Just 1 More Crazy Day

Pinching Pennies

2010-04-07T05:00:00.000-04:00

I was watching Doctor Oz today and he had a financial expert on to talk about financial planning when unemployed. I thought this might be useful knowledge to have and to pass on.

www.doctoroz.com/videos/financial-health-plan

Let me know what you think.

Health

2010-04-06T05:00:00.000-04:00

While I was running errands today, I stopped at a local park for a walk. It was such a beautiful day, I'm sure that I will be including more walking in my daily schedule. If you feel like you need some justification to spur you on, here's an article on the benefits of walking:

www.coolwalking.com/benefits.html

Let me know what you think.

Housework

2010-04-05T05:00:00.000-04:00

I just organized a closet and am feeling all-powerful. If you want to feel the power, too, check out this site that has all sorts of organizational links, including closets:

www.lifeorganizers.com/cm_articles/16_the_organized_closet.html

Let me know what you think.

Faith

2010-04-04T05:00:00.001-04:00

I have an increasing in interest in the commonalities amongst world religions. I have not purchased or previewed any of the materials on this site, but I found the articles in the practices section moving. Here's the link:

www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/

Tell me what you think.

Family Time

2010-04-03T05:00:00.000-04:00

Here are some fun family games:

www.familyfun.go.com/playtime/family-games/1/

Most of these cost absolutely nothing. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Self

2010-04-02T05:00:00.000-04:00

There are times when we are so dedicated to our families that we lose ourselves. Between running errands, taking care of the kids, and sharing time with our spouses or significants, we forget to carve out some time that is dedicated to nurturing ourselves.

Hobbies are a great way to dedicate time, energy, and thought to ourselves. The following sites have some ideas to get you started:

www.stress.about.com/od/funandgames/tp/hobby.htm
www.hubpages.com/hub/The-Importance-of-Hobbies-by-The-Blue-Planet

Let me know what you think.

Education

2010-04-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

Is your child gifted? Whether you know or just wonder check out http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/. The site contains everything you need to learn about giftedness, what an education program should look like, and parenting tips.

Gifted children need to be identified, nurtured, and supported. Have fun with the research. Let me know what you think.

Pinching Pennies

2010-03-31T05:00:00.000-04:00

My favorite quirky way to save money is to wash my car in the rain. I put on my raincoat and wet a rag and add environmentally friendly dish detergent. It takes about 5 minutes to wash the car because the rinsing is all taken care of by mama nature.

I didn't know what the neighbors would think the first time I did it, but most recently I've had company. This would also be a good activity for the kids if you are OK with them playing in the rain.

Of course, do not attempt any activity in the rain if there is lightning or thunder present.

Let me know what you think.

Health

2010-03-30T05:00:00.000-04:00

A very large part of taking care of ourselves involves getting proper sleep. Sleep is when our bodies repair themselves and the brain improves its ability to function well. Here are some sites that get into the nitty gritty of sleep disorders:

www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm

www.sleepfoundation.org/

This site has the basics of good sleep habits, also know as sleep hygiene:

www.umm.edu/sleep/sleep_hyg.htm

Get some sleep, and let me know what you think.

Housework

2010-03-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

Now that is spring and we have a little more pep in our step, it only seems logical to clean the stew out of everything we see. Whether you choose to do a little or a lot, here are some sites to help:

This site is very detailed with many layers and a lot of good information.
www.housekeeping.about.com/cs/cleaning101/a/springclnngguid.htm

This site is for those of you who prefer the Reader's Digest version, literally.
www.rd.com/spring-cleaning/

Happy cleaning! Let me know what you think.

Faith

2010-03-28T05:00:00.002-04:00

Empathy is one of the hardest things to teach our children, and, yet, is universally important in communities of faith. One of the best ways to encourage empathy in out children is to volunteer with them.

The following site has great ideas:

www.compassionatekids.com/volunteering.shtml

I'd like to highlight this link from the Compassionate Kids site:

http://www.volunteermatch.org/

Just plug in your zip code in the advanced search and check Great for Kids before you submit. The site will let you know of volunteer opportunities in your community.

