How to Lift Your Spirits

"When you're alone and life is making you lonely
You can always go - downtown
When you've got worries, all the noise and the hurry
Seems to help, I know - downtown"

Petula Clark knew what to do to get herself out of a funky mood back in the '60s; a little exercise, a change of scenery and a great tune. A perfect cheering up recipe. When life gets rough, we all need a way to get ourselves back on track. If you're not sure what might work for you, try a couple of the following ideas and you'll be smiling in no time.

1. Music

Put on a happy tune and dance, sing, or even indulge yourself in a little air-guitar. Groove to the beat and lose yourself in the song. Turning the beat around can turn the mood around.

2. Laugh

Go on-line and spend sometime on a funny joke site, or look up funny videos on You Tube. Watch an old rerun episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and just let yourself laugh. Laughing releases endorphins and makes us feel good in spite of ourselves.

3. Nurture

Bake banana bread for an elderly neighbour, or cut her lawn. Call your mom and listen to her problems or baby-sit your sister's children for the evening. Helping others makes us feel better about ourselves.

4. Get Moving

Go for a walk, head to the gym, or go for a swim, anything that gets you moving will help make you feel better. Your brain get the message that you are taking care of yourself and the actual exercise is a mood elevator.

5. Call Your Best Friend

Whether you call or visit, seeing a friend is probably the best way to lift your mood. You can get that terrible day off your chest, and before you know it you will be smiling and laughing about all the curve balls life throws at you.

6. Go to the Park

Watch the kids play with abandon with no worries about how they look. Not much gets a six-year old down, especially when there are swings and a slide nearby.

7. Try Some Retail Therapy

Don't max out your credit cards but buying a shirt that you feel good in, or a good book to read can give you a lift. Just getting out and spending time near people is good therapy.

8. Indulge Yourself

Whether you are male or female, getting a new haircut or relaxing in a nice, hot bathtub are great stress relievers to help forget the problems of a tough day. We have to remember to be good to ourselves.

9. Eat Your Fruits

Evidence shows that eating healthy carbohydrates such as fruits can help improve your mood by increasing serotonin levels which can in turn can reduce pain and produce a sense of calm.

10. Take A Break

You may be grouchy because you are tired. If possible lie down for twenty minutes, or just sit with your eyes closed for a while and try to clear your mind. With cell phones buzzing, emails coming in, traffic honking, and bosses yelling it is easy for your mind to go into hyper-drive. If you can drown everything out for a few minutes and reboot your brain you might just find that your mood has been rebooted as well.

The main thing to remember is that bad moods are not permanent. They will pass, and when all else fails you can take the advice of Petula and go Downtown.

How to Write a Speech

Most people would rather be in the casket than giving the eulogy -Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry nailed it.  Public speaking is one of the number one fears, ranking before the fear of death. The thought of making a speech in front of an audience can be terrifying to some. It's a shame this fear may prevent someone from toasting the happy couple or properly memorializing a loved one.  It doesn't have to, the fear stems from not being prepared or not having the right words to say. The following are a few tips to find those words and deliver a wonderful speech.

1. Decide what tone you want for the speech.

As a rule, a sentimental speech is easier to both write and deliver than a humorous speech.

2. Figure out what is special about the speech's subject.

Whether it is a bride who makes the world a better place by doing charity work, the deceased grandfather's love of bird-watching, or a couple's unique proposal story, jot it all down.

3. Make notes about what is special about your relationship with the speech's subject.

People love a personal anecdote when listening to a speech; it brings them emotionally closer to both the speaker and the subject. So write down those special or funny stories.

4. Are there any other people close to the subject of the speech that should be included?

In both a eulogy and a wedding speech it is nice to mention close family and friends. Add an anecdote or two or simply welcome or thank individuals.

5. Are there any favourite songs or poems of the speech's subject?

It's nice to open a speech with a quote from the bride and groom's "song" or a favourite bible verse of the dearly departed.

*Congratulations, your speech is almost written. You are probably sitting with enough material for a three minute speech. Now you just have to put it together.

