A Shopping Guide for Newborn Gifts

When shopping for gifts for a newborn, keep the parents in mind as well. Perhaps your present will help with bathing the baby, putting it to sleep, or feeding it. A gift that can be of assistance or help the transition into parenthood less stressful can be helpful for any new parent. Think of baby necessities, items to care for the baby, and the kind of lifestyle it may lead, or even the personality that a newborn will develop.

Click here for your guide to shopping for gifts for a baby shower... 

How to Sign up for Liheap Assistance in Illinois

Liheap stands for "Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program." It is a useful program for those needing help with their utility bills. LIHEAP is offered mostly in the winter months, but is also sometimes available in the summer for cooling-although it depends on the funding for the season...

*Seniors and disabled sign up in September and October. Then everybody else begins signing up in November.

 Click here to learn how you can get assistance through LIHEAP on your winter utility bills....

How to Keep Children Occupied at a Wedding....

Weddings are full of flowers, music, and romance. Weddings are a time to remember, and to experience everlasting love. And of course, a special day for that loving couple ready to embark on a whole new journey together. But for children—weddings can often be…well..a bit on the boring side. So how do you keep them busy?....

It's hard trying to keep little ones minds occupied when an event doesn't appeal to them-especially a wedding!---Obviously, all that they have on their mind is...

"When do we eat cake?"...

There are ways to keep children busy so that they do not get bored...If you are looking for ways to entertain the little guests at your wedding, continue reading this article here...  

Wedding Activities for Children

Escape into comfort, through the story in your book...

There's nothing more important than promoting reading in a child's life-or even beginning it in adulthood. Reading helps us learn more about the English language, better our vocabulary, and broaden our horizons and imaginations. It is also a great stress reliever and promotes wonderful relaxation before bedtime. Google is also taking it's part in promoting reading.  Google is creating a domain where you can download over a million different books online!  This is a wonderful idea, for those who may not have access to the books they desire or need.

Often, sometimes children don't like to read because of uncomfortable positions, or they just picture themselves sitting at a school desk, in an uncomfortable plastic or wooden chair, and reading.  Reading should be enjoyable, comfortable, and fun.  When you are sitting at a desk, with a hard back, not to mention-no cushion for your behind, of course-it isn't going to sound exciting or fun!

If you are a parent, why not set up a reading spot in the home?...  Set it up by a window with a peaceful setting.  Perhaps showing the outsidewith a tree neabry, or flowers in the yard, or at least have a place that doesn't show a road with traffic that can disturb the thought process. When you read, you must have comfortable seating.  Nobody wants to sit in a hard chair, an office chair, or even the floor for that matter. Try a bean bag!...

Set up two spaces in the home. One for the children, and one for the adults.  Ahhprods.com offers creative and fun designs for children that will entice them to sit down, and explore their books!  Try a bubbly design chair and pair it with a bright colored rug-such as yellow or green. Be sure that the rug is a fuzzy one too!... And then add some matching pillows, or even a stuffed animal.  Set aside a time of day for your child to read and make sure it is the same time every day. This will get your children on a regular reading schedule. Try 20-30 minutes at a time.

-Now if you are an adult, and you have had a rough day at work, and you want to escape the voice of your demanding boss, or fly away from the paperwork still at your desk, come home to your favorite books.  For adults, you may want something neutral, and calming. Think of cotton and something soft.  Ahh offers a lime organic bean bag where you can choose the filling of your choice. Lay out a matching rug, some soft cozy blankets, and a few pillows.  Place it in an area of your home free of traffic. Most of the time-this place could be somewhere in the bedroom.  Put a few of your favorite books nearby, and it can be your escape from a fast and furious workplace.

If you don't have access to a book you have been wanting to read, be sure to check out Google, and their new domain.  Cuddle up with your laptop or an electronic reading device to read one of their books that you may have just downloaded.  Once you find that favorite story to escape for-just don't forget to have plenty of light for your reading... Put a lamp nearby, and dive into stories of romance, crime, justice, adventure, or travel to a land that you have never been.  When you have comfort mixed in with a great story, reading can be one of the best ideas, that you ever had.

***For more ideas on promoting literacy and reading, be sure to check out the 

Literacy project that Google is helping to promote as well...

How to Set up a Trust Fund for your Child...

For parents, setting up a trust for your child can often be a very lucrative and intelligent decision. Trust funds are often used for college expenses, weddings, or special purchases once they are out of high school. Trust funds are also very efficient if something tragic were to happen to the parents at one point in life. They also can provide a nest egg for financial security for times later on in life as well, or as a child embarks on their new life after they secure an education.......

Read about how you can set up a trust fund for your child... 

Symptoms of Low Estrogen

Dealing with menopause?

 Low estrogen is a common condition in women who are experiencing menopause.  Symptoms of low estrogen can also result when a woman has recently had a hysterectomy that involved the removal of her ovaries. Women who have low estrogen can become at risk for other diseases.  Women may experience a number of symptoms when they have low levels of estrogen. .... Read about the symptoms here...

Catch me on my New Blog, The Rural Freelancer

So, most of you have been being informed by many of my article links here at this blog----Writing by the Cherry


Well...I have begun a new one---
the rural freelance writer-you get in touch with more of my personal side. You still get links to my writings, as well as my view on topics too....Read about the economy, health topics, government, local news, money, family, budgeting, children, and more....


Here is a description to my new blog, THE RURAL FREELANCE WRITER:

"Read along with Ariana, a published content writer and poet, as she embarks on the journey of a being a freelance writer. Experience her trials and tribulations right along with her. Learn about some of the article topics she is currently writing on and even some advice about life along the way..."

Feel free to join me in my new blog, and read along....  It might be fun!...