March/April 2014
Introducing Ella & Bailey
Deluxe Double Edition
ScreaminMamas
™
The Magic of Sisters
Inside this Issue: Autism Speaks A Whale of a Story Illustrator Daniela Frongia The Princess & The Dragon WaterColours by Michele Ask Sandra A Publication of Harmoni Productions
Letter from the Editor Hello Mamas and Fabulous Contributors,
Now, let’s get down to business. This issue is full of Fairytales, April Fools, Resurrection stories, the Luck of the Irish, the Magic of Sisters and we bring light to Autism. We are also happy to announce Mr. Bently as the contest winner of Cutest Pet Photo, hosted by the amazing Susan Kissinger in conjunction with ScreaminMamas. Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and visit our Website for all the latest!
It’s good to be back but a break was much needed, so this issue will enjoy the many wonders of March and April all under one roof!!! Let’s start with Ms. Irene Gray, pictured center. Irene embodies all the spirit, fun and passion that we love to encourage at ScreaminMamas. She is fun and spunky & full of Mama Sass! Irene has also been a freelance contributor and supporter of ScreaminMamas since we started over a year ago. We LOVE you Irene!!
With much love,
Darlene
EDITORIAL Darlene Pistocchi - Editor/Publisher Denise Weatherby - Postmaster/Books Deanna Wolverton - Director of Ops Georgia Lena Luig - Submissions/Copy Editor
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3 Winner of Cutest Pet Photo Page 4 The Princess & The Dragon Page 5-7 Sean & Danielle Page 8-10 The Magic of Sisters Page 11 Watercolours by Michele Page 12-13 Rodeo FairtyTale - Kiddy Corner Page 14 Ask Sandra Page 15 ScreaminMamas Book Corner Page 16-17 Daniela Frongia Page 17 The Snake Parade Page 18-19 For the Love of the Irish Page 19 Creation Art Center Page 20 Aries Girls Page 21-22 Masterpiece Page 23 Happy Easter/Susan Kissinger Page 24 BeautyRushbyRaquel Page 25-26 A Fun Twist on April Fools Page 27 Subscriptions Page 28-29 A Whale of a Story Page 30-31 Autism Speaks Page 32-34 Memories & A Special Person Page 35 Remembering Page 36 BackCover/1 Peter 1:3-5
PROMOTIONAL Corinne Thereza Ramos - Public Relations Sandra Lemire - Writer/Consultant/Strategist DeeDee - Marketing/Sales/Promotions CREATIVE CONTENT Marcella Kumer - Poetry/Recipes/Short Stories Susan Kissinger - Illustrations/Design Studio Janine Taranto - Writer/Kiddy Corner Patricia Zollmann Kissinger - Writer/Photographer DeeDee - Stories/Recipes/Poetry/Photography Darlene Pistocchi - *Design/Layout/Graphics *Please note that some images may be slightly stretched or altered to compensate our layout. MARCH/APRIL CONTRIBUTORS Linda Seccaspina, Daniela Frongia, Sheila Velar, Raquel Bosch Brito, Marjorie Calvert, Michele Francouer, Irene Gray, Joni Tosto, Chuck A. Steston, Jenn VanDenBergh, Alternative Medicine Center, Creation Art Center & Our Facebook Mamas!
DISCLAIMER! Due to abnormal strain on the eyes, minor typos and/or small grammatical errors may occur, even in this disclaimer!! APOLOGIES!
SPECIAL THANKS TO: Susan Kissinger for hosting a wonderful contest for our Mamas and their loved ones, including the furry ones!!! We would also like to thank Joni Tosto & Jenn VanDenBergh for sharing their stories of Autism with us and Alternative Medicine Center for continuously researching and offering proven alternative treatment for those who suffer; Chuck A. Stetson for sharing his photo for Sean & Danielle; Raquel Harmoni Pistocchi for helping to illustrate the story and for Susan Kissnger for adding color. Thank you to Marjorie Calvert for allowing us to use her adorable two girls, Ella & Bailey, for our cover and for sharing their story; to our FaceBook Mamas for allowing us to publish their quotes!; and to all of our Staff, Contributors & EVERYONE who supports and helps promote our cause and our vision. Bless you all xoxo *All rights reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, reprinted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of ScreaminMamas and/or Harmoni Productions, LLC. Authors/artists retain all rights to their work. ScreaminMamas/Harmoni Productions retain all rights for layout & design.
