12 Days of Holiday Organizing- It's that wonderful time of year again: the holidays are almost upon us. We know it arrives at the same time every year, and yet it continues to sneak up on us. Your holiday preparations can be less stressful if you create a holiday countdown to halt the holiday madness.
A Thanksgiving Ghost- In July of 1994, my much loved Granny died very suddenly. I was shocked and hurt and felt terribly guilty that I hadn't somehow known and been able to tell her goodbye. Though she was my best friend and we spent countless hours together, I was somehow afraid that she'd not known how very much I loved her.
Enjoy The Holidays Without Gaining Weight- Unfortunately, the average adult does a little too much celebrating during this time of year, which leads to extra baggage when the New Year rings in. Festivities that include indulging in extra helpings, snacking on seasonal treats, and little to no workout time all contribute to the increase in dieters in January.
Giving Thanks: Thinking Outside the Box- What if your appreciation this Thanksgiving took on a new look? What if the blessings you count this year included situations that aren't usually regarded as helpful, useful or valuable?
Helping Children of Divorce Through The Holiday Season- What day does Thanksgiving fall on anyway? What about Christmas and New Years? What year is this and who's got the kids for the holidays?
You realize you are going to have to go dig out those divorce papers and see what year it is and if it's odd or even and if you get to see your children or if you'll be heading to Grandma's without your kids in tow.
Homeless Over the Holidays- There on the curb, begging for a hand out, sat a man in his mid-thirties. Our age. The weather was beautiful, it was 70-some degrees and the sun was high in the sky. Yet this man had on a coat and a sweater and what appeared to be several layers of shirts. His face was sad looking, tattered from the harsh desert winds. All humility had left him, it was apparent. Beside him sat his teenage daughter, probably 15. She held a cardboard sign that said 'HOMELESS - PLEASE HELP - HUNGRY'.
Teaching Charity to Our Children- November 20th is National Family Volunteer Day. What better time to
teach your children about charity and volunteering? Here are some ideas
to put the whole family in the charitable spirit.
Thanksgiving, No Holds Barred- Every Thanksgiving, my husband and I beam across the table at
each other, thankful for our lovely family, our health and our good
fortune, completely unaware of the “What I am thankful for” comments
soon to emerge out of our children’s mouths. After six kids and almost
17 years of parenting, you’d think we would see it coming.
The Five Best Gifts to Give Your Family- When we think of giving gifts, we usually think of things to buy for people. Yet if you think back on gifts you’ve been given, it might not be the material gifts you received that are foremost in your mind - it might be the kind of gifts that deeply touched your heart and soul. It might be various ways, other than material things, that people expressed their love to you.
Travel Tips for Families on the Go- I can honestly say that some of my fondest childhood memories include our
cross country car trips. Not only did we cover the state of Ohio from South
to North every Thanksgiving and August Hayden family reunion for as long as
I can remember, but when I was 10, we took our first of many trips to Long
Boat Key, Florida, a mere 22 hours and counting from our home in Cincinnati
and later in Lincoln, Nebraska. Can you say road trip?
Valentine's Day
Not too far from now, Cupid will be shooting his arrow at love birds all over! Visit our Valentine's Day section for fun crafts, great recipes, or gift ideas, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...