Say Good Bye To Cursive Writing

Say Good Bye to Cursive Writing!  That’s right, it looks like its being pushed aside by the keyboard.  People don’t write letters or notes these day, technology has replaced it with emails and text messages.  As a matter of fact Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, and North Carolina have already removed cursive writing from the curriculum.  They will teach children how to print until the third grade, and than typing will become the focus.

Personally, I believe children should still learn how to write in cursive.  Signatures are still needed on legal documents, checks, and contracts.  What will our children do, print their names or simply make an X?  Our seniors still use cursive writing, most are not technically savvy.  Will our children not be encouraged to read letters from great-grandma. What about historical documents? 

So far penmanship is still a part of the curriculum in our schools.  Personally, I believe that it should remain and keyboarding should be added.  Do you think children should still be required to learn how to write in cursive?  Is it still a part of your child’s education?  Leave us a comment, we would love to hear what’s happening in your school district. 

Holiday Candle Ideas

I love candles, and burn them regularly.  I was searching for holiday candle ideas, and found these.  They look easy to make, and I wanted to share the idea with my readers in case you were looking for ideas. 

The first candle centerpiece requires Indian Corn and a cake candle.  I would suggest using a rubber band to hold the corn in place.  Place a few ears around the candle, using the rubber band to hold the ears in place.  Slip additional ears under the rubber band until you form a complete circle.  I plan to use a ribbon instead of the cord.  Place the ribbon over the rubber band and tie a bow. 

Grocery stores or farmer’s markets may still have Indian corn. 

It’s too late use this idea for me, but it’s adorable.  The leaves are too dry for me to risk using them around a flame.  Boom!  Get the message, lol.  If the leaves are still falling in your area you may want to try this idea. 

This is my favorite candle idea.  I will be using my grandchildren on the pictures and festive ribbon for Christmas centerpieces.  I’ll be using pillar candles as they are taller.  Dig out those hurricane glasses ladies and get to work.  If you have other ideas for candle centerpieces, please leave us a comment. 

Be sure to follow Mother 2 Mother Blog on the left, so you don’t miss our holiday/craft ideas,  celebrity finds, give aways and parenting tips.  You can also follow me on Twitter, @sugarkisses

Ideas are from BHG.com!

Judge Judy Rocks Bikini

Rock that bikini Judge Judy.  Amazing at 70 years old, Judge Judy shows the world that 70 is the new 30, lol.  She looks great!  Judge Judy, chatting with Katie Couric, is a mother to seven children and 11 grandchildren.   

Elmo Creator Accused of Inappropriate Relationship

Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo on Sesame Street has taken a leave of absence to fight allegations of having a sexual relationship with a minor.  Mr. Clash has stated that he did have a relationship with the young man; however, it was between 2 consenting adults.  The accuser has stated he was 16 when the relationship started, Mr. Clash begs to differ. 

It’s so sad when these types of allegations surface, and even sadder when they are proven to be true.  I still haven’t gotten over the Sandusky trial, and now our beloved Elmo creator.  As it stands, the accuser has not provided any concrete evidence to the allegation.  Mr. Clash has denied the allegation, but has stated that he will be fighting to defend his reputation.  Officials at Sesame Street conducted a thorough investigation, but were not able to confirm the accusers charges. 
Elmo is beloved in my household.  Mr. Clash has been the voice of Elmo, Hoots the Owl, and Baby Natasha for the past 20 years.  He has been the man behind Elmo in PBS Specials, movies, and has appeared on Sesame Street.  Mr. Clash has earned numerous Emmy Awards for his decades of work.  His love for puppets began as a child, around the age of 10.  He made his first puppet out of the lining of his father’s coat.  His career was launched on Sesame Street in 1984 after he was invited to participate in the Macy’s Day Parade by Muppet designer Kermit Love.
 
If Mr. Clash is innocent, I hope that he is able to defend his name successfully if not we pray for justiceI’m sure Sesame Street will move forward and hope they will remain unharmed as a result of these allegations.  What’s your thoughts on these latest allegations?  Leave us a comment, we would love to hear from you. 

Note:  Top photo courtesy of AP.  

Jessica Simpson Slims Down

Jessica Simpson is looking slimmer.  She joined Weight Watchers and reportedly has lost 60 – 70 pounds.  In September, she talked about her struggle to get the baby weight.  Naively, Jessica thought the extra weight would come off when she had the baby.  Realizing it doesn’t work that way, she joined Weight Watchers and worked out 4 times a week with a trainer. 

Looks like Jessica stuck to her regimen and it has paid off nicely.  Besides looking fantastic, Jessica will receive a $3 million dollar contract as a Weight Watchers spokesman.  Way to go Jessica!

When Cheating Hits Homes

When cheating hits home.  Two women, one man.  General Petraeus, a 4 star General, brought down by a beautiful woman who completely lost control and felt threatened by another woman.  No, not his wife but a friend of the Petraeus family.  It seems that his mistress felt threated by another woman who was a friend of the Petraeus family, so she decided to send her a few communications to the woman who she perceived to be a threat to warn her to stay away from her man.  Did you follow that?  The mistress comes jealous and starts stalking, not the wife of the man she is sleeping with, but another woman.  Could it be karma, the same way you get them will be the same way you will loose them. 


