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E M P O W E R E D P A R E N T I N G E Z I N E
http://www.EmpoweredParent.com
Information For Today's Parent!


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VOL. V : Issue 2 Febrary 26, 2003
Editor: Joan Bramsch
E-mail: hijoan@joanbramsch.com


Common sense solutions for Today's Parenting Challenges!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Empowered Parents = Strong Families
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS WEEK'S EDITION SPONSORED BY:

HOW SMART DO YOU WANT YOUR KID TO BE? Joan Bramsch offers you this guaranteed method to teach your child: "TEACH ME, I'M YOURS: If You Want Your Child To Be Smart, You Be The First Teacher!" Buy the book and get a FREE BONUS copy of my autobiography -- "You Kids Just Wait! till I get over being pregnant... am I going to straighten you out." A Winter Book Special! http://joanbramsch.com/book-teachme.html
==============
INSIDE YOUR EP EZINE
<*> Letter to Parent
<*> Article
<*> Letters from EP Parents
<*> This 'n That
<*> Marketplace
<*> Subscribe/unsubscribe Information
===============
"You do what you know how to do; and when you know better, you do better."
- Maya Angelou
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<*> Letter to Parent

Hi dear Parent,

For such a little month February certainly packs a wallop! Lincoln's birthday, Valentine's Day, Washington's birthday, my birthday and tons and tons of snow in the US. If I am very lucky, as I usually am, I shall be able to scoot on down to Tulsa between snowstorms so my family and I can finally celebrate Christmas. I was not driving at Christmas due to some unexpected surgery.

You know how I love unusual information. Well, here in St. Louis, along the Mississippi, the river is lower than it has been in almost 100 years. This is not due to lack of moisture, but because the upper reaches of the river are frozen solid, the ice damming the water away from here. Barge traffic is almost stopped which is bad because that's how the street salt is brought in and we are getting low.

The really interesting thing is that sunken paddlewheel boats are being revealed, and treasure hunters are down on the cobblestone levees by the Arch, with their "finders" and discovering old coins, rings, and other valuable items. In the olden days this whole shoreline would be lined with large river boats docked between scheduled travels.

This is all very exciting; however, it's nothing compared to the drama we will see if we go straight from frigid winter into hot summer - look out for floods! I shall hope for a slow warming so Old Man River stays within his banks.

Being a Parent is a lot like the river. If we can go with the flow, just keep rolling along, and not let our temperament get too hot or too cold, we can keep in control and our emotions won't spill over and cause damage to our children.

Remember, I value you, right here, right now.

Love,
Joan

===================
Now I'm going to tell you about a scheme that's getting up steam on the Internet so that, if these companies have their way, all of us, YES, ALL! Will have to pay money to send emails (each email msg will be like a toll call on your phone - costly!). Not just ecommerce, but writing to your grandma or to your kid in college. It's going to take millions of us to fight against this moneymaking scheme. WE pay for the Internet (we, being we the government) and this is very wrong.

If you don't know anything about this "pay-per-email" idea READ this explanation http://www.i-Cop.org/habeas/ (that is, if you want to protect your pocketbook because what they tell you is NOT what is in their online written explanation.)

Then stand with us to petition our government... OUR government, to stop this idea in its tracks. Here is the information for getting a petition in your email box.

International Petition We now have an International Petition set up to send to the US Congress. I call it "International" because ANYONE can sign it, whether you live in the USA or not. These issues affect International Trade! This is to petition Congress to outlaw companies that set up any Pay-to-Send email programs. We also ask for legislation on spam while, at the same time, they protect the ethical, online business owner. Melissa Ritchey, publisher of "No-Fluff Marketing Tips" is putting the petition together to send to Congress. You can read the petition online at the URL below. You'll find directions there for signing. PLEASE – I'm BEGGING you – make your voice be heard in Washington! If not us, than who? Http://www.i-Cop.org/habeas/petition.htm

Finally, I couldn't resist... On the Habeas site they have a haiku page, so I wrote 'em one! ;)

Habeas lying
What they're telling is not true.
Soon they'll make us pay!
So I'll keep the water analogy going one more sentence: If you don't help rock this boat, we're all going to be up the river without a paddle!

Really, Parent, this is one time I hope you're not "too busy" to do this. I don't want you saying next year that you wish you had done something because you can't afford to write emails anymore. Boy... Will the Post Office be glad to hear that!

