Words and Music (c) 2009 Larry Holzman The Don’t Wannabees “Goodbye Kisses” — Live at the Stepping Stones Jam, 1/22/10Benefit Concert for Stepping Stones Homeless Shelter. Debut performance for the band and the song.
The Don’t Wannabees — “Goodbye Kisses” Music Video
September 2nd, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »
PostHaste Music – Stepping Stones
September 1st, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »
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Roll With the Punches
August 30th, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »Just like in boxing when you learn to fold into the punches so that you don’t take the full force of them, in life you can save yourself a real battering by going with the flow. Instead of wasting energy trying to stand up to the punches, we should look at how we can make best use of the adverse situation that has knocked us down. Life is bound to throw up things that will take us by surprise and set us back. There is no use fighting back. It is much better to get life’s energy on our side and find a new track, which may even turn out to be a positive and supportive change in out lives.
Coaching
When one of life’s punches get you, it’s hard to see how anything good can come of it. I’ve had clients who have survived loss of family members, broken marriages, losing a job. The ones that come out of these devastating circumstances best are the ones who go with the flow and adapt. They grieve, get angry and feel the pain of it, but they don’t let themselves get lost in it. They allow themselves to look for positives and find a new direction to go forward in.
Eventually after you have survived one of life’s punches, you will get a new perspective on it. It may have been a terrible experience, but you’ll be able to see the positives it has brought to you, the lessons you’ve learned.
Coaching Question
Can you roll with the punches?
Daily Action
Try to remember a time when you had one of life’s punches knock you out. Look to see what lessons you learned and what good eventually came out of it. Being aware of this perspective will help you the next time you need to roll with the punches.
Quotes
“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” Napoleon Hill
“Failure? I never encountered it. All I ever met were temporary setbacks.” Dottie Walters
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Eco Friendly Living – Five Products That Might Help
August 29th, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »Many people would like to be more eco friendly but they’re not sure how to start. Here are five products that can start you and your family on the path of a more environmentally friendly way of life.
1. Solar Lighting – You want the walkways in your front yard to be well-lighted for the safety of your visitors. Plus, it’s aesthetically pleasing when front and backyard living spaces are well-lit. But leaving the electric lights on is a waste of energy.
By using solar lighting in your yard you eliminate this problem. There are solar lights for stepping stones or candle path markers to lead to your front door. Shoji lanterns are available to light patio and deck areas.
You can even find solar powered lighting for off the grid places like storage shed or gardens. These lights are waterproof and easy to install.
2. Programmable Thermostats – By using one of these thermostats you can make optimal use of your heating and cooling devices. They can be pre-programmed so your house is cool (or warm) when you need it to be but energy isn’t wasted when no one’s home.
3. Smart Power Strip – You know that when your television and computer is plugged in it continues to use energy, even when the devices are turned off. But who wants to take time after every use to unplug each component and then plug it in the next time it’s used? This innovative smart power strip solves this problem without the hassles.
When you shut down the main component such as a computer, the strip knows to shut down all the peripherals such as printer, etc. This can save up to 72% of the energy used.
4. eBooks – Compulsive readers love the feel of a book in their hand and that will never change. But slowly even the most die hard book fans are giving in to the convenience and environmentally friendliness of eBooks.
5. Water Purifiers – You can remove 99% of tap water impurities by using a water purifier. By not buying bottled water in plastic containers you not only save the environment but your budget, too.
These are a sample of the products you can use to make your home more environmentally friendly and save money at the same time. Eco friendly products are simple to use and now easier to locate thanks to the internet and environmentally friendly web stores.
Pets For Kids
August 28th, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »Here are 10 Essential Reality Checks for YOU to consider when ‘others’ are considering the addition of a new pet to your family or household.
So you want a pet or at least your kids want a pet, well there is nothing unnatural about that, the whole idea will sound great…but wait a minute, stop and think…. there are some great positives about this idea….there are also some essential reality checks that need thinking about….a quick read through my checklists below will help you make a more realistic decision.
Remember the old saying “A pet is not just for Christmas”. Someone will have to clear the ‘pooh’ up at the end of it …. all.
Essential Reality Check No. 1 –
The Type of Pet
The type of pets for kids you can take into your household will depend on a whole host of things such as follows:
The ages of your kids – a two year old child will probably not be able to handle a pet gently and certainly won’t be able to care for the pet…..
How much will the pet costs be – not just to buy – but to care for on a daily basis?
What size of pet does your child want? – What space will be needed? A hamster does not take up much space but guinea pigs, ferrets and rats need much larger cages.
How much time do your kids and you as a family have to give to the pet?
Will your family be safe with the pet? Will the pet be safe with your family?
If you have a larger pet such as a dog, cat, or goat what effects will it have on your family, friends and neighbours?
