Blog Hop: Time to Laugh - 8/24/09

I saw the link to Mcklinky from SitedandBlogged.com. I think this Mcklinky Blog Hopping is cool and fun, so I joined in.

This week's Blog Hop theme is "TIME TO LAUGH". Post your favorite joke, cartoon, funny picture, or video. We all need a good laugh sometimes, what a great way to start the week. Here's mine:

Have you seen a dog skateboard? Watch the Skateboarding Dog video from You Tube.




Love your enemies? We need to learn a thing or two from this picture courtesy of cheezburger.com. It brought some smile to my face.

more funny pictures

3 Parenting Tips - Helping Your Child Build Character and Overcome Pouting

This is a helpful parenting article by Jean Tracy for moms like me who have children we want to build character into. This is reprinted here in my blog with permission from Jean Tracy. Hope you enjoy her parenting tips.


Would you like some parenting tips when your child pouts with lips turned down and drooping eyes? Do you feel stressed, nervous, or angry with the pouting? Look inside for 3 ways to understand, help, and build character in your pouting child.

I know how difficult it can be when your child pouts. Pouting affects your feelings and stresses you on the inside. ‘Oh, no,' you think. ‘I must make Joey happy.' If the pouting continues, your mind, like a rubber band, can snap with anger. ‘He shouldn't pout. He has no reason.' You yell, "Joey, wipe that look off your face right now! I'm sick and tired of your pouting." 

Kids Who Pout - What You Need to Know:
When kids pout, they're drowning in a sea of negative thoughts. They need your parenting guidance because they don't know how to pull out of it. If you yell, they sink further. How can you save them from developing a habit of thinking dark thoughts?

3 Parenting Tips for Building Character and Stopping the Pouts:
First Parenting Tip -- Learn What's Behind the Pouts -
Kids who pout think negative thoughts like the following:
You love my brother more than me
You give her everything
You never do what I want
Nobody likes me
Poor me.
Second Parenting Tip -- Ask Questions --
Take your child off the "pity potty" within his mind. When your child is in a good mood, talk with him. Time alone like going for a walk or a private dinner can provide the atmosphere you need.
Ask questions like the following:
What was your pouting all about?
Tell me about the pouting. What was going on?
When you pout, what kind of thoughts are you thinking? Would you be more specific?
How do you feel inside when you pout?
Would you like to be happier and overcome the pouting?
Third Parenting Tip -- Listen Carefully, Avoid Criticism, and Then Brainstorm -
Your child's answers will give you the information you need. Don't interrupt to deny his thoughts, feelings, or tell him why he's wrong.
You don't want him to think, "Mom never listens." Or "Dad doesn't understand me." Ask, "Is there more?" Keep asking this question until your child is all talked out and has no more to say.
Assure your child of your love. Avoid criticizing with blame, 'you should have', or guilt. These tactics can shut communication down faster than a slamming door.
Now is the time to suggest, "Let's brainstorm how you can help yourself stop the negative thinking and be happier." Have your child go first. Make sure all the suggestions are positive.

Conclusion for Saving Your Child, Building Character, and Stopping the Pouts:
Learn which negative thoughts flood your child's mind. Pull those thoughts out by asking questions. Listen well and get him to trust that you really care. Brainstorm solutions together.
Follow these steps. Save him from a ‘pity potty' life. Teach him how to stop drowning in negative thoughts. Give him a better future by taking the time to ask, listen, learn, and brainstorm. He'll build a better character for solving problems too.


Jean Tracy, MSS invites you to receive 80 Fun Activities to Share with Your Kids when you sign up for her newsletter at http://www.KidsDiscuss.com Bond with your child. Have fun being the parent.
To help your child overcome negative thinking, pick up Jean’s Thought-Stopping Kit at http://www.kidsdiscuss.com/parent_resource_center.asp?pr_id=kd005 Change your pouting kid into a smiling child.

Contact the Author
Jean Tracy, MSS
Parenting tips for children
More Details about parenting tips and character here.

Stay at Home Business 101: Get Paid To Programs

Get Paid To (GPT) Programs, just like Paid To Click (PTC) programs, pay you per action. But the way to earn is not limited to getting paid to click ads. You also get paid to shop, to read email, to search, to surf, to complete offers, to take surveys, to sign-up to programs, to play games, to watch, and to promote. In this sense, GPT sites allow you to earn more and faster.

As with PTC programs, there are many GPT sites that also turn out to be scams. However, there are websites which help us determine which GPT programs are legit. If you want to know which GPT program pays go to www.beenpaid.com. If you want to know which sites are scamming people, go to www.GPTboycott.com. If you are still not sure about a GPT site, you can always Google search it "name of program + scam?" and see what the search results are.

Here are some of the GPT sites that I have signed up with. Hope you will sign-up through my referral links. Just a reminder, as with joining PTC sites, be sure to use an email that is solely used for this purpose, not your personal email.

GPT click, read ads, sign-up, link exchange
Revbux - New but has a Been Paid Seal of Approval
The Clickers - Online since 2007
Cash Harvest - 12 months online, 23,000 members

GPT click, complete offers, take surveys, play games,
Jill's Clickcorner - Launched March 2006

Get Paid to Search
TrekPay - New but now with 4,000+ members.

Will post update when some things up including payment proofs.

Carpet Stain Removal

My kids love to drink chocolate milk. My 3-year old girl, at one time, even tried to make one glass for herself by mixing powdered chocolate with water. Imagine the spillovers staining the carpet. And not just once did my kids accidentally stain the carpet with spilled chocolate.

How can we clean up those chocolate stains on the carpet? I've searched the net for some tips and here are some of them.

• It is easiest to remove the stain if you do it immediately after the carpet is stained.

• Blot, don't scrub or wipe the stain on the carpet. When you scrub or wipe the stain, it will just spread and the carpet fibers will be damaged.

• Mix mild detergent and lukewarm water and apply it on the stain. Blot with paper towel or cloth to absorb the stain. Repeat this several times until the stain is removed.

• Lastly, sponge with clean water and blot.

• For tough stains, you can apply baking soda and vinegar or household ammonia with water to the stain and blot it off.

Hope this helps when it comes to keeping your carpet clean. Additional suggestion or tips are welcome.