Welcome to the Green Bay chapter of Mothers & More. We invite you to take a look at what we’re up to, join us for a meeting or two, and become a member!

Please join us for the next gardening subgroup meeting, to be held on Monday, Feb. 22nd at 7 p.m. at Harmony Cafe, in the Green Room (of course!!).

Our topic for this meeting is “planning your garden”. We plan to have a leisurely time of poring over seed catalogs and garden books, dreaming of warmer weather, and sharing our plans for the upcoming gardening season. All members (and guests) of any level of gardening experience (including none at all) are welcome.

Maybe you want to do something green but the thought of an in-ground, “serious” garden intimidates you. Maybe your kids want a garden but you aren’t ready to commit, or you have plans to move this year, or don’t have much sun in your yard. For all the people with these dilemmas, I’m going to share plans for the easiest-ever container garden! It’s a portable garden that’s ridiculously easy to plant and requires no weeding! It would also make a great Mother’s Day gift for your mom or grandmother! (And it’s so clever and cute that I just might have to try it myself this year!)

Please mark your calendars for this date. You may RSVP to Carey Wickman, Cheryl Daniels-Fisk, or by posting a response to this blog post.

Thanks again to everyone who joined us and came to provide moral support for Cori’s Makeover! I think we all had a really nice time, learned a thing or two and had a chance to relax!

Just to recap, we kicked off our night at Ultimate Closet where Patti and Linda provided fashion advice, tricks and tips and clever new ideas for how to accessorize with scarves. Not only that, but our very own Model, Cori M., strutted her stuff on the runway as we helped advise on which new outfit she should take home. I think we can all agree that she looked amazing!

Then we were off to Indira Salon and Spa where we had more time to mingle and partake in some of the mini-spa services such as makeup applications, massages, hand facials and take-home scented aromas.

Finally, we ended the night at Tucson’s with Margarita’s and great conversation!

But enough of that, here are some photos from the night…

Would you like some free laundry detergent? It’s not a drawing…. it’s a guarantee! Come to the February 2nd General Meeting and every mom will walk out with free laundry detergent!

Mark your calendars now for our awesome upcoming meeting:

Miserly Moms Meeting: How to live wealthy in a poor economy
February 2nd
7pm – Festival Foods, East DePere
Mothers & More

Join us to get green, frugal and wise tips, techniques and recipes. We will be making laundry detergent that works as well as Tide, for just a penny a load. We will be making an alternative to dryer sheets. Ever wondered how to make goo gone? What about homemade lysol type wipes? We will unlock the potential of a box of borax, washing soda, vinegar and baking soda. A little energy, a little faith, some great recipes and we will give you options to clean out your closets with store brand cleaners, detergents and box foods and replace them with frugal, green, non-toxic alternatives!

And, as a special twist, the teen moms from Marion House will be joining us! We invited them to come and meet us! They will make their own detergent and go home with skills that will help them live on a budget when they graduate from Marion House and are ready to raise their children on their own.

Every woman will go home with detergent. Lots of women will go home with other great giveaways! As we get closer, we will reveal more of the giveaways. Join us!!

Hi Ladies!

I am, Beth O’Connor – a member and also a Creative Memories Consultant (Scrapbooking, organizing and preserving memories) and I am here to help you. All of the sales from this evening will benefit Mothers & More – weather you use the product that night or you take it home and use them later.

If you are planning on attending the meeting, Thursday, Jan 14th at 7pm at Festival foods in west De Pere – Please RSVP to me so We can make sure we have everything you might need. Don’t panic we have all the direction for a step by step project weather it’s making valentine cards or a small paper album or boarders for a scrapbook page. You don’t scrapbook – then turn those boarders into Bookmarks as gifts for teachers, grandparent, and friends!

I have some product on hand to buy that night be also there are a few feature projects you can buy ahead of time and work on that night. You can shop directly from my website or call me and I’ll place 1 great big order, either way is fine but we’ll need to do it ASAP so we have it time for next Thursday!

IF you’d like to make Valentine Cards we have a feature bundle for only $42 that included everything you need to make 24+ cards.: Be My Valentine Featured Project

Specifications
. 12×12 Cranberry Cardstock
. Black & White PowerR Palette Storybox
. Black & White Power Palette Paper Ribbon
. Sweet Heart Maker
. 32 white envelopes

Total Value (US) $51.60; Price (US) $42.00

We also have paper album kits that include everything you need to make a small scrapbook album – and it’s even a mail able card – great for a Thank you or Valentine’s card for grandparents or relatives. Sending Love Mini Paper Album Kit. Price (US) $9.50

Share stories or create a gift with this easy-to-assemble little album. The kit has everything you need, including pre-printed pages, paper ribbon and flowers. Use the included envelope to mail to faraway family and friends.

