Recently my daughter and her husband started on another one of their renovations projects. This time it is putting laminate flooring throughout their entire upstairs (3 bedrooms, two baths and a hallway). Being around this type of activity always makes me want to do something creative and gratifying. The woodworking projects I have found in the Woodworking4home package gives me the incentive and direction to get busy and start building!
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I am a retired, single grandmother and I will be investing in these plans and putting them to use. With the economy the way it is today, I am always looking for ways to save money and building my own tables, cabinets, etc. will not only be fun, but also help me stretch my social security payments!!
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We all know that this is the time of the year when we start hearing about hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season is officially from June 1st to November 30th. Now is the time to learn how to be prepared for hurricanes.
It is time to batten down the hatches and make sure we are prepared for what lies ahead of us during this year’s hurricane season. As we have seen in the past, hurricanes can be dangerous killers. By learning the hurricane warning messages, planning ahead and being properly prepared we can reduce the chances of injury, major property damage and even death. I would like to take this opportunity to share some information on this subject with you. This information is somewhat lengthy, but I have tried to cover all situations. Print this out and go over it with your family and use it as a check list.
Plan an evacuation route.
Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and request the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
Learn safe routes inland.
Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.
Have disaster supplies on hand.
Flashlight and extra batteries
Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
First aid kit and manual
Emergency food and water
Nonelectric can opener
Essential medicines
Cash and credit cards
Sturdy shoes
Make arrangements for pets.
Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters. Please do not tie your pet to a railing or fence and leave it. It broke my heart watching animals in these types of situations during Katrina.
Instruct family members.
Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.
Protect your windows.
Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood–marine plywood is best–cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm. Home improvement stores have been known to run out of storm supplies. Do not wait until the last minute.
If you can’t put up plywood or storm shutters at least put strong tape on your windows.
Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.
Check into flood insurance. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. (There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.)
Develop an emergency communication plan.
In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the “family contact.” After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.
You will encounter two types of “alerts”:
A HURRICANE WATCH
A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
Check emergency supplies.
Fuel car.
Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.
Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.
Review evacuation plan.
Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tie-downs to anchor trailer to the ground or house.
A HURRICANE WARNING
A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.
Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.
If in a mobile home, check tie-downs and evacuate immediately.
Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.
Avoid elevators.
If at home:
Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.
Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.
If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power “surge” when electricity is restored.
If officials indicate evacuation is necessary:
Leave as soon as possible.
Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.
Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.
If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.
Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing.
Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.
Lock up home and leave.
Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.
AFTER THE HURRICANE
Stay tuned to local radio for information. Help injured or trapped persons.
Give first aid where appropriate.
Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.
Return home only after authorities have advised that it is safe to do so.
Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department.
Use caution when entering your home.
Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
Check refrigerated foods for spoilage. (when in doubt, throw it out!)
Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims.
Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.
Use telephone only for emergency calls.
INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME
Check for gas leaks–If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.
Look for electrical system damage–If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.
Check for sewage and water lines damage–If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.
Here is a compact list of items to accumulate and put together in one place ready to use.
Battery operated flashlights are fine if the power is out for a short time. The new LED flashlights work well, as long as a spotlight isn’t needed. Target, Amazon.com and other stores have good ones in the $10 range that drop into a pocket and run on AA and AAA cells. They’re great for personal lights, and the batteries last five to ten times as long as with regular incandescent flashlights. Additionally, LED conversion bulbs are available on the Internet for more popular brands of flashlights.
After a couple of days you will need candles for light. Buy big decorative candles that will burn for days. Keep lanterns/candles in frequently used locations, such as the bathroom counter, next to the door, and on your bedroom nightstand. IF there are gas leaks, explosive chemicals in your area, do NOT use candles, if you do, watch them to prevent fire, especially if children are with you.
“Self Powered Lights” and “Self Powered Radios”. This equipment is either solar powered, and/or has a “crank up” generator built into the light and the radio. Find the lights at Amazon.com, or if time does not permit your placing an order check out Walmart or your local Radio Shack.. This will save you money on batteries, If you can find any, since they’ll be sold out WEEKS before a storm hits you. Some of these models will also charge cell phones.
Glow sticks. found on Amazon.com and in sporting goods dealers. Safer than candles, in case there are gas leaks, explosive,flammable chemicals in your area.
Solar powered garden lights. You can charge them up in the sun by day and use them indoors for lighting at night.
Battery-operated radio
Canned goods and can opener, fruits and vegetables and other foods that do not require refrigeration.
Water (at least one gallon daily per person with a seven-day supply). You can also fill up bathtubs if you close or seal the drains.
Bleach. In the event that water enters your home, you will need to get it out and then kill any microbes that remain.
Take highly-valued items with you or, for those items staying in the home, wrap in plastic or place in plastic bags. Even if you are riding out the storm, consider placing photos, insurance papers and other important papers in sealed bags.
Corded phone. Even if your electricity is out, your telephone may still work. Cordless phones still require electricity, so plug in a corded phone, and you may be surprised.
Cell phone and extra charged batteries. Some of the “Self Powered Radios” and “Self Powered Flashlights” allow you to keep your cell phone charged. IF the cell phone towers are damaged, destroyed, cell phones will be no good.
A DC to AC inverter.
Pre-moistened towelettes.
Battery-powered fans will be very appreciated if the power is out.
