Real Women Scrap with Tasra Dawson

80's Flashback in Song and Dance

What was it about the 80's that made it so memorable? The bright colors, the rainbow leg warmers, the blue eyeshadow? There are too many "bad" style choices to even mention. But, they make for an interesting and colorful dance performance... as we found out a few weeks ago.

I mentioned earlier that our daughter was taking hip hop from Mr. B at her dance school. Yes, he really goes by Mr. B. Seems appropriate for a hip hop teacher. So they had their big recital a couple weeks ago and I caught some great images of all the performers onstage. Downsides of the recital...no AC in the auditorium. We were so hot...can't imagine what it was like for the girls dancing.

If you could learn any style of dance, what would it be? I've been wanting to learn Argentine tango for a while. And I'd love to find an adult hip hop dance team or class. Just because I'm not 13 anymore, doesn't mean I don't still want to get down on the dance floor. Anyone know a good dance studio for adults in ATL?

What I Learned From Teens...

I read this great list from Tricia Goyer in her newsletter this week and thought I'd share it with you. What would you add?

10. When you don't feel like cooking you can order pizza and make everyone happy. 

9. The words "Great job, son!" still makes my son's face glow like they did when I gave him praise for no pee-pee in underwear when he was two. 

 
8. The fabric cutting and button sewing skills I taught my daughter when she was five come in handy when she is seventeen and wants to turn old jeans into shorts with bling. 

 
7. YouTube can entertain three teen boys for hours, and Charlie the Unicorn needs to be banned forever from the Internet. 

 
6. Cooking class can happen at 10:30 p.m. when my daughter gets a hankering for egg pancakes. (Recipe: Melt 2 Tbs butter in cake pan at 400 degrees. In blender mix 1 1/2 c. flour, 1 1/2 cup milk, and 5 eggs. Pour mixture into hot pan with butter. Cook for 20 minutes or until golden on top. Add syrup. Enjoy.) 

 
5. A 19-year-old who loved Legos as a kid does a stellar job at building a DECK on the back of the house under this Grandpa's direction. 

 
4. Teens aren't too thrilled when their friends find out THEIR good news on MOM'S Facebook page before they get to share. 

 
3. You can talk two teens into doing an impromptu video spot very easy ... by just asking. (see above!) 

 
2. A teen who is seeking God in prayer and reading the Bible daily GLOWS. (And helps with the dishes too.) 

  

And the #1 thing I learned about teens this week. 

 
1. Exchange students are amazing. Exchange students who return home can break a host mom's heart. I miss you, Andrea!

Touch, touch, touch, touch...

I was recently sent a link to a hilarious video made by Greenpeace. It's a spoof on the Kleenex commercials. Gotta watch. Then take action...just takes a little bit from all of us to make a big difference.

Recommended: Fluff Out, Seventh Generation, Natural Value, 365. 

The full Greenpeace Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper guide can be found at www.greenpeace.org/tissueguide.

Here are the details:

Kleenex's "What a Feeling" marketing is well-deserving of derision. Kimberly-Clark, the largest tissue product company in the world and the makers of Kleenex, has not used its large industry influence to show the way on how to be greener. Instead, it continues to make products from ancient forests that are used once and then thrown away. Kleenex contains no recycled content.

Consumers can make better choices than to buy Kleenex. Greenpeace’s Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide, a credit card-sized shopping guide, helps consumers find the greenest household paper products. In the guide, Greenpeace gives a thumbs up to companies Green Forest, Natural Value and Seventh Generation, while recommending that shoppers avoid products made from Charmin, Angel Soft and Kimberly–Clark, the manufacturer of the popular Kleenex brand of tissue products, toilet paper, facial tissue and napkins.

Greenpeace recommended products meet three important environmental benchmarks: they are made from 100 percent recycled content, a minimum of which is 50 percent post-consumer recycled content; and are not bleached with chlorine or toxic chlorine compounds. The guide rates facial tissues, paper towels, toilet paper, and paper napkins.

Greenpeace gave an ”Avoid” rating to all of Kimberly-Clark product lines (Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle, and Viva).

50 Famous Parental Sayings by Andy Andrews

Watched a hilarious pick me up today. I've seen a woman do something similar in song, but it's funny hearing it from a dad's perspective. Hard to keep up with him he's so fast. Take a look and enjoy! 

The speaker, Andy Andrews is also an author who just released a new book and launched a project called The Noticer. The Noticer Project is a worldwide movement to "notice" the five most influential people in your life! It's rooted in the belief that our time on this earth is a gift to be used wisely and one of the best ways to use that gift is by noticing those who have made an impact on our lives. 

Everything Is Amazing, Nobody Is Happy

Does that description fit you? I hope not, but if you watch the video below you might just recognize yourself in a few of the examples. It's a humorous piece by Louis CK on Conan O'Brien's late night show. 

Warning: there is some language in the video so watch without kids present. Then let me know if you recognized yourself! 

