new blog alert|Deescrapbook

:) I have just started a new blog with a view to encouraging myself (and others) to take the plunge into scrapbooking...

Deescrapbook

Dione

Kids in the Syndrome Mix

Thanks to a good friend - Jacob - I have been given the opportunity to read this book. So far I am up to the second chapter, where Martin Kutscher MD explains the general principles of treatment, and discussed why it can be difficult to accept some of the problems faced by children with "syndromes" as real disabilities.

I quote, "Unlike the situation with obviously physical disabilities (such as blindness or cerebral palsy), the problems that result from neurobehavioural disabilities often get directed at the caregiver. The deaf child, for example, is having difficulties, but is not attacking us. Her problems evoke from us an instinct to aid her. In contrast, the child with a behavioural problem may not comply with, or may yell at, the person who is merely trying to help. In short, these children don't seem to be asking for help in an easily lovable way. No wonder that these disabilities are harder to accept."

Things that make you go "Hmmmmmm!" I agree with that. All in all, this appears to be a book that could very well help me (as a parent) understand the world of syndromes.

I found this info on the book after googling it...

"Kids in the Syndrome Mix is a concise, scientifically up-to-date, all-in-one guide to the whole range of often co-existing neuro-behavioral disorders in children-from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorder, to autistic spectrum disorders, nonverbal learning disabilities, sensory integration problems, and executive dysfunction.

Dr. Kutscher provides accessible information on causes, symptoms, interactions with other conditions, and treatments. He presents effective behavioral strategies for responding to children who display traits of these disorders-whether at home, at school, or in other settings-along with case vignettes and practical tips.

The author's sympathetic yet upbeat approach and skillful explanations of the inner world of children in the syndrome mix make this an invaluable companion for parents, teachers, professionals, and anyone else who needs fast and to-the-point advice on children with special needs."

news|Fair-trade food rockets in popularity

Monday October 23, 2006
By Derek Cheng (NZ Herald)

Fair-trade cotton, sugar and products such as biscuits and cereal bars look set to hit New Zealand stores as the ethical-food market continues to skyrocket.

Retails sales of fair-trade products - mainly coffee, tea and cocoa products - have surged by more than 400 per cent in the past year to be worth about $4 million, as the booming number of conscious consumers wade into the mainstream.

Fair-trade coffee accounts for about 90 per cent those sales. It also makes up about 2 per cent of the total coffee market after only three years on the scene, a share that is swelling with time.

In New Zealand, 22 companies are now licensed to carry the Fair Trade brand - an independent consumer label guaranteeing a fair share to disadvantaged producers in the developing world.

"People like the idea of buying something that will see the rewards go back to the producer, relieving poverty in disadvantaged communities," says Stephen Knapp, director of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand.

The variety of fair-trade goods was also set to expand significantly in the next couple of years, he said.

"The number of products available in New Zealand are fairly limited, unlike the UK where there are 150 different products, but we're looking at bringing in sugar, cotton, some spices like vanilla, composite products like biscuits, cereal bars ... juices and dried fruit, and coconut products from the Pacific."

The "green is the new black" movement has seen the likes of Wellington interiors manager Nick Young - neither a tree-hugging hippy nor a placard-waving activist - refuse to touch a flat white unless it's certified Fair Trade, organic coffee.

"The bottom line is, you treat others the way you want to get treated. When I consume a product, I like to know that no one's being taken advantage of," Mr Young said.

The momentum has seen Wellington's Peoples Coffee, which sells certified Fair Trade organic goodness, grow from a single roaster and shop two years ago to opening two espresso bars and supplying corporates.

Owner Matt Lamason says the drawcard is not only the moral high ground, but the quality of the caffeine.

And it's a global trend. In Britain, the ethical-foods market - organic, free range or fair-trade foods - rose 62 per cent in the past four years, and is forecast to be worth £2 billion ($5.7 billion) this year.