Lots of batteries of all sizes (you can always use later what is not used during the storm). Consider buying a car battery to power battery operated devices in the home.
Make sure each person has their own flashlight and battery supply, in case you have to separate.
A good supply of all prescription drugs.
A first-aid kit. (I have included anticipated items for a first aid kit below)
Optional but helpful is one pair of wading pants for each member of the family, or at least the adults of the household. If you live in an area prone to flooding, you do not want to be walking around with your skin exposed to contaminated water if there is a need, after the storm, to walk from the home.
Plenty of large plastic garbage bags to dispose of human waste and other garbage.
Supply of toilet paper, and other toiletries as needed.
At least one 5-gallon bucket and cat litter (the bio-degradable kind) for toilet use.
A pocket knife for cutting things.
Items for a first aid kit. Place these items in a waterproof box with a lid.
A minimum of two pairs of Latex gloves for the smallest kit. Remember, it may be a stranger who needs your help and having a latex barrier will help prevent infection.
Use vinyl gloves if you or a family member is allergic to Latex. Latex allergies can be severe.
Keep ore pairs in your disaster kit that will evacuate with you. You may go through several pairs in one emergency.
Check the integrity of the gloves if they’ve been stored in changing temperatures. They may become brittle. Sometimes gloves deeper in a box may still be good so don’t toss the box because the first few pairs are bad. Look through them all.
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding. (Look for bulky dressings called surgi pads in health supply stores)
Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Burn ointment to relieve pain.
Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
Gauze pads
Micropore tape
Tweezers
Scissors
Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or sterile saline as general decontaminate. Sterile saline is available in liter bottles in health supply stores.
Thermometer
Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers.
You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates and have a plan for refrigerated insulin.
Over-the-counter pain medicine (Like Tylenol and Advil) and an antihistamine (Like Benadryl).
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
Seven hurricanes and four tropical storms are predicted during this year’s hurricane season. I hope that this information will help you on how to be prepared for hurricanes. In preparing this article I have learned things myself that I will most definitely be adding to my checklist.
Vacation does not have to be the demise of your weight loss program. The following information will help to show you how to lose weight on vacation. When planning your trip include physical activities along with where you are staying, what you are doing when you get to your destination and items to pack.
Make it a family effort. Strive to improve the health of your entire family. You will end up not only building muscles but also relationships with your family members.
When one thinks about vacation, thoughts of spending your time lounging, eating unhealthy foods and consuming calorie laden beverages.
When shopping places to stay on your vacation, I would like to recommend staying at a vacation house. This will give you the capabilities of cooking healthy meals. You will not be sabotaging your weight loss program. Granted a lot of people do not want to spend their time cooking on vacation, but your meals do not have to be elaborate … just healthy.
In addition, you can save a LOT of money not eating out at restaurants. If you do stay at a hotel, check out the restaurants in the area for “healthy” choices. With more people being health conscious nowadays, restaurants are catering more to people desire to eat healthy.
The list below contains some suggestions of ways you can incorporate more physical activity while you are vacationing:
If you are staying at the beach, swimming in the ocean and battling the waves can burn a lot of calories. Also, long walks on the beach are always enjoyable allowing you to burn calories and build leg muscles. Get involved with the kids tossing a Frisbee, or playing volleyball.
Visit a National Park. Enjoy hiking and taking in the beauty of the trails. The fresh air and exercise will contribute to a great night’s sleep.
If you are visiting a historical locale, take a walking tour as opposed to a bus or other motorized tour. You will see a lot more walking, burn calories and get exercise!
Renting bicycles and touring the area is always a great option, and one the children will definitely enjoy. Just be sure you obey all of the traffic rules and know where you are going.
If you are traveling in the winter time, skiing, ice skating, snowboarding or sledding is a lot of fun. All of these sports will give you a definite workout and be fun for the entire family. You can still spend time socializing in front of a cozy fireplace.
Wherever you go on vacation you will most likely find a swimming pool. Do laps with the children, or by yourself.
If you are involved with an exercise program at home where you are doing yoga, muscle building, strength resistance or just walking you can take simple portable equipment, that you can pack in your suitcase, on vacation to keep you on track with your exercise regimen.
If you are a yoga enthusiast, consider packing Yoga Paws. These are mini Yoga mats for your hands and feet. These weigh two pounds and four ounces and would be absolutely convenient for traveling if you are concerned with your luggage weight. Throw in your favorite DVD and you will be prepared to stay on track. You can also find travel Yoga mats.
The SPRI Xertube Resistance Bands come with a door attachment and exercise chart and will be like a gym away from home. They come in medium, heavy and extra heavy. These bands provide you with a highly versatile way to add resistance training to your workout anytime and anywhere. Each kit includes two illustrated charts of exercises, including bicep curls, shoulder presses, and back extensions. Designed for light and speedy mobility, the strap can be rolled up to stash in a gym bag or suitcase.
Last time I checked these items were all in stock at Amazon.com and they are eligible for the Free Super Saver Shipping Program.
Personally, I do a walking program with Leslie Sansone’s “Walk Away the Pounds Express”. You will usually have a DVD player where you are staying and you will be able to walk and do this program in the air conditioning! If you are not already using this program, this is something you will enjoy doing once you get back home from your vacation! Bad weather, or hot summer heat does not have to put a stop to your walking the weight off. I would encourage you to click on the links below and read the reviews of people who have purchased these DVD’s.