6. Start with a quote such as:

"Have I told you lately that I love you, Have I told you there is no one else above you". You can than lead in with "this song sums up how "Jack and Jill" feel about each other. It doesn't matter what the song is.

7. Simply add in the anecdotes and stories from steps two and three.

Your writing doesn't have to be perfect. If it's from the heart, people will love it, so don't stew over grammar or repeated words. No one will care.

8. Add in your welcomes and thank you's.

You can say something like "I would like to thank you all for attending what I know will be a lasting union" or "I would like to thank all of you for attending this celebration of my mother's life."

9. Add a poem or a toast.

There are many websites that offer free poems. You can use Google or try loveofpoems.com for eulogies or IslandIreland.com for wedding toasts.

10. Put the speech on recipe card sized paper and practice, practice, practice.

Do it in front of your spouse, your children, your parents, your friend, the mirror. The point of all this practice is to get used to the speech. The better you know it the easier it will be to deliver.

It may seem overwhelming at first but you can write this speech and deliver it. The nicest thing about overcoming this fear is that you may start to enjoy writing and giving speeches. It is rewarding to be able to speak to a crowd in your own words.

If worse comes to worse and you just can't write that speech, don't despair there is help. There are a few websites that offer a great service to the oratorically challenged:

To buy a speech, look to spend $50 - $200. Money well spent for some people.

Which ever direction you decide on, don't let the fear of public speaking overwhelm you. The trick is to practice and be yourself. People in your audience want you to succeed. Remember, it really is better to be giving the eulogy than to be in the casket.

The Hand of a Mother

The Hand Of A Mother

The hand of a mother can cradle her babe,
And will care, feed and nurture him all of his days.

The hand of a mother can sooth a sore wound,
And when joined with her kiss, it will heal up soon.

The hand of a mother bakes mouth-watering treats,
And a bit of her love goes in each wonderful sweet.

The hand of a mother can wipe her babe's tears
And will continue to do so for many a year

The hand of a mother is both strong and soft,
To comfort her children when their way has been lost.

The hand of a mother can be folded in prayer,
To give thanks, to praise, or simply to share.

The hand of a mother acts with kindness and love,
Because the hand of a mother is guided by God.

Getting Married in Hamilton

How to Get Married in Hamilton, Ontario Area on a Budget

Hamilton is a difficult city to navigate through when trying to figure out how to get married economically.  Many unique and traditional venues are incredibly expensive.  There are also many unique and traditional venues that are very reasonable.  The following is a list of half a dozen possible wedding venues for the bride on a budget.

1. The Grand Olympia

Unbelievably this high-end banquet hall can fit in your budget, if you are willing to get married off-season.  For less than $60/plate you get a gourmet meal, a full bar, and a decorated hall.  They are open to negotiations in the off-season and you should be able to get the DJ and the cake added to your package at no, or little extra charge.  If you are willing to get married Sunday-Thursday you may be able to get married for under $50/plate.  http://www.olympiabanquets.ca/pdf/specials2.pdf

2. Grand River Dinner Cruises

If you want a magical wedding on the river, this is one of the nicest ways to get married.  If your wedding guest list is under 60 people, you can get married, cruise, enjoy a delicious three-course meal with a few glasses of wine, all for under $3000.  You can decorate the boat as you wish and the staff are very accommodating.  http://www.grandrivercruises.ca/2012%20wedding%20info.pdf

3. Slainte Irish Pub

If you are looking for a more casual atmosphere that promises a down to earth style, great tasting food and a super fun atmosphere, it is worth taking a look at this authentic Irish Pub.  (It truly is authentic, torn down in Ireland and shipped to Hamilton).  Get married at church, the lake, or even Gage Park (yes, they do it, call city of Hamilton for more details) and then come enjoy the reception at this unique venue and pay as little at $40/plate.  http://www.slainteirishpub.ca/pdf/Platters_Menu.pdf

