Teaching kids good etiquette for playdates & other visits to other peoples homes make them good guests with great social skills. Some tips:
1. Always bring a gift when invited. It can be some fruit, flowers, a pastry etc
2. Teach them to say please and thanks to host /1 3. If invited for a meal, let host know ahead of time if child has allergies or food intolerances
4. Try to set a start and end time to visit, overstaying can inconvenience host
5. Teach child not to wander into private areas and especially not to open cabinets or fridge /2

A thread - When my white mother married my Kenyan father in 1965, her father disowned her. He banned all the family members from attending the wedding. My aunt sneaked out & came to church with her hair dripping wet.
When my eldest sister was born, grandpa came around. /1 Our parents moved to Kenya, for the 46 years they were there, mum's family never visited her.
When Mum came to visit my sister and I in the USA, we took her to visit her brother. Everything in his house was white, even the dogs. He rushed us out of the house to a restaurant./2

A Thread. Many ladies have problems w severe period cramps, bleeding. Here are some tips of natural remedies that can help relieve you:
- Raspberry leaf tea (not to be confused w Raspberry tea). It relieves cramping, reduces intensity of flow.
- Green tea - Relieves bloating /1 Green tea also reduces water retention.
- Ginger tea - Relieves nausea, soothes the stomach
To increase benefits, you can add some Tumeric powder (1 tsp) to the ginger tea.
- Warm compress to lower abdomen and back. Use hot water bottle or just soak towel in warm water and use./2

What are the most important things you teach you kids, that you wish someone had shared with you growing up? Mine are:
- No one is born knowing, don't be insecure that you don't know something, just put in the effort and learn.
- Life comes in stages, don't rush it. - God is always with you, talk to him often. When you are happy give thanks, when you are sad seek comfort.
- Stay close to your family
- Be loyal to those you care about.
- Try new things. /2

A thread. Its clear that no matter where you live, you have to have a disaster preparedness plan. The world/weather is becoming more unpredictable. Some tips:
1. Have a disaster prep plan that your whole family knows. Teach your kids where exits are, how to escape plan. /1 2. Teach family private code for danger i.e code word
3. Keep fire extinguishers in car, house. Teach PASS. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Spray)
4. Teach kids to stop, drop, roll if on fire
5. Do fire drills with family so they know what to do.
6.Train kids to call emergency services /2

A Thread - If my 48 year old self could talk to my 20 year old self I would say:
- No one's born knowing anything - we all learn. Never stop learning.
- You can do anything you set your mind to. Don't limit yourself, set your own goals, don't listen to naysayers.
- Love you /1 -Set your goals, have a plan, focus, focus, focus.
- Life will be there when you achieve your goals
- Trust your gut, especially with people. If you feel funny about a person, trust it.
- Keep your circle small and tight
- Create healthy habits
- Be spiritual - stay centered. /2

# A thread Some of the greatest pleasures in life I have experienced are:
- a train ride through a beautiful landscape
- a great book
- a cup of tea on a rainy day
- a warm pair of socks (with pompoms preferably) on a cold day
- sharing a delicious meal with family and friends - An answered prayer
- Watching ur child succeed at something they worked hard on
- A good glass of wine
- Travel to places you only read about
- Meeting an old dear friend
- Watching a garden grow
- A jumping baby goat
- Finding love and friendship all rolled up in one person

Sibling Rivalry - a thread.
Many kids feel that their siblings are more special; get more attention. This can lead to lifelong resentments and psychological issues. As parents we have to try to give each child the love and attention they need, remember they are all different./1 Some thoughts:
- Kids have different emotional needs, recognize what works for one may not work for the other
- Each child has different strengths and weaknesses. Try to place more attention on the strengths.
- Its natural for a parent to relate to a child who is more like them/2

