Books About Manners

Chocolate-Covered-Cookie Tantrum by Deborah Blumenthal
Sophie is cranky, tired, and wants a cookie. Will throwing a tantrum get her a treat?

Clifford's Manners by Norman Bridwell
Emily Elizabeth teaches the Big Red Dog (and your child!) some super tips for being polite. Learn more.

Grover's Guide to Good Manners by Constance Allen
Wacky Sesame Street pal Grover entertains the youngest readers with oodles of humor while coaching the basics of good behavior.

Madeline Says Merci (The-Always-Be-Polite Book)by John Bemelmans Marciano 
The famous little mademoiselle learns etiquette essentials, from greeting people politely to writing proper thank-you notes.

Manners by Aliki
Learning manners is fun with the cartoons in this guide to the basics of behavior. Your child will want to share everything he gathers from the examples in this witty book.

Monster Manners by Andrew Glass
With rhymes and colorful pictures, a trio of huggable monsters demonstrate the differences between good and bad behavior for your child.

No, David! by David Shannon
Your child will want to hear the story of David as many times as David hears the word "No!" This book of what not to do teaches unsuitable behavior (and awards a time-out for it) in a hilarious, tender story. Learn more.

The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners by Jan and Stan Berenstain
Complete with a "Politeness Plan," Mama Bear teaches her family appropriate manners when their behavior gets out of hand.

Toby's Please and Thank You by Cyndy Szekeres
A lovable little mouse introduces your toddler to the building blocks of politeness by using "please" and "thank you," "excuse me," and "I'm sorry" throughout his daily activities.

What Do You Say, Dear? by Maurice Sendak
With silly characters (and delightful illustrations to match), this book introduces your child to manners with appropriate answers for all sorts of behavior situations.

For Adults

Emily Post's The Gift of Good Manners: A Parent's Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children by Peggy Post
This manual, full of ideas, tips, and inspiration is an essential for any parent who wants to start the process of teaching manners to a child but doesn't know where to begin.

Miss Manners' Guide to Rearing Perfect Children by Judith Martin
With sharp wit and crisp instruction, Miss Manners provides perfect tips for passing on excellent manners to your children.

365 Manners Kids Should Know by Sheryl Eberly
A day-by-day planner for teaching good behavior to your child. Equipped with essential manners, how-to-teach guides, and fun activities for each day of the year, this book is a top-rate reference. 

体检项目和频率

从以前的email里看到这个，放在这里给大家都提个醒。

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最近国内一个朋友的健康断断续续有问题，所以给所有国内的女性朋友一个建议。希望你尊重自己的健康，保护好自己。你知道你应该每年一次全面体检吗（男女皆适用）？每年一次子宫检查吗？过了四十岁以后要每年一次乳房癌预防检查吗？过了五十岁以后要每十年一次直/结肠癌预防检查吗（男女皆适用）？我建议你找一个比较好的医生做你的家庭医生，每年定期到她那里做全面检查。除此之外，对你们的老公们来说，从五十岁开始还要每年做一次前列腺检查，预防前列腺癌。 

从起床看男人和女人的差别

某人的人生格言

偶尔在网上看到的某人的人生格言

-----------------------------------------
1.钱不是问题，问题是没钱！ 

2.喝醉了我谁也不服,我就扶墙! 

3.我就像一只趴在玻璃上的苍蝇，前途一片光明，但又找不到出路． 

4.大师兄，你知道吗？二师兄的肉现在比师傅的都贵了 

5.如果多吃鱼可以补脑让人变聪明的话，那么你至少得吃一对儿鲸鱼…… 

6.水至清则无鱼，人至贱则无敌。 

7.青春就像卫生纸，看着挺多得，用着用着就不够了~ 

8.怀才就像怀孕，时间久了才能让人看出来。 

9.我身边的朋友们啊，你们快点出名吧，这样我的回忆录就可以畅销了~~~ 

10.同事去见客户,可能是紧张,一开口便是：“刘先生你好,请问你贵姓啊?”汗啊~ ~~~~~ 

11.一女同学黑了些,她男友又太白了些,有天宿舍里得毒舌天后突然对她冒出一句 ：“你们这样不行,你们会生出斑马来的” 

12.老娘一向视帅哥与金钱如粪土，而他们也一直是这样看我的 

13.不要和我比懒,我懒得和你比 

14.我不是个随便的人 我随便起来不是人 

15.上帝说,要有光,我说我反对,从此世界上有了黑暗 

16.今天心情不好.我只有四句话想说.包括这句和前面的两句.我的话说完了...... 

17.做人就要做一个徘徊在牛A和牛C之间的人 

18.我的大名叫上帝，小名叫耶稣，英文名God， 法号是如来... 

19.人不能在一棵树上吊死，要在附近几棵树上多死几次试试 

20.树不要皮，必死无疑；人不要脸，天下无敌。 

21.农夫三拳有点疼 

22.其实我一直很受人欢迎的：小时候的我人见人爱，如今的我人贱人爱 

23.不怕虎一样的敌人，就怕猪一样的队友 

24.走自己的路，让别人打车去吧 

25.老鼠扛刀，满街找猫 

26.只要功夫深，拉屎也认真 

27.中国人谁跑的最快？是曹操（非刘翔）。因为说曹操曹操到 

28.思想有多远，你就给我滚多远 

29.只有在火车站大排长龙时，才能真正意识到自己是“龙的传人”。 

30.有情人终成家属 

31.春天来了,一群大雁正向北飞,一会儿排成B字型,一会儿排成T字型.. 

32.在哪里跌倒 就在哪里躺下 

33.老虎不发威 你当我是HELLO KITTY！

34.驴是的念来过倒~

认识忧郁症

摘自《健康早报》

忧郁是一种无法抗拒或自己并不知道的感觉，忧郁不分国际性别年龄，它是到处存在的文明病，也是一种最普遍的精神疾病。 在人的一生中，有三个时期较易得到忧郁症，即青春期的后段，中年及退休后，老年人也较常出现忧郁症。

彼得坦然说出他的经历，希望帮助一些精神病患者，让他们有勇气面对事实，尽早治疗。

　　你快乐吗？

　　有空的时候不妨问问自己问问身边的亲人、朋友和同事，你会发觉这世上真正快乐的人很少，即使有些人会告诉你他快乐，但他们说这话时不是脸带犹豫，就是还有保留，或是，“如果……，我就会很快乐。”这样的答案也等于说他们是不快乐的。

　　每个人都会有不快乐和心情不好的时候，但是如果持续太久，那就是忧郁了。忧郁是大部分人都有的经验，但是当忧郁一直持续下去，愈来愈严重以致于无法过正常的日子，即称为忧郁症(depression)。

你有忧郁症吗？

　　根据世界卫生组织统计，全世界有百分之三的人口患有忧郁症。忧郁是一种无法抗拒或自己并不知道的感觉，忧郁不分国籍性别年龄，它是到处存在的文明病，也是一种最普遍的精神疾病。