EXTREME BLOG MAKEOVER IN PROGRESS

It's spring cleaning time and along with that came a much-anticipated blog facelift. I don't know if it really qualifies as an extreme blog makeover, but it's exciting nonetheless.

For months, I've been contemplating a facelift for Lessons from the Scrapbook Page, including a name change. This blog has become so much more than I ever anticipated or expected. From two seasons of an online scrapbooking show to book and product reviews, from photography tips to inspirational stories, it's all here now under the banner of Real Women Scrap. It's not unlike my book in that it covers many of the topics near and dear to a woman's heart. 

So it was time to bring it all together in a new design, layout, and simpler color scheme. I also eliminated a lot of the extraneous information so you can find what you want quickly and easily. The heart of the blog is on the left with the articles. All the extra goodies are on the right, including categories, inspiration, resources, joining the newsletter list, and signing up for email notifications. 

Let me know what you think! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the design and layout. And any suggestions you have for widgets, buttons, and other fun stuff you'd like to see, let me know that too!

~Stress Eater Diet book winner is Rochelle from Adventures in Everyday Life~

Facebook's 25 Random Things Gets a Twist

What started as a Facebook trend, the urge to broadcast “25 Random things about me,” is sweeping the nation. As Salon.com puts it “latest annoying Facebook trend might be one of the most inspiring Web crazes in years.” I don't know about all that, but in her latest post, “Bad Mom” Caron Guillo has identified 25 things that make her feel like a bad mom. Ah, only 25? 

“The rules are simple,” says Caron. “Make a list of 25 random things that make you worry you're a bad mom. They don't have to be reasonable. In fact, it's better if they're not.” Want to read her list? Here's a peak at some of my favorites...probably because I can relate to them.

1. I work outside the home (and have enjoyed it).
2. I think Lima beans are gross. 
3. Sometimes I say "no" simply because I'm too tired to say "yes." 
4. I have been known not to believe my children when they were telling the truth.
5.  Sometimes I yell at my kids just because I'm having a bad day. 
6. I've let my kids eat chocolate cake for breakfast. Multiple times. 
7. I enjoyed vacations without the kids. Really enjoyed them. 

For more laughs and reassurance you are not a bad mom, visit New Christian Voices.

Disney on Ice Comes to Town

That's right! Disney on Ice is coming to your town. It's time to get out of the house and take the kids for an exciting adventure with Disney! Below are the details...

Offer #1: Get 4 tickets for just $44 by entering the code "MOM" at select ticketing channels*. Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Gold Circle Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply.

Offer #2: A select amount of Front Row and VIP seats have been reserved for you to buy before they go on sale to the public - just enter the code "MOM" when purchasing those seats.

Dates and cities where families can use the national MOM code are as follows:

 

Houston    

Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey     

April 15-April 19

Dallas/Ft Worth

Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey

March 18-March 29

Sunrise/Miami

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy     

March 26-April 5

Toronto

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy     

March 18-March 22

Kansas City

Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey

April 1-April 5

Denver

Disney On Ice presents a Disneyland® Adventure

March 12-March 15

Phoenix

Disney On Ice presents a Disneyland® Adventure

April 9-April 12

Chicago/Rosemont

Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic

Sept 8-Sept 13

To learn more about Disney On Ice shows touring the country this year, visit http://disney.go.com/disneyonice/ and visit ticketmaster.com to use the 4 tickets for $44 code, MOM.

A New Way to Scrapbook...Play with Pictures

Just learned about a new program that lets you play with your pictures in fun and creative ways...a new way to scrapbook all those memories and even combine them! They've got a free trial, new website launching, and great video demos that show you how to do it.

I've already got it downloaded and watched the tutorials. Can't wait to start playing with my pictures using this new program. Below are some more details...

Play With Pictures is a fun and easy alternative to intimidating professional graphic design programs. Turn the family dog into the winner of the Westminster Dog Show! Put Grandma in the White House!  No matter their skill level, anyone can put their imaginations to the test, creating fun images for family albums, digital scrapbooks, greeting cards, calendars, school projects, or jazzing up profile pics on Facebook and MySpace.

The program lets users cut out an unlimited number of people and props from images then layer the cutouts onto a background of their choice using a set of tools that are not only easy to use, but incredibly fun – an automatic blend tool smoothes over any hard edges and provides a seamless transition between background and foreground layers, and a simple slider can be used to adjust the transparency of each cutout.  Add a text box to the image to provide titles and captions, or a speech bubble to provide dialogue. The font and text color, as well as the speech bubble and its transparency, can all be independently adjusted for the perfect look.

Wordless Wednesday: Steal My Kisses

Which picture do you like best??? 

Pictures by Gene Higa. 

Slideshow by Animoto (my favorite new form of "scrapbooking!"). 

Want a discount on their all-access pass? Enter code: vjtawiyo.