I’ve always thought of greeting cards as just a topper for a gift.  Then my two children brought home a catalog from school filled with images of cards that they and every child in the school had created and greeting cards became a gift in and of themselves.

The art, style, themes and artistic ability varied greatly by class and by grade – kindergarten through 5^th grade were represented – but the uniqueness and emotional response to the cards drawn by those kids I knew (and had known since they were little) was amplified by the fact that 40% from the sale of each box purchased would be going directly back to the school.  

Forty percent!  Knowing that Americans purchase over seven billion greeting cards each year, this program, Worldwise Education’s Artwork for Education, could be an important player in funding the burgeoning financial crisis that our public schools are experiencing due to the severe budget cuts.  

And now, through an exciting agreement with Whole Foods’ Southern Pacific Region, a selection of our children’s artwork can be bought at their local stores!  What a huge confidence booster for these kids.  My son, Kamden, was ecstatic to learn that his card had been chosen, that his card might be purchased by someone he doesn’t even know (he felt a bit famous in that moment), and proud that the sale of that card would still benefit his school.

Each card is blank on the inside – which allows me to use them for everything from birthdays to holidays, from Get Well to Great Job.  They are, quite possibly, the perfect gift – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and even the kids’ friends love opening these cards.  Each kid is credited on the cards they created with their first name, age and school in bold type on the back.

Having raised almost $2 million for schools since the program was introduced in 2006, Artwork for Education fundraisers are providing vital funds that our schools need to pay for supplies and programs.  And they accomplish this while enhancing the self-esteem of each child who gets to see one of their creations turned into a tangible and saleable item, validating them as artists, as creators, as contributors to their school.

The Artwork for Education line of greeting cards is now available in Whole Foods Markets in Los Angeles County, the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Single cards can be purchased at Whole Foods for $2.95 per card and boxed sets containing 12 cards of a single image with envelopes are available for $20.50 per set through the website www.WorldwiseEducation.com.   Support art for our kids, support our schools, and support the Artwork for Education program at your local Whole Foods.  To learn more about how you can utilize the Art For Education fundraiser to help your school, please call 800-932-2140.

It appears that an inordinate amount of “B’s” could Be Banished during my AlphaBet Detox. There are the oBvious: Bread, Booze, and Botox; and the not so oBvious: Butter (nothing But the real stuff, BaBy!), Brie, Bundt cakes, Beef, Books (it’s a wonderful oBsession!), BaseBall, BasketBall, and truthfully, anything having to do with a Ball. With two Boys and an athletic Boyfriend, I am in constant Ball-sport overload. And other than the Botox and Books, I feel like I am always in some state of detox from Butter, Brie, Bread, Bundts, Beef and Booze.

As I ponder the “B’s”, I realize that Botox is on the list purely from an economic standpoint – part of my cutting Back (I would love to detox from cutting Back!). And while I may have had a Botched Botulism joB in my past, those four months of odd smiles in no way compares to the pain of witnessing previously dormant wrinkles making a dramatic comeBack onto my face. The only part of Bread and Bundt cakes that I really like is the crust, But I am unaBle to eat only one crust Because in my twisted justification of proportions, since I am only eating the crust, I should Be aBle to eat the crust of four pieces. I know I should just learn to love the middle part as well and keep it to just one whole piece. That however, makes me feel like I am depriving myself, and I would Buckle under that pressure. So, onto Butter, Brie, Beef and Booze. Oh, why Bother? It’s summer and nothing But fizzy wine coolers and crunchy water-Based veggies in light airy dips are Being served. I’ll wait until the fall when the heavy cheeses, spreads, meat and real drinks come Back into favor Before I take on the Burden of detoxing from those.

Next. Ball games. This is tough. While I am glad that the kids’ BaseBall season is over (I Love the Batter!), that BasketBall playoffs have finally ended (Omar Lodom Rocks!), and the dog finally popped the footBall, I do realize we all need the Basic physical activity that these Ball sports provide, and the Bonus quality time we spend together as a family is irreplaceaBle, so I can’t really detox from these either. In fact, this is one area that I keep adding to, having recently discovered Badminton as a fun family sport. And the Birdie doesn’t really count as a Ball, does it?