　　如果你持续两个星期以上表现出以下5个或以上的症状，你就需要就医或拜访其他心理健康专家：

　　●持续的悲伤、焦虑，或头脑空白 
　　●睡眠过多或过少 
　　●体重减轻，食欲减退 
　　●失去活动的快乐和兴趣 
　　●心神不宁或急躁不安 
　　●躯体症状持续对治疗没有反应 
　　●注意力难以集中，记忆力下降，决策困难 
　　●疲劳或精神不振 
　　●感到内疚、无望或者自身毫无价值 
　　●出现自杀或死亡的想法

什么是忧郁症？

　　很多时候，忧郁症的一些轻微病症，如疲劳、失眠、肠胃不适、持续的头痛及背痛等等可能被误解为其他疾病。

　　忧郁症患者说话少且音调低、速度慢、动作少且慢、严重时僵呆，但有时出现急躁行为，甚或自杀行为。

　　忧郁的类型有两种。一种是由于精神上受到打击，而出现的过度反应；另一种并没有特别的原因。在人的一生中，有三个时期较易得到忧郁症，即青春期的后段，中年及退休后，老年人也较常出现忧郁症。

　　忧郁症是一种可以治愈的疾病。据估计，80%至90%的忧郁症患者可以通过专业治疗而痊愈。

彼得坦然说出他的经历，希望帮助一些精神病患者，让他们有勇气面对事实，尽早治疗。

哪些人常患忧郁症？

　　临床上所说的忧郁症不仅是“情绪沮丧”，而是一种医学疾病，每年有上百万的人患上这种疾病。这种疾病不是一时的情绪低落，而可能会持续几个星期、几个月，甚至几年的时间，具有破坏性的效果。忧郁症常见于：

　　●妇女患有忧郁症的可能性是男性的两倍。 
　　●每年有1千100多万的女性患上临床忧郁症。 
　　●忧郁症是导致女性患病的最主要因素。 
　　●忧郁症在育龄妇女中最为常见，但是任何年龄的人都可能患上这种病症。 
　　●忧郁症和许多生理疾病相关。 
　　●患有其他疾病，比如心脏病、中风、癌症及糖尿病的患者忧郁症的发病率更高。 
　　●忧郁症患者在医疗检查、约见医生、医疗门诊电话咨询等所占的比例相当大。
　　●实际上，在约见医生最频繁的10%患者当中，50%的患有精神方面的疾病，三分之二的患者患有忧郁症。

　　许多时候，女性并不会因为忧郁症向医生求助，而是在就诊时屡次提到其他一些症状，比如精神不振、食欲、体重和睡眠方面的变化等。在多次诊治之后，医生可能会意识到这是忧郁症的表现和症状。

为何会患上忧郁症？

　　1. 遗传：遗传是忧郁症的一个重要因素。50%经常患忧郁症的人，他们的父亲或母亲也曾患有此病。

　　2. 大脑中的神经传导物失去平衡：忧郁症起因于脑部管制情绪的区域受干扰。大部分人都能处理日常的情绪紧张，但是当此压力太大，超过其调整机能所能应付的范畴，忧郁症可能由此而生。

　　3. 性格特质：自卑、悲观、完美主义者及依赖性强者较易得到忧郁症。

　　4. 环境或社会因素：一连串的挫折、失落、慢性病或生命中不受欢迎的重大决定，也会引发忧郁症。

　　5. 饮食习惯：研究已发现食物显著地影响脑部的行为。饮食是最常见的忧郁原因，例如，饮食习惯差及常吃零食。脑中负责管理我们行为的神经冲动传导物质会受我们所吃的食物影响。

　　6. 忧郁症可能由下列因素造成：生活紧张、胃不舒服、头痛、营养不足、糖、单核白血球增多症(mononucleosis)、甲状腺疾病、子宫内膜炎（与妇女忧郁症有关）、任何严重的身体伤害、过敏症等。

忧郁症的症状

　　有些忧郁症患者倾向于退居人群之外，他们对周遭的事物失去兴趣，因而无法体验各种快乐。对他们而言，每件事物都显得晦暗，时间也变得特别难熬。通常，他们脾气暴躁，而且，常试着用睡眠来驱走忧郁或烦闷，或者他们会随处坐卧、无所事事。大部分人所患的忧郁症并不严重。他们仍和正常人一样从事各种活动，只是能力较差，动作较慢。

　　除出现忧郁外，尚有身体上的变化，常见的症状有：

　　1.在吃、睡及性方面会失去兴趣或出现困难。 
　　2.对外在事物漠不关心。 
　　3.消化不良、便秘及头痛。 
　　4.与现实脱节。 
　　5.无故而发的罪恶感及无用感。 
　　6.幻想 
　　7.退缩

　　忧郁症还可以引起显著的精神方面的症状，主要包括：

　　●严重头痛 
　　●胃痛或恶心 
　　●呼吸问题 
　　●慢性颈痛、背痛

　　此外，忧郁症的症状还包括慢性疲劳症候群，失眠或经常睡觉且睡眠时间过长、失去食欲或狼吞虎咽，结肠毛病，而且会感到人生空虚及毫无意义。许多患者甚至会想到以死来求取解脱。

治疗忧郁症

　　专业治疗包括药物疗法或心理疗法，或二者并用。

　　药物疗法使用的是抗忧郁剂，患者应该依照指示，不要好了就停，要继续服药直到完全好了为止。同时，也不要和其它药物混合使用，可能会产生危险的副作用或降低药效。心理治疗则可以让病人学会更多处理生活问题及修正性格的有效方法。

　　然而不幸的是，很多忧郁症患者基于各种因素没有定期检查或放弃治疗。

　　要使忧郁症的治疗更为完善，一个重要的步骤是让公众知道，忧郁不是一个人虚弱的表现，而是一种复杂的、有着真正诱因的医学疾病。增加对忧郁症的了解，可以帮助患者和那些有忧郁迹象的人对忧郁症有所认识。同时，去除人们对忧郁的不良印象将使忧郁症患者就医更为容易。

　　另外，在饮食方面，吃醣类食品对脑部似乎有安定的作用，蛋白质则可提高警觉性。多吃含有必需脂肪酸和（或）醣类的蛋白质也可以增加警觉性。鲑鱼和白鱼都是好的来源。避免进食富含饱和脂肪的食物、猪肉或油炸食物。脂肪会抑制脑部合成神经冲动传导物质，并造成血球凝集，导致血液循环不良，尤其是脑部。

　　所以，尽量让自己的饮食可以综合醣类和蛋白质这两种营养素，让脑部活动达到平衡。比如，选用全麦面包制作火鸡肉三文治就是一种很好的综合品。如果你感到紧张而希望能够振作起精神，则可以多吃蛋白质。有忧郁倾向者，不妨尝试摄取富含蛋白质和多醣类的食物，例如：火鸡和鲑鱼，对提升精神状态会有所帮助。