What I have learned so far, raising a bunch of boys:
- If toddlers refuse to eat, leave them alone. When they are hungry enough they will eat.
- There many things in life a warm hug, loving pep talk and good cup of tea will cure.
- Teenagers are always hungry - always /1 - Smelly socks, filthy clothes and untidy rooms mean a house full of healthy, active kids.
- Teach them to say please and thank you when they are very young.
- Thank you notes when you receive a gift or someones time are a must. It teaches an expression of gratitude

In 1967, my mother (a white American woman) moved to Kenya with my dad. They had been married 2 years, she lived in Kenya till her death 46 years later. In those years, she embraced Kisii culture, cooked the food, spoke both Kiswahili and Kisii, raised her children as Kisii /1 Decades later I also married a foreigner. I also embraced his culture - Igbo. I find the language hard to learn, I wish I could speak it like @nwanyi_ocha. I have found the journey as a foreign woman married in Igbo land to be interesting, fulfilling and rewarding /2

Tips for real estate staging for showings/sales:
- remove all clutter
- stage house ie place certain objects like books on a coffee table
- remove potentially offensive items like explicit art
- remove too many personalized items like family pics, religious or political pieces - Turn on lights to show house well
- ensure house is clean and airy
- present house to show strengths and minimize weaknesses
- Lightly scent room by burning candles, or baking cookies or any other pleasant homely scents
- Remove embarrassing items from view eg underwear

#1. Don't burn bridges. Years ago I was working as Asst Director of Nursing in a nursing facility, I was handing out assignments, due to sickness and we were short of staff. A nurse got angry with her assignment despite assurances that I would help and also call in more staff. #2 In a rage, she threw the keys at me, called me all kinds of motherfathers and stormed out. I could have reported her to Dept of health for abandonment of post but I didn't, I worked the shift, help came in and we all forgot about the unfortunate incident.

# A thread -Chocolate Chip cookies (Recipe included) Recipe:
1 Cup butter
1 Cup sugar
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Cup vanilla extract
2 Large Eggs
3 Cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups chopped chocolate

Banana Muffins - recipe on thread 1 3/4 cup All purpose flour; 1/3 Cup sugar; 2tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt. 1 egg beaten. 3/4 cup milk; 1/4 cup cooking oil ; 3/4 cup mashed bananas. Bake for Round 20 min at 180C

#1 A Thread - I love all things tea. I collect teas and tea sets. From experience I recommend:
1. Black Tea - Lowers BP, decreases stroke risk
2.Lemon Grass Tea - Helps respiratory issues, sore throats, stomach pains
3.Chamomile Tea - Calming, helps with sleep & depression #2 4.Peppermint Tea - Helps with digestive issues, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties
5.Ginger Tea - Antioxidant and anti inflammatory. Great for colds and flu. Relieves period pain.
6.Hibiscus Tea - lowers blood pressure, anti viral properties, protects liver

A thread #1 Instead of The Who cooks conversation If I may advice young couples to discuss:
1. Finances - How to manage all incomes, create incomes, savings, how to pay bills, percentage of income can be used to help extended family, financial goals, health & Life insurance 2. Religion - Beliefs and values, where and how you worship, what religion children (if any) will be raised in.
3. Communication - How you address issues and conflicts, what are the other persons triggers, what are your deal breakers, set your boundaries from the start.

A thread #1 Years ago I was managing a rehab unit, my favorite nurse Didi (not real name) was so caring and good with patients till I noticed on her shift every prn drug was signed for. Every single Oxycontin and Percocet. We had a problem, started watching her every move. One day she did not show up to work, I did something I never did before. My instincts felt something was really wrong. Went to her house, she did not answer door. Had apartment management let us in, found her semi-unconscious. Pills strewn everywhere. Called an ambulance.

A thread #1 If you leave your young child with any sitter, nanny, caregiver pls ensure they know what to do in case of child choking; have basic CPR training; first aid training especially for burns. #2 Prevention is critical. Never warm baby bottle in microwave. Put bottle in bowl of warm water instead. Microwave can create very hot pockets and burn baby’s throat and mouth.