My Bonus Mom: A Book That Every Step-Parent and Step-Child ...

Being a mom is hard, but being a step-mom?that?s a whole new can of worms!

Long story short, my husband Jamie had two children from a previous marriage, as did I, so we both instantly became step-parents the moment we decided to start a relationship.? I had been a step-mom for six years prior to being with my husband, so I had a little practice, but Jamie, he came into the situation completely blind.

I think it?s completely fair to say that both of us have had challenges adjusting to our roles as step-parents to each other?s children.? And while it was extremely challenging for us to automatically gain new children, it was even harder for our children to adjust to having a new parent telling them what to do.?

Even though I did by absolute best to explain to my girls the new role that Jamie would be playing in their lives, they were still left with a million questions and I was at a loss for all of the answers.? Unfortunately, my children had seen one too many movies about the Big Bad step-parent and naturally were a little leery of Jamie and his intentions.?? Had their been a book that I could have read to them, that explained in terms that they could understand, how having a new step-parent isn?t at all what it?s portrayed to be in the media I think it would have made for an easier, less stressful transition all around?sadly there was no book so my children kind of went into the situation with many reservations and even more questions.

When I was approached a couple of weeks ago to do a book review I almost turned it down as I don?t normally have a lot of time (given my busy school and blog schedule) to think much less read, but when I found out? that it was a children?s book about step-parenting and more specifically step-moms I couldn?t resist!

"My Bonus Mom" is the story of one family?s transition from divorce to adjusting to life with what the author Tami Butcher calls her ?Bonus Mom.?? The book is based on Butcher?s own experience growing up as the child of a divorce and the remarriage of her father to her bonus mom.? Beautifully illustrated and fun, ?My Bonus Mom? explains in terms that a child can easily understand, the transition from divorce to remarriage.?

About My Bonus Mom author Tami Butcher:

As a child, Butcher grew up with what she lovingly refers to as her "bonus mom," a nurturing, caring woman many in society would refer to as a "stepmother." Butcher's parents amicably divorced when she was 11, and for the sake of Butcher and her three sisters, decided to keep each other fully involved in their children's lives despite the divorce. Eventually both her parents remarried, but they continued to share birthdays, holidays and special times together with their children, as well as with their new spouses. Because of her parents' efforts, Butcher and her sisters grew up feeling blessed for having two moms and dads instead of "stepparents."

Reflecting on her own family dynamics, Butcher realized that if she could plant a seed in children's minds that having a stepmother or stepfather can be a "bonus," then their minds and hearts might grow to accept their parents' new spouses instead of automatically thinking of them as evil as many childhood fairytales portray them. The product of that revelation was My Bonus Mom! Taking the Step out of Stepmom.

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When I received ?My Bonus Mom? to review I immediately read the book and was impressed with the beautiful illustrations and rhymes that make the book fun for children while still driving the message home.? After reading the book myself, my nine year old daughter asked me if she could read the book to the babies (one of these days I?m going to have to stop calling them that) so she sat down with them on the couch and read the book as they sat and listened.? Once Savanna had stopped reading, Lil? Man asked her, ?Manna (that?s what both of the babies call her), do you have a Bonus Mom??? I thought the question was a great start to an important conversation so I took the opportunity and sat down and explained the concept of step-parents to all three of my children.? My nine year old does have a bonus mom of sorts in her father?s live in girlfriend of the past three years so she understood quickly and even smiled at the thought? of being able to call her dad?s girlfriend her bonus mom!?

I have to admit, being a step-parent isn?t easy and while there isn?t a book around that can fully prepare parents for becoming step-parents or children for gaining a bonus mom (or dad), this book definitely goes a long way in helping children understand that gaining a new step-parent can be fun and rewarding and not nearly as scary as they may think!?? I love the concept of changing the step in step-parent to bonus?it makes the though of having a step-parent sound so much more fun and let?s face it, us bonus-parents can definitely use all of the help we can get!?? I would definitely recommend ?My Bonus Mom? to any parent struggling to explain to their child(ren) what getting a step-parent is all about!

My can find out a little more about the book My Bonus Mom and the author Tami Butcher online at the My Bonus Mom book website.? My Bonus Mom is available to purchase online at Amazon.com for $16.95.

Disclosure:? I received the product above from the company or PR to facilitate my review?all opinions are 100% my own!

Source: http://misadventuresinbabyraising.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-bonus-mom-book-that-every-step.html

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Nick Cannon was hospitalized with blood clots on his lungs last week

The ‘America’s Got Talent’ host – who suffered mild kidney failure earlier this year – was treated by doctors for two clots and an enlarged right ventricle in his heart after his immune system began attacking his organs. Speaking on his 92.3 NOW-FM show, Nick – who has nine-month-old twins Moroccan and Monroe with wife [...]

Source: http://www.celebritymound.com/nick-cannon-was-hospitalized-with-blood-clots-on-his-lungs-last-week/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nick-cannon-was-hospitalized-with-blood-clots-on-his-lungs-last-week

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$1 million in gold US coins found in rafters in France

By msnbc.com staff and news services

A Champagne producer struck gold when a flood of U.S. gold coins rained down on workers remodeling a building on his property, the Agence France-Presse reported. The coins had been tucked away in the building?s rafters.

