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<a href="http://videos.mombrary.com/">Videos</a>Rich Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07778623367960534017noreply@blogger.comBlogger111125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-74138633577391531632014-02-07T18:51:00.000-08:002014-02-07T18:51:12.898-08:00A True Friendship-Video
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyzn_yG9AnPyA9HAv-A6ycgw2Ib4mSV__Dvf6jVlHDhOQ7aMsP4vhZl7X9r-Umhk26oNLJc0xOdFOLEJzQr-0eUPb_0gzz8ioUSoqfzTMUnUR3QHApCGMIbrHo74GIF9XoUvdBZiYzfs/s1600/114_2575168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyzn_yG9AnPyA9HAv-A6ycgw2Ib4mSV__Dvf6jVlHDhOQ7aMsP4vhZl7X9r-Umhk26oNLJc0xOdFOLEJzQr-0eUPb_0gzz8ioUSoqfzTMUnUR3QHApCGMIbrHo74GIF9XoUvdBZiYzfs/s1600/114_2575168.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyone who doubts whether or not
animals can truly make a difference should watch this video. This
Iraq war veteran and his dog literally saved each other's lives.
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<a href="http://www.care2.com/greenliving/rescued-retrained-pit-bull-saves-iraq-veterans-life-video.html">http://www.care2.com/greenliving/rescued-retrained-pit-bull-saves-iraq-veterans-life-video.html</a></div>
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That's love for you.
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-65306041819032020532014-01-30T11:07:00.001-08:002014-01-30T11:07:37.066-08:00Word puzzle for kids-sports and games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYW3GfyIP8OijJ1P0NO-m5qNa0sCRe8VZDzoxjOYinY4LobywMl-i3VjtSfrjyWh9mFXxUpa89AjmcVnYMU7i4VO7vtvHL-2bhzoKoAxImZRzEastjSEDUjYJqkrbHoF-BrjglMFHoyY/s1600/424_2968107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYW3GfyIP8OijJ1P0NO-m5qNa0sCRe8VZDzoxjOYinY4LobywMl-i3VjtSfrjyWh9mFXxUpa89AjmcVnYMU7i4VO7vtvHL-2bhzoKoAxImZRzEastjSEDUjYJqkrbHoF-BrjglMFHoyY/s1600/424_2968107.JPG" height="320" width="279" /></a></div>
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Unscramble these words pertaining to sports and games.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Lbofotal</div>
<div>
Blebsala</div>
<div>
Kestbalbal</div>
<div>
Sechs</div>
<div>
Kchecres</div>
<div>
Mackbgamno</div>
<div>
Ylmonpoo</div>
<div>
Lbvaloelyl</div>
<div>
Qurocet</div>
<div>
Lgof</div>
<div>
Kblajckac</div>
<div>
Lemhet</div>
<div>
Nish dsrgua</div>
<div>
Cosecr</div>
<div>
Ymngsatcis</div>
<div>
Cyohke</div>
<div>
ksinatg</div>
<div>
Ropke</div>
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Ginsktabeaord<br />
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cbyclei<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Answers: football, baseball, basketball, chess, checkers, backgammon, Monopoly, volleyball, croquet, golf, blackjack, helmet, shin guards, soccer, gymnastics, hockey, skating, poker, skateboarding, bicycle</span></div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com124tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-80760435252626555502014-01-27T11:42:00.000-08:002014-01-27T11:42:01.589-08:00Word Puzzle For Kids-Winter<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtktiscLCgUZ9Q-v6_p2aMHfkV-l9De7NcB2loS1ZgvnYKiuqkW8fxxX74jPKV2baV1OSLn7pTqdac22X4wRFCwUSLr6QLAiKXNGfvrVBzU-JSklxozzg3bd_hkkLw94nEyo4Z2lRusU/s1600/235_2794420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtktiscLCgUZ9Q-v6_p2aMHfkV-l9De7NcB2loS1ZgvnYKiuqkW8fxxX74jPKV2baV1OSLn7pTqdac22X4wRFCwUSLr6QLAiKXNGfvrVBzU-JSklxozzg3bd_hkkLw94nEyo4Z2lRusU/s1600/235_2794420.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Fill in the vowels to complete these words related to winter.<br />
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Sw_ _ t _ r</div>
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Sc_ rf</div>
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H_ k_ng b_ _ts</div>
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Gl_v_s</div>
<div>
M_tt_ns</div>
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J_ck_t</div>
<div>
C_ _t</div>
<div>
W_ _l s_cks</div>
<div>
C_rd_g_n</div>
<div>
Sn_wsh_ _s</div>
<div>
Sk_ m_sk</div>
<div>
_ _ rm_ ffs</div>
<div>
L_ ng _nd_rw_ _r</div>
<div>
_n_r_k </div>
<div>
M_ffl_r</div>
<div>
Sn_ws_ _t<br />
Sn_w _ng_ls </div>
<div>
Sw_ _tsh_rt</div>
<div>
Sl_ _t</div>
<div>
F_r_pl_c_</div>
<div>
Sl_dd_ng</div>
<div>
Sw_ _tp_nts</div>
<div>
R_ _st_d M_rshm_ll_ws</div>
<div>
Sn_wfl_k_es</div>
<div>
Sn_wb_ll f_ghts</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Answers: sweater, scarf, hiking boots, gloves, mittens, jacket, coat, wool socks, cardigan, snowshoes, ski mask, earmuffs, long underwear, anorak, muffler, snowsuit, snow angels, sweatshirt, sleet, fireplace, sledding, sweatpants, roasted marshmallows, snowflakes, snowball fights</span></div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-18756820275909829262014-01-25T19:03:00.000-08:002014-01-25T19:03:33.962-08:00"Too-Baggy Pants" Penalized? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrpWIazuIOIJbtcskT8MysW4XEozRszT7UeL5s7BpINvpJnCd0MYsKUoGq5zAmypr9G-2KHRT9Po2vGSU5317jrVEJq7rwG-RgyXJNV72N2Zwvmb3JfCS5yhqtekKNjcNEzzZ2ZKN_Yo/s1600/869_3952096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrpWIazuIOIJbtcskT8MysW4XEozRszT7UeL5s7BpINvpJnCd0MYsKUoGq5zAmypr9G-2KHRT9Po2vGSU5317jrVEJq7rwG-RgyXJNV72N2Zwvmb3JfCS5yhqtekKNjcNEzzZ2ZKN_Yo/s1600/869_3952096.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My sister sent me this article in response to a conversation she was having with her teenaged son. If your teenagers dress like this, you'll probably like it too. It's an old one, but I thought it was interesting. <br />
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<a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-07/justice/georgia.baggy.pants.law_1_saggy-pants-baggy-pants-face-fines?_s=PM:CRIME">Pull up your pants, or you'll pay</a><br />
<br />
...and not a moment too soon! :)<br />
<br />
Seriously, the 'style' of baggy pants has been restricted in schools
for years. Now Dublin, GA has decided to fine people who go around town
wearing pants that look more like potato sacks. While I can't stand the
look (thus my joking above), I wouldn't want to tell random people what
to wear. I'm not exactly Miss Fashion Forward myself, after all. Even
so, I can see why the people and lawmakers in this town would get sick
of looking at it. <br />
<br />
The article quotes a suggestion that this might cause racial
profiling, saying that "they're the ones wearing the saggy, baggy
pants". I can see the concern, but I've seen quite a few whites,
Hispanics, Asians, etc doing this. In fact, about half an hour after
hearing about this on NPR, I went into a McDonalds only to see a couple
of skinny white teenage guys with pants so baggy that they could have
hidden a Thanksgiving turkey in there, and no one would be the wiser.
