easier, just different. While I'm not as physically tired anymore, there is a lot of emotional energy spent raising teens. While they continue to mature and become more independent, my teens still need me to be involved in their lives. I need to continue to guide them, yet be careful not to try to control them. Striking this balance isnt' easy. Making the adjustment from raising children to raising teenagers is a lot of work!
I suspect that as my children continue to grow up into adulthood it won't ever really be 'easier' being a mom, just 'different'.
As the years pass, my children will still need me, just in different ways. I've come to realize that my mother was right, parenting IS a lifetime commitment. And who ever said that it was going to be easy anyway?
Patti Chadwick the creator of Parents & Teens, an online magazine helping parents connect with their teens. Visit Patti's site at www.ParentsandTeens.com and sign up for the FREE newsletter.
DID YOU KNOW?
You can avoid
all the traffic of the "season", and do your
Wal-Mart shopping right here, right now!
That's right, Wal-Mart is online for your
convenience. Save time, save money. Just click on
this link for great savings in all departments!
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| Women's
Guide To Home
Maintenance |
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Tips To Save Time and Money!
(Courtesy of Union Complete, Inc.)
1. Get a programmable thermostat to adjust your home's temperature while it is usually empty - the cost of the thermostat will be paid for by not heating and cooling as much while no one is home.
2. Shop for energy efficiency! The Energy Guide label on the Air Conditioning unit will tell you how energy efficient the unit is in terms of the cost per kilowatt-hour of electricity.
3. Make sure that the air conditioning unit is sized properly for your home. An air conditioner that is slightly under-sized is fine - but one that is too large can cause serious problems.
4. Choose a reputable contractor who uses properly licensed and trained technicians. Even the most efficient air conditioner won't run properly without careful installation and regular maintenance.
5. Change your air filters monthly. Cardboard framed filters are cheaper than having pull the inside coil for cleaning, and a dirty filter allows more dirt to pass through to the coil. Monthly filter changes are your best defense!
6. Turn down the temperature on your hot water heater by a few degrees, and turn it off when you go away on vacation to stretch your buck.
7. If possible, use your oven only at night or early in the morning when it is cooler.
8. If your heater stops working, you can check some items. Make sure the thermostat is on the "heat" position and that the temperature is set at least five degrees about the current room temperature. Make sure the breaker for the unit has not been tripped. Make sure the emergency shut-off switch near the furnace is 'on'.
9. Clean the outdoor coil of your condensing unit with a hose at least once a year - make sure the unit is turned off at the breaker BEFORE doing this. Clean coils will lessen the stress on the compressor, as well as help system efficiency.
10. Last, call your contractor with any questions or needs you may have. Remember, the few minutes you spend preparing your system each spring and fall may mean the difference in the number of years you are able to enjoy the comfort it can provide.
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For More Information:
Contact evanb@unioncomplete.com for more information about heating and cooling as well as service contracts for all your in-home major appliances. | |
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Hispanic Woman of Distinction Award Nominees Sought
The March of Dimes Southwest Coast Division is looking to name a recipient of The Hispanic Woman of Distinction Award.
The award recognizes the hard work a woman has done in her community to improve the lives of mothers and babies in Southwest Florida.
The nonprofit group, which works to save babies by preventing prematurity and low birth weights, has teamed up with the PanAmerican Alliance for Art, Culture & Industry.
The groups are looking for nominations from the community. The nominations should recognize the potential winner's achievements, compassion and commitment.
The award will be presented on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Lexington Country Club in Fort Myers.
For a nomination form and information, the March of Dimes can be reached at 433-3463.
See our next issue on
the 1st of December for more community
events.
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How to Have Thanksgiving on a Budget
By Susan Dunn
Yes, it's the time of abundance, but if you're on a budget, stick to it and avoid some stress and guilt. It's the emotionally intelligent thing to do!
Holidayorganizer.com has some great savings tips, and I've added a few of my own.
1. Know your portions.
It's tempting to have a big, beautiful bird, but it's more sensible to buy only as much as you'll need for your family. The formula is 1 lb. per person. If you want leftovers, 1.5-2.0 lbs. per person.
