Scrapbooking Supplies - Beyond the Basics

Once you've got a few scrapbook layouts under your belt, you may be ready to move on and explore some of the other fabulous scrapbooking goodies that have been catching your eye at the scrapbook store. Congratulations! There's a world of colorful, creative fun waiting for you. If you've got the basics covered - cardstock, adhesive, paper trimmer, journaling pen - then it's time to take the next step.

Here are some great additions to your scrapbook tool chest that will provide lots of versatility without breaking the bank:

Patterned paper. Patterned paper can be used in tons of ways - as backing for photos, cut into strips to create contrast on your page, trimmed into shapes to create a theme, and more! Choose a few sheets of patterned paper that work with the cardstock you already have, and you'll have a huge assortment of looks you can create. Cost: about $.75 - $1 per sheet. Buttons. Buttons add texture, color, and a hint of homemade fun to your scrapbook layouts. And the best part - you probably have a big assortment of loose buttons already on hand! If you want to purchase some in specific colors, check the fabric store before heading to a scrapbook specialty store. The cost can range from $1 - $5 for a pack of buttons. Letter stickers. When I first started scrapbooking, I often hand-drew my page titles. But now, I almost always use letter stickers. Available in every color, font, and size under the sun, letter stickers cost about $3 a sheet, plus or minus, depending on how many letters in a pack, and how large the letters are. Rub-ons. Rub-ons are transfers that you "rub on" to the page. They come in letters, flourishes, images, and more, from skulls and crossbones to lacy hearts. Their cost ranges from $2 to $7, depending on how many you receive and how large they are. Ribbon. Ribbon is a terrific way to add texture, dimension, and pizzaz to your page. You can purchase ribbon in spools or by the yard; many big-box craft stores carry tons of ribbon for $1 a yard. You can also purchase ribbon from fabric stores.

Senior Apartment Sharing and VA Benefits

Seniors today have more to look forward to if they are willing to take advantage of options they have available to them. If you are willing to share an apartment with another friendly senior you could possibly save and live very comfortable with unbelievable services provided to you.

Veteran Assistant is another program that can be available to certain individuals that have been in the military or have had a spouse in the military. You can take advantage of these benefits and if you live share an apartment with another person your rent could possible be around $700.00 a month with wonderful services included.

I know it sounds very good but few people take advantage of this option. It is something a person has to apply for and few people do. As we get older we start to think of how we are going to spend out later years.

If you are like a number of people that will start drawing Social Security in the next few years it might not be enough to support a way of life you have become accustom to while working. Your SS may only be $900.00 dollars and this might be an option to live in the finest up to date retirement possible.

Keep in mind everything in included in your rent. When I say everything I am speaking of rent, dining, entertainment, socializing, fitness and other things, but your phones are your expense.

All this included gives you some money to get other things taken care of that might be extras you desire or you might still have some credit cards to pay off.

If you are interested in making your life easier as you age, then you owe it to yourself to look into senior apartment sharing and VA benefits. You, your parents, relatives or friends may be looking to conserve their savings. They might be trying to figure a way to make ends meet when they retire. Don't rule out options that can help you get more out of life.

Your New Baby - Take Time To Burp Baby Well

A new mother has a lot of emotions and one of them is worry. You will worry about your baby eating, crying, sleeping and everything else. You will be excited but you may not feel confident about being a new parent and you will have many other emotions that are common to childbirth and the hormonal changes that you will be experiencing.

Some things you will know because of your motherly instincts. You will be getting plenty of advice from well meaning friends and family, but keep in mind that each child and family is different. What works for one mother may not work for another. What you will need to do is take the advice and use it to make your own decisions that will work for your family.

If this is your first baby you may not trust yourself to make the right decision all the time. Besides family and friends there are hundreds of baby books that supply all kinds of information about child development. You should absolutely ask your pediatrician about any health concerns you have, but when it comes to general topics there are lots of places to get information.

The most basic concerns that mothers should be focusing on especially on their baby's first couple of weeks are feeding and sleeping. Your new baby will sleep a lot of the time and wake for feedings at first. Formula or breast milk will supply your infant with all the nutrients he/she needs. You will however need to measure and properly prepare the formula.

For your baby's comfort you need to be sure that you take time and properly burp your baby. This one oversight alone can cause your baby to cry and lose a lot of sleep. Often times a baby may not burp right away, but it is essential that you keep trying. When it is feeding time for infants, give the baby an ounce or two then burp. If your baby is not crying for more right away, take a break for a diaper change and talk to and play with baby. This time will usually last no longer than about 20 minutes then it will be time to finish the feeding. If you are breastfeeding your baby do this when you have finished feeding from one side.

While you are playing with and before you start feeding again, try to burp the baby. You should always use a burp cloth or something else because babies will most likely spit up a little when they burp. This is perfectly normal and breastfed babies may be more difficult to burp. If your baby is spitting up more than about a tablespoon of formula with each burp, or is projectile vomiting a simple change of formula could be all that is needed. However, this is something you want to call the doctor about right away. Do not change formulas without talking to your pediatrician.

At first your new baby will need to be fed every two to four hours. It is important that you realize if the baby cries in between feedings there could be problems. It could be that the baby needs to be burped or just needs to shift positions. You will be able to tell the difference in your baby's cries and will know when they are in pain from a gas bubble. Remember that a baby's stomach is about the size of their fist, so do not over feed them; this will cause discomfort and could cause them to spit up a lot. Taking time to properly burp your baby will help them sleep better also.