你能帮助忧郁症的人 　　忧郁症病人非常需要来自亲人或朋友的支持和帮助，如果你身边有人患上忧郁症，伸出援手扶他们一把，这是至关重要的。 　　1.协助他们得到适当地诊断与治疗：陪他看医生，注意他们是否有按时服药。  　　2.情绪上的支持：了解、包容、关爱及鼓励。和他说话时仔细聆听他的心声。绝对不要忽略有关病人自杀的意念或低估自杀的可能性。若察觉病人有此倾向，即刻向医生报告。  　　3.邀请病人散步、外出、看电影及其他活动，若被拒绝，继续表现你殷勤、温和、诚恳邀请，但不要强迫他一下子参与太多活动。忧郁症病人需要休闲娱乐及同伴，但是太多要求会增加他的挫折感和压力感。  　　4.绝对不要责备忧郁症病人是装病或是偷懒，或者是期望病情突然好起来，关怀他们是帮助复原的第一步。

杜绝和预防忧郁症

　　忧郁症使人觉得疲累、无力、人生没有意义、绝望、甚至会想要放弃生命。但是，这些负面的想法只是疾病的一部分，它会随着治疗和效果消失，如果你想要尽快脱离或避免加入忧郁症的行列，请牢记以下各大要点：

　　1.不要定下难以达成的目标或承担太多责任。 
　　2.把巨大的任务区分成好几个小项目，分优先顺序，尽力而为。 
　　3.不要对自己期望太高，这将会增加挫折感。 
　　4.设法和别人在一起，避免经常独处。
　　5.参与能够使你欢愉的活动。例如：轻松的运动、打球、看电影、参加宗教活动或社交活动，不要太劳累。 
　　6.不要下重大的决定，例如转行、转业或离婚，专家建议把重大的决定延到忧郁症的病情改善为止。 
　　7.不要期望忧郁症会突然变好，这种情况很少见。尽量帮助自己、宽待自己、不要因为未能达到水准以上的表现而责备自己。
　　8.切记不要接受负面的想法，它只是病情的一部分，而且会随着治疗而消失。 
　　9.当你自己觉得忧郁的现象日走势严重时，不必害臊，要立刻去找心理医生或精神科医生。 
　　10.家人或朋友出现忧郁的现象、且日趋严重时，要鼓励他们去看心理医生或精神科医生。 
　　11.如果出现轻微的忧郁，休个假、享受自己的嗜好、从事剧烈运动或宗教活动，通常可以得到改善。 
　　12.愈早治疗，效果愈好。 
　　13.要慎防自自杀或杀人的举动。

　　忧郁症无孔不入，男女老少都有患上忧郁症的可能，如不及早治疗，忧郁症可能会严重影响病患者的身体健康、与家人及朋友的关系，不能正常工作，甚至有自杀的危险。所以，密切留意自己和家人朋友的情绪，有效掌握忧郁症的资讯，不要让它轻易入侵我们的生活。

《联合早报》

中国人自己的移民追踪系统

之前我们都一直用印度人的移民追踪系统来统计，现在我们中国人也终于有自己的追踪系统了。是老公连着熬了几天几夜辛苦做出来的。在这里自己先赞一把，给老公鼓鼓掌。

Greencard Tracker for Chinese:   http://trackgc.com/

一个婆婆的感想

从BBS上转来的一片文章

多年的媳妇熬成婆。这是老底子的话。我可不是熬成婆的。我是被婆婆大人宠着慢慢学会作儿媳和媳妇的。

俺亲娘过世时我才17岁。对于母亲的概念，在结婚前的九年里，只是一个失去母爱女孩对和母亲生活在一起点点滴滴温馨细节无穷无尽的思念和追忆——那时一想起母亲就泪雨滂沱。这样刻骨铭心的苦苦相思持续了十几年。结婚了，就不大去想永远无法再相见的母亲。但一受委屈，母亲还是会不期至——失去的母爱永远是我心底最不可触摸的柔软部分。经历了早年丧母这样人生悲剧的我，对于接受我爱人的母亲有了一个有利接受的切入点（塞翁失马焉知非福！呵呵，老话总是有理）。我婆婆是三八年的老革命。但重男轻女的老观念没有革命掉。她有四个儿子一个女儿，凡事还是把儿子放在前面。四个儿子里她最疼爱我LG。爱屋及乌，捎带着也就疼起她孙子我儿子，和我儿子他娘——我这个儿媳来。当然不能否认我儿子可爱，也不能否认我这个儿媳乖巧的作用。哦，我说错了，不能说乖巧，我不是个会察言观色见风使舵的人。我只是一心一意对老公，全心全意照料儿子。以诚相待婆婆老大人。婆婆呢，也是我见到的最伟大的母亲之一。她为儿女付出，无论多么麻烦，多么辛苦，不但无怨无悔，还乐在其中。她从来不向子女索取什么。反而生怕麻烦子女。就是在她最后的日子里，她也不愿意子女放弃工作来医院陪护她。以至于她撒手人寰时，只有我一个儿媳在她身边。我老公对他妈妈的感情非常好，失去母亲他痛哭痛苦很久。我儿子也非常依恋奶奶。现在还常提起奶奶，惋惜没有让奶奶享什么福。但我现在回想起来，作为母亲 婆婆和奶奶，她是无私伟大的。但作为女人，她是可怜的，在善待自己这件事情上。人有时很犯贱。就是付出所有对待子女这件事情上也是一样。子女习惯了接受不求回报母亲的付出。习惯是一种可怕的力量。在这点上说，这也是婆婆教育子女的一个盲点。我现在想，作为一个合格的长辈，不但要付出，也要学会索取。能够欣然接受子女的付出需要一个培养和提升的过程。

现在说我自己了——一个做了5年婆婆的感想。
都说新媳妇，其实在产生一个新媳妇的同时，一个新婆婆也就诞生了。对我言，在完全没有心理准备的情况下，儿子就突然让我升级成人家的婆婆。儿子儿媳是“闪婚”。一见钟情那种。结婚是人生最大的一场赌博，很庆幸儿子火眼金星，在茫茫人海中，在漫漫人生长河彼此擦肩而过的瞬间，儿子和儿媳他们没有互相错过。儿媳和我们只待了几天就去美国陪读儿子去了。没给我们婆媳面对面过招的时机。但是不面对面，婆媳之间的交往也是免不了的。信息社会这是很容易的。儿媳聪明漂亮单纯能干。我总觉得她有点像乱世佳人里的斯佳丽。从不会做饭独生子女的她，在美国磨练得成了“上得厅堂下得厨房”的干练女孩。种菜，养花，腌制酱鸭酱肉，做饭……样样都行，读研的同时去饭馆端盘子，和儿子携手一起打拼在异国他乡。这样的儿媳我自是喜欢的。所以，我就给她买了很多衣服和其它东东。知道的朋友都赞我，这样关心媳妇的婆婆也真难寻。在我不间断的付出同时，心里渐渐不平衡起来。我做不到我婆婆那样付出并快乐着。其实相处友好都是相互的。想当初，我做媳妇时，在接受婆婆好的同时，也不时付出一些感情和物质上的。谁言寸草心报得三春晖。但父母是最好“骗”的。只要子女付出一点点，父母就会心花怒放。我是新婆婆，她是新儿媳。“那时我们还年轻”，呵呵，大家都不知道婆媳相处之道。我是个直脾气，有话就说。甚至傻到直言不韪向儿媳数落她亲娘的不是。后果可想而知。

