Search Results for: blog heading down the home stretch

Heading for the Slopes? Don’t Leave Home Without…

Sunscreen. If you are planning to take advantage of the super ski deals I previously listed here in the Travel blog don’t think your skin is not at risk just because you are heading away from the beach. Don’t let the air temperature fool you. The sun’s powerful rays are just as harsh when you are shooshing down powdery snow on an alpine trail as they are when you are stretched out on powder soft sand near the Pacific Ocean. What’s more, because you are skiing at a high elevation you are being exposed to increased amounts of ultraviolet light. … Continue reading →

Decorating With Gratitude

It’s Thanksgiving. This means that around the country, people are sitting with family and friends, sharing food and family time. Perhaps that family is a family of two, or it might be a family of twenty and counting. Perhaps that family is a family of friends and neighbors, of people who are dear to you. It may be that you are alone today, sharing this time with your own thoughts. Sometimes it can be hard to feel thankful. We live in a time of great change, when families are challenged to live within their own means and the means of … Continue reading →

Turkey Preparation Trepidation

You don’t know how challenging it is to cook a Thanksgiving feast until you attempt to do it all by yourself… without a double oven… or Chinese take-out. How did my mom pull it off year after year? Turkey Day is just a few hours away and if you haven’t already formulated your game plan for the all-you-can-eat holiday buffet taking place on your dining room table, then I wish you luck. Goodness knows I am going to need it. This year, I decided to make like my mom and spearhead our Thanksgiving Day dinner. And by dinner I don’t … Continue reading →

Lose Fat, Not Money at Hilton

Staying fit on the road can be challenging, especially if you are not a runner and don’t have the luxury of simply slipping on comfy shoes and heading outside to get in a decent workout. For many people, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is priceless and they are willing to spend a pretty penny in order to stick to their current exercise routine. However, that can be hard when you are traveling for business or pleasure. Tracking down a hotel with a gym can be a pain, not to mention costly. Fortunately, Hilton Hotels and Resorts is making it easier to … Continue reading →

Ready, Set, Beach!

Nothing makes for a super sizzling hot summer vacation more than a trip to the beach. With the Memorial Day holiday weekend kicking off in just a couple of days, now is the time to set your sights on the sun, sand and surf. If you are still in the planning stages, then consider these top family-friendly beach vacation destinations: Texas The great state of Texas is home to a litany of lovely beaches, including South Padre Island. The 130-mile long barrier island is a haven for spring breakers, but during the summer months you can relax minus the beer … Continue reading →

Working Out Outside

Why sweat it out in a crowded stinky gym when you can burn calories in the great outdoors this summer? This is the season when many fitness fanatics modify their workouts to take advantage of the sunshine and warm temperatures. If you are suffering from gym-phobia, then consider taking your workout regime outside and turning a local playground into your own personal health club. Here’s how: *Warm-up by jogging around the perimeter of the park *Do tricep dips on a rock wall or a park bench *Do chin ups on the monkey bars *Find a shady area and do several … Continue reading →

Cheaper Beverages

When my husband was spending $21 a week on his containers of iced tea, we knew we had a problem. And while he was watering that tea down to make it stretch a bit, it was still more than $80 a month just for the tea. So we made some changes to save money. I’ll share what we did regarding the tea, as well as some other strategies for saving money on beverages. My husband had been buying prepared gallons of name brand “designer” tea. We did some hunting around and found that his preferred brand also makes tea bags. … Continue reading →

When You Love Someone

When you love someone it doesn’t matter what you do. Just being together is enough. Saturday was one of those together days and evenings for Mick and me. While the washing was in the machine, immediately after breakfast we went to the local markets where we bought fresh fruit from the orchard and those vegetables, Mick hasn’t got ready in our own garden, we bought fresh from the market garden. We also found a Christmas gift at one of the stalls and then Mick bought me a silver bracelet for no reason except that I admired it. He’s a sweetie … Continue reading →

Frugal Living Month in Review: August 2008

With August passed, it will be hard to hold on to summer, but fortunately, we have a lot of memories of the “dog days.” We also have lots of great articles about saving money, something that is pretty important these days. Take a look at what was posted in August. August 1st Frugal Living Month in Review: July 2008 July went by so quickly for us! There were so many fun and frugal activities and events for us to explore, from a science camp to free movies and sand sculpting. I hope your July was equally fun and frugal. Summer … Continue reading →

Watching the Buzzards and the Bunnies

The other day a horrible thing happened: one of the neighborhood bunnies got hit by a car and died. I didn’t see it happen. It must have happened after my walk with Murph, because I would’ve noticed the bunny body in the road on our way home. As it was, I spotted it from the kitchen window as I was washing dishes. I wasn’t sure it was a bunny at first, though. It could have been a piece of clothing someone lost. But when the first buzzard showed up, I knew it was fresh kill. The Buzzard Brigade At first … Continue reading →