Tammie is now equipped with both really cute “To Do” and “What’s Cookin?” wipe off household boards courtesy of Christy Gandara at One Creative Bug. I apologize for the brain lapse where this giveaway was concerned, folks!  And thanks to everyone that commented! Your input helps to continue to reinforce and build the virtual Leadership Education Community here on TommyMom.

I was talking with a friend last week…

that has chosen public education…

for her children.

They are a remarkable family.

It’s one of those…

in which leadership is defined…

by being servant-based…

quiet…

but very strong.

She and I concluded…

that culture…

is honestly…

the key to success…

or failure…

in most everything.

Culture as defined in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary is…

“The application of labor or other means to improve good qualities in, or growth;

as the culture of the mind:

the culture of virtue…  Any labor or means employed for improvement, correction or growth.”

So often…

people focus…

primarily on method…

and methodology.

Reality dictates…

that cultures…

both created…

and non-spoken…

are powerful influences…

in outcome.

For instance…

when people ask Hero Hubby and I…

“how did we achieve…

(fill in the blank) with our children?”

Many times…

the answer stems from the culture…

that we have consciously created for our family.

And again…

we really must also consider…

the power of influence in what we don’t say…

where culture is concerned as well.

I was discussing this…

with my punk …

quite-possibly-overly-qualified brother today.

As always…

he had multiple insights…

going many directions…

with tremendous examples…

that left me thinking…

thinking…

thinking.

He generally has that effect on me…

when we’re having conversations like this.

Follow along if you will…

Text: “Are you at football practice?”

“No.”

“May I call you?”

He calls.

Tim: “What’s up?’

Me:”I’m wanting to discuss “culture”…

for the next few days on TommyMom.

Will you write an article?”

Tim: “Sure…

That’s a mighty wide open topic….

that could go so many different directions.”

Me: “Which is why I’d like you…

to take it in a couple of different ones”…

(proceeding to name the ones I had in mind.)

Tim: “Well, yes…

but what about all of the other directions…

that come to mind?

What about majority culture…

that influences…

the minority one you’ve created?”

Or…

“How do you change an undesirable culture?”

Then there is always…

“Unspoken Culture.”

“For instance…

why do we always ride escalators facing forward?

No one told us we had to do that.

It’s an unspoken given in our culture.”

See, readers…

this is what takes up valuable time!

It’s simply one more thing to ponder!

When I ride the escalator…

on any given “trip”…

I may or may not be facing forward…

due to several notable articles of fashion…

that are possibly traveling the other direction!

Oh, yes, indeed….

we are very different people.

With nearly identical values.

Hello, Andy Stanley tension…

on a very regular basis!

So…

start thinking about…

and noticing…

“cultures.”

I promise you…

really…

truly…

when Friday…

and several other intermittent days…

come rolling around…

and “Driver’s Ed” is posted…

you’re in for a real treat!

Until then,

Deena Ortiz is just messing around!

However, the deadline for the FATJEF IV early bird registration is fast approaching…

and that isn’t a joke!

December 31, 2009 at 12 midnight! …As in tomorrow!

Any and all registrations after this date will be the new pricing for 2010.

Early bird pricing: $45.00/person, $75.00/couple, $30.00/scholar-aged youth

Pricing after December 31st: $55.00/person, $90.00/couple, $35.00/youth

What are you waiting for?!

This promises to be one of the best opportunities of the year!

I’ve seen the speaker roster…

Go get an envelope, a stamp and a check and download your registration form on this page now…

“Getter done” and mailed without further delay!

You’ll be so glad you did.

Looking ahead to 2010…

And it’s not far to look, my friends…

We are going to be hoppin’ here at Tommymom.com…

Ohhh..yes indeed, it is the place to be!

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in 2010!

There will be a series of “series” on different topics and elements of life…

and clear examples of how TJEd applies.

Fabulous “In the Spotlight” interviews, with moms,

and many others in our society…

who are exercising and exemplifying great examples of leadership…

and practicing TJEd principles in their homes and lives.

FATJEF presenters…

because we would all like to know “why we’re really going to that conference.”

and the grand introduction of …

“TJ, who is married to Ed.”

~Your extended family and friends aren’t the only “pieces of work” walking the planet…

who “love” and “support” what you do…NOT!

Some of you have asked incredible questions of TommyMom.