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Congratulations Mr. Bently!!! Winner of our Cutest Pet Photo Contest with 113 Votes!
Contest Mr. Bently’s Owner, Shaina Etcitty of Farmington, New Mexico, will receive a beautiful 9” x 12” painting of Mr. Bently, courtesy Susan Kissinger Design Studio, AND a 3 month subscription to ScreaminMamas magazine courtesy ScreaminMamas & Harmoni Productions! Congrats Shaina!! 2nd Place! Georgie with 105 Votes
3rd Place! Ziggy with 36 Votes
We LOVE contests and we LOVE Susan Kissinger! Her work is amazing!! Thank you Susan for all you do! Winner of our Creative Non-Fiction Contest to be announced in our May issue. If you love to tell stories, be sure to enter our Magical Fiction Contest! Details at screaminmamas.com/contests. Be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and visit our website for all that’s going on!!! 3
The Princess & The Dragon By: Lena Luig
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nce upon a time There seemed to be a Prince charming and romantic a gentle touch and tender kiss Until his Lady found out this was not the case at all but the Prince instead of greatness had been taking a great fall! What woe this brought the maiden as they had a lad and lass Now what was she to do On her own, how would she last? She prayed and turned to God for true guidance from above and little did she know Our great Father showed his Love He blessed her and her children Kept them safe and blessed their home Gave her strength to carry on even if she were alone He stayed by their side and unlike the falsely Prince He kept his light aflame loving them with all His might And so the lad and lass grew up and made their Mama proud But God knew in her heart She still longed for her true love And so till this day she prays The Prince will let the dragon out and back to her he’ll come to be her shining Prince one day.
Illustration Scanned from Grimms’ Fairy Tales (1920 Charles Scribner’s Sons edition) Image in Public Domain
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WaterColours by Michele
Rose Hips
Vase of Flowers
Sand Dunes
Rose Garden
Geraniums
Michele Francoeur fell in love with painting at the age of 16. She attended Parsons School of Design in NYC and worked in advertising for 5 years. After settling down and having children, she began painting again and while raising the kids she found herslef teaching other children in her home. A Montessori teacher heard of Michele’s work and asked her if she would teach at the school. Thus, began her 13 plus-year-career in teaching! Now that her children are older, Michele will be attending graduate school in the fall and plans to teach at the University level. What we love about this story is that Michele never gave up. She is painting again on a regular basis and is selling her artwork again. Don’t ever give up, Mamas! God has plans for you and they are good! If you are interested in Michele’s work, you may email her: Michele.Francoeur@yahoo.com. 5
Ask Sandra...
Do you have a great business idea brewing but not sure what to do with it, how to start or where to begin? Ask Sandra.
Sandra is a self-made entrepeneur who started her busines journey by selling a dozen eggs for $1. Since then, she has owned several businesses, written several books, including E-Girls, and she is a strategist, consultant, writer for ScreaminMamas. Sandra’s mission in life is to offer her vast experience to help empower moms and woman of all ages - giving them the resources and encouragement needed to follow their dreams and fulfill their goals. We are blessed to have Sandra on staff and we know you will be blessed by the advice she can offer. Sandra will be using her knowledge and the many resources she has made available in “E-Girls” as a reference, so *ask your questions & Let’s get crackin! *Questions & Answers will be featured regularly in a column format. Submit your questions to screaminmamas@gmail.com with Ask Sandra as the subject.
Sample Questions for Readers Regarding Businesses by: Sandra Lemire • Are you making plans to start a business? How soon?
• Is this business to support yourself, your family, or create a retirement?
• “Who’s Dream Is this?” • What is the structure of your business? Sole Proprietor, LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership?
• Is there a required education, training, or license required to open or perform this business? • Is this a hobby, a passion, or need to move up?
• Do you have a Business Plan? • Is this a “Home Based Business?”
• What are your goals associated with this business? Artistic Expressions, Fame, Inventing?
• Do you have your “Team” started? CPA, Banker, Attorney, webmaster, expert?
• Do you have “start-up” funds available?
• Is there “Liability Exposure” with this business? How so?