Specifications
. 1 mini accordion album with printed pages
. 1 3″x3″ sheet of epoxy stickers
. 1 16″ paper ribbon
. 4 paper flowers
. 1 square envelope (extra postage required)
. Idea sheet features completed project

Need to Organize your photos in your computer and get them quickly into an album? This is the perfect bundle for you: Resolutions Bundle – Ltd Ed – Total Value (US) $112.95 – Price (US) $99.95

One of the three most popular resolutions each new year is to get organized. Resolve now to give this limited-time offer a try. Using Memory Manager Software is a simple way to get your digital photos in order. Use Memory Manager’s PicFolioR Milestones Planner feature to organize and print your pictures so they’re ready to slide right into your album.

Specifications
. Memory Manager 3.0 Software CD
. Black PicFolio Milestones Coverset
. 15 multi-pocket sleeves
. Delight & Discover Milestones Kit (FREE)

PLUS TONS MORE OF OPTIONS on my Website at www.mycmsite.com/bcoonnor! Call or e-mail me and I can help you find the right project for you whether you have been scrapbooking for years or never put a picture into an album before.

Can’t wait to see you all on Thursday!!

Board Meeting Agenda
Harmony Cafe 7-9pm
1/13/10

A. Call to Order
B. Approval of Minutes from 11/3/09
C. Round Robin
a. Suggest a member for one of our committees and indicate why they will be a good fit.
D. Old Business
a. Budget Update
i. Current Bank Balance
ii. Email from Carolyn
iii. Budget Review: Board meeting after rummage sale
b. Fundraising
i. Rummage Sale Date
ii. RS Table Entry Form Deadline
iii. RS Table Prices
iv. Brat Fry Plan
c. Publicity
i. Prevea Baby Shower
ii. Next Publicity Event?
E. New Business
a. Kids’ Social Chair
b. Bylaw Updates
c. Newsletter: Feedback from Advertisers?
d. Community Outreach: Feedback from Shelters after Christmas meeting?
e. Sunshine: Committee Development
F. Committee Reports (submitted in advance)
G. Adjourn

http://www.youtube.com/user/karioboxing

Look at this ladies- does it look like fun? It’s our guest speaker for the January “Momercize” event on 1/5/10 at 7pm at the Festival in DePere, Kario, in action. Make sure you click on the link above to see her youtube videos. The meeting will feature a cardio section, a spot training section & a Q & A section. Come ready to burn some calories, socialize and learn how to work in a little bit of fitness into your packed mommy schedule. There are also quite a few prospective members coming to this event, it would be great to have a nice turnout so they can learn from our diverse member base what our fabulous group is all about!

PS- if you are wondering what a shorty fire on the dance floor is – you’ll just have to join us that night – please RSVP by blog commenting or emailing one of your co-leaders

Back by popular demand, the January’s Mom’s Night Out will be the New Year New You Event and Makeover Contest!

Let’s kick off the New Year together on Tuesday, January 19 with a very special night devoted to all of us hard working mommies and a spectacular makeover for one ultimate mommy!

We will be awarding one lucky Mommy with a brand, spanking-new Makeover, with the help of Ultimate Closet and Indira Salon and Spa. The winner will walk home a HOT MAMA courtesy of a complimentary new hair style and color, makeup and “styling” outfit.  (Please see at the bottom about how to enter the contest!)

But, the Makeover winner won’t be the only one having fun that night. The rest of us get to be a part of the process and have some fun of our own. Here is the format:

Tuesday, January 19

4pm: Makeover winner starts hair and makeup at Indira Salon. Since this will take 2 ½ hours, and in an effort to reduce the risk of people standing around and waiting, only the makeover winner is expected to attend this. However, anyone is welcome to come by at any point in time, if they wish.

6:30pm: Everyone gathers at Ultimate Closet. UC Owner, Patti S., will be giving a presentation on current trends, and our makeover winner will try on a few outfits for the group. Everyone will have a chance to vote on which outfit the winner should take home. Everyone will also have time to mingle and shop, of course! Shoppers will be offered a 20% discount that night.