Happy volunteering. Let me know what you think.

Family Time

2010-03-27T05:00:00.001-04:00

I fondly remember cooking pancakes with my dad on Saturday mornings. So, in honor of my Dad here are some healthy breakfast recipes for you to cook with your child:

www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/collections/healthy_breakfast_recipes

For those of you who find the need to sneak the fruit and veggies into the meal, here are some recipes for you, both for breakfast and other meals:

www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=163632

Let me know what you think.

Self

2010-03-26T05:00:00.002-04:00

When was the last time that you had your friends over?

A friend of mine has had some great ideas:

--chocolate tasting
--book swap
--young adult book club (Reading the book is optional, because we really just want to eat chocolate.)

For more ideas, check out http://www.evite.com/. Your gathering need not be complicated and your housekeeping need not to be perfect. Your friends really just want to see you. Let me know how your parties go.

Education

2010-03-25T05:00:00.000-04:00

Whether you are homeschooling or sending your child to a school, ultimately it is the parent that is the biggest factor in a child's education. That having been said, and with school districts across the country cutting back their summer school programs I would like to recommend one of my favorite resources, The Complete Home Learning Source Book by Rebecca Rupp. The resource covers every conceivable topic that you or your child may be interested in, with spot on reviews of books, magazines. web sites, technology, etc. that relate to the given topic. I was able to check out a copy from my local library, but copies are available for purchase at www.amazon.com and www.walmart.com.

Let me know what you think.

Pinching Pennies

2010-03-24T05:00:00.002-04:00

I know that I'm not the only one who has had to radically cut the family budget recently, so here is how and where I shop. I stock up when things are on sale for the upcoming seasons, birthday gifts, teacher gifts, and holiday gifts.

www.talbots.com/Outlet
Go to the link on the lower left-hand corner and click on clearance outlets to see if there is a store near you. I recently purchased a beautiful grey, wool coat for $28. I go straight to the 75% off rack. That means it's 75% off the lowest discount price. This is not the same as the regular outlet store. Talbots carries all sizes including womens and petites.

www.target.com (to find nearest store location)
Where I am, items are discounted late Thursday night. Fridays are a great day to check out the clearance items. I usually hold out until they are discounted 66-75%. Stroll the end caps along the outer wall of the store to find the clearance items in each section. In the inner departments, clearance items are in the rear of each department.

Happy shopping and feel free to pass on good shopping deals in the comments section.

Health

2010-03-23T05:00:00.000-04:00

I just want to focus on the littlest ones today. There is so much to know about taking care of our children that it's difficult to keep up with the feeding, diaper changing, and the very welcome sleeping. Zero to Three offers a plethora of resources for parents of young children that go well beyond the basics of care taking. Enjoy the site and let me know what you think.

www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=par_parents

Housework

2010-03-22T15:56:00.003-04:00

So . . . I was looking for something interesting on housework and came across this fabulous site for adults with ADHD:

www.evancarmichael.com/Work-Life/4370/An-Organized-Environment.html

There are housework tips scattered as you scroll down. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Faith

2010-03-21T05:00:00.001-04:00

Forgiveness is a great gift not only to others, but also to ourselves. Numerous religions view forgiveness as inherent to the practicing of their faith.

This Mayo Clinic article addresses the health benefits to forgiveness:

www.mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131

I was surprised as the number of "how to forgive" articles, but here are some specifics:

www.ehow.com/forgiveness/

Let me know what you think.

Family Time

2010-03-20T05:00:00.001-04:00

Today is the first day of Spring. Regardless of your weather, here are some ideas to explore nature's finest with your family:

This is a great and completely thorough nature site.
www.takeachildoutside.org/activities/gettingstarted.html

Dedicated to the little ones
www.preschoolrainbow.org/preschool-outdoor.htm

Outside activities for your young scientist
www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3747077

If it's still cold where you are
www.kidsactivities.suite101.com/article.cfm/outdoor_winter_day_activities

Let me know what you think.

