Ways to Bring a Community Together

The community of the 1950's is long gone and we do not socialize with our neighbors as prior generations did. With busy work schedules, soccer practice and the Internet it is difficult to find time to turn the folks next door from neighbors into friends.  There are so many good reasons to get to know your neighbors better.  It is nice to have someone watch your house while you are away; to mow your lawn if you are ill, or simply to have someone from whom you can borrow a cup of sugar. Although the task may seem daunting, there are ways to reach out and start friendships that can last a lifetime. Try some of the following ideas to make your neighborhood more of a community. Do not be afraid to make the first move, both you and your neighbors will be glad you did.

Host a Barbecue

There are a number of ways to do this. If there is a central park in the neighborhood, you can set up barbecues there and do a pot luck. If your community allows it, you can block of your street and have the event out front or you can even have different courses served in different yards (eg. appetizers at the Jone's, dessert at the Johnson's). The best way to get the word out is to place invitations in everyone's mailbox and then follow-up a week later by going door to door. Do not worry about disturbing people. Neighbors are usually a welcome intrusion. Plus, going door to door will give you a chance to meet everyone personally, which is great for introducing people at the party.

The barbecue should be rather unstructured to give people a chance to talk, but games for the kids are a great idea. Perhaps each household could host one game. The Food Network has some terrific barbecue party ideas to get you started.

Band Together for a Cause

Whether it is to get the speed limit reduced on your street, have a park added to your community or establishing a Block Parent program there is nothing like a cause to bring folks together. We all want to live in the best neighborhood possible and it is a terrific opportunity to get everyone involved. The best approach is to talk to your neighbors door to door about the issue, then set a date and location for the meeting. Chances are you will form subcommittees to deal with different elements which is a super way for neighbors to become allies and then friends.

Once the issue is resolved, you can always find new ways to bring your community together. Both firefighters and police have neighborhood liaisons that talk to people on safety. You also can have your local city councilman come and speak about future plans for your area. There are always causes that can help knit residents together.

Host a "Spring Cleaning"

No matter where you live, early spring reveals the ravages of the winter. The trash that has been hidden under snow for months or branches that have fallen due to winter storms can make a neighborhood look dingy and depressed. Organizing a spring clean up is a fantastic way to get your lawns and streets in ship-shape and offers a chance to get to know your neighbors better. Arm your children with garbage and recycling bags and parents with chain-saws and ladders and prepare yourself for a day of fun, laughter, and good old-fashioned hard work. It is especially nice to help out elderly neighbors with tree trimming and gutter cleaning. Any money you make on recycled materials you can put towards next summer's barbecue.

A cohesive and friendly neighborhood is a great place to live. Knowing you can count on the people next door in an emergency is terrific. Nurture theses relationships and they will be there for you; to keep your spare key, to brew a coffee and listen to a problem, and of course to lend you that cup of sugar.

Laura - the Purple-Haired School Bus Driver

It was the funniest thing I’ve seen this year.
My school bus driver had purple hair!
Not violet, not mauve, or even maroon
It was so deep purple it made me swoon.

Was it some black magic that changed her hue, 
Because her library books were overdue?
Did a strange librarian from another dimension
Create this scary combination?

I wonder how long she will sport this “do”,
Before moving on to something new.
Will the magician conjure up meek and mellow,
Or will her hair tomorrow be pink and yellow?

I personally am hoping for bright orange and green.
It’s an amusing mixture I sure find keen.
There is one small problem, though, I hate to fuss
But the color can’t clash with the school bus!

Windswept Front Porch

Not sure which is fresher, the breeze or the faces
who find themselves sharing my weathered, old porch.
Laughing and twirling, and whispering voices - 
the wind and the children, I’m fond of them both.

The boys talk of football, all passes and bluster
while the girls are all boisterious and putting on airs.
The young ones chime in with their own silly tales.
I blow on my coffee and stifle a smile.

Not sure what brings them both to my stoop.
For the wind, perhaps cool fronts looking for warmth.
The kids may be chasing the gusts and end up here,
or maybe they come for my long-winded yarns.

No matter the reason, my spirit’s less drafty,
on days when the tempest makes my home her own.
A nod to the weather and I’m off to make welcome
the wind and the children who’ll share my front porch.

How to get a Child to Eat Vegetables

“I don’t like beans or peas or broccoli or asparagus or (insert tonight’s vegetable here).” 

Is this typical dinner conversation at your house?  Is cauliflower a four-letter word?   Well there are ways to get your children to eat those vegetables.  The following tips may help make supper more enjoyable, and fill those adorable little bellies with the vitamins and minerals they require to grow and thrive.