Okay, I'm exaggerating, but one of them could at least fit a couple of
Cornish game hens.<br />
<br />
I'm told that the 'trend' is in imitation of prison inmates, whose
pants are so low because they can't wear belts. I just have to ask, why
would anyone <i>want </i>to emulate people in prison? I would think that, by definition, those would be the <i>last </i>people to be taking cues from, about fashion or anything else. Oh well, I'm just an old lady.<br />
<br />
This whole thing reminds me of a song, filmed less than an hour from me:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jevieB-SXBE">Pants On The Ground</a><br />
<br />
Now this will be in your head all day. You're welcome. Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-51413316708871768522014-01-15T19:05:00.000-08:002014-01-16T09:26:14.566-08:00Word Scramble For Kids-Music<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }A:link { }</style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fam3b33rOURQevXa744EOLWoNKjTYr5f6KKsD5Zxp7Ni1HMUUSgfIucDEMjbzSIHeqPSSdHzTejER8Tdb5cnlvNQQlowlWZIwh3LveclQze57mKl2DKUCNOkthUeT2lhC9eGCFmZyvg/s1600/308_3286077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fam3b33rOURQevXa744EOLWoNKjTYr5f6KKsD5Zxp7Ni1HMUUSgfIucDEMjbzSIHeqPSSdHzTejER8Tdb5cnlvNQQlowlWZIwh3LveclQze57mKl2DKUCNOkthUeT2lhC9eGCFmZyvg/s1600/308_3286077.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Like I've said in previous posts, I
used to love word games as a kid. I remember this really big and
varied word puzzle book my mom gave me to do on long car trips; trust
me, it wasn't really long before that book was falling apart! It was
fun to brush up on spelling, as well as learn a bit about the
puzzle's subject. Here's another “unscramble the words” puzzle
you can print out and give to your child. Good luck!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Words relating to music and dance<br />
<br />
<br />
nabd __ __ __ __<br />
estrroach __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
nivlio __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
phxaosoen __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
tarlnice __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
ulfte __ __ __ __ __<br />
lorbolam __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
lonxyohpe __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
utrgia __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
thmrhy __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
rsigne __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
cradne __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
crimahng nbad __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
leblat __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
anipo __ __ __ __ __<br />
grona __ __ __ __ __<br />
booe __ __ __ __<br />
enasr rudm __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
sabe mrud __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
coaustci __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
trejtmareo __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
lsamcyb __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
urmd jomra __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Answers: band, orchestra, violin, saxophone, clarinet, flute,
ballroom, xylophone, guitar, rhythm, singer, dancer, marching band,
ballet, piano, organ, oboe, snare drum, base drum, acoustic,
majorette, cymbals, drum major</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-17185418283742687592014-01-14T18:16:00.001-08:002014-01-14T18:16:52.556-08:00YouTube Channels to Brighten Your Day
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_9mCtBeO5RdqVZv6CdwwXgQ-nJxjqx3rXVTKEdsqxOarp7bTPVfR_9Xzd4CEJYlcwRvpivlrAfk_LLz0pYSY1yUIcBtU-Q4ZxoYBvlQ5ZUrFPGlTa6K8n9fUZoRimEZYobE0bc861sk/s1600/775_4361236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_9mCtBeO5RdqVZv6CdwwXgQ-nJxjqx3rXVTKEdsqxOarp7bTPVfR_9Xzd4CEJYlcwRvpivlrAfk_LLz0pYSY1yUIcBtU-Q4ZxoYBvlQ5ZUrFPGlTa6K8n9fUZoRimEZYobE0bc861sk/s320/775_4361236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you want to start
the day off with a good laugh? Here are a few YouTube channels that
are sure to get you in a great mood.</div>
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Have you ever wondered
what your food would say if it could talk to you? Watch a few of
these cartoons and you'll be glad it can't.
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<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3vksVYHjJU&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLF2108EA6A5760280">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3vksVYHjJU&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLF2108EA6A5760280</a></div>
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This reminds me of a
game my sister and I used to play called Day In The Life of a Food.
It was based off of a skit we saw on this Nickelodeon show called
Turkey Television. Basically the food would react to anything done to
it in the process of preparation and eating...”No! Don't cut me!
Don't eat my friend!” :) We would do this under our breath when we
were out to dinner with our parents just to annoy them. If it was a
meat we were imitating, we'd make the noise of the animal the meat
came from. Moos and oinks were my specialty.
</div>
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<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><span style="color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: none;">Anyone
who has ever lived with a cat knows how accurate the Simon's Cat
cartoons are. For instance, here's how the cat wakes his human when
it wants to be fed:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q&list=TLaH1uC5tnIhkMjsihgo3piTeH0JlO_G99">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0ffwDYo00Q&list=TLaH1uC5tnIhkMjsihgo3piTeH0JlO_G99</a></u></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
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I've never been
awakened by a baseball bat, but I did once have a cat who would eat
my hair while I slept. I miss that kitty. :(</div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Talking Animals
channels is...well, videos of talking animals. Every year, the owners
take the videos other people have sent them of their pets and piece
them together with “Christmas carol” voice-overs. For instance,
here's their version of “12 Days of Christmas”-</div>
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<br />
</div>
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<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obGjx8Hry3M&list=PL040AC7C9087AC9CD">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obGjx8Hry3M&list=PL040AC7C9087AC9CD</a></u></span></span></div>
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<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you scroll through
the videos on the right, you'll see segments staring the
“spokes-cats” of the group, Jupiter and Kona. Kona's fun but
Jupiter is...well, you tell me. :)</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qPGHn4iHKk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qPGHn4iHKk</a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Enjoy yourself! What
are some of your favorite YouTube channels?
</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-42813577344680908902014-01-04T10:12:00.001-08:002014-01-16T11:46:25.370-08:00Unusual Animals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELJLwplgpuYyMG9WDlLWzZupqIOpWDNHYwd4sxHBoATFldJQhQU-w0yRn6Dwox1u0XtS4L4IGTjYKSPzHsY4nBp-x1DwPq5gGlvcc-f13h5lAZ9BsfWPknnGoeCt3IzovsAOcOXnmcC8/s1600/430_3299748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELJLwplgpuYyMG9WDlLWzZupqIOpWDNHYwd4sxHBoATFldJQhQU-w0yRn6Dwox1u0XtS4L4IGTjYKSPzHsY4nBp-x1DwPq5gGlvcc-f13h5lAZ9BsfWPknnGoeCt3IzovsAOcOXnmcC8/s320/430_3299748.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We all know that kids love animals. For some of us, like me, that affection never goes away. We like to learn about different creatures and how they interact with humans and the rest of the world. There are plenty of great sites out there, but here is one of my favorites.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://a-z-animals.com/">http://a-z-animals.com</a><br />
<br />
Here, you can find information about pretty much any animal you can think of, and probably some that you can't. I love how this site allows you to block certain animals. That way, you won't find yourself looking at a picture of one when you do a search on animals in Africa or something else like that. Here's the tool:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://a-z-animals.com/phobias/83/">http://a-z-animals.com/phobias/83/</a><br />
<br />
I'm scared to death of spiders, so I am very thankful for being able to block pictures of tarantulas! <br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you like videos, here are a few unusual animals I've found. The commentary on the
videos is amusing and informative, but some of the animals look
pretty creepy. Still, one person's “creepy” is another's “cool!”.
Most young boys I know would pick the latter. I've included them
because a) I've never heard of these animals before and find them
interesting, and b) they're just plain weird.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
People who are afraid
of insects should not watch these two videos.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This one, to quote the
video, “walks the delicate tightrope between radically ugly and
cute as [heck]”. It's a tiny lemur referred to as the “Aye Aye”</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1078602443"><br /></a>
</div>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1078602443">
</a>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHs5POy8-8Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHs5POy8-8Y</a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Don't even <b>think</b><span style="font-weight: normal;">
of trying to eat this guy for dinner. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5FEj9U-CJM">Mantis Shrimp</a> </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I was kind of surprised
that this was real because of the way parts of the video look more
like a Pixar movie than a documentary but, rest assured, that's how
the mantis shrimp looks. At least it has pretty colors. My husband
thinks it looks “tasty”, but I'd rather just leave it alone.