Fran?ois Lange, who heads the Champagne house Alexandre Bonnet, said on Tuesday that workers recovered 497 gold coins worth about ?$980,000. The coins were minted between 1851 and 1928, according to the Agence France-Presse.

"One of the workers was pounding on the building's ceiling with a crowbar when gold coins started to rain down on him, followed by sacks of gold," Lange told the Agence France-Presse.

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Where the gold coins originated is unknown, but the building was formerly a grape-drying facility that had belonged to a wine producer who traded with Britain and the U.S. in the 1930s. The Champagne house is located in Les Riceys, a village in north-central France that is dotted with Renaissance churches and known for its ros?.

Lange told the Agence France-Presse that the gold coins will be divided between the workers and the owner of the Champagne house. He said they may produce a special vintage in honor of the found treasure.?

This article includes reporting by msnbc.com staff and Agence France-Presse.

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Source: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/15/10419755-champagne-producer-finds-1-million-in-gold-us-coins-in-rafters

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Learn How To Relieve Your Backbone And Back | New Health and ...

New Health And Fitness.Org - Health Information You Can Use

Most people experience back stiffness at some point in their lives. It is a extremely common condition and about 80 % of adults experience backache at some specific point in their lifetime. However there are numerous things which you can do to relieve the pain. Here are one or two pointers to ease your aching back.

When moving an object, try to push it rather than pulling it. If you need to move a big item, stand close to it while tightening your stomach muscles and push with both arms. By pushing the item, you are using your gut muscles as opposed to pulling. The activity of pulling puts intense strain on your back and may presumably cause you to harm yourself.

Keep your weight in order. Unnecessary weight gain can put stress on your back muscles and cause them to do more work. Get those pounds off by beginning an exercise routine and by eating a good diet. Simply putting off some weight can do wonders for your back trouble.

Avoiding back pain can be as easy as getting some exercise. Exercise conditions your muscles and joints, resulting in a body that moves better. A body that moves better becomes less vulnerable to injury. Strive for no less than twenty minutes of exercise every day to keep your bones and joints in good condition.

Sleep on your side so as to forestall and ease back pain. Also, place a pillow between your knees to help keep your spine in correct alignment. Sleeping on your gut or back could lead to back pain, but sleeping on your side with knees slightly bent is beneficial.

Stair climbing is a good exercise to brace the back muscles and help relieve back trouble. When ascending the steps, make certain to keep your posture good. You are in a good posture when making an attempt to balance a book on your head. Do not slump over while climbing. This can hurt your back more.

Back pain can be due to such a lot of things that it?s often really hard to identify what can cause it. Be sure to speak to a doctor and have him walk you through your routine, including sleeping positions. Hopefully he?s going to be capable of finding some potential cause

Back stiffness can be cured. There isn?t a reason to let it take over your life. If you take advantage of the diverse treatment possibilities available, you will soon achieve relief from your pain and suffering.

Get more tips on relieving sciatica and back pain management from the same author.

Source: http://newhealthandfitness.org/2012/02/15/learn-how-to-relieve-your-backbone-and-back/

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Iowa Selected as 2013 NCAA Tournament Host Site

IOWA CITY, Iowa ? The University of Iowa and Carver-Hawkeye Arena have been selected by the NCAA Division I Women?s Basketball Committee to serve as one of 16 first-and-second round hosts for the 2013 NCAA Division I Women?s Basketball Championship. Games will take place either Saturday, March 23 and Monday, March 25 or Sunday, March 24 and Tuesday, March 26.

?We are extremely excited to host first and second round NCAA Tournament games next season,? head coach Lisa Bluder said. ?This gives the University of Iowa and our women?s basketball team a chance to showcase our great arena after the renovations that took place last year. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host this great event.?

The 2013 NCAA Championship will mark the 13th time the University of Iowa has served as a host. Iowa hosted its first NCAA action in 1986 when it was one of four regional final sites. Carver-Hawkeye Arena also hosted from 1986-90, 1992-94, 1996-98 and in 2009. Carver-Hawkeye Arena has hosted the regional finals four times and first and/or second round games 10 times.

?We are very pleased to be a part of the 2013 NCAA Women?s Basketball Championship,? UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta said. ?We have an outstanding venue in Carver-Hawkeye Arena that has a rich tradition in hosting NCAA championship competition. I am confident that our fans will once again show great support for NCAA women?s basketball next March.?

Iowa last hosted a first-and-second round site in 2009. Despite having late afternoon and evening games on a Sunday in March of 2009, Iowa?s site recorded the fourth-highest first round attendance (5,615).

?The news of us hosting next year is also a testament to our amazing fan base,? Bluder said. ?They have always showed great support, not only for Iowa women?s basketball, but for NCAA women?s basketball. We are very happy that our fans will get a chance to see NCAA Tournament games inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena.?

