Scrapbooking

My younger sister (2 years) and I started scrap booking recently. Okay, I lied. I started 2 years ago but lost motivation after the first couple pages. It seemed like fun when I started out buying all the cute paper, stickers, cutouts and all the other supplies you need. Then I lost interest for some time. Well, my sister relocated to Columbia from Atlanta a couple months ago and mentioned an interest in starting scrap booking as a hobby. We went out and purchased a few things and had zero motivation. Finally last night we actually sat down and worked on it (of course after a couple purchases from the craft store). We had so much fun!! I can't wait to do some more tonight. If anyone has any ideas to share please email me some photos of your work. Maybe I can steal some good ideas!

Interview: Kathy Shaw- Sistercare

I have had several moms inquiring about an upcoming event for Sistercare of the Midlands/ Women after Five 14th Annual Silent Auction & Reception. On Thursday, April 12th, I was privileged to have a phone interview with Kathleen Shaw, Development Director for Sistercare, Inc. For those of you that are not familiar with Sistercare here is some information: Sistercare is a program of services for battered women and their children residing in Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, and Richland counties in South Carolina. Sistercare, Inc has been around for about 25 years. 60% of women In Sistercare's THREE SHELTERS are mothers with their children. In 2006 Sistercare assisted 4,466 victims of domestic violence. Of this number 663 were provided safe shelter. Of the 663, 275 were children with their mothers. They have a 24-hour crisis line that operates 7 days a week 803-765-9428 or toll free 800-637-7606. Ms. Shaw stressed the urgency of educating the public about domestic violence because it is a far larger problem than most people realize. Sistercare receives financial support from individuals, businesses, civic and faith organizations in order to continue serving our community.


The Women after Five Silent Auction & Reception was started 14 years ago. The success of this event continues to be of great benefit for helping Sistercare meet their financial goals.This year's event will be held at Troncos at the Fairgrounds on May 8, 2007 from 5:30-8:00 pm. There is a $50 donation to attend the event. There will be a huge array of items to bid on such as salon packages, restaurant certificates, vacation packages, pottery, antiques and countless other items from local businesses and individuals. The Guest Speaker will be Laurie LeGrand (domestic violence survivor). There will be Hors D'oeuvres, soft drinks, beer and wine served throughout the event. All donations should be be sent to Women after Five/ SisterCare c/o Mrs. Claudia Maloney P.O. Box 1029, Columbia, SC 29201 or call (803)926-0505. Please be sure to mention that you heard about this event through Momfiles.com by dropping a note along with your donation. Momfiles will actively promote all Sistercare events so please check back often for updates.

Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

I was observing my kids and their best friend playing a game of "Scene It Jr" the other day and could not help but get sucked in. This game is a DVD interactive board game that asks questions pertaining to a variety of TV shows, movies, commercials, etc... Keep in mind that this game is for ages 8 and up. I guess I fit in the "and up" category and decided to see if I could find the answers to these kiddie questions. I truly realized that I was not as smart as I thought! The girls were coming up with the answers quicker than I could absorb the question or puzzle. Let's just say if I were actually playing, more than likely I would be stuck someplace between 'start' and maybe four or five spaces!

Note to self: Never think you can outsmart a kid!

Don't call me "Baby"!

I was strolling through the grocery store the other day with my daughters doing a little shopping for snacks for the week. We were having to dodge other carts because the store was very crowded (Spring Break week). We see one of the store managers and decide to say hello like we always do. He was having a conversation with a couple other men and pauses to speak to me. I was thinking he would say "Hello, I hope you found everything you needed" or "have a nice day". Instead he says "Hey Baby, how ya doing?" I was annoyed. I just do not understand why men think it is okay to call a woman baby, baby girl, sweetheart, etc... Maybe I am overreacting but I think it is rude to assume a woman that you have no romantic or personal relationship with likes to be called such names. I am sure he meant no harm but this seems to happen everywhere I go. You should see my girl's faces!! I could just hear the "oooohhh! I'm telling daddy!!!"

NBA star sells affordable shoes

NBA star Stephon Marbury has put out a line of athletic shoes made by Steve & Barry's University Sportswear called the 'Starbury' with the a price tag of $15. Yes, that's right quality shoes that any mom can afford! Marbury grew up in a family of six siblings and had to wear hand-me-downs for most of his childhood. Of course when you are a child you want to wear the shoes that are in style. Marbury feels that all children should have the chance to wear designer shoes and that parents should not have to fork over a small fortune to give it to them. Now I think that is pretty cool and these days it is very rare that you can find a decent pair of sneakers for such a small price. Marbury gets a little bit of smack talk from other players, but right now he is a hero for moms across the US! He did not get paid up front for the product but will receive royalties for each pair sold. Now your kids can have the cool pair of shoes and moms can have the cool price tag!