</div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Now,
for something much cuter;</div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Olingito</div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Article-<a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/science/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572">http://www.nbcnews.com/science/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572</a></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This
adorable creature was discovered to be a separate species fairly
recently. Before that, it was assumed that they were just baby or
small olingos, another type of raccoon that lives in the South
American rainforest. They're usually meat-eaters, but they do like to
snack on fruits such as figs. For more information and a link to
other similar videos, check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZzay8mmkGw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZzay8mmkGw.</a></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here's the Phillipine Tarsier, the world's smallest monkey. I personally think they're adorable but, cute or not, they're fascinating animals.</div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://www.arkive.org/philippine-tarsier/tarsius-syrichta/"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: '.HelveticaNeueUI'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; white-space: nowrap;">http://www.arkive.org/philippine-tarsier/tarsius-syrichta/</span></a></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Have fun!</div>
<div class="western" style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-11313230933389408642013-12-30T15:52:00.000-08:002013-12-30T15:52:26.177-08:00Non-Boring Things To Do With Turkey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnyc91jFvYpuzpHCENChuBMceOUifEITV8mBm2MdQxTsgCyNKSqx0wDr0Kj_9pcflm_9ViOr_jsd69VsFLECi5kN7sJcuxVHV1iHPRaSHhyphenhyphenaQMhnnlxInxnnIeoqM9CQuyCF40NyI2Kc/s1600/93_2597427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnyc91jFvYpuzpHCENChuBMceOUifEITV8mBm2MdQxTsgCyNKSqx0wDr0Kj_9pcflm_9ViOr_jsd69VsFLECi5kN7sJcuxVHV1iHPRaSHhyphenhyphenaQMhnnlxInxnnIeoqM9CQuyCF40NyI2Kc/s320/93_2597427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
"Turkey <i>again?</i>"<br />
<div>
I can hear it now. When I was a kid, we didn't *dare* complain about dinner; you either ate what was served or made your own. Given that my parents grew up in the South in the 50s, this is pretty typical. Regardless of what your "complaint policy" is at home, sometimes you get tired of making the same thing and just want to find something different to do with whatever leftovers you have. That, or you want something new to serve to guests. Whichever applies to you, here are a few ideas of what you can do with leftover turkey. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you want something off-beat to take to your next potluck or just feel like something different, here's an interesting use for leftover turkey and Fritos. </div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u>Southern-Style Turkey Bake-serves 4</u></div>
<div>
-1 lb ground turkey</div>
<div>
-1 10-3/4 oz can cream of celery or Southwestern pepper jack soup</div>
<div>
-1 medium onion, chopped</div>
<div>
-2 cups corn chips, crushed</div>
<div>
-2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded</div>
<div>
-1 cup thawed frozen corn</div>
<div>
-1 cup canned diced tomatoes</div>
<div>
2 tbsp vegetable oil</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Preheat oven to 400 F. In an oven-proof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add turkey and onion and cook for 5 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Add the soup, corn and tomatoes and boil for 5 minutes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Take skillet from stovetop and put corn chips and cheese on top of the turkey. Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Serve.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's a different kind of turkey sandwich.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>Mexican Turkey Tortas-serves 4</u></div>
<div>
-12 slices turkey breast (Boar's Head makes a chipotle style, but any will do)</div>
<div>
-8 slices Cheddar cheese</div>
<div>
-4 baguettes</div>
<div>
-1 cup shredded lettuce</div>
<div>
-1/2 frozen whole kernel corn, thawed </div>
<div>
-1/2 cup red beans, cooked, drained and rinsed</div>
<div>
-4 tbsp guacamole </div>
<div>
-1 tbsp onions, diced</div>
<div>
-1 tbsp cilantro, chopped</div>
<div>
-4 teaspoon cider vinegar</div>
<div>
-1/8 teaspoon ground cumin</div>
<div>
-1/8 teaspoon jalapeño pepper sauce (optional)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Combine corn, cumin, beans, onions, cilantro, vinegar and hot sauce Cut the bread in half lengthwise. Spread guacamole on the bottom bun. Put a slice of cheese on the bottom bun and pile on the turkey, 1/4 cup corn mixture and 1/4 lettuce. Add the top bun and serve.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-19848053914672413552013-12-26T18:23:00.000-08:002013-12-26T18:23:07.730-08:00HIlarious Kitty VideosAs I've said before, I have five cats. Not a day goes by without them doing something funny, silly or just plain weird. For instance, they sleep in weird places. However odd it is for my cat to sleep in the sink, though, she's got nothing on these.<br />
<br />
Funny Cats Sleep In Weird Positions Compiliation-<br />
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<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vwji6HiXWCs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
Here's what can happen if our furry friends decide not to be so friendly after all!<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/_vx1OVLX5Rc/0.jpg" height="266" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_vx1OVLX5Rc&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_vx1OVLX5Rc&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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For even more funny cat videos, visit <a href="http://mashable.com/2010/04/07/funny-cat-videos-youtube/">http://mashable.com/2010/04/07/funny-cat-videos-youtube/</a>!<br />
<br />Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-91962440454667482752013-12-05T16:57:00.001-08:002013-12-05T16:57:21.455-08:00Awesome Chicken Lasagna
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbz88bqV1mWoLrqhRsTQg2ClARHZk_I9LRBFoVQuin-ba9SmeZd8hMgmas2bW8xhlnFQlCLb7brHCXkJRKGvh0WqNV64tw10-8h0E3-K2kQAw2tam1oTzRSBkG7HB6nhDBqdcXBfpeqbg/s1600/527_3914271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbz88bqV1mWoLrqhRsTQg2ClARHZk_I9LRBFoVQuin-ba9SmeZd8hMgmas2bW8xhlnFQlCLb7brHCXkJRKGvh0WqNV64tw10-8h0E3-K2kQAw2tam1oTzRSBkG7HB6nhDBqdcXBfpeqbg/s320/527_3914271.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is something interesting if you
want lasagna but discovered halfway through the day that you're out
of ground beef and don't feel like going to the store. It's also a good way to get your kids to eat vegetables or to make chicken more exciting.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>Chicken Lasagna</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
9 dry lasagna noodles</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
3-5 cups cooked chicken, diced</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 can Cream of Chicken soup</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 stick butter or butter substitute</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
1 cup green bell pepper or celery,
chopped (optional)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
2/3 cup half and half</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
½ cup cottage cheese</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
½ cup fresh mushrooms, sliced</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
½ cup onion, chopped</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Preheat oven to 350F. Boil the noodles
for 8-10 minutes or until they're at the consistency you want (“al
dent<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">é</span>” or “to the
tooth”). Drain and set aside to cool.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan
and saut<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">é</span> onions,
mushrooms and any other vegetables you want. Then, add the chicken,
half and half and soup and heat until smooth. In a separate bowl,
combine the shredded Cheddar and Mozzarella. Save a bit of cheese for
the top. Now, in a 9”x13” baking pan, layer chicken sauce
mixture, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses and noodles 3 times or
until everything is used. Sprinkle Parmesan and the last of the
shredded cheeses on top and bake for 45 minutes. Let stand and serve.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I love vegetables, so I'd definitely go
for the bell pepper and celery. I've heard of broccoli or spinach
being used in similar dishes, but it's entirely up to you. Enjoy!</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-15418734292013375402013-12-01T14:55:00.000-08:002013-12-01T14:55:05.097-08:00Word games for kids<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi52owZVVsv2hsl3FW2DGYsU7Dxe4lQxSyLLfYV-y7ivrvQL6rfTocltmn1ptkZ_qTuWepCq2Ks1eXflD58d5qILDXsWwcNjxLZDxp4915-y5CmoC9e8ARFZp1tRth1i5BQTfgUm11pis/s1600/529_3265424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi52owZVVsv2hsl3FW2DGYsU7Dxe4lQxSyLLfYV-y7ivrvQL6rfTocltmn1ptkZ_qTuWepCq2Ks1eXflD58d5qILDXsWwcNjxLZDxp4915-y5CmoC9e8ARFZp1tRth1i5BQTfgUm11pis/s320/529_3265424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't know about you, but I loved word games as a child. They're a great way to expand your vocabulary and have fun at the same time.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's a simple puzzle that can teach spelling and pronunciation by sounding out words. Using the syllables above, piece together the words that match with the clues on the left. The number of dashes next to a clue corresponds with the number of syllables in the word. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Food</u></div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a a av ag bis ca cap chup ci cuits do el gna i ket ko la la mis no o pa pit puc sa shi span su tir u </div>