我是婆婆我怕谁？是啊，我怕谁呢？ 
两个女人爱同一个男人，这个男人是我含辛茹苦一把屎一把尿外加付出所有爱养育出来我身上的骨肉。儿媳来了，她轻而易举地就占领了原属于我至高无尚的地位——我必须退居二线。这是我从来没有意识会出现的结局。这是每个做婆婆潜意识里都不情愿和最怕。怕儿子讨了老婆忘了娘。怕养大的儿子是条狼，白眼狼。杭州有句老话“丈母娘看女婿‘奚’（尿的意思）都嗒嗒滴”。意思是，丈母娘看女婿越看越欢喜，高兴的尿都滴出来了：）而婆媳呢，则像一对天敌相聚，要小心翼翼客客气气。所以做婆婆这也是一怕，怕和儿媳相处不好。

这次来美探亲，和亲家母一路同来。儿子儿媳的意思是，两人同来互相有个照应他们也放心。到美国以后，他们也可趁圣诞放假，出一次力，陪两个妈妈玩玩。孝道就一起尽了。凡知道此事者都好心好意劝我，千万不要和亲家生活在同一个屋檐下。至于原因，就是容易发生摩擦。不是一家人不进一家门。可这不是万恶的旧社会，兄弟姐妹甚至七大姑八大姨都住在同一个大宅门里。那时以几代同堂为荣。但那时有三常五纲万事孝为先等封建礼教约束着，虽然郁闷，但也觉得只能这么着，没辙的事。现在不同。虽说因为儿子与亲家之女联姻，曾经素昧平生的两户人家成了亲戚。但毕竟不是一家人。做了5年婆婆，我渐渐明白了。我家户口本里的儿子其实和我们不再是一户。他翅膀长硬，他已脱离父母羽翼的庇护独立成家了。我们是两家人。我到儿子儿媳家是客人。不能为他们做主。他们挣的钱是他们的。（而我们挣的钱，舍不得吃舍不得花，将来都是他们的。只有花掉的部分属于我们自己）。虽然一些事情你看不惯，但你也尽量少发表高论。代沟是不可否认地横在那。你必须要尊重他们喜好的生活方式消费方式行为方式。如果你想到美国和儿子儿媳住在一起，你必须有吃苦耐劳的思想准备。他们在美国打拼很难。如果他们有了小孩就更难。我了解很多家长在国内条件很好，甚至家里请有保姆。但美国请保姆不是那么容易的事情。除了有足够的金钱作后盾，也不一定找到尽心尽力的保姆。所以父母来了，你必须有给他们做保姆的思想准备。你费心尽力还不一定讨他们的好。你不要委屈。除非你不来。你来了看他们那么忙，作为中国父母，你不可能袖手旁观。这是我想告诉前来暂短探亲或准备长期居住同为父母和婆婆的。噢，还有一句告诉婆婆们：“若要好，大做小”。反之，媳妇们，不要客气当福气，你们可不能小做大。小辈应该尊老。

为子女付出是大多中国父母德行。这是我们长辈对自己的要求。而作为子女，作为儿媳要懂得回报和感恩。这种感激不是藏在心间，而是要付诸行动。这次来美时间不长，和儿子却发生两次摩擦，他把我气哭了。儿子多是粗线条的。他对我亲家多少还存有客气成分。对我则不同。我是他至亲至爱的亲娘哎。所以，我什么地方做的不如他意，他脑子过都不过就当面开销，一点不顾及我的尊严，我是和亲家，儿媳在同一屋檐下——这是一个世人公认难于处理的N角关系。（人这种动物真的很奇怪，他们往往最容易伤害的是自己最亲近的人）。儿子事后道歉说：妈妈，你是谁呀，你是我亲妈耶。我是你身上掉下来的肉。所以我和你最随便了。所以没有顾及你的感受。我想对儿子说，你不能把你对母亲的爱藏在心底。以为母亲是明白的。你要知道，母亲不但是你的妈妈，也是你媳妇的婆婆。这是一个很难当的角色。由于男人天生粗线条，你多是不会呵护反哺母亲的。而媳妇和婆婆，本来是素不相识的陌生人。因为你的关系走到一起来了。媳妇不是女儿，就像女婿再好也只能是半个儿子一样。你要以你身体力行告诉媳妇，我们应该孝顺长辈。须知：子欲孝而亲不在，也是人生一大惨事。父母为你们劳累，你们不要以为是天经地义的。尤其现在，我们在国内都生活的很好。起码比和你们在一起要少干活。父母不欠你们什么。设想一下，你们在美国到什么地方去找这样全心全意只有付出不求回报的老保姆去？亲家曾经说过一句话：人老珠黄不值钱。当然，这是一种很复杂的感情。但不希望因为你们的忽视或无心让我们和你们生活在一起的（不管时间长短）长辈有这样不愉快的感觉。

我也想对为人媳的儿媳们说两句。
如果你真心爱老公，你就会自然而然爱你老公的妈妈。婆婆纵有很多不是，毕竟是她养育了你的老公。从某种意义上说，是她造就了你生命中最珍贵的礼物。一般说，儿子孝顺母亲，儿媳多半也会孝顺婆婆。但男人的孝顺多半是放在心里的。这就需要细心的媳妇代替儿子尽孝道。 我有个朋友和我说，“我常教导女儿：你可以忽视我，但你不能忽视你公婆。所以，我女儿很知道拍公婆‘马屁’。逢年过节必是给公婆送去礼物。给那公婆哄得直找不到北了。”我不是叫在外打拼的你们抽出时间搞形式。但要懂得尊重和感恩。这不光表现在物质上，更多的是在言行上。不要嫌婆婆罗嗦，老人言多是为你们好。一定要尊重老人，多和老人聊聊天。不要和婆婆意见相佐就不搭理。