Hmmm. What starts with a “B” that I can give up that would make me a Better person? A Better mom? What modification would add value to my life, whose effect could Bring instant gratification or at least some sense of immediate results, however painful or pleasuraBle (a key component to my detox)? Did I mention the wrinkles? As I sit here frowning and feeling a wrinkled forehead headache forming, I Believe I have come up with something: Blowing Things Out of Proportion. That’s a good one for me. Letting things roll. Going with the flow. Adopting an “It is what it is” mentality, which, Bluntly, is a Bit hard for me. But, through sheer Brut force, for my “B” detox, I will stop, Become aware in the moment, and Breathe. I will not Blow it out of proportion. Whatever it is. I will let go of the Bad haBit of immediate reaction. And By not Blowing Things Out of Proportion, I feel that I may have the opportunity to learn to just Be. And Be at choice. In Being at choice and letting others just Be, I Believe life will Be more pleasant, more peaceful, and perhaps even reach that elusive point of Bliss.

From watching my child sing “ABC” in a school musical, to the white glove, to remembering how meticulously I memorized the dance moves from “Thriller”, Michael Jackson’s legacy, his music, and his art has touched my life.

Following are my favorite lyrics from his song, “Heal The World”. These words continue to resonate today, as we not only look around the globe, but as we also look within our own neighborhoods, our own homes,                                           and in our own hearts. more…

“Miracles arise from conviction.”
-Marianne Williamson 

Speaking with and listening to Marianne Williamson, an internationally acclaimed author and speaker, I walked away wondering what convictions, exactly, I hold.  In regards to my children, my relationships, who I am, where I live, our society, the world, and on and on.  When I engage with others, does it show that I am firmly convinced of what I believe or say?  Do my actions and conversations unwaveringly reflect a consistency?  Some days I do not feel like I have any convictions.  Some days I feel like I am standing on my own, alone, in my convictions.  Some days I am immersed in others’ convictions, not sure how to respond or if I should respond at all. In this moment, I am re-defining my own. Claiming my own.  Letting go of reasons, of passive hope or expectations, and moving solidly, with purpose, into conviction.

“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better….What if you do fail and get fairly rolled in the dirt once or twice? Up, again, you shall never be so afraid of a tumble.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

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These are questions recently asked of me.  If you have some of your own, please submit them for future Phacts pages.

Q:  How many kids do you have and which kids are your kids?

A:  The ones with “K” names. And my nieces and nephews have “K” names too. And, actually, my dog’s name is Kay. Dorky I know, but hey, now that I think about it, “K” comes before “L” which comes before “M” which comes before “N”…hmm, sounds almost purposeful.

Q:  Aren’t you at all self-conscious to tell it like it is to the whole world?

A:  I am a lot happier being real, letting go of the burden of a façade and showing up transparently. Finding the humor or the value in my experiences and sharing it with you helps me through it all. How’s your façade working for you? 

Q:  How many words start with “P”?

A:  Between P, Ph, Ps, and my imagination, I am assuming I will always be able to come up with something.

Q:  Are you a professional writer?

A:  Yes, and I am for hire. I do have bills to pay and kids to feed and clothe. Feel free to contact me through my LinkedIn profile.

Q:  Who hosts and maintains your website?

A:  I have the great fortune of working with the awesome team at The Geeky Boys who specialize in small business web solutions. They are creative and technical and witty all at the same time. And they are willing to work with me on an ongoing basis – Thank you Lauri and Patrick!

Q:  How can I send you products, services and events to review or write about?

A:  I can be reached through many ways on my website – emails (info@LMNOP4U.com, info@KathleenMelton.com, advertise@LMNOP4U.com), comment posting, and/or my LinkedIn profile.

Q:  How can I be a Sponsor on your website and/or Advertise on it?

A:  LMNOP4U reaches an affluent and influential target market of curious women (and men) who represent an exclusive audience for your marketing message. We do offer custom-tailored opportunities, which I encourage you to inquire about by contacting, advertise@LMNOP4U.com. 

Q:  PC or Mac?

A:  What would Sybil do?