I have started to get more organized by making daily schedules for my children. I have laminated them so the kids are able to use a dry erase marker to mark off what they have done. It helps them keep on track to get ready for school in the morning and to get their homework done at night. Their Schedules look something like this.
Morning Checklist
7:30am Wake-up
Brush Teeth
Make Bed
7:35am Eat Breakfast
7:50am Shower
8:15am Get Dressed
8:25am Gather Stuff For School
Get Coat, Hat and Mittens On
8:30am Leave For School
After School Checklist
3:45pm Home
Snack
3:55pm Homework
Reading
Extra Practice
5:00pm Play
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm Housework
7:30pm Brush Teeth
Get Pajamas On
8:00pm Bedtime
Exceptions
Wednesday 5:30pm Housework
7:00pm Scouts
8:00pm Brush Teeth, Pajamas
8:15pm Bed
I take into account the fact that five children cannot shower at the same time so I alternate that throughout the morning and the child next in line is great about keeping the showering one to their time limit because they know that they may miss breakfast or something else important if the first child in the shower takes too long. I also take into consideration each child's extra curricular activities and adjust the schedule for that day to include everything.
This has worked really well in allowing my children the freedom from me hustling them all morning and all night and allowing them to have some independence and be responsible for their own time, while I am still able to provide them with the guidance they still need.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
How Can A Business Survive...
How can a business survive in this day and age without the new technology that is offered by web based programs and options. No company can survive in this world of high speed internet and Wi-Fi without the basics like e-mail, mobile phones with internet access and such. Now the latest in innovation, is the mobile website which is a great way to keep your business going strong no matter where you, or your client are currently located.
There was an article in AdWeek talks a little bit about where the market is leaning in respect to companies needing a wap site and something like this becoming mainstream. Personally, I think they are being way to conservative in their opinions. I see this as something that is going to take off like wildfire and lead the industry to greater heights and much more accessible company options.
There was an article in AdWeek talks a little bit about where the market is leaning in respect to companies needing a wap site and something like this becoming mainstream. Personally, I think they are being way to conservative in their opinions. I see this as something that is going to take off like wildfire and lead the industry to greater heights and much more accessible company options.
Wonderful Vacation to San Antonio TX
This is exciting for me to write as I have not yet had the opportunity to take this little adventure, but am planning it as our next family vacation. I have a very dear friend that told me about a place in San Antonio Texas called the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch where you can drive through the refuge with a bag of feed and your windows down, or the minivan doors open and the animals will come right up to your vehicle to eat from your hand. Animals like white rhinos, antelope, zebra, wallabies, ostriches and many other exotic animals will come right up to see you! It sounds like an experience to amazing to pass up!
Then when it is time to strech your legs you can park and wander through the walk-about area where many animals including giraffes, lemurs and talkative macaws await your arrival. Young ones or the young at heart are sure to love the petting zoo where you can find rabbits, African guinea pigs and small sheep. They have a cafe and picnic tables to stop and eat before continuing on to your next destination.
Add the River Walk in downtown San Antonio and you have an amazing adventure. I can't wait to get my kids out there. And me too!
Then when it is time to strech your legs you can park and wander through the walk-about area where many animals including giraffes, lemurs and talkative macaws await your arrival. Young ones or the young at heart are sure to love the petting zoo where you can find rabbits, African guinea pigs and small sheep. They have a cafe and picnic tables to stop and eat before continuing on to your next destination.
Add the River Walk in downtown San Antonio and you have an amazing adventure. I can't wait to get my kids out there. And me too!
Monday, October 8, 2007
The Dreaded Chores!!!
No one likes to think about having their children do chores. It is not pleasant and never, ever fun. They fight, they whine and they argue. However, know you are not alone in this! Most parents go through it and most survive it with little permanent emotional scarring. Luckily for us, now a days we have the Internet to assist us in our times of need and out there in the big wide world of the web is an amazing little blog called Chores and Allowances. It is all about Parenting from a fathers point of view, sometimes funny, some times thoughtful but always helpful. His blog is created to help parents of young children, tween and teens in a fun and thought provoking way and he accomplishes this very eloquently. I promise you, it is worth your time to take a look and have a laugh with a father that is right there with you. 