我觉得无论我们充当什么角色，在这个家庭中。相互尊重以诚待人是最重要的。谁也不傻，你是不是真心对他好。牙牙学语的婴儿，小猫小狗都可以感受到你是喜欢还是讨厌他况大人乎。所以，只要你以诚恳的心待别人，你一定会赢得别人对你的爱。爱人者，人恒爱之；敬人者，人恒敬之。这是搞好婆媳关系的关键所在。有了诚心，就会求大同存小异。就会相互迁就和体谅。比如说这次来美国，在办理银行存款证明时，因为我们的钱都在股市里，我和亲家母借钱，并约好礼拜天早9：00她到银行给我转钱并给我电话。她9：02分就给了我电话。儿媳为了我能通过签证，给我发来填好的156，157表等资料。并发来签证经。还一次次来电话叮嘱我，怎么应对签证官。这让我感到很开心。这说明他们的确很希望我去美国。我想这也是我愿意和亲家同行的心理基础。我明确地感受到他们真切的亲情。人不要试图去改变别人什么。你只能改变自己适应环境。人和人是千差万别的。你觉得天经地义的事别人却不以为然，你觉得匪夷所思的事，别人却觉得顺理成章。所以婆媳相处，要尽量理解适应对方。不要把自己的想法强加于人。而对于婆媳双方则要学会处身设地为对方着想。作为婆婆不要吃儿媳对自己母亲好的醋。这个醋你吃了也白吃。你怎样对儿媳好，你也无法抗拒血浓于水几十年的养育之情。反之，也是同理。最后，介绍一下我和亲家相处现状，也供同样情况者参考。互相尊重，客客气气。有缘多说，无缘少聊。分工合作，共建小家和谐社会。呵呵，我们现在的分工是：每人负责一天三顿饭。这样双方都可以有劳有逸。还可以尽情发挥自己做饭的聪明才智：）昨天归我值班，今天我休息。就埋头挖了这个坑~对于做婆婆，我只是初出茅庐的小学生水准，发这个帖，也只是让以媳妇居多的我爱我家，能够听到婆婆的心声。说的对，赞一声，说的不对请拍砖。但请手下留情。

$3 car wash and FREE vacumm

At the Southeast corner of Lamay and Mulberry. You don't have to wash you car after enjoying the free vacumm, if you don't feel guilty :-)

Transform An Old Tabletop Into An Artful Accent Piece

Don’t let an old table, chipped china or unused tiles get tossed to the curb. Transform them from trash to treasure with these step-by-step instructions for creating a beautiful mosaic tabletop. You can make a unique piece of furniture that’s tailored to your style and suited to your home décor. Or, if you’re looking for a project that’s a little smaller in scale, use the same technique to create Mosaic Tile Trivets.

Magnificent Mosaic Tabletop 
Waste less and get more from broken dishes and a well-used table. Turn them into a mosaic masterpiece that looks artistic and brand new!

Step 1: Prepare your Materials 
For this project, you can look for items you already have in your home. Old coffee tables and end tables are both excellent surfaces to mosaic. Try using chipped dishes or tiles leftover from a home improvement project to make your design. Choose pieces that are roughly the same thickness to keep your finished table level.

If you don’t have these supplies at your home, you can buy them inexpensively at thrift stores, garage sales or your local home improvement store. This handy Materials List will help you find all the supplies you’ll need.

Step 2: Protect your Space 
Spread newspaper or plastic across your work surface to help keep it clean. You’ll be doing some light hammering, so choose a flat, hard surface such as a workbench, sturdy table or durable floor.

Step 3: Break it up 
This is one of the few times you can actually feel good about breaking a dish since you’ll be using the pieces to create a beautiful mosaic. You’ll be working with sharp edges, so be sure to protect your hands with thick workman’s gloves and your eyes with safety goggles.

Loosely wrap your dishes or tiles in an old towel. Keeping them completely covered will help protect your surface and keep the small pieces in one place. Tap your breakables firmly with a hammer, just hard enough to crack them into smaller pieces. Repeat until they are split into fragments that are 1”-2” in size, or the desired size for the mosaic you have in mind.

Step 4: Pattern Play 
This is the most creative part of the project, when you design your mosaic. Arrange your glass or tile pieces on your tabletop, leaving 1/8”-1/4” spaces between them. Be sure to keep your gloves on, as the edges of the fragments might be sharp. Have fun experimenting with different patterns. Try alternating colors, creating stripes and circles or applying pieces at random. You can even arrange your tiles to create a simple image, symbol or motif.

Step 5: Stick Together 
Once you’ve planned out your design, carefully remove your glass or tile pieces. Use a small house paintbrush (1”) to brush an even coat of clear glass glue onto your tabletop, enough so the tiles adhere to the table without glue spreading over the sides. If you have a large tabletop, you may want to work in sections. Place the tiles in your desired pattern, pressing them down to secure. The glue is slow to dry, which leaves you some time to rearrange and perfect your design. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Step 6: Fill in the Gaps 
After the glue is dry use premixed, sanded grout (the kind used for tiling floors) to fill in the gaps between your tiles or glass pieces. It’s available at both home improvement and craft stores. Use a spackling knife to apply a thick coat over the entire tabletop and a grout spreader to spread it evenly. Be sure to fill in all the cracks. When you’re finished, your tabletop should look gray.

Step 7: The Big Reveal 
Wait about 20 minutes for the grout to show a powdery film. Then, wipe your tabletop with a damp sponge, holding it flat to the surface. Use a circular motion with a firm, even pressure and rinse your sponge between wipes. When you’re finished you should have an even tabletop with grout between, but not covering, your glass or tile pieces. Allow your grout to harden completely, usually about 72 hours. Be sure to follow the instructions on the package if they differ from what’s presented here.

Step 8: Touching Up 
After 72 hours, wipe your tabletop again with a clean, damp sponge. Use it to rub off any grout still remaining on your tile or glass pieces. You can apply a second coat if the surface of your table is not smooth enough or if there are sharp edges that are still exposed. If you plan to use your table outdoors or in an area with a high level of moisture, protect it with a coat of tile and grout sealer, which is available at your local hardware store

When you’re finished, step back and admire your beautiful new table! But why stop there? This technique works well on many different hard surfaces. You can try making mosaic trivets, coasters or even wall art. Get creative and design your own project!

Tile in Style 
If you’re not ready to mosaic a whole tabletop, try these step-by-step instructions for Mosaic Tile Trivets from Lowe’s Creative Ideas.

Beautify Your Home With Indoor Plants That Don't Require A Green Thumb

Need a plant that you can love, but mostly leave alone? There are plenty of indoor plants that don’t require you to have a green thumb to enjoy their leafy beauty. Make the most of your free time by sprucing up your home décor with a beautiful, yet low-maintenance plant that will bring the splendor of the garden indoors.

Five Houseplants Without the Hassle

Low maintenance plants should have four key characteristics: simple light and water requirements, similar temperature needs to your normal indoor climate and very little risk for disease. Try adding a few of these easy-care plants to your home and you’ll find you’re worrying less about your indoor gardening:

Spider Plant

• What is it? A terrific houseplant for first-time gardeners. The Spider Plant grows like wildfire, shooting its green and white stocks out from its center, creating a robust, full plant for your home.
• How do I take care of it? Spider Plants should be kept potted in a nutrient-rich soil near a window or in indirect sunlight. They should be watered about once a week, but take care not to over soak the soil. Spider Plants will grow miniature versions that suspend off of the main plant, often called “babies”. You can either leave the babies attached to the main plant for a full cascading look or you can clip the mini plants and place them in glasses of water until roots form. You can then transplant into a new basket for a whole new plant!
• Where can I put it? Spider Plants are perfect for placing in baskets made of wire mesh, moss, or plastic to hang from the ceiling of your living room or kitchen. They have been known to improve the quality of indoor air, so when it comes to Spider Plants, the more the merrier!