<div>
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<div>
Italian dessert made with lady fingers and coffee ___ ___ ___ ___</div>
<div>
Japanese food made with raw fish and rice ___ ___ </div>
<div>
Drink made with espresso and steamed milk ___ ___ ___ ___</div>
<div>
Greek pastry made with spinach, onions and cheese ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ </div>
<div>
Spanish dish sometimes made with shrimp, sausage and rice ___ ___ ___</div>
<div>
Main ingredient in guacamole ___ ___ ___ ___</div>
<div>
Garfield's favorite food ___ ___ ___</div>
<div>
Main ingredient in cocktail sauce ___ ___</div>
<div>
What cookies are called in England ___ ___ </div>
<div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Answers: tiramisu, sushi, cappuccino, spanakopita, paella, avocado, lasagna, ketchup, biscuits</span></div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-6957221557367847662013-11-17T16:43:00.000-08:002013-11-17T16:43:06.771-08:00Best Ways To Help After A Natural Disaster
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXjOOaF3gGcW7a9EyNkyt13YUfk96zt9FIjlm5GRqMInQbRa8gFT6E4uB5itaRFOnAA9i8DI0w4nxEdwj6AafgfG9ukwW8QsKmcVrdMd5EWGOC7HFqSmWbEKFBULI1-7qPQpFjC5log8/s1600/163_3056636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHXjOOaF3gGcW7a9EyNkyt13YUfk96zt9FIjlm5GRqMInQbRa8gFT6E4uB5itaRFOnAA9i8DI0w4nxEdwj6AafgfG9ukwW8QsKmcVrdMd5EWGOC7HFqSmWbEKFBULI1-7qPQpFjC5log8/s320/163_3056636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the wake of <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/photography/2013/11/super_typhoon_haiyan_devastates_philippines_photos.html">Super Hyphoon Haiyan's</a> attack on the Phillipines, a
lot of information has been going around about how to help those in
need. This is a very good thing, especially in an age where some
people think the whole world has gone down the tubes. But what can
you do to help with disaster relief? You might not be a doctor or a
builder or anything, but there are things you can do. What can you do
to ensure the aid gets where it needs to be? What efforts would
actually <b>hinder</b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> progress?
The needs vary from event to event, but here are some ideas about how
to make your gifts as useful as possible. </span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When it comes to material goods, most things are fine if they are being asked for. Clothing, shoes,
food items, bottled water and even toys might be helpful for specific
needs. However, these things really shouldn't be donated if they
aren't being asked for because each shipment means someone has to
sort through them, store them and figure out what goes where and
when. If a shipment is going to a foreign country it also has to go
through that country's version of Customs, which can be very
time-consuming. The efforts are appreciated, but there's often so
much to do “on the ground” that the agencies can't spare the time
and manpower.
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you want to get rid of your old stuff and help out at the same
time, you can help organize a fundraiser-say, a yard sale-and give
the proceeds to a relief agency. You could also donate those items to
Goodwill and the local food bank to help in your own community.
Keeping these stocked can go a long way in making sure your own
community is prepared if something were to happen. Plus, sometimes
local agencies will partner with national ones to take on the bigger
“projects”.
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's also not uncommon for relief groups to get an influx of
medication and medical supplies. I can see the logic behind sending
these things, especially when it comes to pain medication and first
aid. However, this isn't a good idea either because a) most of the
medications sent will have to be thrown away or burned, and b)
first-responders usually have more than enough to meet the
community's needs. They will work directly with suppliers or
charities such as the American Red Cross if they <i>do</i> need
anything. This also goes for personnel such as doctors and nurses.
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
If you have skills you want to contribute, do so as part of an
organized effort. It's one thing if the disaster happened close to
you, but you'll need to go with an established relief agency if you
want to help out overseas. If your local hospital has a blood drive,
donate that way. Even if nothing devastating has happened, it helps
them tremendously to have a good supply on hand.
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bottom line- When in doubt, send cash. If specific items are
needed, they will be asked for. Otherwise, give money. Donating funds
to relief agencies and other charities directly involved in helping
disaster victims will ensure that the people get whatever it is that
they need and in a timely manner. Think about it this way-when they
buy supplies, aid workers are not only meeting the people's immediate
needs; they're supporting local businesses. Win-Win.</div>
<br />
<br />
For more information about disaster
preparation and aid, visit
<a href="http://www.fema.gov/state-offices-and-agencies-emergency-management">http://www.fema.gov/state-offices-and-agencies-emergency-management</a>.<br />
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-35891939043636260822013-11-05T09:55:00.000-08:002013-11-05T09:55:28.654-08:00"Alternate" Wedding Gifts, Part 2
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cR_7Ay8KXV44rcWxlauFup0d5zrTpCclzcj8Z5kQmOrWWMiAdqqy3Osbnz6fYgsQeLcP1hGPpIQ8o-_OMIDNNVCEBbBo1J3uTC4_XaA9BHCntgrNO38raEoI0wV5PPceufgkyrNG4vk/s1600/710_3875960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cR_7Ay8KXV44rcWxlauFup0d5zrTpCclzcj8Z5kQmOrWWMiAdqqy3Osbnz6fYgsQeLcP1hGPpIQ8o-_OMIDNNVCEBbBo1J3uTC4_XaA9BHCntgrNO38raEoI0wV5PPceufgkyrNG4vk/s200/710_3875960.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
(continued from Part 1)<b> </b><br />
<b>Preparations</b>. If you're talented in this area, offer to do
everyone's hair and makeup. It's not a given that someone will go to
a professional for these services, but some of the more formal or
dramatic hairstyles are very difficult to do on yourself and thus
need a bit of help to pull off. If you have any flowers left over
from the previous craft, you can put them in the bride's or
bridesmaids' hair.
<br />
Speaking of bridesmaids, lend some of your formal wear. This would
work best if there were only one maid, but sometimes the maid of
honor will wear a slightly different dress from the other maids. This
would save the maids money more than the couple and their family
themselves, but anyone who has ever bought one of those dresses knows
that savings are greatly appreciated. If your husband has a tuxedo,
offer the use of that to the groom or best man.
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<b>Make the food</b>. My stepsister used to manage a high-end
seafood restaurant in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Her gift to my husband
and me was to cater our rehearsal dinner. She "drafted"
some of her employees to take over the kitchen of the church our
service was going to be in and make a lot of "coastal"
foods-hush puppies, fried shrimp, scallops, etc. If you are similarly
talented and/or have access to a group like this, I'm sure it would
be greatly appreciated. Since my husband's groomsmen and family lived
in Georgia, this was a real treat for them. Red Lobster was about the
extent of their "seafood experience", so her gift not only
saved my family money, it showed an appreciation for us and gave us
something we couldn't get anywhere else.
<br />
On a similar tip, cater the reception. This way, you can tailor it
to your guest's preferences or needs. You don't have to make the
*entire spread* vegetarian/vegan/gluten free, but you can make sure
you at least have *something* those guests can eat. Restaurants
and caterers may specialize too, but it usually costs more.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<b>The service itself.</b> These things might not cost much on
their own, but it's a great way to get your friends and family
involved. The minister who performed our ceremony is a family friend
and refused payment for his services. I know not everyone is an
ordained minister, but you don't necessarily have to be in order to
officiate a wedding ceremony. If it's a commitment ceremony such as
would be done for same-sex couples or others who don't want their
marriage registered with the state, this isn't needed. Also, judges
and civil officials may be able to perform marriages. If nothing
else, you can pay for the license.
<br />
If you're musical, offer to sing or play during the ceremony. If
you're good with a camera, offer to be the photographer.
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to give a loved one a
wedding gift without necessarily having to go to a store. Even if
some of these ideas cost more than a material gift, the time and care
you put into everything will mean a lot to the happy couple. They
probably have enough plates and steak knives already.
