Search Results for: blog i cant believe summer is over

Midsummer Travel Deals

It’s hard to believe that summer is halfway over. Fortunately, there are still a slew of seasonal travel deals to be had, so if you have been holding out for super summer savings that will help you get out of Dodge without breaking the bank, you are in luck. The following are some of the best summer travel deals available right now: AIRFARE Direct Air recently announced that it is adding more reduced price nonstop flights to one of the nation’s most popular summer vacation destinations– Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Summer rates start as low as $99 one-way. The family-friendly … Continue reading →

Save Big By Traveling Smart

Believe it or not there are ways you can save on a dream vacation without having to sit in a plane’s cargo hold or sleep in a roach-infested motel. One way is to learn the importance of timing. Deciding when to book a trip is critical when you are traveling on a budget. For example, you will be hard pressed to find cheap airfare to Hawaii during the winter holidays; however, if you are able to vacation in early fall or late spring, you can save up to 50% on airfare to the “Aloha State.” Fall is one of the … Continue reading →

Eating Healthy on a Budget

As a single parent money is tight about 99.9% of the time, ok let’s face it, it’s more like 100%. While eating healthy may be important to you, you may think you simply cannot afford it. Don’t worry, most of us feel that way from time to time. Money is scarce and junk food is cheaper. But there are some tricks to make eating healthy affordable, even on a single parent budget. Next time you are at the grocery store try stopping by the deli. Believe it or not, a half pound of cheddar freshly sliced at the deli will … Continue reading →

Your Teen Is Really Listening

For each of my children I have a special picture frame. Right in the middle of the frame there is a plaque that reads, “Journey – “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:11 Surrounding that plaque are small windows to put in their pictures. At the bottom left it starts with kindergarten and it goes around to the other side of the frame ending with 11th grade. Then there is a bigger window right below the plaque where you put their senior picture. It is neat to look at that picture frame and … Continue reading →

China Adoption Book Review: Wanting a Daughter, Needing a Son

Kay Ann Johnson is a professor of Asian Studies and Politics at Hampshire College. Yet when she adopted her daughter from a Chinese orphanage in 1991, she felt not only the anxiety of participating in what was then a new adoption program, but also a great desire to learn more about her daughter’s story, or at least the story of many girls like her. Why are children, especially girls, abandoned in China? What consequences—emotional and practical—do the birthparents face? Do most foundlings enter the orphanage system? Johnson’s 2004 book, Wanting a Daughter, Needing a Son: Abandonment, Adoption and Orphanage Care … Continue reading →

Batman Returns… But He’s Not the Only One

The buzz around this summer’s release of “The Dark Knight” has reached epic proportions. The film doesn’t premiere until July 18th but there is barely an entertainment news program or publication out there that hasn’t already given the Batman sequel significant coverage. Obviously, much of the hype has been caused by the passing of one of the movie’s stars: Heath Ledger. The late actor plays the Joker in his next-to-last role and his frantic performance and his demonic makeup has fueled major buzz about the film and the rest of the cast. “The Dark Knight,” reunites star Christian Bale with … Continue reading →

Are There Too Many School Activities in November and December?

When my children were all in grade school, I would dread the onset of November! It seemed that starting in November and running right up until the holiday vacation break, there would be so many school activities—parent nights and open houses, band and orchestra concerts, pageants, plays, field trips—you name it. There were weeks when I think I was at the school every night! Of course, it wasn’t the school’s fault that I had three kids, but I still couldn’t help but think that there were a few too many activities and expectations for child participation during the holiday season. … Continue reading →

The Lemonade Stand

Yesterday, my children (along with a buddy) did their very first lemonade stand. I realize that lemonade is just about to go out of season but really, we had been meaning to do it all summer and just never got to it. Everyone over the age of four was involved in the lemonade stand and really, it was a pretty big hit. We sold out all of our ingredients and at the very end had to turn people away. . .and we were only out there for about an hour. The experience though, got me thinking about what a great … Continue reading →

Mission Possible: Ode to the Cooler

Current BMI: 31 One of the reasons that I like journaling as a means to facilitate weight loss is that it helps me identify patterns. I don’t make a huge production of my journal. I just basically write down whether or not I drank enough water, whether or not I ate 5 to 8 servings of fruits and vegetables and how much if any sweets I ate. (Sweets are my huge weakness.) I might note if I had fast food as well. In any case, I’ve already discovered (or rather rediscovered) something that is going to be a pitfall for … Continue reading →

Simple Party Fruit Salad

Last weekend, we had my son’s sixth birthday party. I really wanted to include some healthy choices for the kids and the adults, to go along with the chips and birthday cake. Plus, summer was just here and I was really starting to get a big craving for fresh fruit. So we put together this simple fruit salad, and it was a huge hit. I say “we” because it was a team effort. My husband picked out the fruit, and a friend and I cut it all up. (I believe in putting my guest to work.) It was prepared very … Continue reading →