2. Take good care of the bird right after dinner.
If you'll take the time to remove the meat and wrap it carefully in saran wrap or air-tight containers, it will remain nice and moist and tempting for the next meals. For the immediate next dinner, place the turkey in a plastic container, put a piece of waxed paper and then put some wet paper towels atop that. Keeps it nice and moist for sandwiches the next night.
3. Plan your leftovers.
Get those recipes ready. The meal's good just warmed over for the next night, as long as the gravy holds, but after that there's Turkey Tetrazzini, turkey soup, turkey hash. Rotate it with other meals. (Don't refreeze once-frozen turkey.) Try a variety of flavors to go with the turkey. T.T. is bland. Try your own version of Eggs Benedict, using turkey instead of Canadian bacon. The hollandaise will add a zip. Make King Ranch Chicken (aka Turkey) with hot sauce. They won't even know it's turkey! End with cold turkey salad; the mayonnaise will moisten it.
4. Grocery shop the day after Thanksgiving.
Bargain-o-rama. Have you ever been? Surplus fresh turkeys at pennies on the dollar, bakery items, breads, fresh yams. Clean out your freeze and get ready. So ... shop for your Christmas meal the day after Thanksgiving!
5. Pay for convenience when it counts.
I like to buy throwaway aluminum pans to cook the turkey in. It's just such a mess to clean up afterwards. My sister buys gravy from the catering shop; an indulgence, but worth it to her.
6. Consider alternatives.
Make your own pie crust and bread. Unless you live in sweet potato country, canned yams or sweet potatoes are a better bet than fresh. Pre-baked breads are often sacrificed as loss leaders and with the rest of the spread, people don't really care. Pumpkin filling mix, often on sale, is cheaper than buying canned pumpkin and adding evaporated milk and eggs.
7. Make your own stuffing.
That's never on sale! Start on your stuffing mix now. Easy as pie! When your loaf of bread is getting old, put the last pieces on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven. Warm at 350 for 5 mins., then turn off. Leave the bread there to dry out. Put into baggies and save. Keep doing this. If you like cornbread stuffing, start planning lots of chili and cornbread meals! When it's time to make the stuffing, crush the dried bread (still in the bag) with a rolling pin and it'll look and act just like the storebought mix.
8. Decorations? Festive wear?
If you don't do it this year, prepare for the next one. Go out the day after Thanksgiving and pick up all those napkins, tableware, and cute decorations for a pittance. If you like a holiday sweater or t-shirt, check those sales out too. And don't let Medison Avenue jerk you around with the change of color-scheme every year. Choose one you like and stick with it!
9. Don't forget about potluck.
Most people who are guests at your table for Thanksgiving, would actually love to bring something so they feel they've contributed are are part of the holiday. My daughter-in-law's Mom and Dad have pecan trees in the back yard, so they always bring the pecan pie, and what a savings that is!
10. Trompe l'oeil, it's called in France -- fool the eye.
My grandmother taught me this one. She mashed the potatoes and then put dollops of butter on top to melt -- for the eye. Splurge maybe on one item, for instance, some of the stores sell molded butter in holiday shapes. This can sure dress up the brown'n'bake rolls!
Susan Dunn, M.A., The EQ Coach, offers individual and business coaching and Internet courses on emotional intelligence, resilience, strengths and transitions. Visit her at SusanDunn.cc and email her at sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE motivational ezine.
Leftover Turkey Casserole (Four Star Recipe!)
(from allrecipes.com)
Submitted by Hope Robbins
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes
Ready in: 50 Minutes
Ingredients:
1 (6 ounce) package dry bread stuffing mix
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
2 (14.5 ounce) cans French-style green beans, drained
2 cups cooked, chopped turkey meat
Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2 Prepare stuffing according to package directions.
3 In a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup and dry onion soup mix.
4 Spread the green beans in a 9x13 inch dish. Top with a layer of turkey. Pour the soup mixture over the turkey. Top with stuffing.
5 Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until browned and bubbly.
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