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-84653308853896657532013-11-05T09:52:00.000-08:002013-11-05T09:52:03.447-08:00"Alternate" Wedding Gifts Part 1
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<br />
<br />
If you've ever planned a wedding for yourself or are planning one
for your child, you've seen how expensive it can be. $120 for a
bridesmaid dress, before alterations? $1000+ to reserve a reception
hall? A $500 ice sculpture of two dolphins forming a heart? I don't
know about anyone else, but I can't afford to spend that kind of
money.<br />
<br />
The good thing about growing up in a small town is that my family
knew a lot of people in the area who could give their services for
free or a reduced price. In some cases, the service or item *was*
their wedding gift to us. If you also have specific talents and
someone you love is getting married, you could probably save yourself
and the family a lot of money by providing things they would
otherwise have to pay through the nose for. Depending on what it is,
you could be saving yourself the cost of a wedding gift. As for the
family and the happy couple...well, let's just stay the time and care
you put into things is a lot more valuable than another toaster! Here
are some ideas. For the most part, they would be most appropriate for
a small wedding party.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Bake the cake</b>. One of our good friends is very "crafty",
particularly when it comes to cooking. To help us save money and to
give us a cake we'll actually <i>like</i>, she made us a beautiful
red-velvet cake with cream-cheese icing and white fondant that was a
lot better than anything we could buy in a store.
<br />
Here's a good recipe:
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Red-Velvet-Cake-I/Detail.aspx?scale=48&ismetric=0"><span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u>http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Red-Velvet-Cake-I/Detail.aspx?scale=48&ismetric=0</u></span></span></a></div>
<br />
As you can see, it takes a *lot* of work. If you don't want
to do this, you can always make a cupcake tier.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Provide the venue and decorations</b>. If you're good with
crafts, offer to help make the favors and/or decorations. It
doesn't have to be anything major; it can be as simple as creating
the programs or tying balloons to chairs. If you have decorations
from a previous event, lend them to the happy couple for the day.
<br />
If you have the right kind of house or yard, offer your place for
the wedding or reception. For instance, ours was held in a party room
of some of my parents' friends. It was done up like a '50s soda shop,
so most of the decoration had been done for us. The 'muscle cars'
parked outside were a nice touch!
<br />
If there's dancing, either act as the deejay or otherwise set up
the music. Set up a laptop to play over a sound system and either
play pre-burned CDs or iTunes playlists.<br />
For more tips, check out part 2 of this article. <br />
<br /><br />
<br />
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-79425268045398247122013-11-01T08:54:00.000-07:002013-11-01T08:54:21.931-07:00Awesome Vegetable Risotto-Your Kids Will Eat It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbYvoguGDnZ59HgoGR46a6MIJiEy3aXHv02SocQzw-2y2a2sQkVBcvvYw8BOoWVTa8s9DsaBthKIS1Fuv9wzdVmGZj6qSqgluA9NV6m7FhgMJ0ruMeveaBgBQQ0sFALkVvYNIAIEI5Fg/s1600/430_3182619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbYvoguGDnZ59HgoGR46a6MIJiEy3aXHv02SocQzw-2y2a2sQkVBcvvYw8BOoWVTa8s9DsaBthKIS1Fuv9wzdVmGZj6qSqgluA9NV6m7FhgMJ0ruMeveaBgBQQ0sFALkVvYNIAIEI5Fg/s320/430_3182619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Do you want your kids to eat vegetables, but they're bored with what you normally serve? Here's a veggie dish that's anything *but* boring.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Vegetable Risotto-serves 4</div>
<div>
<h3 style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
3 cups vegetable broth</h3>
<ul style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">2 cloves garlic, minced</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1 cup Arborio rice</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">3/4 cup tomato, seeded and diced</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">3/4 cup asparagus, cut into small pieces</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1/2 cup onion, chopped</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">1/4 cup onion, shredded</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">3 tbsp basil, snipped</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">2 tbsp water or oil for frying</span></div>
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<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></li>
<li style="list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In a medium skillet, cook onion, garlic and mushrooms in the oil until the onions are tender. Add the uncooked rice and cook over medium heat until the rice is golden, about 5 minutes.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While you're doing this, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer. Slowly stir in 1 cup of broth into the rice mixture and cook until all of the liquid is absorbed. Now, add asparagus and 1/2 cup broth and stir until all of the liquid is absorbed. Repeat with 1 more cup of broth.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, stir in the rest of the ingredients and cook until the rice is tender and creamy. Serve and watch everyone enjoy.</div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<br /></h3>
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Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-4356089748498703512013-10-28T12:57:00.000-07:002013-10-28T12:57:14.185-07:00Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling-The "Cons"
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<br /></div>
<div class="western">
In an earlier post, I covered some of the possible advantages of homeschooling your children. In this post, I'll go through some of the possible "cons".</div>
<div class="western">
<b>Not learning social skills</b>. If a parent is
homeschooling because they don't want their kids around "bad
influences", they have to be careful not to isolate them from
the good influences as well. Parents who homeschool need to make
sure their children have an opportunity to be around others of their
age. There are ways such as church, groups of parents who homeschool
and other community activities that can help with this, so a lack of
social skills isn't necessarily a given.</div>
<div class="western">
<b>None of the good stuff from school.</b> There
are school systems that will allow homeschoolers to do all of the
things that can make school fun for some people-a prom, band, study
abroad, other extracurricular activities. You would have to look for
these, and they might not be available in every area. </div>
<div class="western">
<b>Sheltering</b>. It's natural to want to shield children from the things we things we don't want them to see. However, we can't do this forever. Ultimately they will have to go out into the world (college, jobs, etc), and they need to know how to engage with others who are different from them. If they were taught that people of other religions or ethnic groups-either specific groups or in general-are "bad", they're going to get a rude awakening when they come into contact with said people. Maybe this won't happen if they go to small colleges close to home, but there isn't much of a way to avoid it in "the real world". Even if children are taught to see everyone as equal, they can still go into "culture shock" and end up getting themselves into trouble when they can't handle their sudden freedom. Without anyone telling them what to do, it's easy to fall into the trap of partying too much and not doing the things they should be doing. Like a lack of social skills, this isn't a "given". It can happen to anyone, but being sheltered by homeschooling (as several people I knew were) may make this more likely.</div>
<div class="western">
</div>
<div class="western">
<b>Influences</b>. Sure, your kids won't be around
the “bad influences” in school but, like I said before, they won't be around the good
ones either. Not only that, but they won't be able to be good
influences to other people as easily as they could if they were in
school. Think of it this way-most of the people who were instrumental
to my getting to know Jesus were either people I met in school or
their parents. If the parents hadn't sent their children to the
public school system where I was, I may not be a Christian today. I'm
not saying this to “wax religious” so much as to say that, by
demonstrating the positive character traits you've given them, your
children can have a good influence on others.
</div>
<div class="western">
<br />Ultimately you're the only one who can decide what is best for your children. Even so, it helps to have some food for thought. <br />
</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-84218789511215071632013-10-28T12:32:00.001-07:002013-10-28T12:32:31.946-07:00Pros And Cons Of Homeschooling-The "Pros"<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); }P.western { font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; }P.cjk { font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; }P.ctl { font-family: "Arial Unicode MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; }</style>
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<br />
I told my husband that I didn't want to
homeschool. I didn't want my kids to suffer because I might not be the best teacher, nor did I want to isolate them from the rest of the world. I don't have kids so this discussion is academic, but I suspect other parents would agree with me. Your children's schooling is one of the most important parts of their upbringing, so we should put as much thought into it as we can. To this end, it helps to have the pros and cons of homeschooling given in a non-biased manner. This is what I'm attempting to do here. In this post, I'll give the "pros". I'll cover the "cons" in a separate post. </div>
<div class="western">
<br />
Some advantages to homeschooling-</div>
<br />
<br /><div class="western">
<b>You can tailor your teaching style to your
child.</b> Not every child can learn well in a traditional school.
