My Precious KidŽ - Precious Kids Newsletter
December 2003

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Subjects: Homeschool / Adoption / Parenting / Work at Home
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Feel free to pass this on to friends and family in its entirety.
Subscribe to this newsletter at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/preciouskids/ 
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In this newsletter:
What is a VIAL of LIFE?
Are You Taking ALL Your Tax Deductions?
Simplify Your Christmas
Brown-Eyes Susan Cookies
Do You Have A Gift Closet?
Is Your Child’s Car Seat Safe?
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Lifesaving Information For Emergencies

by Kay Green, My Precious KidŽ
What is a VIAL of LIFE?

It is a program nationally recognized by paramedics and ambulances. By
participating in this program you can give your family added protection in
the event of an emergency in your home. And it is FREE at
http://MyPreciousKid.com 

How does it work?
For each family member, prepare a medical form that tells about your medical
history, medications, and allergies. It also has emergency contact numbers.
Then the form is folded and placed into an empty pill bottle. The a VIAL of
LIFE symbol is placed on the outside of the bottle, on the outside of the
refrigerator and on your front window pane. The vial is place inside your
refrigerator under the top shelf.

How does it help?
In the case of an emergency in your home the paramedics are trained to look
for the Vial of LIFE symbol on refrigerators. They then have access to your
medical history, medications and allergies. They also have a list of
emergency numbers to call. You can also place the same form in your glove
box and place the sticker on the outside to protect your family in the car
too.

How else can I protect my family?
By having DNA/Fingerprint Cards for your children, Medical Release cards for
your kids in day care or preschool, First Aid kits in your car and your kids
back packs, and ID scopes on your children. All these are available at
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/products.html or have your own business and get them wholesale at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/wholesale.html 

Where do I get my FREE VIAL of LIFE forms?
FREE Instructions are at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/vial.html 
FREE form is at http://www.mypreciouskid.com/vial2.html 
FREE logos for stickers and magnets are at
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/viallogo.html 
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Free Precious Pack of coupons for families
http://www.preciouskids.org/mompack.html 

My Precious KidŽ-Are your children protected? In a car accident? At school?
In daycare? Our line of children’s ID products can give you peace of mind!
Children's Safety is our priority. ID cards, Car Seat Cards, Pet ID, ID
Bracelets, ID Scopes, Medical Release Cards, First Aid Kits and so much
more. http://www.MyPreciousKid.com

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Are You Taking ALL Your Tax Deductions?

Many businesses owners and families do not take all the tax deductions they
can - costing them money is taxes. Most business owners over pay their
business taxes

1. Home Office Expense - you can usually deduct space for your office
(especially inventory storage) including utility, mortgage interest,
insurance, phone, ISP
2. Mileage - 36 cents a mile for business miles. Plan wisely! Do business
errands every time you are doing other driving. Give out coupon packs on
every trip. Also remember to write off as charitable donation all miles form
things you volunteer for (church, scouts, PTA).
3. Hire your children - You can pay up to $4400 per child (over age 7) for
doing business chores for you, and it is not taxable for them if they have
no other income.
4. Equipment - new rule last year lets you do a straight write off on
$24,000 equipment, computers, furniture in the year purchased even if
financed.
5. Medical Expenses - 100% write off for small business owners. Most miss
this. Set it up as an employee benefit for you, your spouse, and your childr
en that work for you.
6. All cost of business - printing, postage, office supplies, advertising,
education, books, resources, ISP, web page cost, etc.
Be sure to keep records: who, what, where, when, why in your day timer

IRS wants to see you pursue profit. Look like a business. Have a business
license. Advertise. Have business cards. Use your business name. Get a
separate business checking account and credit card.
Make sure you write off everything you can this year and keep more income
for your family!
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Have you gotten the FREE $4500 Xerox Printer. Yes it is indeed free. I have
had mine for 3 months now and it has blessed our business and home greatly.
I recently made 12 of those great photo calendars for Christmas gifts. Plus
so much more. Read the specs on how you can get your for your business or
church or organization. http://www.123homebusinessguide.com/freeprinter.html

Join our team and own your own business. Let us help you make a difference
in the life of a child? Only $25 to get started? Buy wholesale. Do
fundraisers for your schools and organizations. Teach our safety
Classes. Be a work at home parent! We provide lots of online help, training,
materials, and support to help you run a successful business.
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/wholesale.html 

Rent Christian and Homeschool Movies and DVD's
http://mentura.com/dvdrentals/MyPreciousKid.html 
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Simplify Your Christmas

By Alyice Edrich

Christmas: a time for laughter, a time for cheer, a time for family, and a
time to share...