I hope this information will be helpful in showing you how to lose weight on vacation.
People in fifty different countries around the world bid Carlos and Donna Royal goodbye last night. They have done a most excellent job of hosting The Owl Box in San Marcos, California since February 2010. It was truly an amazing experience to watch Molly and McGee (the parent owls) mate, hatch and nurture four owlets. There were six eggs, however one egg broke and one never hatched. We were able to watch this process from day one. Molly was a very nurturing mother and McGee was a good provider. Did you know that owls can swallow a rat or rabbit whole? The owlets grew too quickly and it was not long before they were leaving the box. Now they have all left the box and can be seen residing in a nearby palm tree. Research shows that barn owls will reside within a five mile radius of where they were born. It was very difficult to say farewell.
My daughter introduced me to Molly’s adventure on the Sportsman’s Paradise website. Molly the Barn Owl became one of the top sites viewed on UStream and she even has her own “room” there. By the time it was all said and done there were over 14 million views.
Carlos and Donna have dealt with all of the technical paraphernalia in their dining room, entertaining the news media people, national television for the Morning Show and virtually taking this experience worldwide. Carlos is retired but probably worked harder than he ever has. He scheduled time via Skype for classroom discussions across the country. The children learned a great deal about barn owls. If Carlos did not know the answer the first time around, he would do his research and knew the answer the next time it was asked. In fact, we all have learned a great deal about barn owls. They are beautiful caring creatures.
Carlos has been on duty 24/7 making sure that the cameras were adjusted properly and everything was working properly. He provided viewers with night vision cameras and day time cameras. There have been times when the owls have landed on the cameras sending what we saw askew necessitating Carlos climbing a ladder in the early morning hours in his pajamas making the necessary adjustments so we could all have a “bird’s eye view”!
Most people left their Molly webpage up and throughout the day and evening you would hear Carlos’ voice as he would bring up up to date on the latest developments with the owls and activities. I will certainly miss that.
Carlos definitely went above and beyond what most people in his position would have done. When people in the chat room were concerned that the owlets might fall out of the box, he built and added on a little porch type attachment. And then he added a platform that the owlets were able to fly to close by the owl house and play.
Austin, Carlos and Donna’s grandson, was a big help with setting up the technical aspects. He is still working on putting all the videos and photos that have been taken (and believe me there are a lot) for people to purchase copies of.
Eric Blehm, a renowned author and personal friend of the Royal’s is currently finishing up writing a book, “Molly the Owl” detailing the entire experience. The book is illustrated by Christopher Adams. John Atkinson has kept us rolling in laughter by creating ecomics of Molly, McGee, the owlets, Carlos and Donna. We all grew to love these owls. You can read more about Molly the Barn Own of San Marcos, California and see photos at http://mollysbox.wordpress.com/blog/. On this site you can actually see a photo of the actual owl house which sat 15 feet above the ground.
Besides being able to purchase the book, “Molly the Owl”, ecomics, and fine illustrations, we have also been able to purchase many other items of memorabilia. A portion of all of the sales will go to barn owl habitats in the area.
Carlos and Dona put their vacation on hold to share this experience with the world. We are all hoping that there will be another episode in the future. The night before we said goodbye, Molly and McGee were seen in the owl box “bonding”! Who knows there may be new little owls in the near future. We are all hoping this will be the case. There are many people who are currently suffering owl withdrawal!
In closing, on behalf of many people, I want to thank Carlos and Dona for opening up their home to all of us for these past four months. Also, much appreciation goes out to Austin, Eric, Chris and John. Thank you all for making this all possible. I can honestly say, “Gee that was fun, and I was part of it!”
The news has been laden with the fact that obesity in children is reaching overwhelming percentages. I hope the following information will be helpful to parents seeking solutions to this situation. I would like to preface this article by saying I was an obese child. At the age of 13 I was around 5 feet tall I weighed in at 160 pounds. My heart goes out to children in this category as I know it was not a happy time in my life.
As was my case, research shows that the root of the problem with our children, as with adults, is that we are suffering from emotional eating. My mother, unfortunately, was not well versed on healthy nutrition and if I was having a difficult day or feeling upset her usual solution was, “Go get a dish of ice cream.” Now truthfully, that was the last thing I needed!
Childhood and adolescence obesity increases the risk of developing high cholesterol, hypertension, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems, depression and type 2 diabetes as a youth. One disease of particular concern is Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and has increased dramatically in children and adolescents, particularly in American Indian, African American and Hispanic/Latino populations.
Family environment can definitely add to emotional eating problems. With the divorce rate on the rise as well, a lot of children are dealing with split custody situations. Or, if the parents are choosing to stay together for the sake of the children, the increased tension in the household between the parents does not promote a healthy environment.
Lack of healthy communication and support between parents and their children creates insecurity within the child and only adds to the challenges they are facing in their lives. Quality time spent with your children is much more important than quantity of time. With a lot of parents having to work two jobs to make ends meet with our economic crisis it is difficult to spend quality time with their children. Let’s face it by the time you get home after working two jobs you barely have the energy to climb into bed let alone have a good one on one conversation with our children.