How will your pet be cared for during your holidays.
Will your family be able to cope with the eventual death of a pet?
Some pets will sleep most of the day and be awake at night. Hamsters can be very noisy at night!
If your child wants a dog you will need to look into the breed, size and exercise needs of the dog.
Do you already have another pet, what effect will it have on that pet. For instance will your dog be ok with a cat or rabbit or bird?
Essential Reality Check No. 2 –
Ages of your Kids
You will need to decide on a pet that is suitable for the age of your kids.
For instance in most cases it would not be wise to buy a hamster for a two year old child who is still adapting to the world around them and may not know or be able to handle the hamster gently.
Do you want to give your kids some responsibility in caring for an animal. Some kids are very responsible and will be able to manage this. Other kids, well the sight of a baby animal is just too appealing, after all who can resist a cute puppy or kitten or baby hamster?
At first you may need to help your kids, as caring for a pet is a very responsible job. As a parent or carer you will always need to oversee a pet’s care.
As the parent or carer you will need to decide if your child is old enough to handle and care for a pet. How often have parents heard the cry “oh but we promise we’ll take it for walks everyday”
Or “we’ll clean it out mum, we promise”. How will you feel in a years time when you find yourself caring for the pets because the kids are busy with friends or away on a school trip or inundated with homework or just plain bored with the poor thing.
Essential Reality Check No. 3 –
True Costs of Pets for Kids
Some pets are very cheap to buy for instance hamsters, guinea pigs, goldfish. gerbils, fancy rats, fancy mice and rabbits and even ferrets.
You will still need to consider:
The cage set up (this can be very expensive when looking at the cage sizes that most pets need) in fact they need the largest cage you can manage
Food costs per week
Bedding
Vets bills if your pets become ill.
e.g. Ferrets need a yearly injection against canine distemper.
Holiday care – you will need to pay for this of course if you cannot rely on friends and family.
Bigger pets for kids such as goats, and dogs and pedigree cats are far more expensive to buy initially, some costing hundreds of pounds.
You will need to consider:
Bedding and a cage (if buying one for your dog or cat)
Leads and collars for dogs.
Food bills
Vets bills (dogs should have yearly check ups with a vets)
Toys
Holiday care (kennels can be very expensive)
Flea treatment
Ongoing veterinary costs if your pets becomes chronically ill.
Essential Reality Check No. 4 –
The Space Required
Even small pets for kids such as guinea pigs, fancy rats and ferrets need a lot of cage space for a happy life. They will need the biggest cages you can find space for. These pets also need space to exercise out of the cage.
Cats take up very little space, as do small breeds of dogs.
Dogs will need a decent sized garden as well as walks to keep them well exercised.
Essential Reality Check No. 5 –
Time for your Pets
Do you and the family have time for a pet.
For smaller pets you will need to have them out of the cage and being handled daily for at least 2 hours a day.
Do you have time to clean out your pet at least once or twice a week, or even daily?
Some pets will certainly need the toilet corner of their cage cleaned more often to avoid a foul smelling cage and pet.
Water bottles and food bowls will need cleaning and refilling every day.
Will you be able to walk your dog at least once a day? – dependent on the breed some need more!
Are you willing to look after your pets for kids for the many years some can live?
(From 18 months to 2 years for a mouse up to 15 years for a dog)
If you are out at work all day and the kids are at school all day your pets will need and will demand attention when you return home
Essential Reality Check No. 6 –
Your Pet and Family Safety
You will always need to ensure your kids safety when they are spending time with any pets.
Even little pets can bite and leave a wound.
Dogs should not be left unattended with your kids as they are unpredictable. Even a faithful dog will bite and even attack a child if they are in pain or afraid. It happens rarely – but it does happen.
You will also need to ensure your pets safety:Is your child able to handle a pet safely without hurting it.
Is your pet safe with any other pets in the home? – if you have young children and a dog …. you will need to make sure the dog cannot escape because a door is accidentally left open.
If you have a dog you need to ensure visitors safety as you can be sued if your dog bites someone on your property (or even off your property)
Make sure that when pets for kids are having free time out of cages that:
Other pets cannot hurt them
They cannot chew electrical leads
They cannot fall into toilets or baths of water.
They cannot escape through gaps in walls or floors
They cannot get outside without supervision
Essential Reality Check No. 7 –
Effects on Family and Neighbours
The whole family needs to be in agreement if you are getting pets. Pets can be noisy and messy having an effect on family living.
What effect will a pet such as a dog have on Granny who suffers with an allergy – will that mean she cannot come to visit anymore?
If you get a dog will it bark and howl when you leave them for any length of time and will this annoy your neighbours.
Will the dog bark when your neighbours are in their own garden.
