Work at Home Grandmothers

I’m still contemplating changing the template to this blog, it’s been nice looking at Spring flowers, but I think it’s time to go for a more professional look.  But before I take time to do that, let me invite you to join me as I do what was suggested in lesson 2 of the 31 Days to a Better Blog challenge (I think you can still join!).

Over the year, we’ve featured a number of grandmothers and their work at home businesses.  I want to list them here in one post for you, to encourage or inspire you, if you are still trying to find your “niche”. Click the Grandmother’s name to visit their post for a lot more information about them, and how they started their business.

1. Angie Baker is an example of someone who has taken a craft that she loves, jewelry making, and turned it into a business.
2. Paula Jackson is a grandmother that I have known “virtually” for a number of years, and helps people keep their homes clean and healthy without polluting the environment.
3. Darlene Demell is another grandmother in Canada who has a home business that provides delicious things to enhance your meals, your health and your home.
4. Jackie Thompson’s post is a popular stop, she has built a business out of making military purses…her story is wonderful, do stop by for a visit.
5. Self-Taught Artist - this is a grandmother I found while searching the internet, and was fascinated by her story and video, she has never attended art school, but is a talented self-taught portrait artist.
6. Karen is a grandmother with a unique situation, all 3 of her children were born on the same date…no, they aren’t triplets, they were born the same date but different years.  Read about how she works at home in the country.
7. Rita Sweet is another crafty grandmother who has started her own business making soap…you have to visit and see her hand made crayons, your children and grandchildren will love them!

That is only a few in the list, please contact me if I can feature you, it would be my pleasure to do so!  The only requirement is that you be a grandmother, a grandma “wanna be” like me, or “old” enough to be a grandmother.

Today I am happy to introduce you to a very “sweet” grandmother by the name of Rita Sweet. Rita has tried a couple of home businesses, and in the process has found her niche, and rather than tell you about it, I’m going to let Rita share herself. Please read on, and be inspired! Visit her site, maybe you’ll see something crafted by Rita that will be just the right hand-crafted gift for someone you love.

I live on the Oregon Coast with my retired husband. For years I have tried to live as healthy a life as possible. I know it is impossible to eliminate all toxins from our lives, as they are in the very air we breathe!

I have sold products for companies, that I have felt were safe. As time went by, I realized that I knew how to make a lot of these products at home. So I began doing just that! Now I KNOW they are natural as possible.

Companies are not required to list all the ingredients they include in personal body products. That scares me a bit. Thus, my little at home business began.

I have just started building my web site, where I offer coconut oil based soaps. There is an article on my page telling you why I use coconut oil!

My signature product ,Kids Soap Crayons, has proven to be a really big hit! It makes bath time fun! My neighbor’s grand-daughter was visiting and was given a box of the soap crayons. The little girl wanted to go right home (a two hour drive) so she could take a bath!

What I do promise is a quality product at as reasonable price as I can possible offer. All products are made with love! These products are *From My Heart to Your Home”.

I also have a new yahoo group called “Gals Go Green“, where I share and want you to share your recipes and tips!

Please leave me a message on my web site, Rita Sweet Soaps, guest book!

Hugs and Blessings
Rita

Visit my new web site - sign my guest book here:
http://www.ritasweetsoaps.com/home.html

Here is a cute and VERY funny story written by friend and parenting expert, Pat Montgomery. You’ll see she’s also learning a lot about Grandparenting, too.

After you read this delightful story, please be sure to visit her sites through the links below. She has a great radio show and a book available through any book seller and her website.

GRANDMA NEEDS TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE

This week I babysat two of the grandkids (ages 1 1/2 and almost 3), which is challenging in itself. Add to that me trying to make some business calls and it was a very full day.

After his nap the older one, who is not potty trained, was dry so I asked if he wanted to go potty. Telling me NO, he ran into the other room. Not willing to give up, I followed him and commenced a discussion about “big boy pants”. He asked if Uncle Mike wore big boy pants. I said yes. Then he asked if Mommy wore big boy pants to which I, of course, said yes.

He ran (Benton never walks anywhere…he either rides or runs) to the cabinet and pulled out a pair of Lightning McQueen big boy pants. Patiently I explained that he had to pee in the potty before he could wear them. Finally I had victory. He crawled up on the potty and peed. Yea, I was so good. Silently I congratulated myself at how clever I had been.

That was when he asked for toilet paper. I wanted to encourage him so I handed him a couple of squares of toilet paper. Holding them in his small hand, he looked at me as if to ask what he was supposed to do with the paper. Immediately, I told him to wipe his pee-pee (what I called my boys’ penises at that age.)

Again he looked at me with a funny look on his face, which should have clued me in to a problem. Before I realized what was happening, he reached into the water and started wiping where his body fluids had just changed the toilet water yellow. Yes, he was doing exactly what I told him to do–wiping the pee-pee.

Pat Montgomery

Please take a moment to visit Parent’s Rule with Pat

Be sure to listen to Parents Rule! every Thursday 2-3 pm on 1620 AM at http://www.radiosandysprings.com/

“Now You Know What I Know What I Know: Parenting Wisdom of a Grandmother” available on my website or any book seller.”

I was browsing the web as I often do, and came upon a special grandmother that is using her talent to make a difference in the life of children. Here is a bit of the story, and you can visit this link to read the rest.

Wilma Seeyle of Santa Barbara, Calif. was a born teacher. For years, she taught blind children how to perform daily tasks to become independent adults. In college, she learned how to knit, then taught her mother. When her granddaughters became old enough, she taught them too.

After reading news reports last May that a simple knit cap can help save a baby’s life, Wilma contacted Save the Children to see what she could do to help. She became one of the knitters who inspired the Caps to the Capital project.

When the Caps to the Capital initiative was launched last month, Wilma decided to engage her granddaughters; Sophie, age 7, and Madeline, age 9, during their two-week summer visit. She explained that they — even at their young age — could make a difference in their world.

I’m so happy to introduce you to another Grandmother many times over who’s creative gift has become a source of income for her, and at the same time brings joy and comfort to her customers. I’ll let Jackie tell you all about it in her own words, enjoy!

“My name is Jackie Thompson and I live in Killeen, Texas. I am the proud mom of 2 boys and 1 step daughter. My husband and I have 9 grandchildren and 1 more on the way. They call me nana, grandma, mawmaw and each time I hear those words it is the sweetest sound to me.

“I started out making cloth dolls and have done well with that but I wanted more. I decided to make a purse for a friend of mine whose husband recently joined the Army. I wanted to make something for her that made her proud and represented her husband, so my purses were born.

“The day she received her purse she had people coming up to her wanting to know where she got her purse and how they could order one. Needless to say I have been blessed with orders since I began my new venture. The best thing about my business is getting emails and phone calls from my customers telling me how proud they are of their purse/bag. These bags/purses are not just regular purses, they are keepsakes, reminders of your loved one who is serving or has served in the military. What better way to keep your soldier close to you while they are away than to carry one of these purses with you. It’s like having a part of your soldier with you every time you walk out the door.”

Stop by and visit http://crafters.zawire.com/profile/jpattyjack49 to see the many beautiful purses Jackie has made.