While on the issue of time this prompts another issue. Fast- food, or prepared foods you pick up at the grocery store are not going to be as healthy as meals you personally prepare taking into consideration the nutritional value of what you are eating. Remember excessive calories and lack of exercise is going to result in stored fat!
Children who come home after school and spend hours alone may not be making the healthiest food choices. Be sure that the snacks that are available are not going to sabotage a good eating program. It might take some extra planning on your part, but it will definitely be worth it. The internet is full of tips and suggestions for making right food choices.
Being overweight causes self esteem problems amongst peers causing self-induced pressure and leading to a child feeling very overwhelmed. Overweight children lack popularity with other children. It is sad to say, but it is true. They end up feeling “different” and alone.
When children are experiencing these situations they turn to something to lessen these feelings. Some children turn to “comfort food”. This is a real problem. Instead of being able to sit down and talk over what is bothering them, children turn to a dish of ice cream, a bowl of cookies and a glass of milk, or other less than nutritious food choices.
Before dealing with the food issue, it is important to recognize if there are other issues involved. Create a healthy communication and support system for your child. Once that is established it will be a lot easier to get the message about healthy nutrition and exercise across and show them the process that will benefit them, not only now in their younger years but even as an adult.
Healthy, fit bodies fill our air waves putting more stress on those of us, children and adults alike, whose bodies are not picture perfect. Vitality takes second place to physical appearance.
Living a healthy life involves much more than just your appearance. Exercise, healthy food and nutrition choices will play a big part in the quality of your child’s life now and later. It is important to get your child’s attention by sharing with them the illnesses mentioned previously in this article that can be directly related to obesity. Choose the tactics you will use with your child before you delve into your conversation. Perhaps there is a family member that suffers, or suffered from illnesses related to obesity.
There are many mixed messages out there. It is important for parents to be involved with proper education in helping their children. Too often the blame is placed on the school lunch program or someone else responsible for caring for the child.
In closing, I personally feel that a good way to approach a situation with an overweight child is to make it a family effort. Everyone in the family can do well to learn better eating habits and a healthy exercise routine. Our children have an overabundance of video games. Unlike the “days of old” when kids were out playing ball or other outdoor activities, many children sit for hours in front of video games. The Wii System can be an asset with its many programs that get children up and moving.
Yes, obesity is a hard thing to deal with. As I am finishing up this article the thought crossed my mind that this is a situation that can be challenging to deal with, but the same situations that cause emotional eating habits can also drive children into much more serious problems, like drugs.
Our children are valuable human beings. God has put them in our lives to raise and help them grow up to be individuals that will add value to this world. I hope that you will find the time and joy to develop a happy, secure lifestyle with your children. I wish you success in dealing with obesity in children.
I was introduced to camping when I first got married many years ago. It was a delightful experience until one occasion when we were camping on Cape Cod and were surprised by an approaching hurricane!
We had returned to using a tent. A word of advice to people who hang their towels to dry over the frame of the tent … DO NOT do this. As the wind picked up the towels were blown on top of the tent and this negated the waterproof properties and the rain began pouring inside the tent. We had suitcases filled with wet clothing and everything else inside the tent was pretty soaked. It was a long uncomfortable drive back to Providence, RI. We looked liked pathetic drowned rats when we stopped to get breakfast (take out, of course) at McDonald’s. At this point I vowed never to go camping again!! Of course that is not true. I have since gone camping with my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
Once our daughters were born we changed from “tenting” to a Cox Pop-Up Tent Trailer. Being off the ground was easier with the children.
You need to develop a system to make life easier when going camping. A system will save you a lot of time and confusion and help you get on the road without raising your blood pressure!
We had a large basket that perfectly fit between the two fold out beds (with room to spare) where we kept cookware, dishes, silverware and miscellaneous items such as salt and pepper and other items that would keep well left in the camper outdoors. This made our weekly packing a lot easier.
Strip your beds when you are folding up the camper and wash the bedding when you get home and it will be ready for your next trip. Items that needed more rigorously cleaning was removed and cleaned. The floor was swept and washed and we were basically ready for our next weekend. We actually camped almost every weekend.
I would go shopping and slide the food bags and clothing bags right in the camper. We packed an ice chest in the trunk of the car to hold items that needed to be refrigerated. My husband got home from work, changed his clothes, hooked up the camper and off we went for another exciting weekend. At the time we were living in an apartment and we really looked forward to our weekends away.
We camped in many different areas from Cape Cod, to Vermont and Canada. It was great fun. We had best friends who had three children that usually packed up their tent camper and went with us. What a great experience for the children.
There is nothing quite as wonderful as the smell of coffee brewing on the camp stove and breakfast cooking. The smell of bacon and eggs awakens any sleepy appetite.
Before we purchased our Cox Camper we had a couple occasions to camp with the girls when they were quite young. I must admit that the tent camper was a lot easier.
As you become proficient at camping you will learn many useful tips. One time in particular the temperatures were cooler than we had expected. With the girls in their flannel pajamas, and sleepers we were concerned that they might not be warm enough in their sleeping bags. An older seasoned camper gentleman told us a wise old tip. He told us to be sure the girls, or anyone for that matter, are warm to make sure they are wearing socks and eat a candy bar before going to bed. It worked like a charm every time.
Before you leave on your camping trip check out the park you are planning to go to. Nowadays, with the internet, it is easy to preselect your desired site, or at least get an idea of where you want to stay. If you have small children, it is a good idea to plan to stay nearer the bathrooms! My daughter is a real pro at choosing the “best” site.