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"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." Jack London

================
Have you checked out the new flash movie at http://www.emissaryoflight.com? It's quite beautiful and carries a message we all want to hear - Peace.

================
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
They keep our service "priceless."
================
NOTE from http://www.thepromsite.com/ and EP:
Our two sites are creating a new book entitled:
"In Your Own Words: Teen 101: Inspiring Stories About You
101 essay winners will be paid $101 each!
TELL YOUR TEEN. We need good stories.
=================
YOU KNOW HOW I am always on the lookout for new information concerning your investments? This just in from Marcie:

Today's Stock Market Report...

Helium was up, feathers were down.
Paper was stationary.
Fluorescent tubing was dimmed in light trading.
Knives were up sharply.
Cows steered into a bull market.
Pencils lost a few points.
Hiking equipment was trailing.
Elevators rose, while escalators continued their slow decline.
Weights were up in heavy trading.
Light switches were off.
Mining equipment hit rock bottom.
Diapers remained unchanged.
Shipping lines stayed at an even keel.
The market for raisins dried up.
Coca Cola fizzled.
Caterpillar stock inched up a bit.
Sun peaked at midday.
Balloon prices were inflated.
Scott Tissue touched a new bottom.
And batteries exploded in an attempt to recharge the market.

GOTCHA! ;)

================
PARENT TIPS http://www.ethicsusa.com/parents.cfm

================
<*> Article

Cars - It is the Season to Save Money

© 2002 by Kyle Busch, author of:
"Drive the Best for the Price ..."
www.drivethebestbook.com

The cost of new transportation is expensive. However,
there are several used vehicles that you might want to
consider. The following vehicles all have good ratings
and current market forces have made them available at
very reasonable prices.

Five vehicles worth your consideration:

1. The Toyota Camry has been one of the best vehicles
in America for years. New Camry LEs cost $18,500-$25,000.

Now that the redesigned 2002 Camry is circulating in
the market, you can buy (if you shop carefully) a used
2000 Toyota Camry LE with 25,000-30,000 miles for about
$10,500-$11,000. I consider this car to be an excellent value
for this price. The vehicle should still have at least 6 months
remaining on the manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper warranty
and 2.5 years remaining on the power train (engine and
transmission) warranty. This vehicle can be driven for
hundreds of thousands of miles.

2. The Honda Accord has also been one of America's best
selling automobiles. New Accord LXs cost $18,500-$26,000.
The Accord was redesigned for 2003 (the new model arrived
in showrooms during September).

You can buy (if you shop carefully) a 2000 Accord LX with
25,000-30,000 miles for about $11,000-$12,000. This vehicle
should also have at least 6 months remaining on the
manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper warranty and 2.5 years on
the power train. This vehicle can also be driven for hundreds
of thousands of miles.

3. The Mazda 626 has also been a reliable vehicle. New 626 LXs
cost $17,500-$24,000. The 626 will be redesigned for 2003
(renamed the "6").

Mazda does not quite have the name of the Toyota or the
Honda.You can buy (if you shop carefully) a 2000 Mazda 626 LX
with 25,000-30,000 miles for about $9,000-$10,000. This vehicle
should also have at least 6 months remaining on the manufacturer's
bumper-to-bumper warranty and 2.5 years on the power train. This
vehicle can provide many years of dependable transportation.

4. The Buick Century is also a good bet in used transportation.
New Centurys cost $17,000-$24,000.

You can buy (if you shop carefully) a 2000 Buick Century
with 25,000-30,000 miles for about $10,000-$11,000. This vehicle
should also have at least 6 months remaining on the manufacturer's
bumper-to-bumper warranty. This vehicle can provide many years
of dependable transportation.

5. The Nissan Altima is also a pretty good value. New Altima 2.5s
cost $17,000-23,000. The 2002 Altima was redesigned to be a
much larger car than the previous model.

If you are on a transportation budget, you can buy (if you shop
carefully) a 1995 Altima GXE with 60,000-75,000 miles for about
$3,500-$4,000. At this age and mileage, the vehicle will likely not
include any remaining manufacturer's warranty, however, the Altima
is quite reliable and economical to drive. This car can provide a
number of years of good transportation service.

