MISSED CHANCES

As soon as I read the first sentence of the caregiver’s email, I knew this message was different than any I had ever received. The hairs on my arms stood up as I absorbed each word that came uncomfortably close to home. It was a voice of heartache, wisdom, and urgency speaking directly to the parents of the 21st century: “I can recall a time when you were out with your children you were really with them. You engaged in a back and forth dialog even if they were pre-verbal. You said, ‘Look at the bus, see the doggie, etc.’ Now I see you on the phone, pushing your kids on the swings while distracted by your devices. You think you are spending time with them but you are not present really. When I see you pick up your kids at day care while you’re on the phone, it breaks my heart. They hear your adult conversations. What do they overhear? What is the message they receive? I am not important; I am not important.” In a 100-word paragraph this concerned woman who has cared for babies since 1977 revealed a disturbing recipe … How to Miss a Childhood. And because I possess hundreds of distraction confessions, including stories from my own former highly distracted life, I have all the damaging ingredients. All it takes is one child and one phone and this tragic recipe can be yours. How to Miss a Childhood *Keep your phone turned on at all times of the day. Allow the rings, beeps, and buzzes to interrupt your child midsentence; always let the caller take priority. *Carry your phone around so much that when you happen to leave it in one room your child will come running with it proudly in hand—treating it more like a much needed breathing apparatus than a communication device. *Decide the app you’re playing is more important than throwing the ball in the yard with your kids. Even better, yell at them to leave you alone while you play your game. *Take your children to the zoo and spend so much time on your phone that your child looks longingly at the mother who is engaged with her children and wishes she was with her instead. *While you wait for the server to bring your food or the movie to start, get out your phone and stare at it despite the fact your child sits inches away longing for you talk to him. *Go to your child’s sporting event and look up periodically from your phone thinking she won’t notice that you are not fully focused on her game. *Check your phone first thing in the morning … even before you kiss, hug, or greet the people in your family. *Neglect daily rituals like tucking your child into bed or nightly dinner conversation because you are too busy with your online activity. *Don’t look up from your phone when your child speaks to you or just reply with an “uh huh” so she thinks you were listening. *Lose your temper with your child when he “bothers” you while you are interacting with your hand-held electronic device. *Give an exasperated sigh when your child asks you to push her on the swing. Can’t she see you’re busy? *Use drive time to call other people regardless of the fact you could be talking to your kids about their day—or about their worries, their fears, or their dreams. *Read email and text messages at stoplights. Then tell yourself that when your kids are old enough to drive they won’t remember you did this all the time. *Have the phone to your ear when she gets in or out of the car. Convince yourself a loving hello or goodbye is highly overrated. Follow this recipe and you will have: • Missed opportunities for human connection • Fewer chances to create beautiful memories • Lack of connection to the people most precious to you • Inability to really know your children and them unable to know you • Overwhelming regret If you find this recipe difficult to read—if you find that you have tears in your eyes, I thank you, and your child thanks you. Here’s the thing: You don’t have to follow the above recipe. Yes, it is the 21st century. Yes, the whole world is online. Yes, the communications for your job are important. Yes, at times you must be readily available. But despite all those factors, you do not have to sacrifice your child’s childhood; nor do you have to sacrifice your life. It is not easy to consider the possibility that the distractions of the modern age have taken an undeserved priority over the people who matter in your life May I recommend this recipe instead? How to Grasp a Childhood: Look into her eyes when she speaks to you … Your uninterrupted gaze is love to your child.

Take time to be with him—really be with him by giving your full attention … The gift of your total presence is love to your child.

Hold her hand, rub his back, listen to her heart beat, and smooth his hair … Your gentle touch is love to your child.

Greet her like you missed her when she was not in your presence … Seeing your face light up when you see her is love to your child.

Play with him … Your involvement in his activities is love to your child.

Set an example of being distraction-free while driving … Positive role modeling behind the wheel is love (and safety) to your child.

Create a distraction-free daily ritual … Consistently making him a priority each day is love to your child.

Focus and smile at her from the stands, sidelines, or the audience … Seeing the joy on your face as you watch is love to your child.

The recipe for “How to Grasp a Childhood” requires only one thing: You must put down your phone. Whether it is for ten minutes, two hours, or an entire Saturday, beautiful human connection, memory making, and parent-child bonding can occur every single time you let go of distraction to grasp what really matters. The beautiful, life-changing results of your “Hands Free” action can start today … right now … the moment you put down the phone.

************************************************************ My life changed the day I stopped justifying my highly distracted life and admitted I was missing precious moments that I would never retrieve. I imagined my daughter standing on the stage of her high school graduation and asked myself: When she is 18 years old, will I wish I had spent more time on my phone/work/social life? Or will I wish I had spent more time investing in her? The answer was simple.

My hope is that this post inspires one person to become aware of how often he or she uses the phone (or computer) in the presence of a child. Please help spread this critical message by clicking “share.” By falling into the right hands, it could be the best gift ever received.

WaterMelon Salad...ummmmm..

Was at a friends house over the 4th and this is something that was brought. I had to share it also, as it was soooo delish...and easy enough to make. A great idea she said she got out of a Mom's blog, so enjoy and let me know if you liked it as well. Vicki Cool and crisp, this is the perfect salad to serve when it heats up outside. The sweet watermelon is balanced with tangy feta and the clean flavors of mint and lime. The vinaigrette is a delicious alternative to traditional lemon versions and would be delicious with grilled shrimp or chicken as well. Serves 6-8

Ingredients 3 tbsp lime juice, freshly squeezed 1 tbsp shallot, finely minced kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 1 tbsp honey 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced 3 cups diced watermelon 1 cup feta, crumbled 1/4 cup mint leaves, chopped Preparation To make the vinaigrette, in a small bowl combine the lime juice, shallots, 1/2 tsp. salt, and a few grindings of pepper. Allow to sit for 5 minutes, then whisk in the honey. Whisk in the olive oil to combine. Slice the fennel bulb in half through the core and use a paring knife to remove the core. Using a mandoline or slicing knife, slice the fennel into very thin pieces. In a large bowl, combine the fennel, watermelon, feta, and mint. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately.