Although I personally enjoy just getting away from the everyday rat race and just spending time with my family, you might want to take into consideration activities in the area where you will be camping. Make a list of “things to do and places to go” and in this way you will be ready to have a lot of fun.
Board games, cards, bubbles, and balls are good things to pack. If camping with older children you may want to make sure the MP3 (or whatever digital sound device you have) is well changed and packed. By all means do not forget to take sunscreen and bug spray. Take along a camera (batteries charged/charger to charge) to capture all those special moments.
It is a good idea to make a list of things you will need. The following list will grow as you continue to camp and realize items that you “miss” from home. In addition to those things mentioned above here are a couple of suggestions:
Tent/tent camper
Sleeping bags
Hammer
Towels,
First Aid Kit
Sunscreen
Bug Spray
Toiletries
Benadryl (just in case you encounter some poison ivy)
Cleaning spray
Salt and pepper
Cookies and crackers
Packages of oatmeal
Coffee
Coffee French Press (we enjoy the finerthings even when camping!)
Marshmallows
Candy bars
Graham Crackers (anyone for s’mores?)
Skewers
Cocoa
Cereal
Citronella candles
Table cover (plastic or cloth)
Plates, silverware, cups
Paper towels
Napkins
Dish detergent
Dishpan to wash dishes
Container to carry water
Charcoal
Lighter Fluid
Matches
Bathing suits
Rain Ponchos
Appropriate clothing and shoes
And whatever else you think you will need
With technology being what it is today, you will be able to take a TV, but I would suggest enjoying being away from those types of things that demand your attention at home and just enjoy spending time with your family.
I was amazed at all the new camping equipment that is on the market. Fancy coffeemakers, and really great collapsible water carriers and double dish washing basins and even portable toilets!! You can decide for yourselves how rustic you want your experience to be.
I wish you a fun filled camping trip that will supply you with memories for years to come.
I am writing this article to provide you with some suggestions for ways to cut expenses and save money in your daily life. For those of us who have been laid off, had to take lower paying jobs or been faced with not being able to find a replacement job and opted to take an early retirement … corners need to be cut for sure.
I do not think that many people are prepared for the day when they find themselves with an almost empty bank account and the pantry in a shape of hungry despair.
It is amazing how much you can save at the grocery store if you choose not to purchase prepared foods. Not only do you save money, but in the long run it is healthier for you.
Check your supermarket sales for the week and plan your meals using items that are on sale. If there is a really good sale on chicken, seafood, or whatever, perhaps you may want to stock up on these items. You could spend a little bit more one week, but the next week you would have already purchased your meat items, so it averages out.
The internet contains a wealth of information for cutting food costs. I just Googled “recipes that allow you to cut food costs”, and the page that came up provided me with recipes for when you are on a budget, how to cut food costs, cheap and healthy (15 nutritious foods for about $2.00), a website that provides a weekly inventory management system to cut food costs and even a site to guide you on making your own baby food. One of my daughters made her own baby food. She saved a lot of money and her children are not picky eaters and are very healthy.
Be sure to sign up for the coupon sites. It is absolutely amazing how much you can cut off your grocery bill if you take the time to clip coupons. You can even go to a specific site, like Kraft, Maxwell House, or many others, and get additional coupons that you do not find in your weekly newspapers or at other coupons services. I have saved at least half of my total grocery bill just by clipping coupons. Nowadays, clipping coupons should be a requirement if you are trying to save money. Get your kids involved. They love to clip coupons.
Make it a family project and plant a garden. It is a fun experience to see the plants grow and be able to harvest your “crops”. I bought a spaghetti squash last fall and dried and saved the seeds. I planted the seeds last week and I already have the plants coming up. Spaghetti squash is healthy and tasty. If you were to buy this in your grocery store it could be costly at $1.50 a pound and for one big enough to feed your family could weight three to four pounds. Just by taking a few minutes to rinse and dry the seeds you have saved a lot of money.
The wildlife (birds, squirrels, chipmunks) are a big help in spreading the seeds of various plants in your yard. A couple of weeks ago while cutting my grass I discovered there were many little blackberry bushes sprouting in my lawn. I have two bird feeders and thanks to the birds this year I have a many blackberry bushes that will be providing fruit this year growing under the bird feeders. I am going to dig up these new little plants and plant them in a more appropriate place than the middle of my lawn! These bushes will provide blackberries for eating, or making preserves and pies. The best part is I did not even have to purchase these bushes.
Make use of the internet to save on other items you need. Amazon has very reasonable prices on many items. In most cases if you spend over $25.00, your shipping is free. Please check out the Amazon link on this page to compare prices.
eBay is another site that can save you considerably. I recently found a seller for the ink cartridges for my Cannon Pixma 530 printer. We all know how expensive these cartridges can be. I have ordered cartridges from various suppliers. I have even used Staples, who provides good service. However, I found an eBay auction and have been extremely pleased with the product. I discovered that you can order directly from the company.
I know we are all apprehensive about trying “other than manufacturer’s brand” of ink cartridges. These cartridges come with the chips in place. You simply have to take them out of the box, remove the plastic wrap, usual tab and cover from the cartridge and you are good to go! They come with a one year money back guarantee. I have saved a remarkable amount buying my cartridges from this company. Check out their products at compandsave.com. I recently ran out of one of my cartridges and was pleasantly surprised at the great customer service and speed in which I received my order.