Although still a tiny share of the £120 billion grocery market, main supermarkets Tesco, Wal-Mart, Asda and Sainsbury have pounced on the potential, stocking their shelves with hundreds of fair-trade products including coffee, cereal, biscuits and beer.


Ethical lift

The rise and rise of the ethical-food market:

* Retail sales of fair-trade products amounted to $3.9 million in the 2005-06 financial year, up from $887,433 the previous year, says the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand.

* At least once every six months, 33 per cent of New Zealanders aged over 9 avoid products from companies they believe have a poor impact on society and the environment (Nielsen Media Research).

* The proportion of people who correctly defined the term "fair trade" rose from 24 per cent to 37 per cent in the last year (Oxfam NZ).

dP.

It was 7am, I had just woken up to go get a drink in the kitchen. Life FM was playing an advertisement on the stereo. The ad was for Phil Joel’s new(ish) baby – deliberatePeople.com.
God has been speaking to me lately about becoming more deliberate and intentional in my living, not just in my relationship with Him, but also in my relationship with others and every aspect of my life.

So I quickly got online and downloaded both of their bible study plans – thinking this just goes along with what God has been teaching me. From what I see so far it is exciting! I am not sure yet if I can cope with the whole shebang - maybe just start with the New Testament, Psalms, Proverbs... Or maybe just stick with the One Year Bible I have already. Still it's fantastic how God calls to us - He wants to spend time with us.

This is what deliberate living should be – exciting! Who would do it if it were boring, a little planning can make life seem more worthwhile instead of just drifting on the wind.

Anyhow – Go take a look… (Seems to be a line I am using a lot on my blog lately)

Growing Little Women

I have recently discovered a really neat devotional for Mum’s to do with their daughters (thanks to Melanie!) and have embarked on a journey of biblical discovery and adventure with Hope. Hope and I meet every Tuesday night, whilst Jonathan is out at his gaming night, and tonight was week 3 – Being Brave.

We made pillowcases with verses about relying on God instead of living life in fear.



I would encourage anyone with daughters around 10 (nearing puberty – eeek!) to consider spending an hour once a week doing this bonding course with their daughter. Already I have seen a big difference in Hope’s attitude to me, and the rest of the family, making it an hour well worth spending!

In case you were wondering what this book is all about, I have included a blurb that I found online below:-

Growing Little Women ~ Donna J. Miller

Capturing Teachable Moments with Your Daughter.

Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it. - Proverbs 22:6 NLT

In a time where modesty is of little value and many kids have had at least one sexual encounter before graduating high school, children are growing up faster than ever. They experience pressures that, in days past, we’re not faced until adulthood. They encounter situations that many adults will never meet.

So how do we teach our girls to follow God when life around them at school, in magazines, and on TV teaches them to follow nothing but their passions and desires? How to we share with them that Jesus is the answer to their every question and the fulfillment of their heart’s desires? In this hopeful and insightful workbook, Donna Miller shows us how.

Growing Little Women will provide you and your special girl with teachable moments from the Word of God. Filled with engaging stories, fun activities, and lessons on life, you will prepare her to become a godly woman and establish a bond with her that will smooth her passage to womanhood. In just one hour a week you can impact the future of that special young lady and nurture a friendship that will last forever. Time is ticking. Don’t let it get away.

source:christian book clearinghouse

nuances

daylight saving is here and I am feeling a little out of sorts with it... funny how I used to love change and now I hate it! Perhaps it is because I worry so much about how it will affect Aimee or is it just that I am getting old ;)

I have changed a lot from who I was before I got married. Jonathan was telling me that when he met me I was a "cuddly" type of person, I can't really remember - I just know that I am less like that now. I am working on relaxing more and intentionally living my life (yes, those Chazown dvd's are working their magic - hehehe), but it's not coming naturally to me. The little things stress me out, and I forget to take them to God. You know, he cares about those little things - he cares about the amount of hairs I have on my head, he certainly will care about the other little nuances of my life.