The Reasons

Daily, I get people coming to me that either know me personally, or know me through something they have seen on the internet. They ask me how I am doing so well earning money from home, and I tell them this. Working from home is not as easy as some may think...after all, the farmer does it, and he is up from sunrise to sunset. The Avon lady does it, the Tupperware lady does it, etc...Other than the farmer, we are all network marketers. We have either chose to stay home, work from it, or circumstances has lead to it.Personally, it was the latter for me when I was pink-slipped. Sudden, and devastating to us. When approached to this side of the working spectrum, I was like all average people, thinking no way I could supplement my income I just lost with something like this. WELL, I WAS WRONG! Not only have I been able to do so, but have exceeded the income I was making. Nope, not been easy, but sure has not been hard. Some trial and errors, yes...and not knowing how to do such as this was hard at first. What has been a blessing though, is I joined a wonderful company first, that although was completely new to the market, has been OUTRAGEOUSLY SUCCESSFUL. It also was being run by folks just as small town as I, who were in different fields, and they were learning the marketing business as much as I was. That hard work paid off, and it is now a multi-million dollar business. Although I no longer distribute it(market it) I will tell anyone about it, and share it. I went on to look for something that would be more 'me' in terms that I am a 'help others' person. It took a couple of tries, but FINALLY I have found 'them'....lol...I didn't just find one, but two businesses that will allow me to help folks in ways that really is close to them. It is like couponing, you search for what you need, then find the best price and get it in some ways. Let me tell you though, the road I have chose here is not for everyone. I had to learn that. But what I have can be used by all, and they don't have to come aboard as marketers like myself to benefit from what I do. They can be free customers for their personal benefits. It is still helping them, and allows me the satisfaction knowing I am still doing what I love by helping. I hope to just share this ability with you today. I want to ask you to just look at my 2 wonderful reasons below that allow me to be here when Larry comes in for lunch. Allows me to keep my awesome grandson 2 days a week, getting to know him, play with him, bond with him. I love what I do, and the freedoms it has given. I thank God daily for the truth here as everyone told me nearly 4 yrs. ago....'When one door closes, another one opens.' "Have faith, for God will show you something new." He did...and I am loving it. Thank you to all who gave me back my faith then, and now. Thank you for taking the time to read this far. I hope you will take the time to see what has given me my income, my free time now with my family, and my sanity back! God Bless to you all! Vicki. http://ultimatepowerprofits.com/GreatDailyDeals http://greatdailydeals.igoshopping.info/ (both are with Global One Companies above) http://ilivingapp.com/vickicurry Mobile apps are a modern phenomenon. In a short period of time they have changed the way we do business, communicate with people, search for information, entertain ourselves and more. They are exciting and people naturally share or recommend a good app to others just because they like it. iLA. iLivingApp is a company that wants to do all of this and more. I want to encourage people with hope, a hope that they can reach new levels of success in their life — a hope to improve relationships, achieve goals, be motivated, increase finances and break free from debt while working with an exciting, cutting edge technology. If these things excite you and give you hope than welcome to iLA!

FLYLADY?

A friend of mine, Vinessa, posted on FB about needing organization help. Well, I can tell you that for the past (+) years....I have cried, begged, prayed for these skills, and help!!! lol.... A friend of hers sent her a post site to check out....and I got to tell you, this was WRITTEN ABOUT ME!!!!! Well, part of it...as you see....I am 'Mom'-'Wife'-'Gran', so NOT ALL of these things put down WERE OR ARE MINE!!! But...I get the point...if only I could 'teach it also'.....had to share this from the very special FLYLADY ........ ENJOY ALL, HAVE A WONDERFUL, MEMORABLE WEEK-END! ......... VICKI ......................... Suffering Alone ............... Dear Friends, .............. Our homes have always been a source of shame for us. This is why we locked ourselves behind those doors and refused to let anyone into our homes and our lives. We were fearful that someone would find out our dirty little secret. We felt that we were the only ones in the whole wide world that lived this way. I wrote Sink Reflections for you. This book is dedicated to YOU, who have suffered in silence, thinking that you were the only one in the world who lived in CHAOS! We no longer have to suffer with our shame. FLYing gives you the tools to deal with your home and yourself. You see you never dreamed that the state of your home was a symptom of your problem and not the problem itself. You have said it thousands of times, “If only I could get the house clean; everything would be OK.” That is not how it works. We have read every self help book ever printed because we were looking for that special tip that would be the saving grace. There is no special tip for house cleaning. It just has to be done. The problem has always been our perfectionism. As children we were taught by our parents that if you can’t do it right don’t do it all. It was a lesson we took to heart. We were also taught by example that cleaning took a huge block of time. I don’t know many people that have hours to devote to their homes. We all have busy schedules and just want our homes to magically clean themselves. Well that does not happen unless you have your routines firmly grounded. Even small routines will change your home. When you sandwich your new attitudes along with your routines, and toss in some love; you have the recipe for a wonderful comfort zone that you can call home. In all those self-help books we were given tips for doing things. We all know how to clean; after all we are perfectionist; our biggest problem is moving when we have the chance. For years in our stinking thinking we cleaned for company. We didn’t have time to do a little every day, because we didn’t think it would do any good at all. We felt that we needed a whole day to clean and then we would be so proud of ourselves when we stood back and looked at what we had accomplished. That would only last a few hours because the clean would start to disintegrate around us: All because we didn’t have routines to help us keep it up. Routines are not the straight jackets that we thought they were. With them we can be even more spontaneous than before because now we can open our doors and not hide. Before in our CHAOS; we had to have lots of notice to get ready for company. It would take day or weeks to get it together and an all night cramming session the day before the company arrived. We looked and felt awful because we were not taking care of ourselves. We were such a joy to be around! NOT!!! Did you know that your family deserves to be treated like company and you do too? Since it has always taken so long to get ready for company then we just didn’t think we were worth it. Well we are and now you know how to do it without being overwhelmed by the process. The secret to keeping your home in this comfort zone is to pick up after yourself. I asked my clerk one time about this. I had crisis cleaned to get ready for Thanksgiving and I was afraid that it would all fall apart before Thursday and I would be up half the night to get ready for our guest. Since she is Born Organized I interviewed her about how to keep it together. She kind of chuckled at me and said it is really quite simple, Marla. All you have to do is pick up after yourself. That was a light bulb moment for me. If I get it out, I put it away. Wow it is that simple after all. That was the day that I started to practice picking up after myself. I would be on watch for those tell-tell words, “I can do that later, I’ll just put it here for a minute till…..” That was my warning sign that I was getting ready to build a hot spot. It is just amazing when one of your flat surfaces is clean; how much that piece of paper stands out. Kind of like a sore thumb. Half the battle of having a home ready for company all the time is to have your favorite dumping grounds(hot spots) clear. Your house can have dust every where and floors that need doing, but if your hot spots are extinguished, then your home looks clean because the clutter isn’t in your face. Kelly and I don’t let our home get more 15 minutes worth of cluttered. We could have a party tonight if we wanted. Fling open our doors and let our friends into our lives. Could you do this without a panic? It is so peaceful to know that your home is ready and your bathroom is presentable. I want for you what I have and this peace came from building my routines one habit at a time and changing my attitude toward my home. Are you ready to FLY by eliminating the CHAOS in your life? FlyLady

Tooth Fairy - Santa - Loss of Magic?

