Susie Michelle Cortright

Article

How to Use Social Media to Find Good Deals, Fast

The internet is ripe with deals, and you can save on everything from toilet paper to technology if you know where to look. Here's a quick guide on how to use social media to find the best deals online, fast. 1. Your first step is to find a favorite frugal blogger or two. You'll want to be pretty selective. The number of coupons and deals sites has exploded in the past few years. Some of these sites run the same codes from a subscription service, and many are for stores you'd

October 28, 2011

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Seeds: An Essay on the Importance of Little Things

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson When our tee ball team gets tired, they lose all focus. Some of them can’t muster the energy to stand so they sit smack down on the base. Some of them droop their torsos and let their arms hang long like butter noodles. Some get wild with laughter and have snorting contests. Some cry. When you think about it, these tiny humans have been in preschool or kindergarten a

June 23, 2009

Article

Reflections on a Simple Life

Although these days I live a simple life out of choice, there have been times when I lived it out of necessity. My husband and I have both created businesses that encompass only what we love to do, and, over the years, we have discovered that this type of lifestyle can, at times, make you poor.nnIt was during one of those times that we discovered our needs are small – tiny, even. When Ty and I were first married, we rented a teeny tiny run-down house in a teeny tiny run

June 24, 2008

Article

It Does Get Easier: A Message To Mothers Of (Very) Young Children

One foggy, fuzzy day when I had three kids under the age of five, I happened to be sitting on a park bench near a group of very put-together moms. (Foggy and fuzzy didn't describe the weather – just my mental status that year.) These moms were chit-chatting as their school age children played nearby. I was nursing my six-month old while my two-year old tried to bounce on my knee. My four-year-old was braiding and twisting my hair to keep herself occupied. I looked up at

October 2, 2007

Article

Love, Mommy: Writing Love Letters to Your Baby - Book Review

"What was I like as a baby?" nnAll moms know how their kids' eyes light up when they hear stories about themselves as babies and young children. nnAll moms also know that when a mother takes the time to record these precious stories in written form, she preserves a mystery and a magic that is impossible to recapture any other way. nnStill, even the most well-intentioned of us (myself included) have a hard time following through when we have something we wish to write down, pa

June 26, 2007

Article

Twelve Simple Pleasures to Enjoy in April

Here are twelve simple pleasures to help you slow down and taste the sweetness of the simple life this month. nn1. Take a walk out in the wide, wide world and pay attention to the signs that summer is on its way. nn2. Give yourself a pedicure. Then go barefoot whenever possible. nn3. Eat fresh fruit with each meal. Spring and summer bring such delightful fresh and healthy foods. nn4. Dab some energizing essential oil behind your ears so you can enjoy the aroma as you go about

March 27, 2007

Article

The Shy Person's Guide to Conversation

Everyone feels shy from time to time. Here are twelve tips to help you keep conversation flowing. nn1. Before the event, visualize yourself as someone who has an easy time making friends and mingling between different groups and whom everyone likes to talk to. It may feel funny at first, but visualizing a positive outcome and repeating self-affirming statements can help in surprising ways. Try “I am comfortable in social situations. I always know what to say. I am a great f

December 22, 2006

Article

No More Resolutions!

This is the time of year when it is most difficult to stay on track with our goals. It is also the time of year when we're all in a rush to make new ones.nnIt seems to me that we all have a certain ideal, a certain way of living, which gets completely blown each holiday season. nnWe find it more difficult to stick to a well balanced diet because, every time we turn around, we are met with a truffle. Either the house is in shambles with dirty dishes, gift wrap paraphernalia, a

December 19, 2006

Article

Holiday Stress Management

\Decking the halls and spreading good cheer takes a lot of energy. Here are some tips to make sure you enjoy every last fa-la-la.nn1. Stay Centered. An energized and peaceful holiday season is possible only when you can keep your priorities straight. Take a pen and paper and ask yourself: What do you value, above all else? What comes second? Third? How important is your spirituality, your family, your profession, your time for yourself? After some thought and reflection, rank

November 17, 2006

Article

Treadmill Running Tips

Running is a beautiful way to get fit. It is so simple and so basic, and while it can be difficult at first, the rewards come quickly to those who persist. nnRunning is also one of the most efficient ways to burn calories. As a cardiovascular exercise, it reduces the risk of certain diseases, strengthens the heart and lungs, and boosts confidence and energy. nnMany runners are so hooked that it's a real bummer when we get too busy or when bad weather moves in and we have to t

November 6, 2006

Article

Curtains, Pancakes and Broom Hockey: 12 Ways to Build Self Esteem in Kids

Few things are as rewarding as seeing your child glow from the inside out. And it happens when children have a high self esteem: when they know themselves to be unconditionally accepted, when they feel both loved and lovable, and when they feel a sense of belonging and self worth. nnHere are twelve simple activities that have really made a difference in our family. These are the rituals that I find especially important to staying connected and to communicating my love and app

September 19, 2006

Article

Ten Ways to Improve Your Listening Skills

Active listening is really an extension of the Golden Rule. To know how to listen to someone else, think about how you would want to be listened to. While the ideas are largely intuitive, it might take some practice to develop (or re-develop) the skills. Here’s what good listeners know – and you should, too: nn1. Face the speaker. Sit up straight or lean forward slightly to show your attentiveness through body language .nn2. Maintain eye contact, to the degree that you an

April 15, 2006

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September 23, 2007

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Momscape

Get inspired to be the best mom you can be. Momscape features empowering articles, inspiring essays, and pampering tips, as well as freebies, contests, and giveaways just for moms.

September 23, 2007

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Momscape

September 23, 2007