Self

2010-03-19T05:00:00.002-04:00

Sometimes as parents, spouses, educators, chauffeurs, housekeepers, cooks, and band-aid providers, we forget to take care of ourselves. I love a cup of herbal tea or a nice long walk. Take a look at these suggestions and feel free to add your own.

Home spa
http://skincare-news.com/a-6578-10_PennyPinching_Ways_to_Pamper_Yourself.aspx

General pampering
www.pioneerthinking.com/ara-pamperyourself.html

Education

2010-03-18T05:00:00.002-04:00

A safe learning environment improves the self-esteem and test scores of all student. I can only imagine it would be a plus for the teachers, too. Here are some links to reduce teasing and bullying in the school setting:

This is the booklet I read last night and some basic how-to’s:
www.jimwrightonline.com/pdfdocs/bully/bullyBooklet.pdf
www.jimwrightonline.com/pdfdocs/bully/bystander.pdf
www.interventioncentral.com/htmdocs/interventions/bully/bystander.php

This is the book that outlines studies and programming:
www.amazon.com/Safe-School-Ambassadors-Harnessing-Bullying/dp/0470197420

This is a training company that teaches schools how to implement the system and trains teachers and students:
www.safeschoolambassadors.org/keydocuments.php
(It’s nice because it’s a turnkey operation, but I think a homegrown program would work fine, too.)

Let me know what you think.

Pinching Pennies

2010-03-17T05:00:00.002-04:00

I am a huge fan of Angelfood. It's a food distribution network operated by churches and other non-profits. The process operates much like a coop, but there is no volunteer requirement. The food comes bundled in different units and you do know the contents of what you will receive prior to placing your order.

The cost of the food is about half of that you would find in grocery stores. The meat comes frozen. All of the food is of good quality, but I recommend that you store all fruits and vegetables in the fridge. Just go to http://www.angelfoodministries.com/ to find your nearest distribution center.

This program is for anyone who eats food, and there are no income or other requirements. In addition to standard payment methods, they do accept food stamps.

And, yes, they have an allergen-free box of breaded meats and chicken that are free of the top 8 food allergens.

Recipe suggestions can be found on the Angelfood site and also at http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/.

Spread the word, and let me know what you think.

Health

2010-03-16T05:00:00.002-04:00

So, you know you should exercise. Check out this site to learn all of the benefits:

www.emedexpert.com/tips/exercise.shtml

But, you say you don't have time. Check out these do them anywhere exercises.

www.yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/diet-fitness/get-fit-without-gym.html

www.womanday.com/Articles/Health/Fitness-Exercise/Work-Out-Anywhere-On-the-Phone-Exercises.html

Have fun exercising! Let me know what you think.

P.S.
Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

Housework

2010-03-15T05:00:00.003-04:00

Today I want to recommend a great cookbook called The Once a Week Cooking Plan by Joni Hilton. All of the meals are freezer ready. I particularly like the meat and poultry mixes that can be made in large batches and can be converted to a variety of dishes with a few additions. Having meals ready to go in the freezer is wonderful if I'm just too busy or too sick to cook. When I'm feeling well, I always cook in bulk to stock up. Also, it saves money to have options ready to go. As a side note, Joni Hilton loves spicy food. If you don't like that much heat, reduce the hot spices like chili powder or tabasco by half. Let me know what you think.

Faith

2010-03-14T05:00:00.000-04:00

As I searched for links on thankfulness, I found sermons from every faith tradition imaginable. This is a universal principle for all mankind. And though we recognize the importance of thankfulness, we often forget to be thankful for the richness of our lives. The first link is a slide show that puts everything in perspective. You may find it more impactful if you select the full screen version.

www.slideshare.net/kerko/complain-less-3337144

This link is about incorporating thankfulness into our lives every day.

www.personaldevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/be_happier_by_being_thankful

Let me know what you think.