I have to share this....because I don't think Larry nor I will EVER forget the day that we had to lose the magic of Santa at our house. It was a heartbreaking, tearful day. Wish I had seen this before. Maybe it will help others. I sure hope so...as to lose this magic is tragic..(sorry, w/tears still on memory, I had to do that to bring me out of funk!) :)~ Keep for these days ahead or share to those who have them coming. I still remember 'losing my magic' as a child...and that is a long time ago!!! So, from a friends blog: A few months back, the Tooth Fairy got busted. She left a note for Alice up on her computer, and Lucy figured the whole business out. The Tooth Fairy cursed her need to write notes in elaborate fonts and tried to come up with a cover story, but it didn’t fool Lucy. To her credit, Lucy has kept the secret from her little sister, who still hasn’t lost a tooth and deserves to wake up with money under her pillow. But the Tooth Fairy knew it couldn’t be too long before Santa was similarly unmasked. She didn’t know when or how, but she knew the days of magic in her house, at least magic of a certain sort, were coming to an end. And the Tooth Fairy—by which I mean myself—was pretty darned sad about the inevitable, which finally arrived last week. Lucy and I have been exchanging notes since the school year started. We’ve talked about all sorts of things—sports, books we’d like to read, adventures we’d like to have, even stories from when I was in third grade. For the most part, though, it’s been light, casual stuff. Until last week. I NEED TO KNOW, she wrote, using capital letters for emphasis. ARE YOU SANTA? TELL ME THE TRUTH. What do you do when your kid asks for the truth? You tell it, of course, doing your best to figure out a way that keeps at least some of the magic intact. Here’s what I wrote: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Lucy, Thank you for your letter. You asked a very good question: “Are you Santa?” I know you’ve wanted the answer to this question for a long time, and I’ve had to give it careful thought to know just what to say. The answer is no. I am not Santa. There is no one Santa. I am the person who fills your stockings with presents, though. I also choose and wrap the presents under the tree, the same way my mom did for me, and the same way her mom did for her. (And yes, Daddy helps, too.) I imagine you will someday do this for your children, and I know you will love seeing them run down the stairs on Christmas morning. You will love seeing them sit under the tree, their small faces lit with Christmas lights. This won’t make you Santa, though. Santa is bigger than any person, and his work has gone on longer than any of us have lived. What he does is simple, but it is powerful. He teaches children how to have belief in something they can’t see or touch. It’s a big job, and it’s an important one. Throughout your life, you will need this capacity to believe: in yourself, in your friends, in your talents and in your family. You’ll also need to believe in things you can’t measure or even hold in your hand. Here, I am talking about love, that great power that will light your life from the inside out, even during its darkest, coldest moments. Santa is a teacher, and I have been his student, and now you know the secret of how he gets down all those chimneys on Christmas Eve: he has help from all the people whose hearts he’s filled with joy. With full hearts, people like Daddy and me take our turns helping Santa do a job that would otherwise be impossible. So, no. I am not Santa. Santa is love and magic and hope and happiness. I’m on his team, and now you are, too. I love you and I always will. Mama

10 BRAIN TEASERS to TEST UR MENTAL CLARITY

ok...NO CHEATING......How is your MENTAL CLARITY today?

1. Johnny’s mother had three children. The first child was named April. The second child was named May. What was the third child’s name? 2. A clerk at a butcher shop stands five feet ten inches tall and wears size 13 sneakers. What does he weigh? 3. Before Mt. Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world? 4. How much dirt is there in a hole that measures two feet by three feet by four feet? 5. What word in the English language is always spelled incorrectly? 6. Billie was born on December 28th, yet her birthday always falls in the summer. How is this possible? 7. In British Columbia you cannot take a picture of a man with a wooden leg. Why not? 8. If you were running a race and you passed the person in 2nd place, what place would you be in now? 9. Which is correct to say, “The yolk of the egg is white” or “The yolk of the egg are white?” 10. A farmer has five haystacks in one field and four haystacks in another. How many haystacks would he have if he combined them all in one field? ============================================================================================== Answers 1. Johnny. 2. Meat. 3. Mt. Everest. It just wasn’t discovered yet. 4. There is no dirt in a hole. 5. Incorrectly (except when it is spelled incorrecktly). 6. Billie lives in the southern hemisphere. 7. You can’t take a picture with a wooden leg. You need a camera (or iPad or cell phone) to take a picture. 8. You would be in 2nd place. You passed the person in second place, not first. 9. Neither. Egg yolks are yellow. 10. One. If he combines all his haystacks, they all become one big stack. Okay, some of these are a bit corny. But they all illustrate several brain idiosyncrasies that affect how we make decisions in the world. Thanks to the way our brain works, we have a very strong tendency to see what we want to see and what we expect to see. This has huge implications when studying our customers, markets, competitors, and other data that influences key business decisions. When we only see what we want or expect to see, we miss competitive threats because our brain tells us a threat couldn’t possibly come from that direction. We miss opportunities because we only see what has worked in the past rather than what could be. And we miss major market shifts and changes in customer needs that seem obvious in hindsight but are easily overlooked when focusing on what we already know. Our brain doesn’t like information gaps, so we tend to jump at the first answer/solution that looks good rather than take the time to examine all the data. This is especially true in a world where we receive more information every day than we have time to assimilate. Finally, our brains love to see patterns and make connections. This trait serves us well in many ways as we move through the world. But the brain doesn’t always get it right. For example, how did you answer question #1 (be honest)? For most people, the first word that pops into their head is “June,” because the brain quickly spots the April/May/June pattern. Upon re-reading the question and analyzing the data, the answer “Johnny” becomes obvious. And what about the man with the wooden leg? Your answer depends on how you interpret “with.” Does it refer to the man with the wooden leg or to the camera? A bit of a trick question, but it clearly illustrates how the language we use shapes the way we look at the world. Perhaps the best example of how we miss things is the egg yolk question. Everybody knows egg yolks are yellow. But the question’s phrasing puts our attention on selecting the correct verb, so we overlook an obvious piece of data and an even more obvious answer. We can’t change how the brain works – at least not yet. Give science another 50 years and who knows what our brains will be doing! For now, we can become more aware of how our brain works, then pause from time to time to consider what we’re missing. This includes the data we’re unconsciously screening out as well as different sources of data to counterbalance what we expect to see. Get in the habit of teasing your brain. You’ll be amazed at what you end up seeing that you didn’t see before. Retweet this blog to find out how clever your friends and business associates are.

My sharing is caring.......yours?

do you like to Pineterest? I am soooo addicted!!! lol....but have used and shared so many neat & great ideas here.....makes me wonder at times how I ever lived without it! Just go in and check out my pins......grab some ideas or post some of your own...SHARING IS CARING........HOPE YOU WILL!!! HUGS OUT THERE TO YOU ALL THIS WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY... http://pinterest.com/kentuckyangel/ Vicki

CAMPING & EGG MUFFINS! lol

We are heading out to go home and do some much needed R & R this Memorial Day w/end at the lake!!! Also..getting to take our favorite grandson...so fishing sounds like something we will be teaching him too.... just want to share one thing I am making to take. First time ever, but omg...they are sooooo good....even if I do say so. Easy...and last a week in frig!!! (I BOUGHT THESE SMALL 1/2 MOON SILICONE THINGS AT DOLLAR TREE. NEAT!!! EGG MUFFINS

15 eggs (for silicone muffin pans, use 12 eggs for metal muffin tins or individual silicone cups. You can use less egg yolks and more egg white if you prefer.) 1-2 tsp. Spike Seasoning 1-2 cups grated low fat cheese (I like sharp cheddar or a blend of cheddar/Jack cheese, use less cheese if using meat) Optional, but highly recommended, 3 green onions diced small. Optional: chopped veggies such as blanched broccoli, red pepper, zucchini, mushrooms, etc. (Using veggies will reduce the fat content) Optional: diced Canadian bacon, lean ham, or crumbled cooked turkey sausage Preheat oven to 375 F. Use regular or silicone muffin pan, 12 muffin size. If using silicone pan, spray with nonstick spray. If using regular muffin pan, put two paper liners into each slot, then spray liner with nonstick spray. In the bottom of the muffin cups layer diced meat, if using, vegetables, if using, cheese and green onions. You want the muffin cups to be about 2/3 full, with just enough room to pour a little egg around the other ingredients. Break eggs into large measuring bowl with pour spout, add Spike, and beat well. (I used to add a bit of half and half or milk, but lately I like the way they turn out without it.) Pour egg into each muffin cup until it is 3/4 full. I like to stir slightly with a fork. Bake 25-35 minutes until muffins have risen and are slightly browned and set. Muffins will keep more than a week in the refrigerator. Egg muffins can be frozen and reheated, but I like them best when they are just refrigerated. For best results, thaw in refrigerator before reheating. Microwave on high about 2 minutes to reheat.