Even if they don't have specific difficulties such as dyslexia,
overcrowding prevents teachers from giving students the individual
attention needed to explain things they don't understand. If a child
is homeschooled, though, parents and/or tutors can do just that. Some
parents use interactive online lessons that help children “learn by
doing”, which is something they might not get in a traditional
school. They can go on field trips and see things "up close and personal" (such as what goes on in a veterinarian's office or a farm) in a way they wouldn't otherwise. For more visual learners, this is key. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western">
The only problem I can see is that the methods of
colleges and other schools may not "mesh" well with some of
the more "alternate" styles your child would need to
be able to adjust accordingly.<br />
<br />
<b>Scheduling</b>. You won't have to deal with the "morning rush" of getting your children dressed, fed and out the door. Your kids can learn using their own schedule at their own pace. You'll need to be sure that your children still <i>treat</i> the curriculum like "school" and don't see being home as an opportunity to do whatever they want, but you can structure the lessons without having to worry about "school hours". You also get to spend a lot of quality time with your child, which is something every parent can appreciate.</div>
<div class="western">
<br />
<b>Academic achievement</b>. Since they can get
more individual attention and work at their own pace, homeschooled
kids are often way ahead academically than kids in the “regular”
systems. Think about it-didn't you have that kid in your class who
constantly got called out for talking or disrupting things? I
certainly did. The vast majority of the time, they weren't inherently
“bad kids”; they were just bored because the material being
taught was way too easy for them. I also knew a couple of kids who
would ride their bikes from the middle school to the high school to
take geometry because they had already passed all of the math classes
offered by the middle school. If the two schools weren't right next
to each other (as I suspect most aren't), this wouldn't have been
possible. By homeschooling, kids like this could take subjects based
on their ability level rather than age.
</div>
<div class="western">
<br />
<b>Your kids won't have to deal with the stuff you
may have dealt with in school</b>. There's no “popular crowd”, no
gossip, no bullying, no peer pressure-none of that stuff happens in
homeschool. Nobody gets “pantsed” or shoved in their locker. This
can be especially helpful for girls because of the major drop in self-esteem many experience during the "tween" and teen years. </div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-13652536301036345392013-10-11T16:32:00.001-07:002013-10-11T16:32:39.908-07:00Considering a dog? Reasons to consider a pit bull<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Pit bulls have a really bad reputation. They've been used in dogfighting rings. There have been stories about attacks in the news and their size and vocalizations can be very intimidating. With proper treatment, however, they can be really sweet dogs. In case you're considering a dog for your family, here are a few things to consider.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Pit bulls are very strong and protective. If you live in a rural area, they can be very useful for chasing "farm pests" such as raccoons away, but they usually do not damage crops or gardens themselves. They might dig, but they're not any more likely to mess things up than other dogs. They're also excellent guard dogs, but that probably goes without saying.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
They can be aggressive toward children if provoked, but so can a lot of other dog breeds. I say this to mean that, contrary to common belief, their use in dogfighting rings does not make them inherently more "fearsome" than other large breeds. A big problem with dogfighting rings is that the dogs are abused and starved to make them more aggressive. This can happen with any dog. Contrary to popular belief, their jaws do not lock when they bite. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If they're treated well from "puppyhood", they are practically babies when it comes to people they've seen before. My friend's pit bull wouldn't leave me alone when I visited, but that was because she knew I'd pet her and loved animals, not because she wanted to attack me. My sister's dog was similar-he'd bark when she'd answer the door, but all she had to do was shut the door and open it again. Now he was nice because he'd seen me before. Other dogs I've known would not have been so for much longer, if ever.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Remember, every dog is an individual. Whatever the breed, the way a dog is treated plays a huge role in how it behaves toward people and other animals. For this reason, you shouldn't dismiss pits out of hand. Even so, it's important to learn a bit about a dog breed before bringing one into your home.</div>
</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-1459981068758902242013-09-27T13:40:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:42:27.683-07:00Advice About Long-Distance Relationships<br />
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We've all seen it. An otherwise-happy high-school couple experiences angst when one person has to go away for a long period of time. Between college and the military, it's highly likely that a teenage couple will find themselves separated for the first time with no idea how to handle the distance. They may think they do, but the truth is that being away from the one they love can be stressful for anyone. She may not ask your advice, but it will be very helpful if you can provide some sort of insight on what it takes to make a long-distance relationship work. Even if you don't think they can, you should still be able to put the reasons into words. To help you with this, here's some advice I've picked up along the way. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>There has to be a plan</b>. It's one thing if it's
just a casual dalliance, but a serious relationship needs to have some
sort of plan to eventually be in the same place. Setting a time frame can be difficult when one or both people are in the military, but it makes things infinitely easier if there is at least some sort of "once I graduate/finish my tour/etc, we'll be together" plan. Open-ended separation will likely prove fatal to the relationship.<br />
<br />
<b>Communicate often</b>. It doesn't have to be every day, but
communicate on a regular basis. If possible, set aside a specific
time to talk. Use technology such as chat, Skype or smartphone apps
to your advantage. Also, make sure to make the most of the time. You
don't have to have deep philosophical discussions every time, but
give each call your undivided attention.
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<b>Keep the lines of communication open, but live your own life too</b>. Keep a regularly-scheduled time to chat or talk but, aside from that, keep busy. This goes a long way in keeping loneliness at bay, as well as giving you something more to talk about.<br />
<br />
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<div>
<b>Both of you need to be committed to making the relationship work. </b>Both people need to be on the same page for any relationship to work, but this is especially true for long-distance relationships. You both need to put in the necessary time and effort, not just one person. It might not always feel even, but I can tell you from experience that feeling like you're the only one who cares enough to attend to the relationship breeds resentment that, in many cases, kills any potential there may have been.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Not everyone thinks that long distance relationships can work, but
it is very helpful to be able to encourage your teenager when she's
feeling lonely. With these pieces of advice, you can help the two of
them decide what to do on their own.
</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-86802838683825329802013-09-17T18:33:00.001-07:002013-09-17T18:33:42.453-07:00Things To Consider When Planning A Wedding
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC4COolp0qmqaaQUo3XLvp7G1iqL8_fNFXG0JBqyRBOUHmjzlwsNw8D5cRwGAw38E2TlAu3jlthM7caapjUW-KRTu3-GWIp7PuA_x_aOwiM1TtAD7mJ5stTlLC-DqzAaYt_zzfxwetdM/s1600/232_2671073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC4COolp0qmqaaQUo3XLvp7G1iqL8_fNFXG0JBqyRBOUHmjzlwsNw8D5cRwGAw38E2TlAu3jlthM7caapjUW-KRTu3-GWIp7PuA_x_aOwiM1TtAD7mJ5stTlLC-DqzAaYt_zzfxwetdM/s320/232_2671073.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Your son or daughter just got engaged! Congrats to the happy
couple! As for you, you're about take on one of the most onerous of
tasks-planning a wedding.<br />
Remember that, while the wedding is a one-time event, it's an
event your family will remember for the rest of their lives. That
said, you need to think about which wishes of the couple you can
grant and which you can't. Here are a few things to consider.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<u>-Feasibility.</u> You may have seen something in a movie that
looks easy and fun, but is it something you can really *do*? I used
to say I wanted to get married on the White House lawn. Yes, I know
that's a stretch, but I wanted to be a journalist and figured that
I'd be in good enough with the president that she'd let me "break
the rules" for a day. Needless to say, that never happened.<br />
<br />
Odd venue aside, there are still some questions here.<br />
<br />
For an outdoor wedding, does anyone involved have allergies? Will
you be able to move inside quickly if it rains? If a date has been
set, will the temperature be comfortable? If it's a beach wedding,
how will you deal with the strong winds and sand that the shore
offers? Is there enough room in the cabana? My friend got married on
the beach, but didn't account for how dirty the dresses or shoes
would get. She checked the tide tables, but those aren't 100%.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<u>-</u><u>Cost. </u>When girls mentally plan their "dream
wedding", cost is rarely in the picture. Can you afford the
dress, venue, flowers, "special effects" etc being
requested?<br />
<br />
"Tradition" had the bride's family footing the bill, but
many people don't follow that. Both families should get
together to draw up a budget. The couple needs to pick the three
things that are most important to them and allocate most of the money
there. For me, these things were the dress, having a religious
ceremony and a reception with dancing. Use whatever "connections"
you have to fill these needs. Even if your friends do things "at
cost", though, they still might cost a pretty penny. Consider
what you can realistically afford.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
This last one may sound weird, but it's very important.<br />
<br />
<u>-</u><u>How is this going to affect your relationships? </u>This
process is * very* stressful, even for the most "grounded"
of people. Everyone around you seems to have an opinion on how things
should be, and the opinions are nearly always contradictory. It is
very easy for the day to "get away" from you and become
more about what everyone else wants rather than what the couple
wants. Not to be harsh, but remember that this is the couple's day,
not yours. It is very tempting (and very common) to try to "fix"
the mistakes made in your wedding with this one; fight that urge! If
you control the purse strings, tell them what you can afford and plan
within that. Aside from that, use your experience as a guide but let
them make the final decision.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I hope I've given you some food for
thought. Good luck, and congrats again!</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-25830253683032249462013-09-07T07:04:00.000-07:002013-09-09T11:31:45.545-07:00Fun Ideas For Grandparents' Day
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<br />
In 1979, Congress passed a law to officially designate the Sunday
after Labor Day as 'Grandparents' Day.' It might not be as well-known
as Mother's or Father's day, but it can still be fun to surprise your
parents with something special. Here are some fun things your kids
can do for their grandparents on Grandparents' Day.<br />
<br />
-Have the kids make a huge greeting card. If the grandparents like
cookies, make an 'edible card' with 'Happy Grandparents' Day!'