4. Christies Conservation Area

Get married on the conservation lake and then have a picnic reception at the park.  They have a gorgeous pavilion available with a kitchen that you are free to decorate as you like.  You can have your wedding catered, hire a barbeque service or just have a friend run the grill.  Add some salads, some sandwiches and a bar and you are away to a reasonable priced wedding that is fun for everyone.  The charge to use the park is under $500 and the price of the reception can be done for as little as $10/person. http://www.conservationhamilton.ca/christie-lake

5. The Binbrook Agricultural Society Building

This venue is terrific if you are looking for a venue to hold more than 200 people.  It is big enough for a large dance floor and the hall will cater your wedding for you, for less than $20 per person.  The food is good old-fashioned home cooking and is delicious.  http://www.binbrookfair.org/Catering/Catering.html

6. Flamborough Downs Live Horse Racing

If you want to try something completely different, how about an Outdoor Barbeque at their outdoor pavilion or a hot dinner or lunch buffet inside.  Meals start as low as $10/person and the room rental is under $300.  It does not come much more reasonable, or much more fun. http://www.flamborodowns.com/groups/catering/we_offer_you.aspx

This list of economical venues in Hamilton is far from exhaustive but it is a great place to start.  You might also want to check http://www.paulshalls.info/ which lists hundreds of halls for rent throughout Ontario.  Remember to negotiate. The stated price for wedding is seldom the final price.  Do not be afraid to ask for discounts on everything from your flowers to your venue, to your dress.

Crabby Abby's Breakfast Adventure

Crabby Abby's Breakfast Adventure

Crabby Abby woke up one day,
Sat down to breakfast, to her dismay,
She no longer fancied her curds and whey,
They are much too sticky and taste like hay.

She grabbed her pup Otis and off they went,
Her plan was to use her puppy's keen scent,
To sniff out new food for her breakfast event,
Something so tasty, and yet not cost a cent.

Otis sniffed something down by the river,
It was a horrible smell, it gave Abby the shivers,
And tending the grill, was an old man, quite withered.
Who offered them barbequed, water snake livers.

After a while they saw a house near a brook,
And singing inside, was Gerda the cook,
Reading a recipe from her mouldy cookbook,
And then out of her cupboard, bug-guts she took.

As Abby and Otis went on down the path,
They saw George the Dragon fresh from his bath.
He was eating a sandwich and doing some math.
The sandwich was made from scraps from the trash.

Abby said, "Otis, this isn't good,
It seems that no-one has good tasting food.
Next meal we see might be one of blood pud',
So zip up your sweater, I'll put up my hood."

So back they went to their own breakfast table,
Grateful that their food required no label,
Where they ate curds and whey 'till they were no longer able
And that is the end of this little fable!

How to Make Money as a Stay at Home Mom

Almost all new moms struggle with the decision on whether or not to go back to work. With rising prices, increasing debt loads and the economy still in recovery, staying at home often seems impossible. There are however, a few ways to make money and not have to go into the office everyday. These are some real options for real women.

1. Drive a School Bus

If you are a good driver with a clean record, love kids and are good with directions this is a terrific job for you. Most school boards in the United States, and all of them in Canada allow you to bring your infant to preschool aged children on the runs with you. Check when you apply. The bus company pays for the training and the licence upgrade and it takes about two weeks of your time. Check out First Student, the largest school bus company for more information. For a step by step guide on how to become a school bus driver in Canada, check out "How to Become A School Bus Driver In Canada."

Cost to get started: Babysitter for the two week training
Expect to make: $200-$400/week

2. Crafts

If you have a terrific talent for knitting, crocheting, pottery or any other craft you might want to consider signing up for an Etsy store. This is an on-line craft fair where you can show off your goods or bid to create requested items.

Cost to get started: $1 for the Etsy-store sign up, materials
Expect to make: $20-$100 per item

3. Buying and Selling

If you love to shop garage sales you can turn this into some extra money. Look specifically for children's items, bicycles, small tables. Clean them up, paint them if necessary and then put them up for sale for a profit on Craigslist or Kijiji.