Hide them

It is amazing what you can hide in pancakes, eggs and even brownies.   Pureed sweet potatoes and squash are easily hidden in pancakes.  Mix in some homemade salsa into your eggs and put them in a wrap with grated cheese and your prodigy will never even realize they are consuming wonderful nutrients and anti-oxidants.    Pureed peas and carrots blend easily into meatloaf and hamburgers.  There is no need to get you blender out either.  You can just head back to the baby food section of your grocery store and pick up the jars already pureed.  For more cunning ways of hiding vegetables pick yourself up a copy of Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld.  The woman is a genius.

Make vegetables fun

Veggies don’t have to be serious.  There is nothing wrong with playing with your food, a little bit of carrot stick hockey or pea and potato sculpturing never hurt anyone and it sure is more fun to eat a “puck” rather than a beet.  You can also take a hint from Dr. Seuss.  Add spinach to scrambled eggs served with some ham or bacon and you have just created “green eggs and ham.”  Who could resist? 

Consider fruit

Most kids love fruit and there is no rule that says that every meal has to include vegetables. Scour the Internet to research different types of fruits that can replace the green stuff.  Avocados are wonderfully nutritious, as are berries of all types, kiwis and even apples.  Serve them as a fruit salad, as a smoothie or with a yogurt dip.

Let your child do the preparation

Your child is far more likely to eat something that he has prepared himself.  An older child can help chop, a younger one can help wash, stir, or place on the serving dish.  They beam with pride in helping out and of course, they sample their own delicious creations.

Top it off

As weight conscious adults, we shy away from the cheese sauces and other fat laden add-ons but our growing children can afford the extra calories, so bring out the cheese, jam or even chocolate.  It is much better to see them eating a few extra calories at the table with nutritious food than filling up on empty calories later because they are still hungry.

It does not really matter how you get them to eat those leafy greens as long as they are getting them somehow.  You may have to be a bit tricky and perhaps a bit creative but you will be giving your children the gift of good health  for a lifetime.

Best song choices for the father-daughter dance

The tear-jerker of every wedding reception is the father-daughter dance. It is inherently sweet, the love of a father as he gives his baby girl to her new husband. Heart-warming and heart-breaking at the same time. Thank goodness the music industry has provided us with endless choices for the perfect song for this dance.

The following songs are all guaranteed to bring a smile and a tear to each guest at your reception. They are rated in order of the Tear Factor.

One Teardrop - Sweet Child of Mine

Whether you choose the Cheryl Crow version or the original Guns and Roses version, this song will get your Dad rockin' and the crowd laughing. A great choice if you don't take yourself too seriously.

Two Teardrops - Sunshine of My Life

"You are the sunshine of my life, that's why I'll always be around." What a beautiful sentiment. Lovely, traditional father-

daughter dance song.

Three Teardrops - Circle Game

Joanie Mitchell breaks your heart with this one by describing a child growing to adulthood and how short and circular our lives are.

Four Teardrops - Lullaby

This song is a great choice because it is so fitting but not heard very often at weddings. Billy Joel doesn't get it wrong too often. If your relationship with your Dad is a little rocky you might want to try his other song Moving Out

Five Teardrops - Fragile Leaf

The deep soulful melody in this song is like melting into one of your Dad's best bear-hugs. It is by an indie artist, Shannon Bryant.

Six Teardrops - Teach Your Children Well

By Crosby, Stills and Nash, this gem expresses the importance of allowing your children to follow their dreams. It's about keeping them close while letting them go.

Seven Teardrops - To Sir With Love

Another unusual one, especially nice when the father is older or if a grandfather is the father figure. It is especially endearing as it comes from a daughter's point of view

.

Eight Teardrops - Sunrise, Sunset

This song from Fiddler on the Roof is perfect for the bride with brothers and sisters. There won't be a dry eye in the family during a dance to this song.

Nine Teardrops - I Loved Her First

Thank goodness all you have to do is dance and not sing it. Anyone who has ever raised a daughter would be hard-pressed to make it through this song with dry eyes. Heartland does an amazing job of expressing the love for his daughter but still keeping the cheese factor to a minimum.

Ten Teardrops - Turn Around

There are a few versions around, but Kenny Loggins' is the best. 'Turn around and she's two, turn around and she's four, turn around and she's a young girl walking out of the door." Pass the tissues for this one, the heart-wrenching pain and pride of a father watching his beloved little girl grow is almost too much. A terrific choice for your wedding.

These are but a few of the many songs out there. Think of what is special between the two of you. It doesn't have to be traditional, it just has to have meaning, but whether you are rockin', waltzing or slam-dancing, enjoy your special dance.

No More Excuses not to Exercise!

You need to exercise. You must to do it for good health and you must do it regularly. There are dozens of excuses why you can't, but for each one of them there is a better reason why you should. The following are the top five excuses for not getting fit and tips on how to overcome them.

Excuse #1 - I Have No Time to Exercise

Do you have twenty minutes? In twenty minutes you can walk around the block two or three times, you can do a bunch of crunches, or a few rounds of push-ups. It is understandable that you can't make it to the gym everyday due to time constraints but you certainly can find time to get moving.