WHAT?? A GREEN HOUSE OUT OF A TRAMPOLINE???

per: HEATHER! Today I’m excited to tell you about the most creative DIY gardening project I have seen. I think it’s so neat when people think of ways to turn something old into something new, and I was amazed when I heard about my mother-in-law’s plan to turn their trampoline into a greenhouse! She told me that they were planning to get rid of their (aging) trampoline but she just kept feeling like there must be a way that she could use the galvanized steel frame for something. She was right- check this out! So, today I’m going to tell you how my in-laws created a greenhouse out of a trampoline for about $100! Here’s what they used: - Trampoline Frame - Piping ($2/tube, they bought 10) - Wood ($20) - Thermometers ($2) - Red Tape ($11 for the roll) - Plastic ($60) - Screws ($5) (That’s a grand total of $98!) In the photo below you can see how they screwed the pipes/tubing onto the trampoline frame with an electric drill. They bought central vacuum tubing (it was cheaper than plumbing pipes). They were probably about 2″ screws.

In the photo below, you can see how they used half of the frame for each side/end of the greenhouse. No cutting of the steel required- just pull the frame pieces apart so that you’ve got 2 halves of the frame, and you’re good to go! Turn them so that the “legs” of the trampoline point toward the inside of the greenhouse, and that gives you something to screw the tubing to!

My father-in-law built the frame for the door out of wood and screwed it to the frame of the greenhouse: (There is also a small window on the opposite side of the greenhouse.)

They attached the plastic (which you can get at Home Depot and is technically called 6mm Poly Film) to the outside of the frame with red tape called “Sheath” or “Sheathing Tape”:

Note: My mother-in-law suggests repurposing the mat from the trampoline, using it as a floor for your greenhouse. Unfortunately theirs got thrown out, so they’re going floorless for now. They tried using some caulking that was supposed to work for metal & plastic to secure the plastic to some other parts of the frame, but it didn’t work. They did find a good use for the caulking gun though- it’s great for propping the window open for air flow! After having the greenhouse assembled, we had a really windy couple of nights. Windy enough that they woke up one morning to find that the greenhouse had been relocated- right over their little pond! To prevent that from happening again, they bent some rebar, and anchored the bottom of the frame to the ground like this:

Now for the inside of the greenhouse! This is the first summer of the greenhouse, so everything is still experimental. This is what the contents of the greenhouse look like at this point: That little table that they’re using to keep their plants on? They repurposed the frame of an old futon to make that! And they’ve got some pieces of lattice that they’re planning to use to make another one:

Did you notice the black jugs on the ground a couple of photos up? Those are bleach jugs that have been spray painted black. They’ve got water in them. During the day the water heats up, and during the night, they create extra warmth inside of the greenhouse!

This “press ‘n seal” plastic wrap works as a way to seal in moisture for some of the plants:

And these indoor/outdoor thermometers (that were 99 cents each) show the difference in temperature on the inside compared to the outside of the greenhouse. Here’s what the temperatures were when I was over there:

I’m totally impressed with their creation and excited to see how this first Summer goes! They’re still learning things as they go (for example, they’re thinking they may need to add another window for more airflow). The finished creation is about 8 feet by 12 feet. The trampoline they used was a 15 foot trampoline, so it was 7.5 feet high, but they sort of squished it to get a bit more height.

Have you ever repurposed something old into something really cool & new? What’s the most creative gardening project you’ve tried or seen? I hope this post got some of your creative juices flowing and gets you excited to think about more gardening ideas! LET US HEAR FROM YOU AND YOUR IDEAS!!! VICKI

The Clothesline

This past weekend, a child in our neighborhood saw me hanging our clothes on the line. “Why are you doing that?” she asked, “Don’t you have a dryer?” I stifled a laugh and replied, “Yes, but this saves money and the environment.” But her question made me think. Why did I chose to hang clothes out on the line? 1. To save money. During the summer months, when I can hang out our laundry to dry almost every day, I knock off $50 from out electric bill. 2. To make my clothes last longer. You know that wad of lint you pull from your dryer vent? That’s your clothes wearing out faster. Your tossing some of your clothes and money into the garbage when you empty the lint drawer. 3. Relaxation. Yes, you read that right. Something about pinning clothes out on the line relaxes me. I think it has to do with the fresh air and the beautiful earth God created for us. 4. Prayer time. When I hang up an article of clothes, I pray for the person they belong to. It may only be fleeting, but each of my family is covered in prayer when I dry clothes on the line. 5. The scent. No bottle of scented laundry softener can measure up to the sun and wind dried scent of clothes on the line. Here’s a few tips when hanging clothes on the line. I hang all pants and shirts from the hem. This leaves no clothes pin marks on the shoulders and collars. The weight of the waist keeps pants from looking wrinkled and allows the thicker waistband to dry completely. If you can’t abide the feeling of stiff towels, then pop in the dryer for just five minutes. They’ll fluff up without padding your electric bill. I use an old wide mouth Mason jar to hold my clothes pins. It’s both decorative and functional. What’s your favorite thing about laundry? Do you have any tips for me? What chore do you enjoy doing?

3 months have now passed....

Ok....guess I am out of good things to post for ya'll today. Really hard to gather the strength right now. Do you ever question God? Your faith? I mean, seriously, do you? My faith is something that has always been ''different'' but there. I question everything. Drives this family crazy.
Right now....I really question God. I know w are not suppose to, but I am...and SUPER BIG TIME!!! Actually, I am ''ROYALLY PISSED'' at him. Don't let that worry you away from this blog. Please. Saturday morning, just as out of bed, my husband walked up to me and said he had to tell me something....something really bad. I immediately thought of my mother. She is not in good health, so thought she had either a bad relapse, or possibly had died. He grabbed my shoulders, hugged me really tight, and said...."We lost Nikki this morning.'' I tried to pull back from him, not understanding, but he held me really tight, and I realized he was crying too. Then I knew he was talking about ''OUR NIKKI''....
''Our Nikki'' is a friend of the family. She is just turned 48 yrs. young. Still looks like a beautiful teenager. One of the most beautiful, brightest, forever present smiles you will see on someone. One that is there CONSTANTLY. My husband's mother and her's were best friends, her brother and my husband are best friends since age 5. He has known Nikki since birth. I have only the past 35 1/2 yrs. Her dad was in our shower as he was telling me. We live about 115 mi. apart, so visiting is quite often between the guys, as they are big golf buddies.  Someone wake me from this horrible nightmare!!! It is worse than a child's dream of monsters! I can't laugh about this one. I just want to scream at God....send her back to us!!!!!! PLEASE.....WE NEED HER SO MUCH! SHE IS NOT DONE HERE!!!! THINK OF HER BABIES! PLEASE. IT'S NOT DOING ANY GOOD. I keep hearing the others saying how he must have really needed this special angel more, but I am really not understanding the pure hell my heart is feeling for this. Why does he leave the bad people around? The murderers, child molestors? I mean there are soooo many horribly worse people in this world. I know we are suppose to witness to them, forgive them. I CAN'T!!!!!! I AM 55 YEARS OLD...AND I CAN'T UNDERSTAND THIS RIGHT NOW!!!! If my heart feels like this....what must the children, Jim, Chuck & Sharon, Sara, Bethany be feeling. This family has lost so much themselves the past 3-5 yrs...this is the worst except for Shelby. We needed you more, Nikki....I promise we will always need you more!!!! I hope you can reach down and teach us why so we can understand why He wanted you more. Love you baby girl.....rest in peace.