Great Prices on Gift Certificates
Everyone loves to receive Gift Certificates, it gives them the freedom to get what they want, when they want it and they know that someone was thinking about them. Not to mention I am sure most of our recipients would love to know that we didn't starve our families to get them a gift! Well here is a great site that offers Gift Certificates to local Utah businesses, retailers and services.
They are constantly changing and a new one is featured on Good Things Utah on ABC4 every Monday morning between 10:00 and 11:00am. Gift certificates are limited, so if you see one you would like, get it now, before they are all gone.
They are constantly changing and a new one is featured on Good Things Utah on ABC4 every Monday morning between 10:00 and 11:00am. Gift certificates are limited, so if you see one you would like, get it now, before they are all gone.
The Beauty of a Grandfather Clock
I have always loved the beauty and timeless elegance that a Grandfather Clock lends to any room, be it a family room, sitting room or entry way. Grandfather clocks command attention and admiration. I have always wanted an Heirloom style Grandfather Clock to stand watch over my living room until I started looking at the Howard Miller grandfather clocks and saw Howard Miller's Contemporary collection. I immediately fell in love with the Urban Floor Clock It's precision and fine craftsmanship is absolutely gorgeous and would compliment my home beautifully. I can imagine it sitting in the sitting room in an apartment flat in Upstate New York. It just has such a contemporary, clean look to it.
Grandfather Clocks just have a timeless elegance to them that makes you think of old English mansions with an old Grandfather Clock in the sitting room, chiming the time for the kids to head to bed or the midnight hour. They have a mystique, an intrigue to them that few people, including myself can ignore. Some people have family heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation, and others have chosen to purchase their own and start an heirloom of their very own, something that their children will remember and will pass down to their children and grand children.
Grandfather Clocks just have a timeless elegance to them that makes you think of old English mansions with an old Grandfather Clock in the sitting room, chiming the time for the kids to head to bed or the midnight hour. They have a mystique, an intrigue to them that few people, including myself can ignore. Some people have family heirlooms, passed down from generation to generation, and others have chosen to purchase their own and start an heirloom of their very own, something that their children will remember and will pass down to their children and grand children.
BooBoo Bunny Craft
A really cute and inexpensive gift is BooBoo Bunny. The idea is to give children something cuddly and cool when they get hurt.
They are so simple to make and may be adapted for very young children and infants.
What you'll need:
1 Wash cloth
10" of 1/8" or 1/4" Ribbon
Hot Glue
2 Wiggle Eyes
1 1/8" cotton ball
1 1/2" cotton ball
Roll the wash cloth tightly into a tube. Fold it in half, then in half the other direction. At about 1/3 of the way back Tie it with the ribbon. The first fold will create the bunny behind. The next fold will create the bunny's head and tying it will separate the head from the ears. Then you will glue the wiggle eyes and the 1/8" cotton ball to the head to make the face. Then you will want to glue the 1/2" cotton ball to the behind to make a fluffy bunny tail.
After you are done you can slip an icecube into BooBoo Bunny's behind and keep him in the freezer until you need him.
To adapt this to an infant, you would want to sew on eyes and tails. Use yarn knots as eyes and tails or just use stitches to represent eyes. Then you can dunk BooBoo Bunny in water and freeze for a wonderful teether.
They are so simple to make and may be adapted for very young children and infants.
What you'll need:
1 Wash cloth
10" of 1/8" or 1/4" Ribbon
Hot Glue
2 Wiggle Eyes
1 1/8" cotton ball
1 1/2" cotton ball
Roll the wash cloth tightly into a tube. Fold it in half, then in half the other direction. At about 1/3 of the way back Tie it with the ribbon. The first fold will create the bunny behind. The next fold will create the bunny's head and tying it will separate the head from the ears. Then you will glue the wiggle eyes and the 1/8" cotton ball to the head to make the face. Then you will want to glue the 1/2" cotton ball to the behind to make a fluffy bunny tail.
After you are done you can slip an icecube into BooBoo Bunny's behind and keep him in the freezer until you need him.
To adapt this to an infant, you would want to sew on eyes and tails. Use yarn knots as eyes and tails or just use stitches to represent eyes. Then you can dunk BooBoo Bunny in water and freeze for a wonderful teether.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
How Do You Sleep?
For some reason lately, I have been having a very difficult time sleeping and I am finding my bed to be more and more uncomfortable. I wonder if I am changing, getting older maybe? (Not me! I'll never get old!) Or if the bed is just wearing out. My husband is not noticing a difference so I think it is probably just me.