How will your neighbours take to having your pet cat mess in their garden?
You will need to keep your yard free of dog mess to ensure it does not smell -particularly in summer months.
Essential Reality Check No. 8 –
Holidays and Care for Pets for kids
If you have pets for kids what will happen to them during your holiday times.
Do you have family or friends who can care for your pets while you are away.
If not you will have to pay for your pets care.
This will be expensive for dogs, cats and larger animals.
Even for little pets, holiday care can be expensive.
Essential Reality Check No. 9 -
Loss of a Pet and Grief
Some children are really sensitive and will be distraught when their beloved pet eventually passes away, or is lost in some way.
This is especially distressing if the pet has died as a result of an accident or illness.
How will you manage this?
The kids will need to grieve, grieving is a healthy part of a loss reaction. We can suffer losses every day in a small way such as not getting something we want, this causes a loss reaction and part of the healing for this is grief. If your child or other family member struggles with the grieving then look at the following and see if it applies. The grieving process has seven stepping stones through which people move. Your family member may not go through them in order or spend long on any one.
The stepping stones are:
Shock, Denial, Guilt, Anger, Depression Bargaining, Acceptance
Your child may want another pet this is called bargaining and is one of the stepping stones through the grief process.
If your child cannot have another pet, break down the hidden losses that the death of their pet has caused.
Could there be a loss of your child’s self worth or self esteem.
Have they lost their only companion.
Has your child lost the only one who listened to them.
By chatting try to find out how your child is feeling and help them to work out their losses and then work through to acceptance by doing some healthy bargaining.
Would your child be able to regain their sense of worth or self esteem another way? Perhaps helping out with a friends pet for instance.
For some children it may be helpful to have a burial service, so they can say goodbye properly.
(My son kept some hair from his beloved dog)
Our kids have managed the deaths of their pets really well and have gone on to have other pets, for other kids though it has more of an effect so you will need to decide when or if to replace your child’s pet.
Essential Reality Check No. 10 –
Pets for Kids are GREAT!
For the most part pets for kids are good fun. They are often good company for your kids especially if the kids are lonely.
Our autistic daughter has changed a lot since we got her guinea pigs to look after. She has gained some imaginative play, we think this is because she talks to her guinea pigs.
We do have to oversee her with them though.
Kids can learn a lot from caring for pets for kids and by having pets even when they are lost naturally.
Dogs can encourage the family out to get exercise as they walk the dog.
All our kids love their pets.
Part 1 Forgiven: An auspicious admonition of God’s absolution & abundant adulation appear us
August 27th, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »[ See all our videos at www.youtube.com ] * Watch more videos on this subject under our Forgiveness playlist or click this link * www.youtube.com DanGallagher of Spirit & Truth Fellowship International ( www.stfonline.org ) teaches on “Forgiven.” If you like what we are doing and you would like to help us continue to spread the Gospel all over the globe, please consider sowing into our ministry at http For further study see: Righteousness – Every Christian’s Gift from God at www.TruthOrTradition.com The Discipline of Forgiveness at www.TruthOrTradition.com Forgiveness and Healing as it relates to sexual sin at www.TruthOrTradition.com Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones to Success at www.TruthOrTradition.com Articles, videos and audio teachings on Becoming Like Christ at www.TruthOrTradition.com Cleansing the Temple (getting rid of the junk in our lives) at www.TruthOrTradition.com Self-Talk at www.TruthOrTradition.com
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Caution Cranky Gardener Stepping Stone
August 26th, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »
Available at Amazon Check Price Now!
Caution Cranky Gardener Stepping Stone
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Caution Cranky Gardener Stepping Stone Overviews
This stepping stone gives fair warning to any who enter the yard that the gardener may not be in the mood for idle chat – not while weeds are still present, at least. A great addition to your backyard decor or for your cranky gardener next door neighbor. 12 inches in diameter. Hand Painted.
» Read more: Caution Cranky Gardener Stepping Stone
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Creating Garden Stepping Stones Made Incredibly Easy!
August 25th, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »To bring more pizzazz to an otherwise bland garden, why not add a couple of garden stepping stones? You have got to admit, we all have felt the need to improve the look of our home. The garden not exempted. An easy way to bring life and add a landscaping feel would be to install decorative garden stepping stones.
Great news though, garden stepping stones are fairly easy to make. Materials aren’t hard to find. And to top it all off, this home project of yours can easily turn into a fun and exciting activity to do with the kids!
What you are going to need:
• Mold – This will serve to provide shape for your garden stepping stone. You may even use old household items such as cooking pans, and plastic containers for plants.
• Concrete – Most people prefer to use Quikrete. This can be purchased at your local hardware store.
• Water – Will be used to mix with the concrete.