Today is Wednesday, April 25, 2012. I wrote the above on Thursday, January 12, 2012. We lost Nikki that Saturday, January 7th to a car accident @ 4:30 AM after taking Zach to get on the bus for his band trip. We may never know what happened that mile from home. All I know is that we are all still in shock, still missing her, and the pain is still so bad!!!! I personally cry for her almost daily. I found this in the draft section. Posting it may seem strange to many, but it is my blog....and I have to do it when I feel I can share. I hope you understand.

Extremely powerful video......I use in presentations of my business. I love it. The people love it! Now, I am sharing it with you. What will you do with it? I'd really like to know how it affects you, how you are going to share it to better the world around you. Vicki

FREE @ REDBOX DAILY

Hi everyone.... Sorry...been a busy time here in our home.....hope all had a wonderful Easter! Elliott certainly enjoyed his, as he had all his family around along with new cousin, Sadie. Then, just having to open the pool, get it all set for summer, working part time subbing, and doing some summer cleaning..I've kinda let the blog go. But.....today I came across a great share, so here I am sharing it with you all!!! I love watching movies on the week-ends if the weather is ucky...and it was this past one...cold/wet...just movie weather!!! OH...FORGOT A HUGE SHARE WITH YOU......... MY BUSINESS LAUNCHED LAST WEEK-END....WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME SHARING IT AND WITH OVER 1100 AFFILIATES COMING TO INDIANAPOLIS TO SHARE THIS WONDERFUL EVENT.....I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT IT FELT LIKE. SO MANY AWESOME PEOPLE...MEETING OUR CEO, AND INVESTORS WAS SIMPLY A DREAM COME TRUE. GROCERY TRAIN IS GOING TO BE A PART OF EVERYONE'S HOUSEHOLD...CAN'T WAIT TO ''SEE'' & ''SHARE'' ONLINE GROCERY DELIVERY!!!!!!

ANYHOO...HERE IS THE FREE PROMO CODES BELOW... Okay guys, this might change your life. Do you love Redbox? Guess what. It's free. Say what? There are ALWAYS promo codes available, each giving you one movie, one night free. You can use each code once per credit card. I am going to share with you a few of the codes that always work, and then show you how to find the ones that usually just last one or two days for after you use up those "always" codes. Husband and I have seriously never paid for one (on the first night... sometimes we forget to return them and get charged a dollar for the next day. oops!) And we get movies from Redbox all the time. If you have been paying for them, those little charges add up, and they have even raised their prices recently! So welcome to your new, free movie-watching way of life. Universal, always-working Redbox promo codes: DVDONME BREAKROOM REDBOX Codes that work at Redbox kiosks at specific stores: DVDATWAG - Good at any kiosk at a Walgreens store. DVDATKROG - Good at any kiosk at a Kroger affiliated store (for Utah it's Smiths) DVDATSONI - Good at any kiosk at a Sonic Drive-In And then after you have used all of these codes with all of your different debit/credit cards, you can visit Inside Redbox and the ones that have been working most recently will be shown. If you have a smart phone you have an advantage and you can just look them up right while you are at the kiosk. If you don't, before you go make sure to write down a handful of them because most are time-sensitive and you might get a dud, but one of them is bound to work! So... are you thinking about grabbing some pizza and a free movie and staying home friday night? Cause I am. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK, FRIENDS!!!!! LEAVE A COMMENT..LET ME KNOW YOU STOPPED BY... VICKI

Do you do PINTEREST?

http://pinterest.com/kentuckyangel/ Check out my Pinterest site.....if you are not already a member, would love to send you an invite so you can have a site of your own to collect also....just let me know your email addy so I can send it...Enjoy the fun inside....It is addicting but oh so fun!!!! Vicki

What part of NO is NOT?????

NO SOLICITATION. Ok...it is on my front door, my garage door and on my FENCE....so what part of that would you NOT UNDERSTAND? OK...so you are not from the USA...Puerto Rico you say...well, you are in the USA...you told me you have been since 4 yrs. old. You are approx. in your mid 30's...LEARN TO READ!!! I only opened the door cause it was the 3rd TIME TODAY you knocked. Who is it? Kirby ....YESTERDAY...I said no....TODAY I SAID NO.....what part of that word IS HARD TO LEARN??????????????? Ok....I think yesterday about changing the signs.

I mean...after all, maybe they will see the BLUE COLOR?? INSTEAD???? GEEEEEZ... You need a home business like me...until you tell me NO...I bug the piss out of you, but IF YOU SAY NO...I am DONE! (heehee) So....at this point...when you read or hear about someone being shot...you will know..THEY PEEKED THE 4TH time, in the window to see if I was home!!!!!!! LOOKING NOW FOR A REALLY BIG NEW SIGN.....MAYBE WITH A GUN?????????? I mean, in the country I see property owners can post these to the hunters and say BOLDLY.... VIOLATORS WILL BE SHOT, QUESTIONS ASKED LATER.

I never hear of a problem of someone shooting them. I think they understand the gun picture?!!!???? But....I gotta live in the city, in this neighborhood.....so guess I will be a little nicer, but firmer.

EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING WITHIN!

GROCERY TRAIN LAUNCH @ THE JW MARRIOTT - INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA The change in history takes place this day!!! How we shop for our own groceries will never be the same, starting now!!! JOIN US in this monumental moment of time. I promise it won't be a disappointment.

I am so excited to be a part of such a new beginning here in our great U.S.A.! I am truly one person who does not like spending any time in a grocery store, much less having to fight the traffic, the public, and the time spent doing it all....I complain all the time about having to shop, load it, unload it, put it away...THEN I DON'T WANT TO COOK IT!!! Duh! Wonder WHY? I HONESTLY DO NOT KNOW how working Mom's with young children make this happen!!!

Become a customer now, and you will for life......FREE DELIVERY FOR THE FIRST 6 WEEKS...THEN A EXTREMELY NOMINAL FEE. ($6-$19) INTERESTED IN MAKING MONEY SIMPLY CONTACT ME PER EMAIL AT: online4groceries@gmail.com or text: 859-576-4675 GET PAID TO SHOP!! GET PAID TO EAT!!