Either way, I am starting to think that it is time to buy a new bed anyway. Not just a mattress set, I need a new bed. I have just a cheap canopy bed and my children have taken to hanging on it until the cross beams are bent and now my husband and I just hang our clothes on it and never in the closet anymore. Yep, definitely time for a new bed. I have seen some that I really like, like the modern platform beds, but I think I would have to have a much larger room for something like that so I may just go with a sleigh bed. I really like some of those. Either way, I get to go shopping! Yipee!
Either way, I am starting to think that it is time to buy a new bed anyway. Not just a mattress set, I need a new bed. I have just a cheap canopy bed and my children have taken to hanging on it until the cross beams are bent and now my husband and I just hang our clothes on it and never in the closet anymore. Yep, definitely time for a new bed. I have seen some that I really like, like the modern platform beds, but I think I would have to have a much larger room for something like that so I may just go with a sleigh bed. I really like some of those. Either way, I get to go shopping! Yipee!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
My Plan For My 11 Going On 16 Year Old
My oldest it only 4 and 1/2 years away from driving and I am scared to death so I formulated a plan. A plan that has many loopholes I understand, but at least I have a plan. We started out last year looking for a very old beat-up car or truck for him to begin restoring and it was not until two days ago that we hit the jackpot. My grandmother had a 1954 Dodge Pick-Up truck just sitting on her property that her father had left her. This truck has not even been registered since January of 1979 so it has sat a long time in the field.
Everyone has asked for it and up until this point I had never heard her say that anyone could have it. She has been very protective of it and very intent on getting it restored. So I approached her about letting Clayton, Lee and I take a shot at getting it restored for Clayton to drive when he turns 16. She agreed! So tonight we took to opportunity and pulled it out so we could get it out of the weather and start working on it immediately.
Once we pulled it out of the weeds I was impressed to find out what great shape it really is in. There is minimal rust and the drive train works fine. We have not even attempted to start it although it ran when it was parked nearly 30 years ago. Once we kill the wasps off, drain and replace the oil, we might just have a go at firing her up.
Clayton is busting at the seams with excitement. Not only is this an old truck, but it is also a family heirloom. My plan has strengthened one hundred fold. The truck will be the fruit of his labor and a wonderful show truck when finished, but more importantly, a family heirloom that he will treasure, hopefully enough not to hot rod and destroy.
Everyone has asked for it and up until this point I had never heard her say that anyone could have it. She has been very protective of it and very intent on getting it restored. So I approached her about letting Clayton, Lee and I take a shot at getting it restored for Clayton to drive when he turns 16. She agreed! So tonight we took to opportunity and pulled it out so we could get it out of the weather and start working on it immediately.
Once we pulled it out of the weeds I was impressed to find out what great shape it really is in. There is minimal rust and the drive train works fine. We have not even attempted to start it although it ran when it was parked nearly 30 years ago. Once we kill the wasps off, drain and replace the oil, we might just have a go at firing her up.
Clayton is busting at the seams with excitement. Not only is this an old truck, but it is also a family heirloom. My plan has strengthened one hundred fold. The truck will be the fruit of his labor and a wonderful show truck when finished, but more importantly, a family heirloom that he will treasure, hopefully enough not to hot rod and destroy.
Computer Virus Warning
I do not know where I got it from, and I wish I did so I could warn everyone to be super careful, but I got a devastating computer virus the other day. It shut down my whole system and I could not even load anything. It was awful. I called my support desk and they had me run through a series of different anti-spyware and antivirus programs. When he asked me what I was running, I told him I had Norton's Symantec Anti Virus Program. He kind of snickered and explained that Norton and McAfee are the "lumbering giants" of the computer world. They are clumsy and slow and seldom work anyway. So he had me download some other anti virus software from the Internet and we tried those. When nothing worked he escalated me to a Code 3, meaning that I could not sign into work until someone else called me back and we got my computer running. Well finding myself without my shifts and a lot of extra time on my hands, I loaded my Norton Symantec and started it running. When it was bedtime it was still running and so I let it go. When I woke up it had found 2 malicious files. I deleted them and lo and behold, my computer suddenly worked great!