• Tub, wheelbarrow, or any container – This is where you can mix the water and concrete in.
• Petroleum jelly or cooking spray – This will be applied around the mold to prevent the concrete from sticking onto the mold later on.
• Decorative Items – You can use just about anything. Just make sure that the items are durable and will last a long time under weather conditions. More common decorative items to use would be shiny stones, smooth pebbles, seashells, old coins, glass and tiles. Use all these to create your own mosaic garden stepping stones.
• Shovel – for mixing
With these materials on hand, you can start making your stepping stones for the garden. The first task to do is to mark the path where you will lay the stones. Then prepare the work area. Lay out some newspapers to avoid making a mess.
Now, prepare the molds. Make sure to liberally apply petroleum jelly or cooking spray on the molds. After that, mix the concrete and water in the container. In mixing, keep in mind that the mixture should have the consistency of cake batter. Add or subtract either water or concrete to get the right consistency.
Once this is done, spoon the mixture into the mold then lay it out to dry for about 45 minutes before applying the decorative items. You may even use your kid’s handprints as a design!
After decorating, leave the stepping stones for garden to dry for about 2-3 days before attempting to remove it from the mold. Once removed, allow them to “cure” for about a week more before laying them out on your garden.
You now have your personalized garden stepping stones! Enjoy!
Sofa sikaflex diyhome.blogetery.com
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Elements of Fountain Garden Landscaping
August 24th, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »There are many design elements that are important to a fountain garden and one of the most important is the fountain itself. Today many gardens have fountains and they are a beautiful accent to a garden not to mention they lend an air of serenity and tranquility to an outside garden that is unmatched in gardens without water features. Not only are fountains wonderful for the gurgling water sounds they create but they are also excellent for adding that extra something to your garden. Fountains really are the focal point of the garden and they can be incorporated into the garden in such a way that is truly breathtaking.
For example, the fountain could be placed at any area within the garden and then concrete brick pavers could be used to create paths throughout the garden and making its way to the fountain. Vinyl fencing could also enclose the entire garden to create a closed in and special place that is unparalleled. Remember that interlocking pavers may be used throughout the garden to create walkways, stepping stones, or else a little meeting place near the fountain. Creativity is key when it comes to designing a fountain garden and landscaping it in a way that is beautiful, breathtaking, and a place where you just want to be.
Many times homeowners choose to use vinyl fences to help them achieve the serenity of their fountain garden. That’s because the fence closes in the area and provides a beautiful backdrop for the plants. With a fountain in the garden you can include many different types of plants and flowers that are tropical and will enhance the fountain placed in the garden. Of course, if you have a garden wall fountain you can simply hang it on your vinyl fence and enjoy it this way. It really is up to you to design and landscape your garden in a way that makes you happy and proud.
Keep in mind however that the basic landscaping techniques should be followed. Get a book or check the Internet to make sure you are landscaping your garden in the way that you want it to appear. Just be sure to plant some plants and flowers around the garden fountain so it looks luxurious and like it is a part of the garden. Leaving it bare will make it stick out as if it is not part of the garden. It may take you several months or longer to landscape your garden in the way you want it to appear but if you take your time you will achieve the fountain garden you have been hoping for.
Negative Thinking Patterns Can Kill You
August 23rd, 2010 by steppingstones No comments »The power of negative thinking patterns should not be under-estimated.
Maxwell Maltz, researched the power that negative thinking patterns have on our lives. He was a plastic surgeon who realised that some people instantly became more confident once they had surgery, whilst others became despondent. He carried out experiments to try to find out why.
He hypnotised a woman so that he was speaking to her sub conscious mind. He then placed a pen on her forehead and told her that it was a hot piece of metal. Within twenty seconds, a red mark had appeared on her forehead! The truth of the matter was that she had thought that it was a hot piece of metal and her body had reacted as if it were true.
What Maltz found was that when people have an operation to correct what they perceive as a fault and they still think that they are unattractive then no amount of plastic surgery will help them.
Here is another example of the power of your thoughts.
Many years ago, a man in the United States was trapped in the freezer department of a freight train. There was writing on the wall.
3.20 AM- Getting cold now
4.32 AM – Shivering. Finding it hard to write and concentrate.
5.47 AM – Too cold. Can feel my heart slowing down.
The man was found dead in the morning. Yet the freezer was not even on!
He had literally thought himself to death. Because he believed that he would have no chance of survival his subconscious made his body react as if it were true. This is another example of the amazing strength and power that our thoughts have over us. What you constantly say to yourself will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Therefore, the bottom line here is that you need to become consciously aware that throughout the day you are constantly engaging in ‘inner talk’ or speaking to yourself.
So make sure that you are saying positive,life enhancing things to yourself. It could make all the difference in the world.
steppingstones