Honestly, if you love great opportunities, seeing history being made, then you will want to see this video!!! I love sharing things, and this is one of the best I could share to each of you! Please let me know what you thought of it. I do want your feedback!!! Now, tonight is the huge Kentucky Wildcats basketball game taking on the Indiana Hooseiers....so ...you will know where to find me!!! LET'S GO WILDCATS....I BLEED BLUE! :)~ VICKI

Let's Go!!! Let's Go.....Camping!

oh I am SOOOO READY!!!! My all time favorite thing to do....fishing, sitting by the campfires, smores, fellowships....love it all!!! We love it because we are over 100 mi. from our family and friends, so having a camper there is great! It allows us the time to visit, but not be a bothersome to anyone. It also gets us away from the hustle & bustle of the city life we both don't care for. My favorite saying to all has always been the same thing, no matter what it is you're going to be doing, what season, where...MAKE THOSE MEMORIES!!! Below is a 'borrowed' list of things to do while camping with kids. Ihope you can enjoy this. I keep things like this now due to the grandson and to be able to do w/him when we get to do so together!!! CAN'T WAIT!!! So...with that said............

ACTIVITIES WHILE CAMPING (a.k.a. Make Some Memories!): click on these links for awesome project ideas - you will need to bring along a few basic items (which are listed on each craft) - for most of the crafts, you will need to take a walk in the woods and gather rocks, sticks, leaves and acorns. Paper Boats Camping Diorama Leaf Rubbings Sticks & Stones People Acorn Necklace Nature Prints Swirly Stones Super Easy Craft with Leaves Rock Bugs Hopscotch Camping Scavenger Hunt List All you need for this is just a list printed out for every "hunter" and a brown paper bag! Easy-peasy! 1. Pinecone 6. Acorn 2. Smooth river stone 7. Bird feather 3. A Maple Leaf 8. Rock that looks like an arrowhead 4. Sand 9. Winged seed (like maple, dandelion, etc..) 5. An Oak Leaf 10. A rock that looks like an animal Bonus #1: A bird nest Bonus #2: An antler Camping Photo Scavenger Hunt List Everyone takes their cell phones and this list into the woods and captures as many of these pics as possible! How fun and easy! 1. Hollow log 6. Tallest tree you can see 2. Climbing a tree 7. Wildlife (extra credit for the best pics!) 3. An Oak Tree 8. A Pine Tree & team members 4. A boot print 9. Animal tracks 5. Animal scat (ewwwww!) 10. Swinging on a vine Bonus #1: A bird in flight Bonus #2: A beaver dam **All group members must be in at least 1 picture!!** A camping scavenger hunt will be talked about for years to come. It’s a great way for campers of all ages to have fun in the woods. It can also be a very inexpensive party idea for your next group outing. Hope the lists above are useful. Have a happy & fun vacation with your family this summer! I hope this vacation planner has simplified your planning as well as encouraging you to "make some memories" with your family. God bless

It is SPRING in My Neighborhood!!!!

First day of SPRING!!!!!! And what a beautiful day it is in my neighborhood this morning. The birds singing and chirping, the robins hopping all around the yards looking for the worms along the freshly cut new grasses. There is such a splendid perfume in the air at this time of year. Not just the abundance of such colors, but all of it!!! It truly is the best season to me...allergies and all!! lol. I can't wait to get out, literally push my hands down in the dirt and feel it. I don't have the green thumb, but I sure give it a try. It's always nice seeing folks now out walking for excercise and leisure. They smile, are cheerful as they pass. Hearing the children play, their laughter, shouts saying, 'Hey, pass it to me!' as they play football. The new bikes coming out from getting at Christmas, but now really getting that chance to ride. I simply love it! What is the favorite part of the seasons to you? Can you describe them as to why they are so special to you? I sure would love to see your comments. Have a super wonderful spring....get out and make some new memories! Don't forget your camera's!!!!

52 Uses for Coconut Oil - Love it!

Really? 52 different ways to use coconut oil? How is that even possible?! Well, it is and I’m sure there are ways that people use it that aren’t even on my list! I use so much coconut oil in my house! I go through one and a half to two quarts a month. Not only do we use it for cooking and eating, but we use it for a variety of other things, many of which are on this list! What is your favorite way to use coconut oil?

52 Uses for Coconut Oil Eat a spoonful when you need an energy boost. Use it as the base for a homemade body scrub. Use to condition your wooden cutting boards. Use as a super conditioner on your hair (apply to dry hair, leave in as long as possible and then shampoo as normal). Use as a styling agent if you have really dry hair. Just rub a tiny bit on your palms and apply to your hair and style as normal. Keep a little container in your purse for lip moisturizer. Add a spoonful to your dog or cat’s food. CO is great for our furry friends! Replace nasty, unhealthy vegetable oils in your cooking and baking with CO. Make healthy Magic Shell ice cream topping. Use it for oil pulling (learn about oil pulling here). Use a tiny dab on your underarms for a natural deodorant. Use coconut oil instead of shaving cream. Add to your bath tub for a moisturizing soak (a drop of peppermint oil is wonderful!). Use as a makeup remover. Use it to help sooth chicken pox, shingles, or other rashes or skin irritations. Use it to treat athlete’s food, ringworm, or other fungal or yeast infections. Take a spoonful with your vitamins to help improve absorption. Spread a thin layer on cuts or burns to speed up healing. Take up to 5 spoonfuls per day for improved thyroid function. Add a spoonful to your smoothies for extra nutrition and flavor (here, here, and here). Use on the delicate tissue around your eyes to help prevent wrinkles and sagging. Use as the base for homemade toothpaste or lotion. Use in place of massage oil. Use on your baby’s diaper rash or cradle cap. Use to help reduce visibility of stretch marks or to prevent stretch marks. For nursing mothers, use coconut oil on your nipples to prevent cracking and irritation. For nursing mothers, consuming coconut oil will help increase your milk flow. Apply to bee stings or bug bites to soothe and heal the wound. Women can use in the nether regions to relieve yeast infections, dryness, and/or discomfort. Eat a spoonful with each meal to improve digestion. If you’re prone to nosebleeds, coat the inside of your nostrils with coconut oil regularly. Helps soothe and heal hemorrhoids. Take to helps reduce or eliminate migraines. Use as the base for homemade vapor rub. Mixed with peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, or tea tree oil makes an excellent insect repellant. Mix with baking soda for a non-toxic “Goo Gone”. Use to help detox the body during a cleanse or fast. Use as a metal polish, but always test a small area first. Use as a leather moisturizer. Season your cast iron pans. Use to oil your pans and baking dishes instead of pan spray. Got gum stuck in your hair? Try using coconut oil to remove without cutting your hair. Use instead of WD-40. Use as a personal lubricant (not safe with latex). Take a spoonful to help with heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion. Use as a natural sunscreen. Mix with a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice and use as a furniture polish (always test a small area first!). Mix with butter and toss your popcorn in it. Use on cracked or rough heals to help smooth them out. Massage into your nails and cuticles to help strengthen them. Use as the base for homemade chocolate candy (like peanut butter cups). Take a couple spoonfuls every day to help overall immune function. What is your favorite way to use coconut oil? Do you use it for anything that’s not on this list? Leave me a comment below! For more information on coconut oil, I have found this book from the founders of Tropical Traditions to be very informative.

We gotta love TECHNOLOGY!!!