As you can see, these women are completely different in physical appearance.  His wife in the top photo and the mistress in the bottom photo.  I don’t know if it is a conincidence, but the wife looks miserable and the mistress looks happy. 

General David Petraeus, Director, CIA.  You wonder how a man of this kind of power, wealth and prestige could allow his reputation and life to be tarnished forever.  A man that has been married for 37 years and his mistress who is also married with 2 children.

General Petraeus has resigned from the CIA.  His reputation will be forever tarnished.  He has betrayed the trust of the public and his position as the head spy in the United States.  He has also betrayed the trust of his wife of 37 years. 

Relationship Experts give 10 reasons for cheating spouses/partners:

  1. They Had The Option
  2. Ego Boost
  3. Individuals In The Relationship Are Growing Apart
  4. They’ve Fallen Out Of Love
  5. Continuous Arguing
  6. Sex Life Is Boring
  7. To Get Revenge
  8. It’s New, Different, and Exciting
  9. To See If They Can Get Away With It
  10. You Allow It

Read my post You Cheating Bastard  I wonder if Holly Peatreus will forgive her husband or if she will say Get Out You Cheating Bastard!  I’m going to take half of everything you have, and go on with my life.  Will she seek revenge or have an affair of her own?  How do you ever trust someone again who has betrayed you?  I hope Holly Petraeus’ heart heals soon from this painful and public betrayal.  I also hope that her husband’s black heart heals too. 

Have you been on the receiving end of a cheating husband/partner or have you been the cheater?  How do you handle the situation?  Did you forgive?  Leave us a comment, you could help someone who is experiencing this kind of pain. 


Photos courtesy of AP.  

Tori Spelling Shows Off New Baby

                                Photo courtesy of People Magazine

How adorable is little Finn Davey?  We’re so glad to see Tory looking so happy and healthy after experiencing complications during her pregnancy.  Tory was diagnosed with placenta Previa and rushed to the hospital.  Placenta Previa is normally associated with C-Sections.  Another possibility for the complications could be related to how soon she became pregnant, 1 month, after giving birth to her third child. She was ordered to have complete bed rest for 4 months.  Tory has stated that she is most likely done with having children. 

We’re glad everything worked out for the McDermott family.  Tory said she survived the experience by focusing and envisioning her holding a healthy baby. 


Michelle Obama Style

I love Michelle Obama’s style.  I truly believe she is truly one of the most beautifully dressed women in the world.  I also love the fact that she is a Princeton/Harvard graduation, so she is about education as well as style and keeping physically fit.  

She is the only First Lady that has so much elegance and grace, she is being compared to Jackie O.  Now those are big shoes to fill.  It’s obviously not a problem for the First Lady, she has a blog dedicated, Mrs. O, to her fashion sense.   

 

Designers would love to dress the First Lady for public appearances, but she shops at target and recycles her dresses.  She changes the looks of her dresses with different accessories, which includes belts, brooches, cardigans, and changing the shoes she wore previously. 

I’m looking forward to seeing Mrs. Obama’s inauguration gown in 2013, and following her fashion sense for the next 4 years.  I’m a big fan of her gowns.  What’s your favorite dress of the First Lady?  Leave us a comment, we love them. 

Celebrities Vote Too!

I’m so glad the election process is over.  For some reason, it just seemed to go on and on and on.  Maybe it was all of the negative ads, maybe they started campaigning earlier, or there was just more coverage on TV.  Regardless of who you voted for, I just pray that the country comes together to balance the budget, there are more jobs made available to reduce the unemployment rate, and everyone receives the health care they so deserve in this country. 

Mother-2-Mother discovered a few celebrities who casted their vote.  It seems that Usher caused an uproar with voters in Roswell, GA.  Apparently, he was ushered to the front of the line and that irritated voters.  Senior citizens and women with young children should be ushered to the front of the line in my opinion, but I saw many seniors and women with children standing in lines on major TV stations.  I guess he never heard of the Absentee Ballot, which is what most celebrities use to avoid standing in a line and causing a distraction.  They don’t look for special treatment. 

I also saw celebrities just behaving badly.  Mainly Donald Trump.  Regardless of your feelings toward the winner or loser of this Presidential Election, inciting revolutions, calling our election process unjust, and just being downright disrepectful was so uncalled for.  I wonder just how proud his wife and children were of him. 

Here are a few celebrities who cast their vote and proudly let their followers know via Twitter they voted and encouraged them to cast their vote too :

Mother-2-Mother doesn’t get political, but I am proud to be an American and I am thankful that I am allowed to vote for the candidate of my choosing win or lose.  From the words of our President Elect, “We will forever be the United States of America”. Should celebrities be allowed to move ahead of hundred of people who have stood in line for hours to cast their vote?  Why should they be given such a privilege?   Let me know what you think.  



 

Reese Witherspoon’s New Baby



Welcome to the world little Tennesse.  Reese Witherspoon takes her 6 week old son for a stroll in a Vista stroller in LA.   Reese is looking great in skinny jeans and adorable flats.

Photo courtesy of Daily Mail.