7:30pm: Everyone heads back over to Indira Salon/Spa where they will be offering complimentary spa services. Guests will have a chance to receive chair massages, makeup consultations, hand facials and of course beverages! We will also be offering some fun giveaways!

8:30pm: We will end the night with drinks at Tuscans, located right across the parking lot from Indira.

Cost: $5/attendee

Please RSVP to Amanda R. at arasmussen@new.rr.com and send checks in advance (made out to Mothers and More). When you RSVP, I will send you the mailing address to send your payment to.

Makeover Nominations

We are currently looking for nominations for our Makeover winner. Please nominate yourself or someone whom you think is the most deserving of a Makeover. We’re asking that you write 1 – 2 paragraphs describing why you (or your friend) should win. This is meant to be fun so be creative, humorous, factual, whatever!

Please send nominations to Arasmussen3@new.rr.com (Amanda) AND ltegland@hotmail.com (Larissa).

All nominees MUST be capable of meeting the following criteria:

1. The Makeover winner must be available to start hair and makeup on Jan 19 at 4pm. We cannot adjust this time. If the selected winner is unable to make the 4pm start time, unfortunately, we will have to pick a new winner.

2. The Makeover winner must be willing to go with a new look, as recommended by the Indira stylist. Indira promises not to make any drastic changes (think blonde hair to black hair) but the winner should be open to a moderate change.

3. The Makeover winner must be willing to be interviewed and photographed for an article in the MomsLikeMe Magazine.

The winner will be selected by Amanda and Larissa, under the consultation of Indira owner Tracey N. and Ultimate Closet owner Patti S. All nominations are due by Tuesday, January 5. We will be announcing the winner by Friday, January 8.

We hope to see a lot of nominations! Good luck!

About Our Generous Vendors:

LOCATION: From Hwy 172, Exit GV and head North on GV. On the right, you will see Indira Salon and Spa (across from Target). You’ll need to take a right onto Lime Kiln and left onto Central Drive. Indira is on your left and Ultimate Closet is on your right (near the Reader’s Loft and A’Bravo.)

Ultimate Closet: http://www.theultimatecloset.net/If you haven’t stopped by lately, you’ll see that the Ultimate Closet expande in Spring 2009. They are now twice the size and offering more NEW clothes (in addition to designer resale) in their store.

Indira Salon and Spa: http://www.indirasalonspa.com/You may remember the Chameleon Salon and Spa in Bellevue, which is now Indira! Under the same ownership, this salon has just gone through a name change but they are still the same Aveda salon and spa offering a variety of spa treatments and salon services.

What a great meeting! Thank you to all who joined us last night for our Caring Cookie Exchange! It was a huge sucess and the perfect way to kick-off the holidays!

Many thanks goes out to the combined efforts of Community Outreach, Advocacy, Social, Welcoming and the Co-leaders for the very special event we had last night at Butterfly Books! There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as we learned about the challenges families face in our local area due to homelessness, domestic violence, and the stigma and struggles of young moms with out built in support systems. The message was moving, inspirational and motivating! Our friends at Freedom House, Golden House and Marion House equipped us with the knowledge of how important our action can be and how to best get involved in making a difference for moms in our area.

A special thank you to Community Outreach Chair, Christian Kime who did a fabulous job of scheduling our 3 shelter guests: Robyn, Monica & Ursula. Thank you to Co-Leader, Sara Masarik and Member, Deb Johnson for coordinating our special meeting location at Butterfly Books. Amy VandenPlas, owner of Butterfly Books, not only agreed to donate the meeting space for the evening and stay open to sell books at a discount to any member who wished to make a donation to the shelters, but Butterfly Books also donated a pile of books on our behalf to the shelters.

 Thank you to the many members who attended this meeting/MNO combo, donated so generously to the cookie exchange, asked amazing questions of our guests and donated brand new books to the shelters. Your energy and enthusiasm was not only contagious but inspiring to our guests.