So excited to be able to sit down, place my order, have this filled, then shipped to my home. One less thing to worry about!!!One huge opportunity to anyone who wants to also earn money filling their cart up with their own groceries, if they chose to. SIMPLY A WIN WIN situation FOR US ALL!!! (Offering FREE S & H the first 6 wks.!!!!) Who's in? Become a customer today FREE OF CHARGE! www.grocerytrain.com/grocerylist Yeah....I'm a networker also....and I simply love it!!! Able to earn a great income, stay home with our grandbaby, and help our children out at the same time. The best part of being a stay at home worker is being able to the ''be there'' for my family. So many women can't say that today due to it being now a ''HAVE TO'' instead of ''WANT TO.'' That income is needed to survive. We don't want to leave home and be gone 8-10+ hours every day...be exhausted on week-ends, short tempered, and constantly feeling like we are failing our children, but we do have these feelings. Nothing changes that except the ability to be able to stay home and still bring money in. I only wish I had chosen to do this many, many years ago!!! I hope my son understands why I had to go to work, send him to day care, and was always tired. People have such a bad interpretation of network marketing. I truly do not understand this. We all personally do it in one fashion or another practically daily. Have you ever told someone about a new movie you just saw? How about when you tried that new store that just opened up in the mall? We are always telling others about the new things we see. Best part of it for me....I GET PAID FOR TELLING YOU!!! Paid extremely well. You DO NOT! You are marketing these places FREE for THEM...and not getting anything for yourself. Yep....you are saving that place a ton of money when you share it because word of mouth is the fastest marketing tool out there. Always has been. I love telling someone about a good book I just read, about the author who wrote it. How many times have you heard someone out in a crowd say, "Mary (or John) told us about this place. Said it was simply awesome to eat there!"...and you went & spent money there also!!! I know you see where this is going. The richest people in this world are network marketers!!!! Warren Beatty, Donald Trump, Bill Gates...yes...him too, as he had to not all market his invention, but market to get the money to do it!!! Oh we all know people who have made lots of money by their own ideas, working from home. More and more people are laid off daily, searching for work, pounding the pavement to the unemployment offices around the globe. This week, 175,000 people will find a new way to increase their financial security and personal freedom. They will join more than 57 million others who are earning a living, full- or part-time, through Network Marketing. It's not a scam, nor a pyramid scheme. Oh, I will be the first to admit there are some out there. You have to investigate the people starting the company your are going to network. And, even then you will sometimes find a ''bummer.''....yep...they're out there, too!! But the one I promote, that allows me to be able to stay home, and earn money is using something we are all using now. Groceries! We all gotta eat!....and with the fast pace of today, I personally am loving the idea of shopping for everything we use, eat, need from my phone, pc, and have it delivered straight to my door for a nominal fee. Takes less than 15 minutes to do so, and I can do it in my pajama's...on a horrible weather day, even a bad hair day!!!

PHENOMENAL!! But..didn't we ALL SAY THIS A FEW YEARS AGO...and still do....about technology? That new car compared to how our first one was way back when? lol..ok...I will shut up....time to go back to bed for a little nap anyway....it is 5:00 AM....I have much insomnia and always have. I do hope to see people on the TRAIN with me. Become a customer!!! After a month of ordering online and realizing you will be getting what you are already getting when you go out, fight the traffic, the crowds, and long lines....I know you will be glad you did!!! TECHNOLOGY....We are LOVING IT!!! Have a great day!! Vicki

Tips for Getting More Gasoline in Your Cars.

With gas rising as we speak daily, any and all tips are great to have. I want to share this one with you all. I received this email some time ago... Tips on Pumping Gas

I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline.... but here in California we paying up to $3.75 to $4.10 per gallon. My line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon: Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons. Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role. A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps. When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3) stages: low, middle, and high. You should be pumping on low mode, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor. Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money. One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is half full. The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount. Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up; most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom.

100 Ways to be Kind to You Child

With all the rush in our lives today, I see too many children being pushed more & more to the back burner. It isn't just a ''few'' any more, but the majority. Mother's having to go out into the work force to help supplement the home...bills higher but no raises come. Things so different than 50...even 30 years ago. Used to be a grandparent, aunt, neighbor would be the babysitter for when someone was sick, in hospital, had errands to run, or simply needed some time away. Now, from 6 wks. after birth...a infant is placed in daycare....with those not known to them, and to thrive on 8+ hours away from a mother or family member. Imagine having to be away from your child/ren for more than 8 hours a day, every day...and week-ends....well, for the working mother, it's catch up on laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, and all the other things that are to be done. The kids are there, but how much real attention is there being given? We don't mean to really neglect them, it is called life today. I don't accept it, and wish there were so many ways we could turn back the clock of time and live the more simpler life. Yes, women had it bad then. No microwaves, no dishwashers, no vacumn most of time as it was no carpet,all broom and mop buckets. No air conditioners, no electric/gas dryers, no automatic washers, no hair dryers, electric curlers, etc....Even to mash potatoes was done by hand. But, there seemed to be much more family times. I know I had to personally get up, go out in any weather and bottle feed calves, wait for the hay to be thrown down, being the girl, my job was to cut the twine, spread it out on ground, and put in stalls. Most of my chores were inside. Setting table, washing dishes, sweeping the floors. Daily. But...that is another time...another post. lol... When I say there is such a short family time, we all know how it is...but to keep our relationships open, to build our children the way we really would like for them to be is still important. And that is said even in regard to being too tired. Still our #1 job. I can't take the credit for the post below on the 100 Ways to be Kind to Your Child, but I do want to share it. Maybe it will help some of all out in remembering it is very important to take care of our future generations in showing them how kindness can mean so much. Daily Say: 1. I love you. 2. love you no matter what. 3. I love you even when you are angry at me. 4. I love you even when I am angry with you. 5. I love you when you are far way. My love for you can reach you wherever you are. 6. If I could pick any 4 year old (5 year old, 6 year old…) in the whole wide world, I’d pick you. 7. I love you to the moon and then around the stars and back again. 8. Thank you. 9. I enjoyed playing with you today. 10. My favorite part of the day was when I was with you and we were _______. Tell them: 11. The story of their birth or adoption. 12. About how you cuddled them when they were a baby. 13. The story of how you chose their name. 14. A story about yourself when you were their age. 15. A story about how their grandparents met. 16. What your favorite color is. 17. That sometimes you struggle too. 18. That when you’re holding hands and you give three squeezes, it’s a secret code that means, “I love you”. 19. What the plan is. 20. What you’re doing right now. Play: 21. Freeze Tag 22. Uno 23. Crazy 8s 24. Gin Rummy 25. Memory 26. Go Fish 27. I Spy- especially when you’re tired of driving and feel snappish 28. Catch Pretend: 29. To catch their kiss and put it on your cheek. 30. That their tickle tank is empty and you have to fill it. 31. That their high five is so powerful it nearly knocks you over. 32. That you are super ticklish. 33. That you are explorers in the amazing new world of your backyard. 34. That it’s party day! Decorate for no reason! Try: 35. To get enough sleep. 36. To drink enough water. 37. To eat decent food. 38. Wearing earrings, or whatever makes you feel pretty. 39. Calling a friend the next time you feel like you are about to lose it with the kids. 40. Giving a gentle touch to show approval, rather than saying something. 41. Dancing in the kitchen. 42. To get your kids to bop to the music with you in the car. 43. Showing your kids that you can do a somersault or handstand or a cartwheel. 44. Keeping that sigh to yourself. Just jump in and help clean up cheerfully. 45. Using a kind voice, even if you have to fake it. Read: 46. A book of silly poems. 47. A book and then act it out. (Like “I’m going on a Bear Hunt”) 48. Your favorite childhood book to them. 49. When the afternoon is starting to go astray. 50. Outside under a tree. 51. In the library kids corner. 52. The comic book they love that you’re not so hot on. 53. About age appropriate behavior so you can keep your expectations realistic. Listen: 54. To your child in the car. 55. To that Lego description, and think how important it is to your child. 56. For that question that indicates your child really needs your input. 57. One second longer than you think you have patience for. 58. For the feelings behind your child’s words. Ask: 59. Why do you think that happens? 60. What do you think would happen if______? 61. How shall we find out? 62. What are you thinking about? 63. What was your favorite part of the day? 64. What do you think this tastes like? Show: 65. Your child how to do something instead of banning them from it. 66. How to whistle with a blade of grass. 67. How to shuffle cards- make a bridge if you can! 68. How to cut food. 69. How to fold laundry. 70. How to look up information when you don’t know the answer. 71. Affection to your spouse. 72. That taking care of yourself is important. Take Time: 73. To watch construction sites. 74. To look at the birds. 75. To allow your child to help you dump ingredients in the bowl. 76. To walk places together. 77. To dig in the dirt together. 78. To do a task at your child’s pace. 79. To just sit with you child while they play. Trust: 80. That your child is capable. 81. That you are the right parent for your child. 82. That you are enough. 83. That you can do what is right for your family. Delight your child: 84. Clean your child’s room as a surprise. 85. Put chocolate chips in the pancakes. 86. Put a love note in their lunch. 87. Make their snack into a smile face shape. 88. Make sounds effects while you help them do something. 89. Sit on the floor with them to play. Let Go: 90. Of the guilt. 91. Of how you thought it was going to be. 92. Of your need to be right. Give: 93. A look with Kind Eyes to your child. 94. A smile when your child walks into the room. 95. A kind touch back when your child touches you. 96. The chance to connect before you correct so that your child can actually hear your words. 97. Your child a chance to work out their frustrations before helping them. 98. A bath when the day feels long. 99. A hug. 100. You get to choose the next one! What is your favorite way to be kind to your child?

