Author Archives: Stephanie Romero

About Stephanie Romero

Stephanie Romero is a professional blogger for Families and full-time web content writer. She is the author and instructor of an online course, "Recovery from Abuse," which is currently being used in a prison as part of a character-based program. She has been married to her husband Dan for 21 years and is the mother of two teenage children who live at home and one who is serving in the Air Force.

Creating a Recipe Binder

Last year I was on a quest to get organized with my meals.  I spent several months making a couple of new meals each week, so I would have a wider variety to choose from.  I am starting to finally see the positive effects of this…or should I say my family is. One of my goals was to avoid cooking the same meals over and over again.  So I purchased a binder with clear pocket holders to help in organizing my recipes. I have to share one of the best resources on the web for printing recipes.  It is the … Continue reading →

When Weight Enters Politics

I am by no means one of those persons that like to jump on the political bandwagon.  I have my own opinions, which aren’t usually shared. But I have to admit that I am quite disturbed over the fact that someone’s weight has become a political issue.  I am talking about New Jersey governor, Chris Christie. There is some belief that he may be getting ready to run in the next election.  If that’s true, I hope he is ready for things to get real personal.  Because that is how our society tends to handle politics…it gets down deep into … Continue reading →

No Longer in Control

Reality slapped me in the face a couple of weeks ago.  The reality of being a military family that is at the mercy of their timetable. My son’s first duty station to Turkey wasn’t supposed to happen until February or March.  So needless to say it came as quite a shock to our family when the day after he graduated training from Security Forces, he called to let me know that he was leaving the next day for Turkey. As the words came out of his mouth, I nearly stopped breathing.  This was my warning, just one day?  There went … Continue reading →

Scripted Romance

Many years ago I let my husband off the hook—the one where he gets hung up for failing to come through on Valentine’s Day.  I used to have lots of expectations until I began to realize something….his love for me is shown on a daily basis.  So why expect him to do something extravagant one day a year? Now, I’m not knocking those couples who go all out for Valentine’s Day.  Maybe it’s the fact we’ve been married for more than two decades or it could be we have grown too comfortable—who knows? I just know that my husband feels … Continue reading →

Basic Repairs on an Electric Stove

Do you own an electric stove?  Repairs on any appliance can be costly, so if there is a way to fix-it-yourself, there is definitely money to be saved. There are two main problems that can happen with an electric stove.  The first is a bad socket and the second is a bad switch. The best way to test a burner is to put in one that you know for sure already works. When it fails to heat, it is either a socket or a switch.  An important note is that before you replace anything in an electric stove; make sure … Continue reading →

Give Yourself the Gift of Love This Valentine’s Day

Most of us associate Valentine’s Day with the receiving or giving of gifts to others.  How about making this year one about giving the greatest gift of all?  I’m talking about a gift that begins with you…loving yourself enough to make some important lifestyle changes. Now that the New Year isn’t feeling so new anymore, many of us start to lose grip on the goals and resolutions we set.  The energy and enthusiasm we felt in the beginning of the year to exercise more and eat less has started to wane. In fact, some people might even be suffering from … Continue reading →

Unclogging Pipes

It’s a common issue in most homes…clogged pipes.  But before you call a plumber and empty your wallet, there are ways you can take care of it yourself. Food, oil, hair and dirt.  All to blame for the slow drain or the one that has completely stopped up.  It can happen with the bathtub, kitchen or bathroom sink. Sometimes the clog is easily accessible.  It might be a clump of debris that’s within reach.  Use a rounded bristle brush, tweezers or even small pliers to reach into the pipe and pull it out. Just like a toilet that gets clogged … Continue reading →

When Valentine’s Day Is a Downer

Valentine’s Day can be a real downer for many teens.  It may be nothing more than a reminder that they don’t have a boyfriend or girlfriend, fueling some of the negative beliefs they may already have about themselves. Sometimes schools add insult to injury by drawing greater attention to it.  Although last week was “Spirit Week” at my daughter’s high school, I found the theme for Friday to be a bit unsettling. You were supposed to wear a color to represent your relationship status.  The different colors showed if you were taken, single or in a relationship dubbed “it’s complicated.”  … Continue reading →

Do Children Make You Happier?

What role do children play in a parent’s happiness?  Do we find more joy in raising these youngsters or is there a longing for B.C. days (before children)? Apparently new research indicates that yes, parents are happier than those who don’t have children.  However, those with children that are the least happy are single and young parents. In fact, these groups may even be less happy than childless adults. Some have argued that the results are skewed because they didn’t differentiate between parents of babies and those with adult children.  Clearly the age of a child will make a significant … Continue reading →

Learning Basic Home Repairs through Television

When I was growing up, my parents lived at hardware stores.  I remember having to come along every Saturday to an Ace Hardware store, spending what felt like hours walking up and down the aisles. They were constantly fixing things or coming up with home projects to do.  And you know where they got most of their ideas from?  They faithfully watched “This Old House.” Of course, as a child I found the show completely boring.  Who would have ever thought that one day I would be browsing the aisles of Home Depot and watching similar shows such as “Holmes … Continue reading →