We’re going to do our best to answer…

So be sure to stay tuned!…Don’t touch that dial! ( or in this case keyboard…)

There will also be fabulous prizes!…

whenever the spirit moves our lovely moderator. ( Hold your applause)

And speaking of prizes…

may I draw your attention to this year’s final “We Have a Winner Wednesday” giveaway?

It is generously given to us

by Trish Hugulet, of

on Etsy.com

I’m certain by now that the holiday photos are piling up!

These darling little Christmas Flag Albums are the perfect solution…

You simply trim your pictures, mount them, add your sentiment or recollection and send!

Wah-Lah!

The perfect memory keeper for distant relatives, friends, or even someone in our military!

They’re light, compact, and easy to mail or “cart around” without much space.

I’ve known Trish for a long time, and her craftsmanship is stellar.

She makes beautiful cards and stamped papercrafts,

and I am the proud owner of many of her wares!

Nothing says “I Love You” or “I Care” quite like handmade.

I’ll tell you what…

I’m feeling so generous during this season of giving…

that I will choose 2 winners this week, and both will receive 2 of these little albums!

Tell me what you got for Christmas…

and what you look forward to discussing on Tommymom

in the New Year…

Leave your comments!

Please e-mail me with your address, and we will get your soaps in the mail. However, there is a slight proviso to this particular contest. Hero Hubby and the Family have agreed that Tammie Lewis, Miss Early Bird…Miss OverAchiever…got right in there with all of the answers and they were correct, except #7 which is partially correct( thus doing the bulk of the work for those of you that apparently copied your way through school), so she and her princess will be receiving one bar on us for being such a wealth of information! ;0)

Thank you again to Lauren at SunBasilGarden on Etsy.com for her generosity to Tommymom.com Please consider our generous supporters when you have gift giving needs.

Here are the answers: 1.William Booth, and his wife Catherine 2. England 3. Oakland Ferry Landing, California 4. December 1891 5. Captain Joseph McFee 6. To provide dinner for the destitute and poverty stricken, and now dinner is also served at Thanksgiving as well 7. Coffee, donuts and blankets were provided during WWII at no charge. This was huge, as many charitable organizations charge during a time of crisis.  The Salvation Army never has and never will. 8. False 9. False 10. It is a part of the Universal Christian Church 11. “Blood and Fire” is the motto of the Salvation Army 12. 90 years, making them the longest running entry in the Rose Parade.

We will have one more giveaway for this calendar year, to be announced and begin play, next Wednesday, December 30, 2009.

I am in love…

with “another man.”

It’s a love that is deep and constantly abiding…

Has been…

ever since I was a little girl.

And tuned in with millions of my closest fellow Americans…

first, once a week for the show…

and then annually for the Christmas program.

My mother has shared the same adoration complex with me…

So imagine our shock, then surprise, then absolute anticipatory joy…

(Geez, Teri, get a grip, will you?)

When Son #1 and Hero Hubby presented the two of us

with an early Christmas present.

Box seat tickets to…

The Andy Williams Christmas Show.

It was Sunday evening…

At the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert.

I’d like to tell you that my love affair with this man has dwindled…

After his spectacular performance, that would be a blatant lie.

He opened with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”…

the Christmas song that I have personally adopted as my annual theme for jest and sarcasm…

but dearly love.

He closed the evening with “Moon River”.

He even brought back the dancing bear from his television program.

I was prepared to hurl myself over the banister of my private box and onto the stage…

then thought better of it.

It is an action absolutely lacking in proper decorum and personal self-governance.

I did, however, come home with an autographed copy of his memoirs…

and a beautiful souvenir program of the Christmas tour.

SIGH.

My life could very possibly be complete.

p.s.  Son #1 very casually inquired as to whether or not he had mentioned to me…

that one of his co-workers has a high school friend…

that is married to Andy.

I think I know who I am going to be “getting to know better” in the new year!

Kidding…

No really.

I am kidding…

Do I look to be the stalker type?!

What iconic Christmas album/singer/or entertainer can YOU not live without…

at “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?”

“We Have A Winner Wednesday!”

The winner of this week’s contest is…drum roll, please #4..Tiffany Bellah, Orange County, CA!!!!

She is the lucky recipient of a couple’s registration to the April, 2010 FATJEF IV in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Congratulations, Tiffany!  We’ll look forward to seeing you there!

Just remember…

YOU could be the next lucky contestant on ” We Have A Winner Wednesday!”

please direct all further complaints and comments regarding this contest to Mads Haahr, Dublin Ireland.

For this week’s contest and fabulous prizes….please read on.