Camping Season is Soon...Please read & heed

They make a plug in GFI (ground fault interrupter) simular to what folks have in their bathrooms. They will trip out fast if water shorts them out before you can get shocked. An outdoor powerstrip does not unless it has GFI. If you plug the GFI into the power and then your exstension cord into the GFI, you are protected. Unless the power strip has GFI or you have it pluged into a GFI you are risk of electric shock if water gets into your tent & into the power strip. I am not sure you can get a power strip with GFI. You can get exstension cords with GFI. They will have a test & reset buttons on the plug end. Outdoor rated powerstips are more weather resistant and better built than indoor but do not provide the protection as a GFI. Some RV hookups have GFI plugs and there are some older hook ups that do not. While we are on safety, exstension cords are rated for load/amps. There are also diferrent gauge cords. Standard 110 wall plugs are rated for 15 amps. As the cord gets longer you have amps lose. So 100 ft 16 gauge cord will be rated at 12 amps. If use more than 12 amps on that cord, it could overheat and cause a fire. As you go down in wire size, the more current the cord is rated for 14, 12 or 10 gauge cords are rated higher than a 16 gauge. So lower the gauge, more amps may pass. As the gauge size gets smaller, the price goes up. For most folks 13 amps in a tent should be plenty unless you plug in a electric heater or an AC unit. There are safety issues to consider with certain electric heaters. Yes I have seen a window AC unit duct taped into the side of a tent. There are plug in power meter that will tell you the amps of the device you are using. Happy & safe camping, Vicki/b>

What if YOU COULD?????

Source: Uploaded by user via Vicki on Pinterest

7 EXTREME COUPONER LADIES

Ever wonder how extreme couponers save so much money? They spend a lot time matching up coupons with store sales. Don’t have time to do this but still want to save money? Follow these extreme couponers and get the same deals that they get. Why reinvent the wheel? They put together the best deals, match up coupons and current sales, to share with you! Check out theses extreme couponer blogs and subscribe to their daily emails to see how they do it.

1. Money Saving Mom - Not only does this mom of 3 feature the latest coupons and deals, but Crystal also includes recipes for delicious snacks and meals as well as recipes for homemade household things like soap and laundry detergent. And she has a freebies and giveaway section. 2. Deal Seeking Mom - Tara is a mom of 5. As a former career-oriented professional turned stay-at-home-mom, she gathers the latest deals and match-ups for you. 3. The Frugal Find - I like the Frugal Find because she lives in California. Her deals pertain to me. Julia is a homeschooling mom of 4 and The Frugal Find is their main source of income. She shares the latest deals at popular stores as well as deals that can be found at the 99 cent store. 4. The Krazy Coupon Lady – Joanie Demer was featured in TLC’s hit show “Extreme Couponing”. She was the one who dumpster dives for her stacks of coupons. Joanie Demer and Heather Wheeler put together daily deals for food, toiletries, clothing, bath and body products, etc. They share deals found at Albertson’s, Safeway, CVS, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Walmart. 5. Stockpiling Moms - I just recently started to follow them on Facebook. Best friends, Melissa Jennings and Shelley King, blog about the latest deals, coupons, freebies, gluten free recipes, menu planning, and of course, how to stockpile. 6. Healthy Life Deals – Jennifer puts together deals for healthy and organic foods and products. She uses coupons and saves at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. I love this! You can eat healthy and save money at the same time. 7. Organic Deals – Susan shares coupons and match ups for organic foods and products. She also features ways to earn coupons on organic products. Susan shops for deals at Co-Op Advantage, Henry’s, Publix, Ralph’s, Sprouts, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, CVS, Target, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

BACON CANDY-(only in Kentucky) :)~

What can I possibly say about this that you havent already imagined. Just two simple words...BACON..,and...CANDY. Might make little sense to the unenlightened few, but once you've crossed the line and seen the light, this concept makes all the sense in the world. As a matter of fact, all seems right in my world once sweet and savory are put into play. This is a quick, simple way to get that fix. Come on...you know it's true..bacon makes everything better. BACON CANDY lots of versions out there, but this is how I roll... I like to use THICK sliced applewood smoked bacon Cover a sheet pan with parchment or foil for easier clean up Put slices on a rack that fits pan Sprinkle brown sugar on each slice, a few lumps are fine, they will melt Sprinkle with a little cayenne pepper or cinnamon if you can't take the heat. Put in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15-20 minutes or until it's good and crispy. Let cool completely before attempting to devour. Melting sugars and sizzling bacon can be a tad detrimental to the palette. ENJOY !/b>

What I learned from a chemist. Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During a discussion, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed’s answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe. "It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the summer picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table, and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick. Ed says that, when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). He says it’s not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the ONIONS, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES. He explained onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.. He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. It's already contaminated enough just being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!). Ed also says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you’ll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down. Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try to use it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning. ( I am so guilty of doing this..no wonder we have stomach problems and blame it on other things!) Forget the onions on the salad bars for me!!! ugh!