written in icing. M&MS and chocolate chips work well too.<br />
-Do the chores around the house that normally fall to Grandma and
Grandpa. If the chores are too strenuous (such as pool cleaning) or
require expertise you don't have, pay someone to do it for a day.<br />
-For long-distance, tech-saavy grandparents, record the kids
singing a song and send it via email. Singing to them on Skype or
FaceTime works too.<br />
-On the 'technology' tip, make a slideshow of family photos and
send it to them.
<br />
-If they are able, go to a 'u-pick' farm where you can pick your on
strawberries, peaches, etc. If you live near the mountains, go to a
'rock-panning' site where people can pan for stones and gems. I still
have some pretty pieces of quartz I got when I went.<br />
-Have your kids help in the garden or wood shop.<br />
-If they are able, go on a bike ride or do some other outdoor activity.<br />
-Take them out to dinner at a place they don't normally get to go
to. Better yet, make dinner for them. Making a childhood favorite of
theirs might be especially fun.<br />
-Ask them for a story from their childhood or something else in
their life. For instance, ask about what they did and/or wore for
their wedding, what they wanted to do as a career when they were
young, where they were when a particular event took place, etc. I say
this because some elderly people feel neglected or like they're too
'behind the times' and like the opportunity for 'connection'. Plus,
if the grandparents were around during certain eras in history (i.e.
Vietnam, segregation, different 'movements', etc), they might have
some really interesting stories. My dad is a Vietnam-era veteran and
takes any opportunity he can to tell stories about it! If they have
pictures of the houses they lived in, wedding photos, baby pictures
of you and your siblings, etc, ask to see them. Yes, it might be
embarrassing to have your kids to see you as a two-year-old in the
bathtub, but you can always do the same thing to them when their
friends come over. After all, turnabout is fair play!<br />
-Go to places such as zoos, aquariums, parks or museums you don't normally
get to go to.<br />
-Have your kids make a scrapbook with pictures of all of you
together, drawings, etc.
<br />
-Have the kids put a family picture in a frame they decorated
themselves. You can usually get plain picture frames from the dollar
store.
<br />
<br />
Have fun!<br />
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-55949474610624690002013-09-03T18:03:00.000-07:002013-10-02T13:30:39.082-07:00Cute 'No-Bake' Recipes Your Kids Can Make On Their Own<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don't know about your kids, but I
usually got a huge kick out of making something to serve to the
adults. It was fun getting to play 'Mom' for the day, and it made us
feel 'grown up'. In case your kids like to 'play house' this way too,
I found a couple of recipes they could make by themselves. They're
dessert recipes by default, but that's the best meal of the day
anyway. :)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I made an effort to find things your
kids could make without having to turn on the stove. That way, they
could work with little to no supervision. Otherwise, it wouldn't be
a surprise for you.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here's a cheesecake your kids can make
the night before for a school function or in the afternoon to have
for dessert.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>No-Bake Cheesecake</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
8 oz. cream
cheese</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
¾ cup Pecan
Sandies cookies, crushed</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
¾ cup graham
cracker crumbs, finely ground</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
½ cup heavy
whipped cream</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
1/3 cup white
sugar</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
3 tbsp butter</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
3 tbsp white
sugar </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
2 tbsp lemon
juice</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
In a large bowl,
combine the graham crackers, crushed cookies, melted butter and 3
tbsp sugar. Press into a 7-inch pie pan and refrigerate. In a
separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar and
lemon juice. As you stir, fold the whipped cream into the mixture.
Once it's well-mixed, spread into the refrigerated pie pan. Now,
cover with foil and freeze for about an hour. When it's time to eat,
bring it into the refrigerator for 30 minutes and serve.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
For an extra
'kick', you can add ½ cup fresh blueberries or strawberry slices
before you put the cheesecake into the freezer. Experiment with
fruit, chocolate or caramel toppings. All three sound good to me!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
I wish I knew
how to make this one when I was a kid. Oh, well. Better late than
never.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u>Chocolate Eclair Cake</u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
2 3.5-oz package
instant vanilla pudding mix</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
1 16-oz package
graham crackers</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
1 16-oz package
frozen whipped topping, thawed</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
1 16-oz package
prepared chocolate frosting
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
4 cups milk</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Like the bottom
of a 9”x 13” baking pan with graham crackers. In a separate bowl,
prepare the milk and vanilla pudding using the directions on the box.
Then, stir in the whipped topping. Spread a layer of this mixture
over the graham crackers. Alternate pudding and cracker layers until
you reach the top of the pan. Now, put the chocolate frosting in the
microwave for 1 minute and pour over the top of the layers.
Refrigerate for 12 hours before serving.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
The original
recipe calls for chocolate frosting, but you can experiment with the
flavors. Personally, I love chocolate fudge frosting, or perhaps
chocolate frosting with mint.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
This would be
the perfect recipe to make if company is coming over for the weekend.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-decoration: none;">
Now your kids
have a few ways to surprise you with a sweet treat. Enjoy!</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-21280555007023421362013-08-27T14:34:00.000-07:002013-08-27T14:34:38.805-07:00Homemade Pet Toys
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiW2av9wmPpA_e1S2ZpfovpsAr87WsOXSvqSQlky41I1Iel7WSVaG-Ka5qa-dNhIuN6X26NDuhUrMcWayMz_OYDdzUeNeHM8VNP2ii3_Xzukik-G7yff9CpwupjjGnC8UCTx6QLgwqIc/s1600/IMG_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiW2av9wmPpA_e1S2ZpfovpsAr87WsOXSvqSQlky41I1Iel7WSVaG-Ka5qa-dNhIuN6X26NDuhUrMcWayMz_OYDdzUeNeHM8VNP2ii3_Xzukik-G7yff9CpwupjjGnC8UCTx6QLgwqIc/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toby, AKA Fat Muffin, in his favorite box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I've seen pet stores sell toys upwards
of $20. I have no idea what would cost that much that you couldn't
get elsewhere for less, but apparently people are willing to pay.