If you are in the market for a vehicle, do your homework. Consult
Consumer Report's automotive issue (April). Also, be sure to read
a couple of archived new vehicle road tests (review road tests that
were conducted at the time the vehicle was new) on the used vehicle
of interest in auto magazines (many are archived at your local library)
or Internet sources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track,
or MotorWeek. Information from the road tests will allow you to zero in
on which of the vehicles discussed above will be the best for you.

For example, if you prefer a softer ride consider the Camry or the Century;
if you prefer a stiffer more European ride, consider the Accord; and if price
is the major consideration, consider the 626 or the Altima. Last, but not
least, if you are going to buy a 2 to 3 year-old vehicle, try to get the 2000
model rather than the 199... model. Years down the road when you sell
the vehicle, the 2000 model will be worth more than the "past century"
vehicle.

How to Evaluate a Used Vehicle:
Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price: How to
Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and
Save Money. 1 800 839-8640 or www.drivethebestbook.com.
The web site accepts all transportation questions.

==================
Joseph Campbell said it well: "We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come."

=================
Thanks to Larry Morningstar

"When the power of love
overcomes the love of power
the world will know peace."

--Jimi Hendrix, 1942-1970
American Musician, Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter

===============
SMALL POX
Such statements as "smallpox is easy to catch - you can get it through casual contact," "there is no treatment for smallpox," "there is a 30% death rate with smallpox," etc. are NOT TRUE. And these kinds of lies induce fear in the general population. And if one can make the general public scared enough, the general public will certainly seek any outlet - or follow any leader - who offers "protection."

ONLY THIS IS TRUE: Security is _never_ a sure thing!

================
ATTENTION:
Please click on the EP home page http://www.EmpoweredParent.com so you can read all about one of the latest books I've edited - "Ever Wondered If Your Child Will Use Drugs?" By
Crystal Elliott. ALSO, see the special sale on "Kid Safe: Parents Protect Your Child & Teen
From Molesters & Kidnappers" by Pam Coronado and Joan Bramsch.

=================
I could not, at any age, be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. The fatal thing is the rejection. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt.

Don't let FEAR rob you of your life. ~ Joan Bramsch

================
<*> Letters from EP Parents

Hi Joan,
Here, from an unexpected source, are some lovely pages to be colored -- Celestial Seasonings. The pictures would be great for Easter and Mother's Day cards.

http://postcard.celestialseasonings.com/justforfun/coloringbook/index.jhtml

Marcie
-----------
Happy Birthday Ladybug!!!!

Congrats on 5 hard years of diligence and dedicated service to the parents of the world. Me being one of your most difficult ones.

This first issue of Volume 5 is awesome, Joan! I am saving it because I don't have time right now, to get to everything that I want to check out.

I hope that you are feeling better. It's so good to see you publishing again!! God bless you for all that you are and all that you do! Happy, Happy Birthday to EP!!
Cindy

----------
Hi Joan. I am a new Member of Empowered parenting. I am a single parent with 3 great kids. One never can have too much advice and good information concerning children. In light of the tragedy that has saddened us all the last couple days, I offer a poem that reflects what I believe is the spirit of Discovery.

"The ASTRONAUT and the Critic"
By William Thomas Sullivan in Arkansas

The critic says,
"Oh, foolish ones and brave, why risk your life and limb!
When robots, surely can do the same and life do not contemn!

This misguided bolstering pride, let's end for God's sake,
friends and brothers fathers or mothers, no heart left to break."

The Astronaut says,
"You, oh critic, open your eyes and think back to days of old,
when men and women risked life and limb in ways seldom told.

Many were lost in the wilderness, the desert or the sea,
But because of their willingness, there is America and Me.

America embodies the ideals of the adventurers of the past,
And no accidents, God forbid, should cause that not to last.

So, don't cry for me. Listen, please let this sink well in,
There must be male and female, adventurers among men.

I've lived my life and I'll die my death the way only I can choose.
Don't try to take this freedom away because then we all will loose.

Friends and brothers, Fathers and Mothers, to this do cater,
And for all of you who do know God I'll kindly see you later!

==============
A Note About Chocolate!