You can cut your utility bills. If you have ceiling fans be sure they are running 24/7. In the winter you will save on your heating expenses and in the summer you will save on air conditioning. Be sure your blades are set to go in the correct direction … counter clockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter. I have vaulted ceilings and when I first moved into my house my electric bill was outrageous. I called the electric company and was told the tip about running my fans. It has made all the difference in helping me cut costs in this area.
I could go on and on about saving money. You see I had to learn this talent when my children were nine and ten and I got divorced and became a single mom. There are some every day expenses that are pretty much fixed but if your search hard enough you will find ways to cut costs.
I hope this information will be helpful in ways to cut expenses and save money. If you have other suggestions please contact me at Skype (my Skype ID is listed below) and I would be happy to share your ideas in future articles.
We all have been faced with having to say goodbye. Saying goodbye usually produces great heartache. I hope this post will help you reflect on your past goodbyes and help them add meaning to your future hellos.
I was born in Nyack, New York. I only lived there for approximately 6 weeks. My dad was an operating engineer for Esso, working in Aruba. So I spent the first 5 years of my life living on the “non-tourist” end of the island. When we left for another job assignment I can remember saying goodbye to all my friends. I especially remember saying goodbye to Billy, the black goat in our Kindergarten class!
As we grow older our goodbyes get harder. With the nature of my dad’s employment I spent 17 years of my life traveling worldwide. I attended many schools, and said goodbye to many friends. Looking back, it was an education in itself being able to travel worldwide, but it also meant that I missed out on the normal growing up functions of life. Longtime childhood friends, school activities, such as a prom, and your high school friendships rank on the top of the list. I became a pro at saying “goodbye.” I truly believe that leaving so many friends is the reason I place such importance on relationships.
I recently received a notice about the death of one of my high school classmates. He had lost his battle with cancer. This prompted me to reflect on my life and thus wanting to share my feelings with others.
Goodbyes are an integral part of our lives. We all go through changing jobs and saying goodbye to people we have worked with and grown close to. My relationships with people are very important to me. I can remember one job in particular. I worked for SMRT, Inc. in Portland, Maine. On my last day I managed to sob my way around 42 desks saying goodbye. These people still hold a warm place in my heart. This was my most gratifying, favorite job, other than being a mom!
Being a mom of two girls who loved animals, as do I, I have said many goodbyes to parakeets, dogs, cats, fish, rabbits and the list goes on. I am one of those people who gets extremely attached to a pet so these were hard times. I had a dog, Benson, I got as a puppy right after I was divorced who was a true, loyal friend. He was always there to listen to the hard times I was going through. After twelve years he became very ill, lost control of his bodily functions and was going blind. I could not see him suffer any more so I had to have him put to sleep. That was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I still to this day get teary-eyed when I think of him and that was 18 years ago.
It is a devastating goodbye that we say to our parents when they die. When our close friends pass away it is very hard. I feel when we lose these people we suffer more from our loss. These special people have gone on to a better place!
Two more hard goodbyes to express are those at the time of a divorce (or an intimate relationship), and also when your children grow up and get married and you say your goodbyes and wish them well in their new lives. That is a bitter sweet goodbye because as parents it is our goal to raise our children to be independent and be able to leave home to start on their own journey.
Yes goodbyes are difficult. Hopefully, we learn something from each one of these losses (or changes in our lives). As with my dad, he was the one who truly taught me the meaning of love. I lost him when I was only 22 years old. That left an enormous void in my life. He never got to see, know and impart his wisdom to my children. These losses have helped me grow stronger in my life.
Because of my goodbyes I look at the new people that come into my life in a whole new light. I wonder why I have met them, what I can learn from them, and how can I make a difference in their lives? I always ask, “Why has God brought this person to me?” when I meet someone new. Nothing happens by accident. I look forward to where this new relationship will take me. I want to add value to the time spent with people in my life. I want to leave a loving legacy behind me. I do not want to live my life thinking about what I could have, would have or should have done!
Life goes by much too quickly. Never miss the opportunity to tell someone how much you care for them. Never miss the opportunity to help another person. Live your life making a difference in other people’s lives. Remember to live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and leave the rest to God.
I wish you a life full of opportunities to share your love with others!
Mother’s Day is quickly approaching. I hope that you will take the opportunity to remember your mother on Mother’s Day for all that she has done.
This year it is observed on May 9th. I would like to offer some recognition to mothers and state some facts about how Mother’s Day was started.
Mother’s Day is celebrated to express our appreciation for our mothers. Although it falls on a different day each year, it is always on the second Sunday of May. Research shows that the Greeks were the first to celebrate Mother’s Day. With the spread of Christianity throughout Europe it became a celebration to honor the “Mother Church”. Then England in the 1600’s started celebrating “Mothering Sunday” on the fourth Sunday of lent to honor mothers in England.
In 1872 the United States, through the devotion of Julia Ward Howe began celebrating a day honoring peace and motherhood. The idea did not catch on until 1907 with a campaign by Anna Jarvis for national Mother’s Day. Unlike the endeavors by Julia Ward Howe this was now celebrated in almost every state. In 1914 there was a Presidential Proclamation by Woodrow Wilson stating that the second Sunday in May would be celebrated as Mother’s Day.