Did last year’s Christmas season turn into a big blur? Don’t let it happen
to you again this year. Before your “to do” list gets too big, take a step
back to decide what this holiday really means to you and how you want to
spend it. Then, put the magic back in Christmas and celebrate Christ’s birth
at the same time with these simple ideas:

• Slow down. Don’t be in such a hurry to get from point A to point B. Take
the time to enjoy the magic of the season.
• Read the story of Christ’s birth. Take time out to remember what the
holiday is really about. Read the story of Christ’s birth and explain its
meaning to your children, grandchildren, and/or friends.
• Bake a birthday cake. Help your children make a cake, decorate it, and
then on December 24, sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus Christ.
• Make a gift. Instead of purchasing an expensive gift that you can’t
afford, make your gift recipient’s favorite thing.
• Stay home. Make arrangements to visit friends and family the day before or
after the holiday, so that you can spend Christmas day at home, with your
loved ones.
• Play games. What games do you remember playing as a child? Are there any
games that an entire group of people can play together? Make time to be a
kid again.
• Light watch. Is there an area in your town that goes all out with outside
Christmas decorations? Nothing brings more cheer to the holiday than
watching the faces of young children “oh and ah” at the beauty of the
lights.
• Christmas carol. Take your family and friends Christmas caroling. You
could even bring along a tin can and get donations for your local charity.
• Donate your time. Take a day, out of the holiday season, to give back to
the community. Volunteer in an old folks home—some don’t have family
visiting for the holidays. Serve the homeless a hot meal. Hold a
drug-addicted baby at your local hospital.
• Delegate tasks. Don’t take on the responsibility of making everything work
and look perfect. After making your “to do” list, break it up between family
members according to age, maturity, and physical ability to get the task
done.
• Request kitchen help. Sure, it’s your home. But it’s your family attending
the celebration. Ask them to lend a hand cleaning up after the festivities
are over. If you can’t get yourself to ask for help, leave the mess for the
following day and hire a maid to come in for a day.
• Pot luck the meal. Just because the dinner is taking place in your home
doesn’t mean you have to foot the bill or make all the dishes. Ask each
visitor to bring a dish, and don’t be afraid to specify what you would like
each guest to bring.
• Prepare meals ahead of time. Prepare one dish a day and freeze or
refrigerate that meal. Reheated food really isn’t that bad and you’ll have
more time to mingle and laugh with your guests, instead of missing out on
all the fun.

Just remember: Creating memories is a priceless gift. Memories will last a
lifetime; things only a short-period of time. What’s important is the time
you share with those you love—for you never know what tomorrow holds.

Alyice Edrich is the author of several work from home e-books, including
Tid-Bits For New Signing Agents—where parents earn $25 an hour. Subscribe to
her free newsletter at http://thedabblingmum.com/joinezine.htm to win a free
book!
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Brown-Eyes Susan Cookies
Written by: Susan Dunn

This is a Christmas gift for you -- a simply delicious cookie the likes of
which you're probably never tasted. My Mom used to bake these every
Christmas, so of course I do too. The original recipe, and I think it was
from Parkay, called for the cookies to be filled with chocolate. My Mom
instead filled them with red currant jelly.

That's why they're called "Brown-Eyes Susan Cookies" when they in fact have
nothing brown about them!

They're similar to the jam thumbprint cookies, but infinitely better. They
melt in your mouth!

1 cup margarine, soft (make sure it's salted!)
3 T. sugar
1 t. almond extract
2 cups flour
1/2 t. salt

Cream margarine. Add the other ingredients. Make little round balls with
impression in center. Fill with tar jelly. Anything green or red will do, or
move on into jewel tones. Whatever color scheme you're working on this year.

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400 for 10-12 minutes, watching
closely so as not to burn.

My Mom added at the bottom of the recipe card, "This was always a favorite
of the children."

Indeed it was. From my house to yours, Merry Christmas.
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Do You Have A Gift Closet?
by Kay Green, http://www.MyPreciousKid.com 
Copyright 2003

Having 4 kids it seems like someone always needs a gift for a birthday party
at the last moment. You know kids, they get ready to leave for school and
say "Hey mom I need a gift for Jimmy's party this afternoon" UGH!!!

What do you do? Pull out cash out of your wallet to slip in a card. Or pick
up your child after school and take them to the store to buy a gift. There a
meltdown happens when your child can not understand why you will not buy
that $50 item.

I have solved this issue in my house. We have a gift closet. I watch all the
time for items to place in this closet.

I pick up:
1. Clearance rack toys and gifts - SALE items
2. Free items or shipping only items online.
3. Barter my products for other WAHM products

I use the same techniques for baby shower gifts and house warming gifts. My
closet has a little bit of everything. Nothing in there is over $10 so I
keep to my budget. For a special persons gift I might choose several items
from the closet and put them together in a basket.

My kids know they can go to the closet to choose a gift for their friend
anytime. I save a ton of money this way! And less tears from my kids at the
store. And I can buy when I have the money rather than a few days before
payday when money is shorter.