Ponytail Palm 

• What is it? Also known as “the elephant-foot tree” for it’s stout, sturdy base, the Ponytail Palm is the ultimate low-maintenance plant. You can go on a vacation and come back to find the Ponytail’s slender green leaves as healthy as ever.
• How do I take care of it? Being native to Mexico, the Ponytail Palm is used to climates much harsher and arid than the interior of your home and will require watering every one to two weeks. Just make sure to give it plenty of space and sunlight.
• Where can I put it? The Ponytail Palm makes for a festive addition to side tables or as the centerpiece of a coffee table when they are smaller. As they grow in size, any sunny window space will do, especially those facing north because they will receive the most sunlight. Place a large Ponytail Palm near an entryway window or in a sunroom.

Cactus Combo Bonsai

• What is it? Bring a small reminder of the Southwest into your home with this precious bunch of cacti. The Cactus Combo Bonsai is a miniature cactus garden that exhibits a variety of stunning shapes and contours that will add character to any room.
• How do I take care of it? Keep your Cactus Combo Bonsai in bright light and water it about once a month. Be especially careful not to over water in the winter when the plant will stop growing and go dormant. Over watering can cause rotting.
• Where can I put it? Most Cactus Combo Bonsai’s are put into beautiful glazed ceramic containers no bigger than 10 inches in height. They make perfect additions for your desk, hallway table or windowsill.

Braided Ficus Tree 

• What is it? The Braided Ficus is an intricately formed tree with aesthetically pleasing leathery green leaves. Its name is taken from the tree’s “trunk,” which is made up of several thick stems that wrap around each other like a licorice twist.
• How do I take care of it? The Braided Ficus only requires indirect, bright light and weekly watering. During the winter you can cut back to giving it water bi-weekly.
• Where can I put it? Braided Ficuses can give a fresh new look when placed next to a drab desk and chests of drawers or can infuse bay windows with a lush tropical feel. Just make sure not place it near a drafty window or door. Inconsistent watering and exposure to drafts can cause leaf drop.

Jade Plant 

• What is it? The Jade Plant, also known as the friendship plant or the money tree, is a succulent plant renowned for its thick, dark green leaves, which are oval in shape. Under the right conditions, they may also produce white or pink flowers in the spring.
• How do I take care of it? You should try to place your Jade Plant in a spot where it receives about 3 to 5 hours of direct sunlight a day. Letting the soil dry between watering is essential to having a flourishing Jade Plant. Over watering will cause it to lose its leaves. Water every 10-20 days or so in the summer and only about once a month in the winter.
• Where can I put it?
  Jade Plants make excellent additions anywhere in your home that has lots of natural sunlight. Try placing a small Jade Plant on a kitchen or bedroom windowsill or on a tabletop. While some natural sunlight is ideal, extreme heat or overexposure to sunlight can cause wilting. Over exposure to cold will also damage a Jade Plant, so keep it away from drafty windows and doors in the winter.

All five of these plants are great for either the budding gardener or for those whose schedules just don’t allow us to keep up with high maintenance plants. Indoor gardening will infuse your home with that touch of green that gives rooms a distinct and fresh personality all their own. These indoor plants really prove the old adage “less is more” by requiring less work and giving your home more character.

Hearty Vegetable Soup

Don’t pay top dollar for out-of-season vegetables; reach for the frozen variety instead. They’re frozen at their peak ripeness, so they’re still rich in vitamins and minerals. They can be lower in cost and often higher in nutrition than the imported veggies that line the grocery store shelves during the off-season. Plus, they’re quick to cook because they’ve already been steam blanched.*

As cooler fall weather sets in later this month, you may find yourself wanting to cozy up to a filling bowl of healthy soup.

Serves: 6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Approximate cost: $2.75 per serving, (factor an additional $5 to $7 if pantry staples are needed).

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil 
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced 
1 teaspoon dried oregano 
1 bag (16 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables 
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes 
1 can (14.5 ounces) tomato puree
1 package (48 ounces/6 cups) chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked ditalini or other small tubular pasta
1 can (15.5 ounces) Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained 
1/4–1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon salt 
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add garlic and oregano and sauté for 2 minutes more.
2. Stir in frozen vegetables, diced tomatoes, tomato puree and broth and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add pasta, beans and crushed red pepper flakes, simmer 12-14 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper.
4. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve sprinkled with grated Parmesan cheese.

Black Bean, Mushroom and Cheese Enchiladas

Black beans, either dried or canned, are inexpensive, nutritious and versatile. They’re low in fat and high in fiber, protein and iron. Just a cup of black beans can provide a good portion of your daily protein and fiber with hardly any fat. *

Before you head through the drive-thru, remember this black bean delight. It’s easy to make at home, and you can control the amount of salt and cheese that gets added.

Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Approximate cost: $3 per serving, (factor an additional $5 to $7 if pantry staples are needed).

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
8 ounces white mushrooms, stems removed, chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 can (15.5 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (4.5 ounces) diced green chilies
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, plus more for topping
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, plus more for topping
1/4 cup sour cream, plus more for topping
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 large flour tortillas
1 can (10 ounces) enchilada sauce 
Cooking spray

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
   
2. Spray a 9”x13” baking dish with cooking spray, set aside.
   
3. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and mushrooms and sauté just until soft, about 5 minutes. 
   
4. Remove from heat, stir in cumin and chili powder. Let cool slightly and stir in the black beans, diced green chilies, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, sour cream and cilantro. Stir until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
   
5. Divide mixture between the 8 tortillas, placing filling just off center of each tortilla. Roll tortillas into loose cylinders. Place the seam side down in the prepared dish. Pour enchilada sauce over top and sprinkle with additional cheese. 
   
6. Bake until bubbling and lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with additional sour cream and chopped cilantro.

Quick Beef Lo Mein

Pasta is a family favorite. The whole-wheat variety is not only inexpensive, but also packed with almost three times more fiber than regular pasta. A diet that’s high in fiber can help lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Plus, it can fill you up faster and keep you satisfied longer. *

Make this delicious take-out favorite at home with whole wheat pasta and you may just cut your expenses and your waistline.

Serves: 4-6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Approximate Cost: $3 per serving, (factor an additional $5 to $7 if pantry staples are needed).