Originally Mother’s Day was spent going to church and writing letters expressing sentiments to mothers. Throughout the years this has evolved to include cards, presents, flowers and dinner. Mother’s Day now ranks as the second highest gift-giving holiday in the United States. Many restaurants have their busiest day on Mother’s Day. Many cards and e-cards are sent. In addition it is the busiest day for long distance calls. Sons and daughters take this opportunity to call and express their love and gratitude to their mothers.
On this day other countries, such as Denmark, Belgium, Australia, Turkey, Italy and Finland, also celebrate Mother’s Day. Other countries honor their mothers but do so on different dates.
A quote by Anna Jarvis, “Mother’s Day is in honor of the best Mother who ever lived – the Mother of your Heart.”
Mothers (and mothers-in-law) have various meanings to us all and are the basics of many jokes. No matter how good, bad, loving or not so attentive you think of your mother we do owe much to our mothers for bringing us into this world. We would not be who we are without our mothers.
Think of all a mother does. She sits by your bedside when you are sick. She is always there to listen to your problems, share in your excitement, teach you good manners, keeps your clothes clean and ready to wear. The list goes on and on. I was a single mother and I know personally there were many days there were not enough hours in the day to get all I had to do accomplished. My two daughters were the glue that held my life together. I was truly honored to be their mother.
I would like to share a story I came across many years ago. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
“The Meanest Mother”
I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you can guess, my supper was different than the other kids’ also. But at least, I wasn’t alone in my sufferings. My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother as I did. My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were on a chain gang. She had to know who our friends were and where we were going. She insisted if we said we’d be gone an hour, that we be gone one hour or less–not one hour and one minute. I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us. Not once, but each time we had a mind of our own and did as we pleased. That poor belt was used more on our seats than it was to hold up Daddy’s pants. Can you imagine someone actually hitting a child just because he disobeyed? Now you can begin to see how mean she really was. We had to wear clean clothes and take a bath. The other kids always wore their clothes for days. We reached the height of insults because she made our clothes herself, just to save money. Why, oh why, did we have to have a mother who made us feel different from our friends? The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each night and up at eight the next morning. We couldn’t sleep till noon like our friends. So while they slept-my mother actually had the nerve to break the child-labor law. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she laid awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us. She always insisted upon us telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us and it nearly did. By the time we were teen-agers, she was much wiser, and our life became even more unbearable. None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us. If I spent the night with a girlfriend, can you imagine she checked on me to see if I were really there. I never had the chance to elope to Mexico. That is if I’d had a boyfriend to elope with. I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 and 13, my old fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 16. Fifteen, that is, if you dated only to go to a school function. And that was maybe twice a year.
Through the years, things didn’t improve a bit. We could not lie in bed, “sick” like our friends did, and miss school. If our friends had a toe ache, a hang nail or serious ailment, they could stay home from school. Our marks in school had to be up to par. Our friends’ report cards had beautiful colors on them, black for passing, red for failing. My mother being as different as she was, would settle for nothing less than ugly black marks. As the years rolled by, first one and then the other of us was put to shame. We were graduated from high school. With our mother behind us, talking, hitting and demanding respect, none of us was allowed the pleasure of being a drop-out. My mother was a complete failure as a mother. Out of four children, a couple of us attained some higher education. None of us have ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate. Each of my brothers served his time in the service of this country. And whom do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You’re right, our mean mother. Look at the things we missed. We never got to march in a protest parade, nor to take part in a riot, burn draft cards, and a million and one other things that our friends did. She forced us to grow up into God-fearing, educated, honest adults. Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my three children. I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean. Because, you see, I thank God, He gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.
written by Bobbie Pingaro (1967)
In remembering my mother (she passed away in 1997) I do not remember someone who expressed great love or concern. Nonetheless, I remember her as my mother and thank her for all she did for me. Do not look at the negative things you remember or think of your mother or your growing up years. Take those things and turn them into positive aspects in your life. You can still embrace your mother with love. It is your choice how you want to deal with those memories. Because of my mother I have become the person I am. I value the importance of loving my children and grandchildren and finding beauty, excitement and blessings in every day of my life.
I hope that you will take the opportunity to reach out to your mother on Mother’s Day. There will, unfortunately, come a day when she will not feel your touch, nor will you feel her touch. Be sure to remember your mother on Mother’s Day!
I wish a very happy Mother’s Day to mothers everywhere. Thanks for all you do!
In writing articles we are encouraged to write on subjects we are passionate about. As I sit here with my right eye half swollen shut, I am VERY passionate about poison ivy. I would like to start this article by quoting the saying, “Leaves of three, let them be.” My goal is to provide you with information on the things you should know about poison ivy.
Here is a picture of poison ivy climbing a tree to help you identify the plant that can cause you a great deal of pain and money. Poison ivy also be a free standing plant.
Poison Ivy on a Tree
In my entire 64 years I have never been allergic to poison ivy. That was until about two years ago. I was using the weed whacker in my back yard. I was wearing shorts and upon cutting through numerous poison ivy plants and flinging these pieces of plant up and down my body.Let me tell you I ended up being covered in a severe poison ivy rash. I never traveled far from my spray bottle of alcohol. It took several trips to the doctor, a shot and then a two week regimen on steroids before I began to find comfort.
