Your weeks of chaos and frustration are behind you. I’m going to share with you the secret ingredient to an efficient household. No more kids waiting at practice because both parents believe the other is picking up the child. You will no longer miss events because you think they are scheduled for next weekend. No more teenagers asking for money when there is not enough time to visit the ATM for the post game event they forgot to tell you about. The remedy to these and other household arguments is a weekly calendar meeting. Not only will calendar meetings dial down the crazy in your life, they also develop behaviors that will transform your children into functional adults. ... [Read More]
Using Handwriting as Art
When my Grandma was 86, she told me she was thinking she would move in with me. Since my Grandpa had passed away six years prior, I repeatedly told her she was welcome to live with me if she ever decided she no longer wished to live alone. I was thrilled! My younger brother has a fondness for antiques and told her that since she, herself was an antique, she could stay at his house. I secretly think he was hoping Grandma would move into his home so she could prepare family favorite meals exclusively for him. Who could blame him? Grandma’s parents emigrated to the United States from the Basque Country in the north of Spain and made a home in a small Basque community in the eastern part of the state. She and her ten brothers and sisters contributed to operating a boarding house. ... [Read More]
Can Salt Water Cure a Severe Case of Boredom?
Salt water can cure a severe case of boredom when combined with a battery to etch a metal water bottle. This is a fantastic project that is sure to excite! More than a simple craft, this project qualifies as science. Having conducted the experiment, I submit to you… my lab report. Problem: Can salt water cure a severe case of boredom? The boy was in a rut. Perpetually bored, he was glued to his computer game and needed a change of scenery, or maybe I needed a change. Either way, we were presented with a problem and I was determined to solve it. Research: I explored the Internet for a fresh craft idea. I visited a blog link party and scanned the entries for the project capable of generating the kind of excitement strong enough to pry a teenage boy away from his laptop. I took note ... [Read More]
Can a Sound be Good For You?
If you asked me where I enjoy spending vacations, without hesitation I would respond, “the beach!” In fact, you might not even have an opportunity to complete your question. The answer is really that simple; my favorite vacation spot is the beach. Growing up, my parents gifted our family with several vacations each year. We always went camping on Memorial Day weekend and for a week during the summer, and we always spent a week at the beach. I love the beach! All of it! I love the smell of the sea air. I love to feel the water gently roll over my feet. Yes, my feet. I’m not adventurous enough to wade in the ocean much higher than my knees. Now, back to my list. I love the sand. Well, I actually don’t much care for sand sticking to my wet feet. Okay, aside from a layer of sand that ... [Read More]
How to Use Journaled Postcards and a Little Creativity to Preserve Vacation Memories
You’ve saved up for a vacation that is sure to make memories. But how do you commemorate the vacation? Do you purchase a keepsake at every stop? Your suitcase might exceed the weight limit if you choose this option. How do you remember the little details that add up to one fantastic experience? I’m going to share with you how to use journaled postcards and a little creativity to quickly and inexpensively preserve vacation memories. ... [Read More]
5 Strategies to Feel at Home When I’m Not at Home
I'm not a real adventurous spirit. I’m more of a homebody. I prefer the company of my family and close friends. There’s a sense of safety and comfort. Over the years I have developed some strategies to bolster my sense of security, enabling me to feel at home when I’m not at home. "The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned" - Maya Angelou I feel most secure at home. To give you a sense of the degree to which I struggle with being away from home, allow me to share a few experiences with you. I enrolled in a university twenty minutes from home, roomed with a dear friend, resided two doors down from my twin sister, visited home every weekend, and still endured homesickness after five weeks. I abandoned a study abroad ... [Read More]