?As a committee we are excited that in 2013 our championship will be hosted by institutions from nine different conferences, with Delaware and St. John?s hosting for the first time,? said Greg Christopher, director of athletics at Bowling Green State University and chair of the Division I Women?s Basketball Committee. ?Having this geographic blend of sites is important to the committee as we continue to grow the game of women?s basketball.?

2013 NCAA Championship First and Second Round Sites
Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Pete Maravich Assembly Center)
University of Colorado - Boulder, Colorado (Coors Events Center)
University of Maryland - College Park, Maryland (Comcast Center)
Texas A&M University - College Station, Texas (Reed Arena)
The Ohio State University - Columbus, Ohio (St. John Arena)
Duke University - Durham, North Carolina (Cameron Indoor Stadium)
University of Iowa - Iowa City, Iowa (Carver-Hawkeye Arena)
University of Tennessee - Knoxville, Tennessee (Thompson Boling Arena)
University of Louisville - Louisville, Kentucky (KFC Yum! Center)
Texas Tech University - Lubbock, Texas (United Spirit Arena)
University of Delaware - Newark, Delaware (Bob Carpenter Center)
St. John?s (NY) University - Queens, New York (Carnesecca Arena)
Gonzaga University - Spokane, Washington (McCarthey Athletic Center)
Stanford University - Stanford, California (Maples Pavilion)
University of Connecticut - Storrs, Connecticut (Gampel Pavilion)
Baylor University - Waco, Texas (Ferrell Center)

2013 NCAA Championship Regional Sites
Old Dominion University - Norfolk, Virginia (Ted Constant Center)
TBD - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Chesapeake Energy Center)
Washington State University - Spokane, Washington (Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena)
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference - Trenton, New Jersey (Sun National Bank Arena)

Source: http://www.kcrg.com/sports/hawkeyes/Iowa-Selected-as-2013-NCAA-Tournament-Host-Site-139243538.html

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New 'soft' motor made from artificial muscles

ScienceDaily (Feb. 15, 2012) ? "Perhaps the earliest public demonstration of an electric motor," writes a team of researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand, "involved the automatic rotation of a turkey on a spit over a fire" at a party put on by Benjamin Franklin in 1749. Franklin's electrostatic motor was self-commutating, meaning that it was able to provide a continuous torque while it turned without requiring external electronics to control its progress.

Using artificial muscles, hyper-elastic materials that expand when a charge is applied, the New Zealand team has made a prototype for a self-commutating artificial muscle motor that does not require external electronics or hard metal parts. The researchers describe the device in a paper accepted to the American Institute of Physics' journal Applied Physics Letters.

The team's proof-of-concept motor is controlled with carbon-based switches whose resistances change when they are compressed, which activates artificial muscles that rotate a shaft. The artificial muscles, in turn, are able to activate the switches by their movements. All that is required to operate the device is a direct current input voltage.

Among the advantages of these electrostatic motors compared to their harder, bulkier electromagnetic cousins, the authors write, is that they are capable of delivering higher torque, require low currents instead of high, and can have a flatter profile.

The new motor in its current state is inefficient, but the authors hope their prototype will open the door to a softer, lighter future for electrostatic motors, with applications in areas such as prosthetics and soft robots -- applications well beyond "simply barbecuing poultry."

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Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Institute of Physics, via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

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Journal Reference:

1. Benjamin M. O?Brien, Thomas G. McKay, Todd A. Gisby, and Iain A. Anderson. Rotating turkeys and self-commutating artificial muscle motors. Applied Physics Letters, 2012 (in press)

Note: If no author is given, the source is cited instead.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

Source: http://feeds.sciencedaily.com/~r/sciencedaily/~3/7KToNtPiT5Q/120215155313.htm

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Business Development Specialist (Recreation) - CivicInfo BC

Join the City of Penticton and live right in the centre of the exciting vacation atmosphere of the South Okanagan.? We offer competitive wages and a great working environment that will allow you to get involved in an active Okanagan lifestyle, taking part in activities from snow sports to water sports, winery tours to golf, and much more.

The Recreation Department has a new and innovative opportunity for a dynamic individual to spearhead and implement marketing initiatives as well as develop new business and revenue opportunities for the City of Penticton. Target facilities include the Penticton Community Centre, McLaren Arena, Cleland Theatre, Museum, parks and sports fields.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing marketing and business plans as well as exercising creativity in initiatives such as loyalty clubs, advertising and sponsorship opportunities, optimizing facility utilization, and engaging new participation.

The successful candidate will have:

• Post-secondary degree or diploma in Marketing, Business Administration, Communications or related field
• Minimum 5 years? experience in marketing or similar business experience
• Exceptional communications and customer service skills
• Demonstrated initiative, creativity, innovation and imagination
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision
• Previous experience in Recreation, Arts, Culture and/or Community Development an asset

The City of Penticton welcomes resumes from results-driven individuals with outstanding people skills. Applicants are invited to send their resume with references by 4:00 pm March 2, 2012 to:

The City of Penticton, Human Resources
171 Main Street, Penticton BC V2A 5A9
apply@city.penticton.bc.ca
Quote Competition #12-15E

We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position
and advise that only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

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Source: http://www.civicinfo.bc.ca/161.asp?jobpostingid=15624

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