For this reason, I am extremely careful trimming around this area in my yard. I was working at eliminating new growth the other day when the end of one of the vines hit me in the face under my eye. I had gloves on, long pants and a long sleeved shirt and was still attacked by this obtrusive plant. I instantly came in the house and took off the gloves and put those in the trash, put my clothes in the washing machine and began washing my face and body with cool water. The are various schools of thought on washing to rid the skin area of the urushiol oil that causes the rash. Some advocate the use of soap and water, while others say the soap just spreads the oil on your skin.
I really thought I had been successful until the next morning when I got up and saw a bright read blotch under my eye. Before long the blisters appeared. I am including below some facts on the rash:
The poison ivy rash typically starts one or two days after exposure, though the delay between contact and its onset can be longer, up to several days. This may lead to confusion over where the exposure took place. The first signs of the rash are curved lines of red, itchy bumps or blisters. These continue to appear for many days, depending on how much resin touched the skin at a given point. This makes it seem as though the rash is “spreading,” although the fluid in blisters is just part of the allergic reaction and contains no chemicals or bacteria. It also makes it appear that there may still be poison ivy in clothes and/or on pets. Although this is theoretically possible, repeated washing of these often produces no improvement.
I am thankful that I escaped with only the one area being affected. Not being able to totally see out of one eye is the biggest inconvenience as I work on the computer. It was good to read that poison ivy is not contagious, neither from one person to someone else nor from one part of the body to another.
I would like to insert a word of caution here. Even though you do not make contact with the poison plant yourself, the oil can get on your dog or cat’s fur and they can bring you the gift of this lovely rash without your even knowing it.
The best precaution you can take against this is to be certain you do not have this plant in your yard. There are a few products that are good at eliminating the plant from your yard all together. Make sure you read the label to see if it will destroy any of your other plants. I used the spray a couple of years ago and I eliminated all of my blackberry bushes!
Glyphosate- The product is sold under the trade names of Roundup, Roundup concentrate and Kleenup. It is applied to the foliage of poison ivy but is trans-located throughout the plant, including the roots. Glyphosate has no soil activity. It will kill or injure all plants contacted by the spray, including grasses. Applications near the foliage of desirable ornamentals should be made with extreme caution. Glyphosate should not be applied when rain is expected within six hours of application because its effectiveness will be reduced. After treatment, the vegetation should not be disturbed for several days. Remember, dead poison ivy still contains poisonous oils and should be handled with care if the soil in a treated area is to be worked. When glyphosate is the active ingredient listed on the label it is identified as Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate.
Amitrole - Amitrole is sold under the trade names of Amitrol-T, and Weedazol. It is applied to the foliage and is translocated throughout the plant. It is nonselective, therefore it will kill or injure any plants to which it is applied. It also remains active in the soil for several weeks after application, therefore it is important not to use it near other desirable plants. The soil activity also prevents the planting of new vegetation for several weeks.
It should not be used in areas where food crops will be raised or animals grazed. When amitrole is the active ingredient listed on the label, it is identified as 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazole.
2,4-D - This product is sold under many trade names and is often mixed with 2,4-DP to improve its effectiveness on woody plants. Weed-B-Gon Jet Weeder is a 2,4-D product for use around the house that can be purchased at most lawn and garden centers. It is not the most effective treatment for controlling poison ivy, but it does not kill grass.
I am taking Benadryl and a triple strength antibiotic ointment with pain reliever. Here are some other suggestions for treatment of the rash:
Once it begins, the rash will usually clear on its own by 14-21 days. Treatment is directed at controlling the itching. Oral antihistamines (like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help the itch somewhat, but often they do no more than make people drowsy. Cortisone creams, whether over-the=counter or by prescription, are only helpful if applied right away, before blisters appear, or much later, when the blisters have dried up. Compresses with cool water or Burow’s solution (available without prescription) can help dry the ooze faster.
When the rash is severe, such as when it affects the face or causes extensive blistering, oral steroids (for example, prednisone) can help produce rapid improvement. This course of therapy should be maintained, often in decreasing doses, for 10-14 days or even longer in some cases, to prevent having the rash rebound and become severe again. Patients who are given a six-day pack of cortisone pills often get worse again when they complete it, because the dose was too low and administered for too short a time.
Here are some cases where you may be best to consult your physician. Far more powerful agents are available by prescription for the rash and itching of poison ivy.
Facial or genital involvement. The skin in these areas is easily damaged and scarred, and swelling from rhus dermatitis can be dramatic.
Involvement of large areas of skin. Ten percent of the body’s surface, or about the size of the entire front abdomen. This is too large of an area to self-treat.
Signs of infection. These include pain and tenderness, growing redness around the rash, or pus. Clear or slightly yellow transparent fluid is common from poison ivy blisters and is not a sign of infection. Be cautious if you find yourself scratching the rash as dirt and bacteria can be under your nails and cause infection.
Extreme itching. Itching which disturbs sleep or normal daily activities despite using OTC treatments should be treated by a physician.
I hope that you will find this information on poison ivy helpful. Ideally, I hope that you will never have to use it. The internet holds a plethora of information on this topic.
Happy gardening and I wish you a summer that is poison ivy rash free!
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