Family Time

2010-03-13T05:00:00.000-05:00

These days it is so much easier to give lip-service to the importance of family time, but actually carving out that time and using it to cohesively support the family is something else entirely. The first article gives specifics on reclaiming family time and controlling chaos.

www.childcare.about.com/od/volunteerism/a/familytime.htm

This second article gives all of the details of setting up effective family meetings.
www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/yf/famsci/fs522w.htm

Have fun with your families and let me know how it goes.

Self

2010-03-12T05:00:00.009-05:00

Let's start off recognizing that we are humans, not robots. There are limits as to how much we can do in terms of time, physical effort, and mental exhaustion. Recognizing these limits does not make us flawed, at least not more flawed than before the moment of recognition. We need to develop as individuals, not simply as members of a family unit or workplace. It is with your own development in mind, that I ask you to consider your priorities and the time, energy, and resources you are expending towards those priorities. Then, I ask you to realize that saying no will empower you to achieve your priorities. Here are some articles for you to consider:

Taking the guilt out of saying no
www.ezinearticles.com/?7-Ways-To-Say-No-Without-Feeling-Guilty&id=506194

Saying no at work--can be adapted to other relationships
www.lemonkind.com/portalapp/content.asp?contentid=2096

Just for fun--101 ways to say no
www.members.tripod.com/john.kessel/id256.htm

Let me know what you think.

Education

2010-03-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

I'd like to start the discussion of education with the importance of parental involvement. The following article indicates the support that successful students receive from their families as well as the best practices schools follow to involve parents/guardians in their child's education:

www.michigan.gov/documents/Final_Parent_Involvement_Fact_Sheet_14732_7.pdf

Let me know what is going on in your child's/children's schools.

Pinching Pennies

2010-03-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

There's just no way around it. We have to make the money we have work. There are no pennies to be wasted. My favorite money-saving website by a mile is http://www.stretcher.com/. Bookmark this one, because there is so much material, you won't be able to cover it in a single session.

Health

2010-03-09T05:00:00.001-05:00

Since the category of health is so broad, I wanted to start off just addressing the needs of caregivers. The primary caregiver is often under such stress that the sense of self diminishes and the risks of developing secondary depression or post-traumatic stress disorder are significant.

It's imperative that as we balance the needs of our families that we take care of ourselves as well. This article from the Family Caregiver Alliance is a bit long, but thorough.

http://www.caregiver.org/caregiver/jsp/content_node.jsp?nodeid=847

Let me know what you think.

Housework

2010-03-08T23:15:00.000-05:00

As Monday rolls around I look at the house and its organization and say, "Ugh!!" And, yet, as a confirmed optimist I keep trying. My favorite cleaning/motivational site is http://www.flylady.com/. There is way too much information to take on the whole program at once, but it is amazingly complete. For those who are limited in time due to scheduling, illness, or a propensity to avoid housework in general, it is possible to pick and choose what to complete on any given day. Flylady tells us that "housework done incorrectly still blesses your family." I can handle cleaning incorrectly! Let me know what works for you.

Faith

2010-03-07T23:11:00.000-05:00

Since it's Sunday, I figured that I'd write about faith and its importance to our well-being. I am Christian, but for the purposes here, faith can be an organized religion or simply a set of beliefs or principles to live by. For today, just reflect on what your faith is, and how it is reflected in how you live.

Here's a link from The Toronto Sun on faith:

http://www.torontosun.com/life/2009/12/23/12255691.html

Let me know what you think.

Family time

2010-03-06T23:25:00.000-05:00

It's time to think about family time. I'm trying to figure out the best way to unite our family as everyone is heading in different directions.

This is an interesting article from WEBMD:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/15-secrets-to-have-a-happy-family?page=3

There are some solid principles in the article, but they are more like goals in our house. If I could wave the magic wand and have sibling rivalry gone, I would be one happy camper. For right now, we're working on the communication and flexibility components. Let me know what you think.

Introduction

2010-03-05T22:35:00.001-05:00

Hello! I am Irene and I am not an expert. I am a mom who happens to cope with chronic illness with a wonderful husband and 2 beautiful boys. This blog is not a pity party, but rather a celebration of life as it is and a place to record successes and failures along the way. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.