Here are a couple places to find FREE and shipping only items:
FREE Paper Dolls Adorable to print on magnet sheets and cut
http://makingfriends.com/ 
FREE Software only pay shipping
http://fcds.affiliatetracking.net/al/a?2188 
100 FREE Magazines Subscriptions
http://www.qksrv.net/click-596417-1643792 
Software for the family
http://fcds.affiliatetracking.net/al/a?371 
Freebies For Families
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/free.html 
Bearable Deals Newsletter and Hot Deals
http://www.bearabledeals.com/HotDeals.htm 
I hope your gift closet blesses you as much as mine
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Read more articles by Kay Green
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/index.html
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Is Your Child’s Car Seat Safe?
By Kay Green, http://www.MyPreciousKid.com 
Copyright 2002

We keep hearing about how 4 out of 5 car seats are installed incorrectly.
How can you be sure your child’s is installed correctly? One way is to read
the instruction manual that came with your child’s car seat and your car’s
owner’s manual. That will give you some good clues. You can also have it
checked by your local fire station or car seat safety clinic. Parent’s
January Magazine tells us the 8 most often made mistakes? Have you made any
of them? http://www.parents.com/articles/health/5198.jsp

Mistake #1: Seat Too Loose
Mistake #2: Harness Too Loose
Mistake #3: Facing Wrong Way
Mistake #4: Wrong Angle
Mistake #5: Retainer Clip Wrong
Mistake #6: Wrong Slots
Mistake #7: No Booster Seat
Mistake #8: Recalled Seat

Another mistake I see often is taking kids out of the 5-point harness too
soon. The child needs to stay in the harness until they are tall enough that
the car’s seat belt crosses them at the correct position at their shoulder
in the booster and they are over 40 pounds. When you switch to a booster
with no harness remember to belt the booster seat into the car even when
your child is not in it. If not the booster seat can become a flyer
projectile in a wreck.

Additionally your child’s car seat should have emergency contact info
attached. In a car accident professional’s need to be able to reach dad at
work or grandma if you are not able to help your child. A car seat ID card
with a medical release signature will protect your child in a car accident
giving medical professionals all the information they need to treat your
child immediately. http://www.MyPreciousKid.com

Safety Pillows for car seats and booster seats also can protect your child.
Some car seats come with them. I found one that connects thru the booster
seat strap slots. It allows it to protect her neck, gives her neck added
support when napping, and allows her to push it up out of the way when she
does not need it. It does not end up on the floor either. My almost 3 year
old loves hers and tells me “Thanks You Mommy” when I slide it into place
for her.

Most state rules now require that children’s stay in the booster seat until
6 years AND 60 pounds. This means safer kids and fewer fatalities for
children in car wrecks. I am glad to keep my child in her comfortable car
seat. She is happier and healthier every time we go in the car. I also use
it for every plane trip. Since she is so comfortable in her favorite booster
seat she travels much better. Please take the time to be sure that your car
seat is installed correctly, fits your child, has emergency contact
information, and a safety pillow for their neck. If the event of a wreck you
will be glad you covered all the bases.
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Have you gotten all the free stuff for your business
http://www.123HomeBusinessGuide.com 
IRS Business Stuff
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=101169,00.html 
Free Fax Service
http://www.callwave.com/?r=tyf2 
Free Checks
http://www.checksunlimited.com/default.htm 
Free Checking Account 
http://www.qksrv.net/click-707232-6307423    
Free Safety Handouts
http://www.mypreciouskid.com/free-safety.html 
Free magazine Subscriptions to give away
http://www.qksrv.net/click-596417-1643792 
FREE web page software
http://www.evrsoft.com/  
http://www.webmasterfree.com/software/356.html 
http://www.webattack.com/get/acehtmlfree.shtml 
http://webpage.vendercom.com/ 
Free Virus Protector
http://www.grisoft.com/ 
Children's ID Products - Your Own Business too!
http://www.MyPreciousKid.com 
Homeschool & Adoption Resources
http://www.Preciouskids.org 
Low Mortgage Rates & More 
http://MyPreciousKid.financialcircuit.com/ 

Copyright 2003 Kay Green http://www.KayGreen.com

Subscribe to this newsletter at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/preciouskids/ 
Read past Newsletters http://www.mypreciouskid.com/articles/index.html

Articles written by Kay Green, Christian homeschool mom to Melissa 21,
Jordan 18, Allison 16, Haley 3. Her and her husband of 24 years live in
rural Oregon with the kids, 2 dogs, and 1 cats. 

Kay owns http://www.MyPreciousKid.com children's ID products and home
business program. Kay loves helping others have a successful home business
too. http://www.PreciousKids.org Adoption & Homeschool Resources,
http://www.123HomeBusinessGuide.com and
http://www.KayGreen.com 

COPYRIGHT 2003 My Precious KidŽ, Kay Green
All rights reserved. Reprinting is only with permission and with this
author's box and copyright intact.

Join 1ChristianWAHM at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/1ChristianWAHM/