My two warnings: First: Do not get a computer virus. Second: If you do happen to get a virus, DO NOT let anyone tell you not to use your Norton anti virus program. I could have save myself hours and pay had I just followed my instincts. Don't make the same mistake I did!
My two warnings: First: Do not get a computer virus. Second: If you do happen to get a virus, DO NOT let anyone tell you not to use your Norton anti virus program. I could have save myself hours and pay had I just followed my instincts. Don't make the same mistake I did!
Cute Office Craft
I really liked this idea. You take a 22" x 30" piece of plywood and a piece of sheet metal the same size, or you can make it whatever size fits best into your office, and adhere the sheet metal to the surface of the plywood with a heavy bonding, red line tape is great for things like this. Then get 3/4 yard of your favorite fabric from the fabric store and wrap the plywood and sheet metal with it. Wrap it and pull it tight, you can even use some spray on adhesive to adhere the fabric to the sheet metal, but pull it tight enough to keep the fabric close to the wood, turn it over and staple the fabric to the plywood side.
You have just made your own personal magnetic memo board. It works great and I love mine. I do wish I had sprayed some adhesive to the sheet metal to help keep the fabric from being loose, but other than that, it is a great place to keep my many, many notes using my favorite magnets.
You have just made your own personal magnetic memo board. It works great and I love mine. I do wish I had sprayed some adhesive to the sheet metal to help keep the fabric from being loose, but other than that, it is a great place to keep my many, many notes using my favorite magnets.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Just a Fun Birthday Tradition
Tomorrow is Sarah's 4th birthday and it was so nice to be able to continue our tradition of filling her room with helium filled balloons to wake up to, but we started another one this year. We bought jammies for her to open before she went to bed to remind her that her birthday was tomorrow. It helped to get her even more excited than she already was. We wrapped it early in the morning and made her eye it all day long. Every once in awhile she would go over and pick it up and look at the package, but she was always really good to put it back and patiently wait until later. When we finally let her open it she was positively giddy. She was giggling so hard she could hardly unwrap it. It was a great experience. I can't wait until Tyler-Ann's birthday to try it again!
Christmas Is Just Around The Corner
Christmas is just around the corner, are you ready? I am sure not, but it's a good thing for me that I know about this little known secret called Coupon Chief that can save me hundreds of dollars on the gifts I would buy anyway! Coupon chief offers coupons for nearly all of the major companies like Dell, HP, The Gap, Old Navy, Target, Best Buy, Wine.com, 1-800-Flowers.com and so, so many, many more!
My favorites are the Web Clothes coupons where they offer you 10% off your entire order and have some of the cutest baby and children's clothes I have ever seen.
And the Photo Works coupons where you can get some really great photo greeting cards at a 15% discount! That makes Christmas cards a breeze!
So make your holiday season full of cheer rather than full of stress and use coupon chief for all your holiday shopping.
My favorites are the Web Clothes coupons where they offer you 10% off your entire order and have some of the cutest baby and children's clothes I have ever seen.
And the Photo Works coupons where you can get some really great photo greeting cards at a 15% discount! That makes Christmas cards a breeze!
So make your holiday season full of cheer rather than full of stress and use coupon chief for all your holiday shopping.
I Love Fall Foods!
My favorite season is Fall. I love the colors, the cooler temperatures and most of all the delicious food. Apples and squash, pumpkins and corn, apple cider and hot cocoa. Fall is by far the best time to eat. I wanted to share some of my favorite fall recipes. Some are simple, others are complicated, some I even had to look up! But all are fabulous!
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Baked Squash
Stuffed Pumpkins
Homemade Apple Cider
Home Made Apple Butter
Grilled Corn
Homemade Hot Cocoa
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Baked Squash
Stuffed Pumpkins
Homemade Apple Cider
Home Made Apple Butter
Grilled Corn
Homemade Hot Cocoa
Calling All Designers!!!
The Ford Motor Company Fund offers a generous scholarship program called Ford Blue Oval Scholars program. It has been offered for years and has help many students further their education. The Ford Blue Oval Scholarship Program is a very prestigious scholarship and they want to make sure that it stays that way.
In that vision they have opened up a logo design contest for designers to design a prestigious new logo for their Scholarship Program. The current logo looks like this,
and while it creates a high standard to exceed, I know there is someone out there that can do it even better and make it look even more prestigious and worthy of the scholarship it is promoting. I would love to see one of my readers win the first prize, as it is nothing to laugh about. The first prize winner will receive an Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium, with a retail value of $1,700!!! That is amazing! Second Place will get $300 for design software of their choice, Third Place, $150 for design software of their choice and Fourth through tenth place will get a $50 Music Download Card.