Frankly, I'd say they're insane because most of the toys can be made
with random things around the house. Plus, our cats have been known
to completely ignore a store-bought toy in favor of something that
came out of the cabinet. If you'd like to know how to make toys both
your pets and your wallet will love, here are some of our 'recipes'.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Keep in mind that, while you don't have
to be quite as vigilant about toy safety for animals as you are with
children, some items can still pose a risk.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many dogs love a good game of 'tug of
war'. If your kids have some long socks they've outgrown, tie them in
a knot and toss them to the dog. Ditto an old bath or dish towel.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
For a different sort of toy, stuff the
sock with cotton or newspaper and stitch or pin the top closed. This
is a good way to use the sock whose 'partner' got lost in the wash.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those plastic rings from the top of the
milk jug are my kitty Haley's favorite toy. She'll walk around the
house with one in her mouth making this odd 'wailing' noise. I'd
stick to larger bottles, though, because smaller ones can pose a
choking risk.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On the same tip as above, they also
enjoy old cloth ponytail holders.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
You'll have to clean up after it, but
some cats like to use cardboard boxes as scratching posts.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Put a penny in an empty prescription
bottle and let them use it as a toy. They'll bat it around (and
possibly irritate you with it) for hours. This is better for cats
than dogs because dogs are more likely to use their mouths; unless
they once held huge 'horse pills', the bottles could pose a choking
hazard.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A crumpled-up piece of paper can be a
lot of fun for a cat or dog to slap around the room.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cats and ferrets love playing with
boxes, especially if they can dive in 'head-first'. Put the empty
soda-can box on the floor, tap the back of it and watch them lunge to
see where that noise is coming from. :)
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you have an old sandal or flip-flop
shoe, your dog would probably enjoy using it as a chew toy. Ditto
sneakers or flats.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Animals are like little children; they
love new toys, but can lose interest in them rather quickly. With
these 'homemade pet toys', you can make them all the toys they'll
ever need without spending an extra dime. Have fun!
</div>
Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-14364048719709541402013-08-22T18:06:00.000-07:002013-08-22T18:12:14.477-07:00Is Online College *Really* A Good Way To Go? The Cons<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
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<br />
In a previous post, I reviewed the 'pros' of pursuing a degree online.<br />
<br />
Now, the 'cons':<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Lack of personal interaction. </b><b>S</b>ome people (like me)
<i>need </i>a certain amount of adult interaction that they may not
get otherwise. About 90% of what I learned in college-how to deal
with people different from me, time management, etc-came from outside
the classroom. Most of you may already have these skills, so it might
not be a problem. Still, some people learn better when they can
bounce things off of other people face-to-face.
<br />
If you post a question on the forum, you'll probably have to wait
for an answer. This may not be a problem in some classes, but it
might in others. Group projects may or may not be used because it can
be really difficult getting people coordinated if they aren't
physically in the same place. Since there isn't any face-to-face
interaction with the professor, it can make networking that much more
difficult.<br />
<br />
<b>Self-Discipline. </b>It can be difficult for some people to
focus on an online class at first because they don't see it as, well,
a <i>class</i>. This can't happen; you have to take it seriously. You
need to be self-motivated and able to focus your attention if you're
going to succeed. This means no television, no kids, no
cooking...just class. Not everyone can do this, or at least not in a
solitary learning situation. I couldn't. Some people say this track
<i>taught</i> them discipline, though, so it might not be an
issue for you.<br />
<br />
<b>Expectations. </b>Contrary to what some may think, 'online' does not necessarily mean 'easy'. In
fact, some subjects such as math or statistics that have a visual
component can be more difficult online because the prof isn't there
to explain what s/he is 'writing'. If you're like me and have
issues with this, stick to 'in-person' classes.<br />
<br />
<b>Dependence on technology.</b> If your computer dies or a storm
knocks out your internet connection, you're at a major loss. While
you can and should keep a backup of all your assignments, you won't
be able to access lectures or forum discussions until you can get
back online.
<br />
<br />
<b>Transfer. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Some course
credits you earn online will not be accepted if you later go to a
traditional university, and vice versa. Consider this if you're
getting a bachelor's or lower degree online and think you may want go
further later on. </span>
<br />
<br />
<b>What Employers May Think. </b>Some online schools have a
reputation for being 'diploma mills', sort of like online churches
that let anyone who logs on become an ordained minister. Sure, you
have the piece of paper, but what is it worth? While employers are
starting to be more open to online degrees, some still have
reservations. The fact that your networking opportunities are limited
when you don't have face-to-face interaction with classmates and
professors certainly doesn't help.
<br />
Exactly how an online degree will be received depends a lot on the
particular hiring manager and the industry you're in. Fields like
technology or accounting that are based on raw knowledge are more
likely to be accepting of online degrees. Fields like medicine or
chemistry that need hands-on training tend not to be.
<br />
<br />
<br />
When you get down to it, everyone learns differently. What works
for one person might not for another, and online colleges give you
more flexibility. Before you start an online program, though, do some
checking around to make sure the university is accredited and/or that
any credits you've earned before will transfer. If it makes you feel
better, perhaps it would be a good idea to look for an online program
that is affiliated with a 'brick-and-mortar' university. Nowadays
most have some sort of 'distance learning' program and, while you may
have to still do some things (labs, etc) on campus, they are usually
willing to work with you. It's at least worth looking into.Daniellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05912049736452418388noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6344281958480985418.post-61856115373624634172013-08-22T17:56:00.003-07:002013-08-22T17:56:51.864-07:00Is Online College *Really* A Good Way To Go? The Pros
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You can't go anywhere without seeing the ads. University of
Phoenix. Strayer University. DeVry. Walden College. For busy moms who want
to advance in the workforce or just keep their skills afloat, going
to college online might seem like a good idea. But, is it *really*?
Let's take a look at the pros and cons.<br />
<br />
First, the 'pros':<br />
<br />
<b>Flexibility. </b>You take your classes when and where you
want-at home at 2 am, the coffee shop at 2 pm, on vacation-it's all
up to you. For people with kids or jobs, this is <i>immensely
</i>helpful. As long as you get your work in by the deadlines
set in the class, you're fine. Also, the 'online' format allows
people to take classes from all over the world as opposed to being
restricted to the colleges they can commute to.
<br />
<br />
<b>Cost.</b> This, along with flexibility, is probably the
most attractive thing about online colleges. Not only do you save on
'usual' expenses like dorms and meal plans, you don't have to pay for
commuting expenses like gas and wear and tear on your car.<br />
<br />
<b>Degrees come more quickly. </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">You
learn at your own pace. While online schools may have structured
programs, they're usually not as 'fixed' as traditional schools in
terms of prerequisites, timing, etc. You can customize your own
program. </span>
<br />
<br />
<b>Find everything in one place</b>. When a course is taken
online, the lectures, study aids and discussions are always available
for review. You don't have to rely on your own notes or memory the
way you would in a 'traditional' college. You also don't have to
worry about running out of paper or 'room' on your tape recorder,
because the notes are right there for you to review at your leisure.
Since a lot of people communicate better in writing than verbally,
the 'forum' format for class discussions can be very helpful. Even
the shyest person can get a word in.
<br />
<br />
<b>The courses available</b>. How many times have you heard
someone talk about how they would really like to go to X college, but
it didn't have the program they were looking for? This isn't a
problem with online colleges. Since there are so many programs
available, you can 'shop around' for schools to find exactly what it
is you want to study without having to relocate, pay 'out-of-state'
costs, etc. Since there are specific certificate programs available
as well as bachelor's and master's degrees, you can train for a
particular career without necessarily having to take classes you'll
never use.
<br />
<br />
<b>Technology.</b> Rather than being restricted to lecture halls,
you have more access to multi-media forms of instruction.
<br />
<br />
<b>Solitary learning</b>. This can be both a 'pro' and a 'con',
depending on how you look at it. You don't have to be around people,
which can be good for extreme introverts or people with anxiety
issues. Some people find the idea of being surrounded by people 10 or
20 years younger intimidating. You won't have to worry about being in
a group where everyone else is messing around while you do all the
work.
<br />
<br />
<b>Employer esteem.</b> As online colleges become more popular,
employers are more likely to consider the degrees 'legitimate' than
they were in the past.
<br />
I'm covering the 'cons' in another post. <br /><br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08386976018010666733noreply@blogger.com0