Some highlights from each of our presenters include:

Freedom House: Serves 75-100 families annually, including a portion of the nearly 600 homeless students in the Green Bay Area and empowers families with long term solutions to end their cycle of homelessness. Freedom House has extensive programming that not only meets the physical needs of homeless families in our area but also meets the emotional and educational needs. Freedom House requires their clietns to attend workshops on money, employment, family structure, etc. Freedom House has seen a 30-40% decline in donations this year. Their greatest need is almost always for operational expenses, however you can help them in many other ways from volunteering time in their daycare (you can bring your kids with you) to donating groceries or other household items. For more information on ways you can help, please visit the Freedom House Website at: www.freedomhouseministries.org

Golden House provides crisis housing for those in abusive domestic situations, as well as their children. Sadly, the shared the statistic that it takes most people in abusive situations 6-8 attempts before they permanently leave the situation. They have also seen a decline in donations this year and usually need help with donations to cover operational costs, as well as help with their Giving Tree Program. There are also many volunteer opportunities at Golden House, more information is available at: www.goldenhousegb.org

Marion House is a very unique group home for pregnant and new teen moms. In addition to servicing teen moms from across the stat through the Foster Care system, they also have local placements and an 8 unit apartment building for teen moms who have just graduated out of the foster care system but still need some time to transition into independent living. Many of the teen moms in their care have been sexually abused or exploited. Marion House provides day care so that the teen moms can attend school and they try provide as much of a support system as possible. Marion House appreciates help when it comes to volunteering in their on-site daycare, assisting with tutoring the moms in their school work and providing mentoring to their residents. If you are interested in learning more about Marion House, please visit: www.marionhouse.org

These will continue to be the shelters we support in this area, stay tuned for more information, events and activities we will plan as a group to support them!

Happy Holidays to All! 

Ang & Sara

Ladies,

I have a gorgeous brand new Peggy Karr glass platter that I will be bringing my cookies on and then donating as a give-away. The platter was a gift… not my taste and yet totally appropriate for this event! RSVP as a comment on this post or via the loop with your name and the cookies you will be bringing and you will be entered into a drawing for this platter!

Meeting Goals:
Ÿ Celebrate each other and the holidays
Ÿ Raise members’ awareness of our partnerships with local shelters
Ÿ Provide members with useful tips for making a difference all year long

Meeting Agenda:
Meet & Mix
Welcome & Annoucements
Roundtable Introductions and Icebreaker
Presentation from our 3 visiting shelters
Making Connections Book Recommendations from Butterfly Books
Cookie Exchange – 6 dozen cookies each – 3 to donate, 3 to trade
Wrap-Up

Join us even if you aren’t interested in exchanging cookies! Just bring yourself!

RSVP’s

Laura Broullire – Heath Bar or Mice
Larissa Feenstra
Angela Hoisington
Christian Kime
Sara Masarik – Krinkle Top Ginger Snaps
Heather McCarthy – TBD
Jenny Nichol
Amanda Rasmussen
Tracy Sporrer
Carey Wickman – Molasses Cookies

Date: Tuesday, December 1
Time: 7pm
Location: Butterfly Books in DePere
Cost: FREE!

The holidays are definitely upon us and will be gone before you know it! After a wonderful evening at Denise L’s house on Nov. 16 to kick off the holiday season, it’s time to start thinking about those yummy Christmas Cookies! This year is your chance to get a head start on your baking and to join us for the Mother’s and More Cookie Exchange.

This will be a special evening because  this will be a combined Community Outreach, Advocacy, Mom’s Night Out and December meeting all wrapped into one! We’ve invited representatives from 3 local shelters

• Marion House for Teen Mothers
• Freedom House – a Transitional Family Shelter
• Golden House – a Transitional Woman’s Shelter.

They will talk briefly on ways to give throughout the year. In addition, we will have time to mingle, partake is some beverages and goodies, do a little book shopping (if interested) and take home an assortment of homemade cookies!

For those who would like to participate in the exchange, we are asking everyone to bring 6 dozen cookies. (It can be one type of cookie or multiple types of cookies – whatever you prefer!) 3 dozen will be donated to the local shelters and 3 dozen will participate in the actual exchange. Please note that this is voluntary! If you would like to come just for the sake of getting out of the house and mingling with your friends, that is perfectly fine. No one is required to bring cookies. In addition, if you would prefer to only bring cookies for the shelters, then just bring what you are willing to donate.

Butterfly Books will be hosting our event and will be making a donation of books to the local shelters. If anyone would also like to make a donation in books that night, Butterfly Books is offering 15% on books donated to the shelters.

Please check back to this blog as it’s likely we will be adding more details soon.

Please RSVP to our co-leaders at gbmothersandmore@gmail.com

We all hope to see you there!