It is my distinct privilege to introduce you to this brilliant, entrepreneurial, fantasticly

is that a word?!…it is now

mom, Lauren Miller of:

Click on her banner and it will take you to her Etsy page…

where creativity and visual stimulus abound!…

Her soap creations are nothing short of amazing!

The colors!…

The creativity-combined-with-real-life-scents…

Take the art of hand washing to a whole new level!…

At least at our house…

where admittedly, we could possibly need to get out more!

When packages arrive from Lauren, Son #5 calls a hiatus from all current activity.

Here at the Helms, thanks to Sunbasilgarden, we have happy hands!

Let’s face it…

It’s the little things in life that sometimes matter most…

Or as Lauren’s tag line says,” Because life is too messy to not use happy soap!”

I don’t gravitate to bar soap…

please remember: 5 Sons + 1 Hero Hubby = 6 Males…

This is not a bar soap equation.

This fact being clearly stated regarding bar soap…

Let me be perfectly clear.

Lauren’s soaps are NOT just bar soap…

Any more than Etsy is “just another place to shop.”

Etsy is a place to buy and sell all things handmade.

I love it.

I can support really smart, innovative people…

never leave the drive way…

Not have to take any “little Sons” to the women’s restroom in a crowded mall because no “big Sons” came along…

And I get one-of-a-kind, “where did you get that?” things!

I’m in…

This week’s winner will not only get 3 of Lauren’s beautiful, handmade wonders…

but will also receive the joy of “finding things out!”

I hope you become a “Smartypants” with your kids in tow!

We are still posting our comments under the initial prize post for each week...i.e. this one.

With the “rules” firmly in place…

Part of excellent social leadership, involves the key components of…

community involvement and stewardship.

Here, at “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”…

Let’s “test” your knowledge of this organization…

those of you that regularly default to customary fill in the blank, true/false knowledge acquisition are cheering…

Others of you are possibly sweating…profusely.

A TEST?!

No one told me that was TODAY!?!?

The Salvation Army has historically had great taglines over the years…

“Caring is Sharing.”

“Heart to God and Hand to Man”…

(Lauren and I want you to have “happy hands”, wherever you live in this amazing country!)…

See how thematic I can be?!

Over the next week, simply post the answers to your research…

All in one post, please, and you will be entered to win 3 custom soaps!

For the “other” posting days, simply return to this original post and comment…

Even if it’s just that you read the post…

It still counts as an entry.

More on this incredible community organization to come…

Ready, set, go!…

You Smartypants, you!

1. Who was the founder of The Salvation Army?

2. In what country did it originate?

3. Where was the first kettle placed?

4. In what month and year?

5. By whom?

6. What is the purpose of placing kettles?

7. During WWII, what did The Salvation Army typically give to soldiers?

8. True or False? Santa sometimes rings a bell at a kettle.

9. True or False? The Salvation Army has orchestras as well as bands.

10. True or False? The Salvation Army is a church.

11. What is the motto of The Salvation Army?

12.  Counting the upcoming 2010 Rose Parade, how many consecutive years has The Salvation Army marched in the Rose Parade?

Thank you for playing!

cannot win the prizes that are being given away.

I’m stunned to think that you could even begin to assume that I am running my blog

the way the Federal Government is attempting to run our country.

2. I am not choosing the eventual winner of said prizes. Random.org is.

If you go to Random and even briefly read the defining factors of this site, you’ll realize that you’re in good hands.

Mads Haahr, the creator at The School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College, Dublin Ireland, kindly offers you the definition of true random numbers.

This school prides itself (and I’m quoting here) on its name being an “innovative and energetic centre for study and research.”

I slept considerably better after I internalized this information…

but I didn’t come up with those adjectives to describe what I personally saw there.

I searched their website for a gift shop that offered cute, chic, designer pocket protectors…

There wasn’t one.

I can confidently say, that I doubt Mads learned his multiplication tables watching SchoolHouse Rock in the 1970’s…

Just remember, wanna-be-winners, to go to TommyMom’s Monday Post each and every post day

of any ” We Have a Winner Wednesday” giveaway week…

Then you will be automatically entered for each comment you leave.

If you forgot and left a post on Wednesday of this week…

I’ve got you covered…

It might be helpful to review your days of the week from Core/Love of Learning phases for future giveaways…

Just being helpful…

Because I want for all of you to win…

and yes, the rest of the country will benefit from future prizes…

Not just Southern California…

although we’d love to have you visit for the FATJEF!

