Quote:

"What's the proper etiquette for office donations such as chipping in on a baby gift or wedding gift for a co-worker? Should a dollar amount be set for contributions, or should it be left to each individual to decide how much to give? We just took up a collection for a co-worker whose house was lost in a fire. The office manager refused to accept checks, insisting on cash so the gifts would remain anonymous. Some people gave hundreds of dollars, others tens of dollars. Can you help with some guidelines here?"

E.S., Churchville, Pa.

Read the whole article at Corporate Baby Gift Giving

Growing up I remember the smell of coffee early in the morning as I would wake and begin my morning routine getting ready for school. Both of my parents were coffee drinkers. I don’t think a day went by during my childhood that I didn’t see my parents sipping a cup of the mysterious black brew. I remember my Mom putting cream and sugar in hers and my Dad I think had his black. I never remember trying it or even wanting to taste it myself. Even to this day, I’m not much of a coffee drinker, however, I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee. I am sure my brain connects the feeling of security with the smell of coffee as the aroma triggers fond memories of my childhood.

I think that being introduced to the taste of coffee is a determining factor as to whether you will become a coffee drinker as an adult. When my oldest daughter was very young, my Mother would give her sips of her cooled coffee with cream and sugar. It wasn’t long before my daughter would beg for it when she would see her Grandmother. Granted, my Mother only gave her decaffeinated coffee, it was as if one taste had her hooked. Throughout my daughter’s childhood, although her father and I do not drink coffee, she seemed to crave it. By the time she was 16 she was what I call a full-fledged coffee addict. She began working for a popular coffee house and to this day at age 20 still works there and still begins her days with her double shot of espresso and it’s the same stuff that keeps her up at night, studying for her college exams or keeping awake for entertainment.

Regardless of whether I drink coffee, I still own a coffeemaker. It’s just one of those things every household must have and believe it or not, it actually gets used. I’ll brew a pot for guests whether friends or family and of course my Mother or Daughter if they happen by. I’ve even been known to brew a pot of coffee just for the aroma. Of course, my husband will drink it if it’s there. I have also found that coffee is quite a popular gift idea. Anyone who appreciates a great cup of coffee will certainly love a basket filled with coffee beans, biscotti, a coffee mug and if you know them well enough, perhaps a good book to go along with it.

Susan’s Basket Store has several gift baskets to choose from for the coffee drinker in your life. From a burlap gift sack full of fine coffee and imported European treats, to the latest addition of the StarBreaks Coffee Basket which includes a 1 pound bag of House Blend, Starbucks® Coffee, 1, 9.5 fl oz Starbucks® Frappuccino, 3 Cafe Biscotti, 1 coffee mug, a wall mountable coffee mug hook, and a coffee scented aromatherapy candle made with real coffee beans. Any of the coffee break baskets brought to you by Susan’s Basket Store will surely bring a smile and a little pep to your favorite coffee drinker’s day. Remember your Mother this Mother’s Day and if she is half the coffee lover as my Mother is, she’ll surely appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Life in the 20th century is definitely stressful. In many households, parents balance work with family activities and the children?s schedules. Work, school, financial worries and relationships are just a few common sources of stress that patients report when they come to my office for treatment. There are several ways to manage stress, but my favorite is laughter.

Not just funny busines

In addition to the joy of having a good laugh, there are several health benefits attributed to laughter. Laughter is believed to improve immune function, increase pain tolerance, decrease the stress response and....

Read the whole article at Susan's Baby Gift Store Blog: Laughing Stress Relief

Monica Kass Rogers
Special to the Sentinel

The glittery-pink Stardust banquet room in Chicago buzzes with baby-shower clatter. Girlfriends dish. Aunts snap photos. And first-time parents Ewa and Michael Lichodziejewski say thanks again and again.

The very pregnant woman at the front of the room isn't Ewa, though. It's Karah Janssen, the baby's gestational surrogate. And as Ewa and Michael unwrap stacks of
booties, blankets and baby gear, Janssen opens boxes of soothing bath treatments and certificates for spa services and weekend getaways.

The high point? A diamond ring Ewa tearfully presents to Karah, along with the announcement that the baby's middle name will be Karah.

"This is a big moment for all of us," says Janssen, who also is Michael's sister. "A day when I get to celebrate nearing the end of my role and see them celebrate the beginning of theirs."

Read the whole article on Baby Parties.

Monica Kass Rogers wrote this for the Chicago Tribune, a Tribune Publishing newspaper.

I am so thankful, somewhere along the way I have come to this new place and I love it!

Maybe its this time of year…Its starting to get cooler so the heat isn’t driving everyone insane, you start to get that cozy feeling of holiday spirit and your only two months away from a bran spanking new year, a clean slate

Read the whole article - Everything to be Thankful For this Thanksgiving