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon chili paste with garlic 
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
4 cups cooked whole wheat spaghetti (about 8 ounces uncooked) 
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups frozen broccoli florets
1 medium onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 flank steak (1 pound), trimmed and cut across the grain into long, thin strips 
Thinly sliced green onions, to garnish
Toasted sesame seeds, to garnish

INSTRUCTIONS 

1. In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, oyster sauce, chili paste and crushed red pepper flakes. Set aside.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Combine pasta and sesame oil, tossing well to coat.
3. While pasta cooks, heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, broccoli and onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the steak and sauté for 5 minutes or until done. Add pasta mixture and soy sauce mixture and cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.
4. Serve garnished with thinly sliced green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

4 Simple Steps to a Breast Cancer Early Detection Plan

Early detection of breast cancer is proven to save lives. When found early, the five-year survival rate is 96 percent! More than 2 million breast cancer survivors alive today are living proof of that statistic. So it's easy to see why an early detection plan is so important.

"Early detection can mean a matter of life and death," says Janelle Hail, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. "Today I am not only alive, but healthy and enjoying a full life due to the early detection of breast cancer 28 years ago." Follow our simple steps to your own early detection plan. Step 1: Learn how to do a breast self-exam. Knowing how to do a breast self-examination can help you gain familiarity with your breasts to identify changes in texture or the presence of a lump. (See Breast Self-examination excerpt below.) Step 2: Get a calendar and choose consistency. Get a personal calendar to record your self-examinations, mammograms and doctor appointments. Simplify scheduling by being consistent. For example, choose the first day of each calendar month to do your breast self-examinations. For clinical breast examinations and mammograms, choose your birthday month every year or choose based on the schedule below. That way, you'll never miss an exam. Step 3: Create your plan. "An Early Detection Plan gives women a sense of control over increased options of their health care," says Hail. "It empowers women to take care of themselves and to live a healthy life." Get started on your plan using the guidelines below. Beginning at Age 20 Breast self-examinations — monthly beginning at age 20 (These are not a substitute for clinical examinations per schedule below.) Clinical breast examinations — every three years beginning at age 20 Beginning at Age 40 Breast self-examinations — monthly Clinical breast examinations — yearly beginning at age 40 Mammograms — Get a baseline mammogram at the age of 40. Get a mammogram every one to two years from ages 40 to 49, depending on previous findings. Beginning at Age 50 Breast self-examinations — monthly Clinical breast examinations — yearly Mammograms — yearly beginning at age 50 Step 4: Make healthy lifestyle choices. To be proactive, it is important to: Eat a nutritious, low-fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. A high-fat diet increases the risk of breast cancer because fat triggers the hormone estrogen, which fuels tumor growth. Exercise to rev up your immune system and cut estrogen levels. Exercising four hours per week can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. How Is P&G Involved? In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, P&G brands will make a combined donation of $250,000 to support the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation to provide mammograms for those in need. To build on the P&G theme of "Touching lives, improving life," specially marked packages from the P&G brands in proud support of the efforts of the National Breast Cancer Foundation will be available in stores this month. Pass It Along If you are going through breast cancer, are a survivor, or have a friend or family member with breast cancer, you can join the NBCF online community, where you can connect with a community of peers, find encouragement and support, and get answers to your questions. Everyone should have an early detection plan. What's yours?  Breast Self-examination "To perform a breast self-examination, a woman should lie down and place her right arm behind her head to begin examining her right breast. "Next, using her finger pads of the middle three fingers (index, middle and ring fingers) of her opposite (left) hand, the woman uses tiny circular motions over the entire breast area. "During the breast self-examination, the breast area is examined with three different levels of pressure. "The American Cancer Society® recommends the examination of the breast be performed using a vertical pattern, which helps ensure that no area is missed. "After the breast has been examined, it is important for a woman to also examine each underarm for any lumps or signs of enlarged lymph nodes." Read the full article. Please note: A breast self-examination (BSE) is not a replacement for clinical breast examinations (CBE) and mammograms. These three screening tools serve together as part of your plan. It is highly recommended that you receive the proper instruction from a nurse, physician or trained health care professional and use the above only as a refresher.  — Excerpt from the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF)

Are you looking for more expert tips and advice for everyday life? Visit our Article Library.

Essential Fall Checklist

Does the smoke alarm work? Are downspouts and gutters clean? And doesn't the chimney need some attention? Do these questions sound familiar? If so, that's because it's time once again to replace screen windows for glass, stock up on hot chocolate and prepare for the change of season. To help you get back into the spirit of winterizing your home, we've compiled a checklist of some of the most important to-do's.

Remember to: Install carbon monoxide detectors near all combustion appliances. The American Lung Association® (ALA) recommends detectors with digital displays because they are easy to read. Change the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Most of these safety devices require a fresh pair of batteries at least once a year. But it pays to do your homework, so consult the manuals. Replace the furnace filter. A clean filter will improve the flow of air, which will make your home more temperate and help to lower utility bills. Check the dryer vent to ensure that the plastic housing is tight and that the flap swings freely. Arrange for a professional to inspect all fuel-burning appliances, such as your furnace, hot water heater, fireplace and gas range. Annual inspections of all fuel-burning appliances help to safeguard against carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't forget to replace the screen windows with glass! And while you're out there, remember to inspect storm windows for cracks, holes or signs of wear and tear. Consider hiring a professional if storm windows look like they are in need of serious repair. You may want to consider covering windows with plastic to help keep the heat in. Repair damaged or worn caulking on windows and doors to lock heat in and keep cold air out. Remove obstructions that might clog gutters and downspouts. Make sure that downspouts are sufficiently sloped to carry water away from your home's foundation. By following these easy steps, you can ensure that your home is ready for the change of season. It's time to welcome fall!

Are you looking for more expert tips and advice for everyday life? Visit our Article Library.

Victoria's Secret Sale

Panties 7/$25

In stores only. Hurry, ends on September 29, 2008

Stock up on your favorite styles from Victoria's Secret Pink®, VS Cotton™ and Pout™

Library Used Book Sale

October 3-5

Friends of the Library GIANT Used Book Sale at Foothills Mall

Friday & Saturday 8 am - 9 pm

Sunday 11 am - 6 pm

(Books half price from 1-4 on Sunday, $5 per bag sale from 4-6 on Sunday)

Start your Holiday Shopping early with this wonderful fundraiser for the Library!

ToysRus Geoffrey's Birthday Party and Birthday Sale

ToysRus Geoffrey's Birthday Party

Geoffrey's Birthday Sale (buy 2 and get 3rd free)

Our Calendar

To view the full calendar, click here

Top Toddler Bathtime Games

An article from BabyZone.com

By Heather K. Scott Bath time at our house is a major undertaking, as I'm sure it is for many families with toddlers. On some nights it is quiet affair in which our daughter happily disrobes, jogs to our tub, and practically dives into bath bubbles as she sports smiles and giggles. On other nights, rebellion lurks around every corner—we struggle to shed clothes, wrangle our naked tot, and try our best to keep her occupied in the bath long enough to wash her face and hair. And then there are the evenings when she just doesn't want to take a bath ... at all.