In finishing up the “Festival of the Trees” series of thoughts…

I want to share with you what we did the day we took it all down…

As I was saying…. ( so many posts ago!…)

Familial buy in is huge to reinforce family identity and a sense of belonging…

The Festival committee begins wrapping the trees for delivery and dismantling the pens promptly at 4:00 p.m.

on the Sunday following the week of the event.

We took the entire family in for this “extravaganza”…

So we could all see the trees together…

And Sons #1-#5 could make numerous trips to the car with stuff we needed to clean up…

At times, they’re convinced it’s why we had them…

For strength in numbers when we need manual labor done…

The Mission Inn is a historic landmark in Riverside, California.

I am well aware that not all of you live here…

The point is, what do you have in your area that could be meaningful, inexpensive, family fun…

That promotes holiday spirit?

Their lights and decor during the holiday season are famous…

They are two blocks from the Festival of the Trees.

Just look at the atmosphere of celebration, fun, and community that was going on…

We had a ball!

And…our mission was accomplished…

Our older children saw the value in serving the greater community good…

Our Core and Love of Learning children “can’t wait to help spray paint” for next year, and loved the trees and family fun!

This really is a freeing way to pursue education…

I am blessed…

What are you doing as a family to get ready for the upcoming holidays?

pssstt…Go to Monday’s post to comment! You can link above…

I’m having a ball…

And feeling somewhat savvy…

Don’t be impressed…

This possibly brings me to the computer skill level of the average 4-year-old in America today.

Woo-Hoo.

I have been on quite a learning curve; managing to find out some fascinating things about the internet world…

Specifically the blogging community.

I’m far from finished…

I would like to say how very humbled I am that so many of you would choose to become regular readers…

And send me really kind, nice, well thought out e-mails…

You don’t have to,

because you’re not family…

I am touched.

Seriously.

Still others of you leave comments on the blog, so that a regular community can be formed.

Probably so that you don’t just have to listen to me…

Smart move.

“The Sons” would applaud your brilliance.

I want everyone to be able to read how kind, considerate, articulate and earnest so many of you are about

family,

this country,

and any form of education that is inclusive of pursuing leadership.

Just in case the issue at hand is “not knowing how to post to a blog”…

Here are some instructions…

Along with a nifty visual…

TommyMom posts are every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday…

barring natural disaster…

Or, just a wild hair…

but so far, so good.

When you have finished reading the post on one of those days, this is what the bottom of it will look like…

Pictures will vary…

See the word “Comments” on the right?

In a real post,this is where you want to place your mouse and click.

You will then get a screen with a box, where you put your name, and if it’s your first time posting, a place to put your e-mail address ( which will never be shared with anyone)…promise,

and a box for you to comment in…

Fire away.

This is how we build community…

Which is defined by Webster as: “a society of people, having common rights and privileges, or common interests.”

And sometimes the above mentioned rights, privileges and interests won’t be so common…

But then, things will possibly be even more interesting!

When you post, it gets “recorded” or “tallied” somewhere in the blogosphere….

I seriously doubt that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are doing this, so don’t hold your breath…

But!…

It helps to position the category of Leadership Education on the internet in what will eventually be “key places.”

You may “subscribe” to the blog by entering your e-mail address in the sidebar to the right and following directions as well…

That’s about the full extent of my understanding to date…

When I finish consulting with 5 and 6-year-olds, I’ll get back to you…

In the meantime…

In honor of the holidays, and your undying devotion thus far…

I’m announcing “We Have a Winner! Wednesdays” that will be going into effect immediately, so read on…

Each Monday, starting today, through New Years, there will be a post with a featured prize!

All you have to do, is leave a comment and you will be entered to win!

When you read on Wednesday and Friday, come back to the Monday post, leave a comment again,

and you have yet another entry!…

I apologize for the length of today’s post, but two words here:

FABULOUS PRIZES.

This week’s giveaway…December 7-15, 2010?

A Couple’s Admission to the Fourth Annual Thomas Jefferson Education Forum…

in Rancho Cucamonga, California…

on April 24, 2010!

Value: $75.00

Tune in on Wednesday, for more information about this incredible giveaway…

You’ll be glad you did!

Comments?

Giveaway Guidelines:

Anyone in the U.S. with an e-mail and a name is eligible.

You don’t have to use your “real name” in order to enter.

Your e-mail and personal information will never be publicized.  Promise.

For this particular prize, the two individuals must be from the same family.

Hope you win!