Search Results for: blog a green way to de ice the sidewalk

Frugal Halloween Decorations Made By Hand (1)

Halloween is a fun family time with crafts and decorations that can be made. Decorating a home at Halloween can be a whole family affair from the cutest pumpkins to the scariest monsters and skeletons. Except buying all the fun Halloween decorations can be expensive. Instead, consider making your own out of things you might already have. Save money, be creative, have fun and still be able to decorate for this spooky holiday. Candle Path Lights You’ve seen them. Those cute little bag style candle holders with cut outs that you are supposed to set along your driveway, sidewalk or … Continue reading →

Memory Foam Stroller Seat Cushion?

Can you imagine your baby laying on a memory foam stroller seat liner? How plush! Your baby can rest on a chiropractor recommended stroller pad that forms to the child and reduces musculoskeletal stress while asbsorbing stroller shock. The same memory form you find in Tempur-Pedic mattresses is now in a stroller liner. Tivoli Couture which sells the product was developed by a mom of three. She knew that most strollers were uncomfortable and got too hot for a delicate baby. Tivoli Coutrue seat liners respond to body heat, mold to the child’s body, and can be used as a … Continue reading →

Beat the Back-to-School Blues

I haven’t seen it yet this season, but my favorite back-to-school commercial is without question the Staples ad, which features the exuberant dad gliding on a shopping cart to the tune of “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” while his kids stand near shelves of school supplies with sullen looks on their faces. Priceless. With summer coming to an end, there is no time like the present to celebrate a new school year… and the return of peace and quiet for some SAHMs. Beat the back-to-school blues with a party filled with F-U-N: Invitations: Make your own invitations … Continue reading →

Sending Mixed Signals

While running errands last night, I stopped at a red light and prepared to turn right. Two teenage girls stood on the sidewalk, anxiously studying the lights. From the way they were standing, it looked as though they were preparing to cross the street in front of me. They would need to wait for the next red light in order for that to happen, so when the light turned green and I prepared to turn, I wasn’t expecting them to head north, directly into my path. I slowed to let them cross, but they both turned and looked at me … Continue reading →

Jingle Bell Run/Walk 2009

On December 5, 2009, the Arthritis Foundation is having its yearly festivities with their Jingle Bell Run/Walk. This run/walk will raise money for, of course, those stricken with arthritis. If you have arthritis or know someone with arthritis you know that they are in severe pain at times and suffer not only from pain, but also from generalized stiffness and achiness. Help them out and raise money so that more research can be done to alleviate this pain and stiffness that they must suffer with. You can participate in this event by finding a Jingle Bell Run/Walk event in your … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Stuff and Save

If you want a great way to save money, try making your own items instead of purchasing them. From growing your own food and making your own mixes to creating your own laundry detergent and sanitizing wipes, there are so many ways to save. Plus, it is nice knowing that you don’t have to rely on expensive commercial products if you don’t want to do so. Check out this round up of “Make Your Own” articles. Try one recipe or instructions, or try them all! Frugal Food: Make Your Own Granola Bars? Make Your Own Yogurt Make Your Own Fabric … Continue reading →

California’s Olive Festivals

You’ve heard about fly fishing in Montana, coconut cracking in Hawaii, and cow milking in Wisconsin. But, what about a family vacation spent olive picking in California? In Pasadena, California it’s out with the pumpkins and in with the olives. Tis the season for harvesting the black and green fruit before the overstock falls from the branches and stains the city’s sidewalks. The best part: no previous picking experience is required. Families with members of all ages are encouraged to visit the sunny city during the month of November to help tend to the thousands of olive trees that surround … Continue reading →

Everyday Matters – Danny Gregory

The title Everyday Matters is a play on words. The book is about things that most of us see on a daily basis, the views from our windows, the canisters on our kitchen counters, our children’s toys, the pictures on our mantels. But at the same time the title emphasizes that each and every day is of importance. Together both phrases emphasize that life matters, and that the little daily things we touch, and see and do all matter. Before he wrote this book the author, Danny Gregory, lived with his wife Patti, their baby son, and their dog in … Continue reading →

Parking Lot Kids

I live in a neighborhood with cul-de-sacs, wide shared driveways and parking lots. As a matter of fact, in the condo/townhouse complex where I live, we have plenty of green space, playgrounds, bike paths and sidewalks—but the young children are often playing unsupervised in the parking lot… I know that this reality isn’t isolated to my neighborhood. For some reason, either parents think that parking lots are a safe place for kids to play, or kids just gravitate to them as open spaces and parents are not intervening. When my own children were little bike-riders, parking lots and shared driveways, … Continue reading →

Layover Fun

Last week our family had a three hour layover in the Atlanta airport. We went in search of something substantial for dinner because I’ve decided we all are better travelers with real food in our stomachs. We just happened to find a country cooking restaurant and were thrilled to order macaroni and cheese, green beans, corn bread, okra, and iced tea. Even though we weren’t staying in Atlanta, it was nice to share this taste of the south with my kids. For me, occupying children on layovers is one of the hardest challenges of traveling. After one flight, everyone is … Continue reading →