If your toddler also shares a love-hate relationship with the tub, be sure to try some of the following fun, easy, and economical ideas to perk up your bath and make tubby time much more enjoyable for both you and your child.

Bath Time Supplies There are a wealth of toys and games that you can purchase to enhance your child's bath time, from bath crayons, body paint, and tub tints to stick-up mirrors and foam or sponge animals, letters, and numbers. Here's a list of items that you can collect for your child's bath; and most of them you can either make for very little cost or purchase at a reasonable price.

Foam or Sponge Letters and Numbers: Sold at many toy stores, these versatile, waterproof, floating numbers and letters are not just fun but educational for your toddler. You can also make your own by cutting out shapes and letters from new kitchen sponges or from craft foam. Bath Books: Many children's publishing companies offer books you can take into the bath. These plastic, waterproof titles are available from Dorling Kindersley and The Baby Einstein Company, to name just a few publishers. Bath Art Supplies: From Crayola bath crayons to body paint to floating art activity centers, there are a plethora of creative bath art supplies on the market today.  Washcloth Puppets: Available at children's stores, these fun hand puppets double as washcloths. You can even make your own from one of the many patterns available online, such as the one found atwww.sewing.org.  Bath Mirror: These plastic mirrors are readily available at toy stores and offer your tot an opportunity to see all those silly hairstyles you make when shampooing her locks.  Wind-up Bath Toys: Fish, sharks, whales, and little swimmers—these classic toys wind up and swim in your child's tub.  Boats: Collect plastic boats from your local discount store, or make your own with a Tupperware container or plastic cup and a little imagination.  Swim Goggles: Bring those swim goggles from the beach or pool into the tub for some added bathtub fun. Rubber Bath Toys: What child's bath would be complete without the quintessential rubber ducky? You can also find rubber or plastic fish, frogs, and turtles; some even squirt water. Bubbles and Bubble Bath: Don't forget the bubble bath! In addition to traditional bubble bath, keep a bottle of soap bubbles in the bathroom just for bath time blowing. You can mix a couple drops of tub tint in the bubbles for added color. (Parents of children that suffer with urinary tract infections, yeast infections, or eczema may want to skip the bubbles since they could cause further irritation.)

You may already have many bath toys on hand and just don't realize it. Let your child hunt through his or her toy chest and bring favorite plastic farm animals or dinosaurs, cars and trucks, tea sets, or beach pails and watering cans into the tub.

Activities and Games Row, Row, Row Your Boat: Your little one will enjoy singing this ageless nursery rhyme with you in the tub. Act out the lyrics and fill a toy boat or a Tupperware container with favorite plastic animals, then "row" them from one end of the tub to the other.

Ice Cube Surprise: If the weather is warm, treat your child to this bath activity. Take a handful of small plastic animals or bath sponges (dinosaurs, farm animals, or ocean creatures) and submerge them in ice cube trays or small plastic cups; then freeze them overnight. Drop the ice cubes into a warm bath on a hot day, and watch the animals slowly emerge from the ice. For variety, you can try adding ice cubes made with colored water to a clear-water bath.

Washcloth-Puppet Play: Easy to find and equally easy to make at home, these imaginative washcloth creatures can add drama to your child's bath. Make up plays with your child and his washcloth puppets. Create a special story just for him, or take turns with different characters. Use the soft creatures to wash your tot's face and body and let him do the same to the puppet.

Color Wonder: Let your child choose a tub tint for her nightly bath, or bring out the body paint or bath crayons for a colorful bathtub art session. This is a personal favorite at our house. Our daughter especially likes us to draw a landscape on the side of the tub for her to "walk" her favorite plastic animal through. You too can create your own scenes or character to spark your child's imagination. Draw fish on the bottom and sides of the tub, or create bath stories each night and draw the characters. Incorporate learning into bath time by drawing shapes and having your child identify them.

Rub-a-Dub: Gather all your rubber ducks or other waterproof toys and announce that it is time for everyone to get a good scrub-down. Bring out some bubble bath or children's soap, several washcloths or sponges, and have your child bathe all of his toys. Set a folded towel on the edge of the tub, or within your child's reach, to set clean toys upon.

Go Fish: Turn your bath into a deep sea aquarium. FamilyFun.com suggests buying an inexpensive aquarium net from a local pet store and some colorful sponges or craft foam. Cut out small sea animals from the foam or sponges (about two- to three-inches big) and let your child go fishing in the bathtub. To add a creative twist to this idea, you can also bring in several small beach pails to the bath for your child to sort the fish by color or shape after catching them with the net.

All By Myself: Let your child take the lead at bath time. "Even though you have washed your child countless times, you might not have actually demonstrated how to wash," writes Dr. Lawrence Cohen, author of Playful Parenting. He suggests showing your child how to wash and rinse her body and hair and explain why it is important to do so. This activity is not only fun for your child, but empowering as well.

ABCs and 123s: Cut out letters and numbers from craft foam or sponges (or invest in a pre-made set from your local children's store) and play school in the tub. Or engage your child in a game of I Spy with the numbers and letters hidden among the bath bubbles.

Deep Sea Diver: Does your little one get squeamish when you mention shampoo? To help your toddler feel more comfortable when washing his hair, purchase a pair of swimming goggles or a child's snorkel mask and let your child wear it in the tub. This trick prevents your little one from getting soap in his eyes. You can also fill the tub with lots of bubbles and hide toys and treasures for your toddler under the water. Let her pretend she's a deep sea diver and help her "explore" underwater for trinkets and treasures.

Soap-Sculpted Hairdos: Grab your camera before bath time if you want to try this artistic adventure in hair washing—the results can be amusing enough to photograph. After wetting your child's hair, create loads of lather with shampoo and sculpt your toddler's hair into funny shapes. Have a bath mirror handy so she can admire her lovely hairstyle!

At the Races: Launch wind-up toys into the tub for a race and cheer on your favorite one. Teach your little one how to create waves by moving her hand underwater and see who can propel their boat the furthest. Or race toy cars around the edge of the tub over imaginary or drawn race tracks.

Rain Showers: Turn an ordinary bath into something unique by showering your toddler with fun. Try plugging the bathtub so your child is taking a bath and a shower at the same time. If you think the regular shower may be overwhelming, try using a hand-held shower head on your little one—you may even want to croonSinging in the Rain to him. As a bonus, the hand-held shower heads make rinsing hair a lot easier too, since you can easily control the spray of water. Just be careful if your toddler gets a handle on the attachment—you're likely to be drenched!

Bath time provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with your toddler and give her lots of love and attention. Cover the bathroom floor with towels, roll up your sleeves, sing songs, wash each other's faces, and enjoy splashing in the tub.

About the Author Heather K. Scott is BabyZone's managing editor and lives in the Boston area with her husband, five-year-old daughter, and two-year-old son. She has also written for and edited alternative health, music, and arts and entertainment publications.