Articles written by Julie Sewell-Schmidt - Page 2

Where Knowledge Rules

What is Helium

About me - Julie Sewell-Schmidt

This mini-driving mama is proof positive that "you can't judge a book by its cover". Wife to one, mother of three, boss of nobody, slightly twisted and moderately tattooed, Jules works full time outside the home, part-time inside the home as the resident

+ more bio information

RSS Feed

Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Dinner with the in-laws: 14 of 27
I wouldn't be surprised if fried turkey is listed as the 8th natural wonder of the world in the near future. The crispy skin, the juicy meat, the flavor of the spices injected into the bird before saturating it in oilthere's nothing else like it. Or, I should say, there's nothing else like it unless it's an oven baked turkey... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Police & Prisons Do US prisons really rehabilitate criminals?: 13 of 22
Call it reform or rehabilitation but whatever term you use, I didn't see it happening in our U.S. prisons. At age 19, I married a future convicted felon. Starting as a juvenile offender, "X", as I'll refer to him, was convicted of theft and placed on probation for one year. The conditions to complete the program successfully... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Going back home: 13 of 21
I've lived in the Rocky Mountains for 27 of my 37 years. My house is here, my career is here, and my family is here. When I think about going back home, though, my thoughts turn to the mid-west. Illinois winters are as cold and bitter as anything you can imagine, and the summers unbearably muggy and oppressive. Reflecting on... More..
Hobbies & Games > Video Game Reviews Downloadable game reviews: Chocolatier Decadence: 9 of 14
Chocolatier Decadence by Design Rating 4/5 This game is as addictive as the sweet confections you're crafting. In this utterly delicious game which begins in post-WWII Zurich, players are tasked with buying ingredients from ports across the globe and making a variety of different chocolate bars at factories (one of the most ... More..
Education > Homework & Testing Why homework is important: 19 of 29
Beginning as early as kindergarten, regularly assigning homework to children promotes the development of critical skills such as self-discipline and responsibility which are needed as they grow older. For young children, homework assignments do not have to be complex, and can be as easy as practicing writing the alphabet, or... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Death of a parent: 44 of 67
Dear Dad, Three years ago this evening, I sat at your side as you took your last breaths. I'd flown from Colorado to Illinois the previous day, after receiving the phone call from your wife, my step-mom, that I'd been dreading for a few years. "If you want to see Dad, you need to come now", was the message. I'd taken the day... More..
Sports & Recreation > Soccer Fundamentals How to teach a child to play soccer: 8 of 11
In nearly every park on any given evening during the warm months, children anywhere from 4 years old and up enjoy the physical activity and spirit of team work that the sport of soccer provides. Young children see their peers running, kicking the ball, and having fun, but may not understand the fundamentals behind the sport.... More..
Celebrations & Holidays > Christmas Christmas 2008: Ways to have a joyful Christmas while in a recession: 36 of 48
It was announced just a few short weeks ago that the United States has been in a recession since December 2007. Though most of us have been feeling the pinch in our wallets, formal acknowledgement that we were all in the same proverbial leaking boat elicited a small, if barely audible, sigh of relief. It didn't ease or elimi... More..
Relationships & Family > Family Life When family becomes a four letter word: 6 of 8
Ah, family. Sometimes you can't live with em, and you can't sell them on auction sites. I am happily married and have three children. For the most part, everything is rosy, but I have my fair share of four-letter word family moments. I would have thought having a 10 year age difference between my oldest and middle children w... More..
Parenting & Pregnancy > Parenting Methods Balancing teen privacy with parenting: 35 of 44
As the parents of a teen, we make every effort to ask who, where, how, when, and what with regard to my daughter's activities. This is not only out of concern for our teen's well-being, but to make her aware that her business is also OUR business and she can expect questions on any element that is not clear to myself and my ... More..