• What are your long term goalsin two years, or in five years? E-Girls can be found on Amazon.com and at SandraLemire.com. 6
ScreaminMamas Book Corner
Mama!!! The Prince is coming!! Wake up!
JOIN THE CLUB
and let us feature your book on this page! Our advertising rates are the lowest around and Mama works round the clock to get the word out! (Unless, of course, she’s napping!) Email: screaminmamas@gmail.com for more info.
This is one mom’s “Diary of a Witty Kid” -- for adults to enjoy!
THIS MONTH’S SPOTLGITH: by: Lynda Schomer Mecoli
Available on Amazon.com
230 “Kayla Says” quotes, along with her whimsical drawings, illustrate the clever and humorous
“Mom, Can you speak Cursive?” is for anyone who appreciates the creative way kids express themselves; with plays on words, deep thoughts on life and religion, public displays of honesty, and family inquisitions such as “Why did Dad marry two womens?”
You can also find “Mom Can you speak Cursive” on Facebook.
Do you know where your “Leg Pits” are? They’re right under your knees, of course.
way kids tell it like it is. You can find all of these books on Amazon.com
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Screamin' walks the Red Carpet!
ScreaminMama illustration: Susan Kissinger
at the “I’m a Queen - Ladies in Red Event” hosted by the fabulous Raquel Bosch-Brito of BeautyRushbyRaquel.com!
Raquel is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to women and beauty! The host of many spectacular events designed to empower and encourage females of all ages, Raquel is committed to helping young ladies and women of all walks of life learn to bring out their unique beauty, inside and out. Partner, Matthew Carby, helps make a lasting impression by offering his professional photography services. (All photos featured here courtesy MatthewCarby.com) This event also featured sensational makeup by Carmen Cabrera.
Raquel invites many wonderful guest speakers to her events including: Stephanie Standford of StephStandford Speaks; Karen Bryce of Women Inspiring Women to Greatness and our exquisite ScreaminMamas! Raquel is one of our strongest supporters and always quick to promote us. Raquel showing off ScreaminMamas! We LOVE you, Raquel!!! xoxo
Please be sure to visit all of these sites and like them on FaceBook to keep up with all the latest happenings!
ScreaminMamas Proudly Presents... ! All those willing to share will have 5 minutes at the podium! So bring your stories, your poems, your rhymes and your woes! We are the best audience in town!
This is a GREAT opportunity to sharpen your communication skills, Mamas! Prizes will be given!!
ScreaminMamas.com BeautyRushbyRaquel.com KeeperPhotography.webs.com WomenInspiringWomentoGreatness.com CarmenCabrera.com StephStandford.com Upcoming Events:
We want to hear YOUR stories out loud!!! TBA March TBA 29, 2014 TIME: 3:30pm to 5:45pm WHEN: Saturday, WHERE: Dania Beach Library, 1 Park Ave East, Dania, FL 954-357-7073
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There will be stories and treats and plenty of seats prizes and laughter and more fun thereafter So join us, Mamas, for a rollicking time we’ll share our tales - it will be sublime! Be sure to bring your friends!!! We’ll see you there!
For more info, visit us at Facebook.com/ScreaminMamas or email: screaminmamas@gmail.com
Castle Headquarters
“A Mamas Tale” hosted monthly by: ScreaminMamas “Beautiful Warriors Beach Party” “Summer Beauty Camp” for girls ages 12-18 hosted by: BeautyRushbyRaquel.com
A Fun Twist on April Fools HOW ABOUT SCREAMING WIVES OF DIMENTIA HUSBANDS? -Kate Lupole, Weltonvlle, New York We LOVE it, Kate!
Throughout the year ScreaminMamas posts links and throws out ideas for our fans and readers to interact with on FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn. These past few months have been full of so many great quotes from Moms, we just had to share. Each quote is made by a viable, certified ScreaminMama somewhere in the States, at large abroad, or somewhere in the middle of the Sea! They made us either laugh, cry, sympathize or rejoice - sometimes all at the same time. We thank each Mama for allowing us to share their rants, words of wisdom and cries for help! Haha! So please enjoy these tidbits from the everyday heartwrenched, harried, overworked mom - around the globe and to your home! You ROCK, Mamas! (In our appreciation, each Mama listed here will receive a courtesy copy of our magazine.)