I hope you and yours had a loving Valentine's Day. Just when life might seem too hard, along comes V-Day and, if you're really lucky, lots of chocolate! I always knew expensive, rich Chocolate had to be good for you, and it is! It contains antioxidants for good health and strong gums and lower cavities. Today they also said on the news that kissing is very healthful to dental health because it encourages salivation. So here's to smooching!!! :)

==================
WAR by Joan Bramsch

I'm old enough to remember WW II as a little child. Recalling the blue and silver and gold stars in front windows, I was very shocked TODAY to see a blue star hanging in the window of a nearby home.

My husband fought in Korea, a police action that was never won. He was 70 years old before he told me things he experienced there. A heavy burden.

Vietnam was even worse with the introduction of serious drugs to mask the pain of what they did and what they saw.

The Gulf "War" has caused more misery than we may ever know.

And who suffers most from all this war? The innocent children. I am a child's advocate. Children have no defenses. Not from individual abuse, nor from mass annihilation

War is not the answer, even against evildoers. There has to be a better way. Even a mad dog won't attack if it's not cornered.

===============
NEW DRUG FOR AD/HD (copy and paste it all - 3 or 4 lines long)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A43588-2002Nov26¬Found=true http://www.connectingwithkids.com/tipsheet/2003/107_jan15/drug.html

===============
COOL BIRTHDAY SITE
Http://www.frontiernet.net/~cdm/age1.html

===============
P. U. S. H. = Pray Until Something Happens!!

===============
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================
Dear Parent,

Because I consider this a Month for Love, I'll close with a loving true story about my husband Bill. As some of you know we two Only Children are blessed with five children, one son and then four daughters. We watched them grow and celebrated their passage.

When each of the girls reached her Thirteenth Birthday, Bill wrote her a beautiful personal Love Letter and presented it to his darling girl, along with a bouquet of fragrant blossoms. He'd add a kiss and a hug, and softly spoken words: "I wanted to be the first man to give you flowers and to write you a love letter."

Sigh... do you wonder why we loved him so? And why we miss him?

Love, Joan

P.s. If you read this far, I want you to send me an email and tell me so. Note@joanbramsch.com

===============
<*> MarketplaceCheck out special offers, deals and reviews
=================
"Nutrition and Kids Adventures" is a cutting edge computer game designed to
help kids teach themselves about proper nutrition, healthier foods, and
having a healthy body. This CD-ROM game is for our elementary age children
to have fun as they learn about health and nutrition.
Http://www.nutritionandkids.net/10617/index.shtml

If I didn't think this program could make a difference in the health and
well-being of Families I would not recommend it. Please, see for yourself,
dear Parent. Then ACT! My grandkids love to play it.
===================
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===================
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What the World Needs Now:


===================
War cannot be humanized, it can only be abolished.
-- Albert Einstein

The ultimate oxymoron: "Holy War"
===============================
FEED THE HUNGRY:
http://www.thehungersite.com
http://www.heifer.org/

FOR PEACE ON OUR PLANET: We are not going to be able to operate our
Spaceship Earth successfully nor for much longer unless we see it as a
whole spaceship and our fate as common. It has to be everybody or nobody.
-Buckminster Fuller

NEXT ISSUE: More of the best I can find for you, dear Parent. And those EP
Bulletins will continue, if sporadically. .


* . (\ *** /) * . *
. * ( \ (_) / ) * Guardian Angel * .
. (_ / | \ _) . * .
* . /____\ * . . *
In the meantime, here is an angel sent to watch over you for me...p>
===================================
FROM BILL: We are Angels born with but one wing,
In order to fly we must embrace one another.
===================================
Till next time, don't forget -- Parenthood is Wonder-filled!
Fondly, Joan
===================================
DISCLAIMER: The Empowered Parenting Ezine is intended to increase your
knowledge of the opinions and options in the fields that we cover. There is
no guarantee of validity or accuracy. Its contents should not be used to
replace professional advice. Empowered Parenting assumes no responsibility
for injury and specifically disclaims any warranty, express or implied for
any products or services mentioned. If expert assistance or counseling is
needed, services of a competent professional should be sought.
===================================
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© 1999-2003 Joan Bramsch/JB INFORMATION STATION.
All rights reserved worldwide.
ISSN: 1526-2154 - Library Of Congress, Washington DC, USA

Permission to download text is for personal use only. It is illegal to
reproduce or transmit in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, any part of this copyrighted text without permission in
writing from the publisher.
===================================
http://www.EmpoweredParent.com
All material copyright © Joan Bramsch 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 (unless
Otherwise noted)
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