Cost to get started: just a few dollars for your garage sale finds
Expect to make: up to $100 per week if you are diligent

4. Writing

If you have a way with words you should consider joining a writing site such as Helium or Associated Content. Generally, these sites pay better the more articles you write and it may take you a few months to write enough articles to make more than just pennies, but if you stick with it, you can make a nice income.

Cost to get started: $0
Expect to make: $5 - $300/month

5. Catalogue Sales

If you have a very wide social circle you may want to look into selling Avon, Tupperware or Regal. You just have to control your own urges to purchase their items.

Cost to get started: $0 - $10
Expect to make: $20-200/month

6. Tailoring/Alterations

If you have a way with a thread and needle there is money to be made in simple alterations. Hemming, taking in, or letting out, it is a terrific way to bring in some extra income. Work with a local store or dry-cleaner. Put on-line ads up on Craigslist or Kijiji. Put paper ads up at local Laundromats.

Cost to get started: $0 if you already have the supplies.
Expect to make: $50-200/week depending on how well you advertise

7. Babysitting

If a houseful of children is music to your ears and you have a child-care background, babysitting one or two children during the working day might be a way for you to bring in some extra money. Check into your local child-care regulations for what is required in your area.

Cost to get started: varies
Expect to make: $80-$200/child/week

8. Photography

Are you a terrific amateur photographer without the equipment or money to photograph weddings or to take professional portraits? You can still offer some unique photographic services. Put up an on-line or newspaper ad to photograph a marriage proposal, a child's birth, a graduation or a birthday party. You will be surprised at how many people will jump at the chance to have these special events photographed well.

Cost to get started: $0 if you already have a good digital camera
Expect to make: $25/hour

This list is by no means complete, there are dozens of ways to make an income and continue to be a stay-at-home-mom. Make a list of what you can offer, from both a talent and time point of view, look at these suggestions and stretch your mind to find something that will work for you. Be creative, be diligent and be ready to bank your earnings.

Bed-wetting Strategies

When you are changing the sheets at three in the morning while your spouse has your young child in the bathtub, there is little consolation to hear how common bedwetting is.  However, it is a very common issue with a great number of children and even some young adults.  There is hope though; there are ways to make nighttime wetting a thing of the past.

1.  Consider Your Child’s Age

If your child is only three or even four, they just may not by physically ready for nighttime potty training.  If your child is day-trained but wetting the bed at night just give it another six months or so in pull-ups.  If it simply a matter of not quite being ready, she will start staying dry on her own overnight.  Then it is a simple matter of eliminating the pull-ups.

2.  Restricting Liquids

This is a tried and true method of nighttime training.  You ensure the last liquid he gets, is with his dinner.  This gives a couple of hours for it to get through his system and then you have him go potty before bed.  It is very difficult to wet the bed with an empty bladder.  This is a great system to use in the cool months but it is not recommended to restrict liquids in warm weather.

3.  Wake the Child Up

If your child tends to wet her bed around the same time every night, try waking her up an hour before that, it may mean setting your alarm.  The trick here is in not allowing her to wake right up and be up all night.  Leave the lights dim and use a wipe to wash her hands rather than letting her wash them herself and then quickly put her back to bed.

4.  Try Some Creative Visualization

A school of thought believes that the bedwetting issue can be solved with mind over matter; that the brain not the bladder is the major issue.  The basic idea is to use imagery and repetition to help break the bed wetting cycle.  “Dry All Night” is the name of a book that utilizes these concepts and that many parents swear has helped cure chronic bed-wetters.

 5.  Visit your Paediatrician

It may be that your child’s issue is a medical problem.  It could be an allergy, urinary tract infection or a reflex bladder.  Your doctor can help you rule out any of these and he may also have some suggestions based on your particular child’s medical history.

Most children outgrow bedwetting eventually and in the meantime, there are a number of products available to keep them dry at night.  Underjams and Goodnites are discrete and look like underwear and will keep your child’s sheets dry while not causing him any shame or embarrassment.   The best advice though is to relax about it all.  Stressed parents create stressed children and stressed children will never be able to stop wetting their beds.