ShaVed HeAds!
“I was screaming this morning... my daughter came in my room and the first inch of her head was shaved!!! Not having a good morning!” - Monique Pettinger, Luling, Texas (Update! Monique’s daughter’s hair IS growing back!)
NOT for the Squeamish!!!
“Why do our significant others like to test the hot waters when we are so calm and trying to deal with the kids? Wait - I already have the answer..... They have penises and unstable minds with the audacity to try to be our bosses. Lord help them! Lol!” Christina Velez, Oxford, North Carolina (Haha!!)
I’LL BE BACK!
OOOOOOOHHHH! I so need a place to yell! Today, not so much, but I will be back! (a few weeks later...) It’s Friday. How come it feels like Monday morning? I want to crawl into a hole. - Natasha Fissure, Phuket, Thailand (You’re reading our minds, Natasha! Please keep visiting!) 9
Tara & Marcella
Tara Kleffman
Tara & Daughters
Middleburg, Kentucky
“Well...my three oldest girls are grown and two married.. but I still have my 18 year old at home.. and I told her “no” today for something she always would normally do and she acted like I killed her soul...we fought yelled and I said mean things..I am a bad mom!” (No you’re not, Tara!) LOL! How many of us feel like this so many times?! ScreaminMamas had the pleasure of catching up with Tara, who graciously shared a bit of family history with us. As a military dependent, Tara and her children have traveled all over Europe & more time traveling than anything. But, she says, “ We are all close. I am adopted from San Carlos Apache reservation and my ex-husband is Cherokee/Mexican/Irish. That’s where the dark everything comes from! All four of my kids are college-educated and, of course, Marcella (the 18 year-old) is college-bound. She has already taken college courses. Parenting isn’t easy! ... I am currently writing an autobiography but am pursuing my Bachelor’s in Nursing. I finally went back to college.” We love Tara’s story and we can’t wait to read her autobiography! Her children are Marissah, 29; Miranda, 26; Mariah,22; and Marcella, 18. Thank you for sharing, Tara!
And the greatest prank of all...
Teenagers...... why God, why??? Haha! Thank you Carrie Fouts of McMinville, Oregon
IDenTiCaL TwIns!!
I have identical twin teenage girls which would normally be grounds for screamin’, but I’m blessed to have teens that are respectful and well mannered. They will be 17 on Christmas Eve! - Michelle DeVille, Lisbon, Ohio (both girls are now 17 & will be graduating in 2015! God bless!)
HeLp!
Good evening all, I need some advice from all the other Mom’s out there. I have a 5yr old daughter and she is the most stubborn little thing. She will argue with you until the cows come home. Ask you what color the sky is then argue when you say it’s blue. I love her more than anything, she is my world. But sometimes I just want to throttle her when she does this!!! Help! How do I deal with her? - Summer L. Justesen, Tucson, Arizona (We feel your pain, Summer!) If you would like to hlep Summer, or respond to any of these quotes, please email us: screaminmamas@gmail.com! Please reference which quote & author you are referring to and we will post on FaceBook and publish in an upcoming issue of ScreaminMamas! If you have a story, rant, or revelation, we’d love to hear it. We’re all about sharing YOUR Voice... around the globe and to your home. 10
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Masterpiece by: Darlene Pistocchi
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nce upon a time, I was a singer/songwriter/guitarist in a popular all-original rock band. I worked hard at being recognized as a competent guitarist in the local music scene (it was 95% male-driven) and I have to admit, I was successful – guitar goddess that I thought I was. My popularity was rising, my social circle growing, and our band? Close to being signed. My world was rockin’! What more could a girl ask for? A husband who loved music as much as I and a couple of great kids? Done. I fell head over heels and married a drummer extraordinaire. A son and daughter soon followed and for the first time in my life, I felt complete. I mean, really, really complete. Music. Family. Friends – even a bit of fame. What a ride it was - on that high horse. But changing diapers, feeding babies and keeping up with hefty childcare bills soon lost its appeal to my other half. It only took a few years for the charms of deception to wear off. So long to the high horse. After a painful divorce, my “rockin’” world shattered. I stopped socializing, stopped opening mail, stopped cleaning, stopped answering the phone. I even stopped playing the guitar. I kept the house dark and hid myself, only going out to take the kids back and forth to school. I felt ashamed. Torn. Alone. A failure. How could I have been so clueless? So stupid? So deceived? I was complete alright. A complete mess. Finally, I found my way to a local church. They welcomed my kids and I with open arms - warm, friendly, and everything I needed in the way of emotional and spiritual support. As I went through DivorceCare and Boundaries classes, I started to realize how much God was missing in my life and how desperately I needed Him. When I registered for CrossCurrent classes, I started to reconnect. In one of the classes, we read an article that included a topic on the artist and his painting. It reminded me of Leonardo da Vinci and his Mona Lisa. Leonardo took that painting from Italy to France. It was bought by King Francois I, then given to Louis XIV, who moved the painting to the Palace of Versailles. It was owned by Napoleon I, moved back to the Louvre and during the FrancoPrussian War, it was moved somewhere else in France. The Mona Lisa was a masterpiece, and everyone wanted a piece of it.