These are some amazing prizes and well worth the time to design something fabulous! Make sure you check out the rules and conditions and then get to work designing the next Ford Blue Oval Scholarship Logo!
In that vision they have opened up a logo design contest for designers to design a prestigious new logo for their Scholarship Program. The current logo looks like this,
These are some amazing prizes and well worth the time to design something fabulous! Make sure you check out the rules and conditions and then get to work designing the next Ford Blue Oval Scholarship Logo!
Do You Have A PayPal Account?
I can't imagine why anyone would not, but I am finding that there are lots of people that have yet to discover the great rewards that come from having a PayPal account. Not just the average buy and sell easily on e-bay thing, everyone knows about that. (I hope!) But I am talking about the ability to get a PayPal debit car and use your account just like your checking account and get 1% cash back on your purchases! Then there is their above average interest rate. Don't quote me on this but I think it is currently 5.5% or right there close. My mortgage rate is lower than that! I love having the flexibility of using my paypal to buy and sell and use my funds immediately. It has been well worth it.
Instant Term Life Insurance with NO exam
The wide world of the web continues to grow each and every day and with each new improvement, our lives become easier and more carefree, right? Well, I don't know about that, but one company has taken to the web to make getting a term life insurance policy even easier. It's called an eLifePolicy and it only takes a few minutes and three easy steps to get yourself or your spouse signed up. There is no exam and if qualified, you can print your in-force life insurance policy in minutes! Easy as that!
It's never a bad time to reinforce your life insurance policy. The statistics in the United States are staggering when it comes to the huge number of people that are either under insured or not insured at all! I would hate to finish my life as a burden to my loved ones. So take some time and make sure your life insurance is enough to take care of your family if something were to happen to you today.
It's never a bad time to reinforce your life insurance policy. The statistics in the United States are staggering when it comes to the huge number of people that are either under insured or not insured at all! I would hate to finish my life as a burden to my loved ones. So take some time and make sure your life insurance is enough to take care of your family if something were to happen to you today.
Down on The Farm Cub Scout Craft
I saw this little craft and thought it would be tons of fun as the gathering activity to keep the boys busy as everyone arrives. You take a pine cone and paint it yellow. Then as the boys arrive give them each a small cup of glue a pencil or other stick and a cup of cotton balls. Tell each of the boys to dunk the cotton ball a little way into the glue and then poke it in between the scales of the pine cone. Once their chick is fully stuffed give them two eyes, a beak and two feathers. Have them glue the eyes and beak on to the front and one feather to each side for the wings. Display them for the remainder of the pack meeting.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Colon Cleansing
This is an interesting subject to me, especially since I have no idea what my colon is, what it does or where exactly it is located. However, it has become a hot topic in the last few years. I am very used to cleansing my kidneys, by drinking lots of water and fasting, however, I have never heard anyone explain how exactly you would go about cleansing your colon? There are lots of products on the market made especially to colon cleanse, but is there a natural way? If not, how safe are these products on the market now? And what are the consequences of not cleansing your colon?
Are You Planning a Trip With Your Children?
Are you planning a family trip this winter? I would like to suggest that you look into pending some time in the pristine wilderness offered by Yellowstone national park. Most people have been to Yellowstone during the summer as evidenced by the throngs of people that crowd every corner of the park during the summer months. But so few people have been able to experience the pristine beauty of the park when the snow has fallen and blanketed every trail and every tree. They geysers steam and the hot pots glow. It is calm and quiet. The animals are lazy and slow due to the cold temperatures and much easier to see.
Yellowstone offers many cabins and hotels or you can stay just outside the park in West Yellowstone, MT where the streets are not plowed and the preferred mode of transportation is by snowmobile. Yellowstone is a magnificent park and it is a rare treat to be able to experience it blanketed in mother nature's finest beauty.
Yellowstone offers many cabins and hotels or you can stay just outside the park in West Yellowstone, MT where the streets are not plowed and the preferred mode of transportation is by snowmobile. Yellowstone is a magnificent park and it is a rare treat to be able to experience it blanketed in mother nature's finest beauty.
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