Excuse #2 - I Can't Afford a Gym Membership

People were exercising for years before the gym came into existence. Walking or running are terrific exercises you can do for the cost of a good pair of shoes. Carry a few weights if you want to increase your difficulty level. Crunches, stretches, Pilates and other floor exercises can be done in your living room on a nice mat. If you absolutely require a gym, check out your local YMCA, almost all of them have geared to income gym memberships.

Excuse #3 - I Can't Exercise with a Newborn/Toddler

Sure, this is a challenge, but on a nice day you will both benefit from a brisk walk with the stroller. There are also classes popping up everywhere that teach you exercises you can do while wearing your baby. Check out babybootcamp.com for more information. Most gyms have a baby-sitting service for toddlers and pre-schoolers on site. If your gym has this, take advantage, it is great for you to work-out and a great opportunity for you little one to socialize.

Excuse #4 - I am Too Fat, Everyone Will Laugh at Me

That is simply not true. Most fit people will respect anyone trying to improve their health through exercising, and a person who makes fun or laughs isn't worth worrying about. That being said, if you are still uncomfortable working out at a gym, check out the many home workouts available. If money isn't a factor, buy a home gym or a treadmill or invest in some good work-out DVD's. You also might want to check on-line local ads to see if there is a personal trainer who will come to your home to develop a program especially for you.

Excuse #5 - It Hurts When I Exercise, So I Shouldn't Do It

Check with your doctor and make sure there is no underlying reason for your pain. The reason you are in pain is probably because you are doing exercises that are beyond your fitness level. If you have not been active for awhile you are better off starting with a beginner fitness level. Be honest with yourself and start slow. You are far better off doing a lighter work-out until you build up strength and endurance than doing one hard one and quitting.

We live such busy lives today but we must take the time to look after ourselves and a regular fitness program needs to be included in our schedules. So the next time you are searching your brain to come up with an excuse to avoid exercising, search a little bit harder to figure out how you are going to "just do it". You will feel better for it.

The Lure of the Dollar Store

The lure of the dollar store is hard to resist with all those bargains calling out to you. No need to resist, this is one guilty pleasure you can absolutely indulge. There are many terrific deals found in dollar stores. In fact, they should be a part of your weekly shopping.

The following are the Top Dollar Store Deals with some helpful hints on what to avoid.

1. Gift Bags, Ribbon, Tissue Paper, Cards

Dollar Stores have everything you need to wrap up the prettiest package for any occasion at a fraction of the cost of Hallmark or even Walmart.

Avoid: Transparent tape - it is often a factory second and won't work properly.

2. Children's Craft Supplies

Look here for construction paper, stickers, coloring books, pipe cleaners and glue.

Avoid: Crayons, markers, paint - they are of lower quality than the name brands.

3. Dishes

If you need a few little fruit nappies or some pretty glass plates, the Dollar Store has a better selection than Sears.

Avoid: Ceramic plates or bowls - turn them over first to make sure they are intended for food use. Some are simply decorative.

4. Birthday Party Supplies

Almost everything you need for a birthday party can be found at the dollar store. You can often find popular characters (Spiderman, Whinnie the Pooh, etc) on napkins and plates. Make sure to pick up some plastic cutlery and disposable cups in the same color hues. You can also get prizes, birthday hats and games.

Avoid: Candy which is often imported or not fresh and birthday candles which tend to burn very quickly.

5. Sunglasses

Why would you pay $20 a pair just to lose them? The Dollar Store has UV rated sunglasses for the whole family at a dollar a pair. Buy a few pair for each family member.

Avoid: Frames with rhinestones which will likely fall off.

6. Outdoor Toys

Pails and shovels, water guns, inflatable toys and bubbles are all sure to bring huge grins from young kids. The Dollar Store has terrific selections of these toys.

Avoid: Anything painted - there is always the worry that some lead contaminated toys from China may have found their way to the Dollar Stores.

7. Dog Supplies

Leashes, collars, chew toys can all be found at unbelievable prices.

Avoid: Dog food - name brand food maybe manufacturing rejects and no-name food is too risky to give your dog.

8. Home Decorating

For a student decorating the dorm room or anyone who is looking for a cheap home makeover, you can find deal after deal at the Dollar Store. Welcome mats, area rugs, curtains, throw pillows can be found for next to nothing.

Avoid: Candles - they burn too fast and may not be safe

9. Calculators

Great for doing the budget. Pick yourself up a big button calculator or a pocket sized one for the same low price.

Avoid: Novelty calculators, such as pens or key chains. They seldom work for more than a couple of days.

10. Reading Glasses

At a dollar a pair you can keep a spare pair in the kitchen, car or a purse for those days when you forgot where you put your prescription glasses.

Avoid: Using them in place of getting prescription glasses.

There are even more bargains that can be added to this list, as well as more things to shy away from. The savvy buyer shops at the Dollar Store with an open mind but a wary eye.