I continued to read the article. It discussed how paintings get dirty and tarnished, ripped and torn. After being dragged through all those battlefields of love and war, the rich and vibrant colors start to fade. The beautiful lines, curves and shape become tarnished and smudged, and eventually, the painting winds up in a corner - ugly, dirty and messy. The artist searches high and low for his painting, but no one knows of his beautiful work. He keeps looking and finally, he finds it – in the corner, in the dark – lifeless and alone. He can still see the original beauty under all that mess, even when no one else can. He takes the painting home and delicately mends all the rips and tears. He works diligently to straighten the crooked lines and he carefully adds back just the right colors, the right tints, shades and hues. Then he finds just the right frame and sets it back up so everyone can see his amazing work. And then it hit me. No matter how dirty or ruined that canvas got, that artist would always find it and love it forever. He would take great care of it because he wanted that painting to shine, and he wanted the world to see his masterpiece. I went home and looked in the mirror for the first time since the divorce. After a long, hard look, I got down on my knees and cried. I gained over 30 pounds, my hair was all straggly and gray, my skin was rough and dry. Hardened and aged, I could see all the wear and tear, the darkness, the wrinkles and crinkles. What had I done to my canvas? Tears fill my eyes now just thinking back to that time, knowing how He searched high and low to find me. I had been running for so long - trying to hide all the smudges I had made. I was so ashamed. But, I realized that no matter how dirty I was, He would always love me and be there to restore me when I was in such a mess. I can still hear Him whisper over my shoulder, “My beautiful daughter, there is work to be done!” The mission was on. His mission! Time for restoration. I found a wonderful book, Becoming the Noble Woman, by Anita Young. It spoke of “Rebuilding the Temple” - to submit your body to God for Him to rebuild the way He wants it. It empha
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sized Luke 10:27... “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” It explained that “when one aspect is out of balance the other three suffer and can affect your mind and your perception of wisdom.” I started walking, lifting small weights and watching calories. Oh the pain! And when it came time to eat, I really struggled because I absolutely love food. How I prayed. But He was right there by my side. He lead me to 1 Corinthians 10:13... “...when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (NIV).” I lost over 20 pounds and a whole lot of self-loathing
because the truth is, we are never alone. God is always with us, and He has plans for us to prosper! (Reference Jeremiah 29:11) With Him by my side, I knew I could do anything. Even play the guitar again. Hallelujah, I’d been freed! If you’re feeling little off kilter – whether you’re sitting on a high horse or dwelling in the caves, check your elements. Are you giving Him all your heart, mind, body and soul? Take inventory and then take the time to reflect. What are all the beautiful colors, shapes and talents He has given you? It’s never too late for restoration -- for God is the artist and you are His masterpiece.
Masterpiece was originally published in “Echoes of the Right to God” as the winner of their first international contest, Ron & Jennie Dugan; Image of Mona Lisa courtesy Leonardo da Vinci [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons; Boundaries, Henry Cloud & John Townsend; DivorceCare is a church initiative ministry; Noble Women, Anita Young.
Thank you
John 12:23-24 King James Version (KJV) And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Jesus for saving me
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We hope you enjoyed this Sneak Preview! If you would like to purchase the magazine in its entirety please visit:
Shop.ScreaminMamas.com
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