8/4/08 Tips, Science, Fun for Kids, Parenting, Moms, Olympics, Mate, College, Humor
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for you with love by Lois Breneman
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8/4/08 Tips, Science, Fun for Kids, Parenting, Moms, Olympics, Mate, College, Humor
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IN THIS ISSUE:
TWENTY TIPS AND TIDBITS
SPICY ZUCCHINI CARROT BREAD
A LITTLE SCIENCE IN THE KITCHEN TO HELP THE GROCERY BILL
FUN KIDS' ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS THEY'LL LOVE
WHAT'S YOUR ACTION POINT?
LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT
GOING OFF TO COLLEGE
MOMENTS FOR MOMS
PRAY FOR THE OLYMPICS
OLYMPIC CRAFTS
BREATHTAKING
THE MARATHON
MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS
HUMOR IN THE FAMILY
TWENTY TIPS AND TIDBITS
(Permission has been given to post tips from the websites below.)
Back-to-School ~ Speaking as a teacher in a low-income area, stock up now and don't give your kids all their supplies at once. They are cheaper during the school sales by far than they will ever be the remainder of the year. If you give your kids everything now, you'll have to replace at least some of it later because most kids will not be able to keep track of a year's worth of supplies for an entire year. ~ karenteacher - http://www.stretcher.com
Teeny Tiny Treats for Teething and Tantalizing Taste ~ Regular sized popsicles are often too large for toddlers, and are wasted. Many are also full of sugar! Try filling Tupperware midget cups with plain yogurt and fruit (frozen, fresh or canned) for smaller nutritious treats, sweetening with liquid or powdered Stevia, and adding a popsicle stick. Blueberries or strawberries blended with yogurt are tasty for these teeny tiny treats! Popsicles also relieve teething pain. Note: Babies under a year should not have honey (possible chance of botulism).
Popsicle Drip Catcher ~ Slip a coffee filter or cupcake liner through the popsicle stick before you give your child a popsicle to cut down on the messy drips. Teach the older children to do the same to prevent dripping on their clothes, unless you want to try the next tip!
Not Just Blueberry Stains, but Plum Stains Too! ~ I had picked plums yesterday and got a stain on my shirt. I read in Heart to Heart that you could remove fruit (blueberry) stains with white vinegar. (Remove Blueberry Stains by pouring white vinegar on the stain and pouring boiling water over it). I had worked and worked to get the stain out and then after reading the hint, I tried it and the stain came out immediately. ~ Lucy Poland in Virginia
Remedy for Sticky Plastic ~ Plastic coated shelves (in closets, etc.) get so sticky and are hard to clean. I tried using Goo Gone to clean the shelf and couldn't believe how easily and beautifully it worked. ~ Karen Coughlin in Florida (This works great for removing gummy substances such as labels or tape residue. I found Goo Gone at the Dollar Tree for $1. Can't beat that price! ~ Lois)
When you use the last of your sweet or dill pickles, save the juice and add fresh veggies to it. Cucumbers, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower all work well. Let it set in the fridge at least a week before using and you will have delicious pickled veggies. ~ Twara Kellam - http://www.LivingOnADime.com
When making potato salad, add the dressing to the warm potatoes. It will absorb the flavor better and give you a better taste. ~ Twara Kellam - http://www.LivingOnADime.com
Free Soup ~ No need to toss leftovers or let pussy willows grow on them in the fridge! Keep a container in your freezer for all leftover meat (cut up into bite sized pieces), vegetables, sauce, broth, pasta, rice, beans, and any other foods you might use in soup. When the container is full, add whatever you like and enjoy a flavorful soup, served with muffins! Delicious!
Playing Restaurant ~ Our grandchildren were resistant to eating "leftovers" until our son-in-law came up with the idea of playing "restaurant" with them. He wears a white shirt, puts a dishtowel over his arm and uses a fake French accent as he tells each child what is on the menu (the various leftovers) and asks for their order. They each can order what they want to eat. It is warmed up in the microwave, and they love it. They look forward to "playing restaurant" every week or so and leftovers rarely go to waste. ~ Joe in Arizona - http://www.stretcher.com
A "New" Refrigerator for Less than $20 ~ When we remodeled our kitchen last summer, we looked at new appliances. We needed a new stove and bought a black flat top. Our refrigerator was white and looked out of place with our new black stove and black dishwasher (not to mention that with 5 children, it frequently had dirty fingerprints on the handles). Our refrigerator was only 5 1/2 years old, and new refrigerators like we wanted would cost us about $1500. We had spent enough money already, but my husband decided to turn our white refrigerator into a "new" black one. He bought a couple cans of black appliance epoxy paint. After a light sanding, he painted the refrigerator. For less than $20, we have a "new" refrigerator that looks great. Everyone thinks we bought a new refrigerator and is surprised to find out that we painted it.
Rachel K. - http://www.stretcher.com
Memories ~ Remember those little T-shirts your children got when they were small and you just couldn't part with them so you saved them in a box or a bag somewhere? Well, I sewed the arms and neck closed and stuffed it. After stuffing, I sewed it across the bottom and my child not only had a pillow, but the tee got used more! She is 12 now and still uses it. It's big/small enough to fit into a bag for a sleep over. She used it for naptime in kindergarten and it sits upon her bed to this day. Plus, I just throw it in the wash with towels and it's clean again! ~ Peggy B. in Wyandotte, MI - http://www.stretcher.com
Bird Baths ~ Giving your children a full-fledged bath every night isn't always necessary, and it may also cause their skin to dry out. For small toddlers, an alternative is to give them a "Bird Bath" at the bathroom or kitchen sink. Have everything you need right there, because of course, you can't leave your baby to run and retrieve the PJ's. Lay a hand towel on the counter next to the sink as a non-skid seat for the slippery child, as well as to soak up the drips, and then sponge her off. Later let her feet get a good washing in the sink. You'll have a clean baby using less time and water!
Storage Bin Splash Cubicle ~ Turn a deep storage bin into an outdoor water splashing cubicle for your small child, add toys and bubbles, but do remember not to leave him for even one minute. This could be a great way for a summer bath just before bedtime as well.
Cooler Carseats ~ Cover carseats with windshield sunshades or reflective emergency blankets to keep them cooler.
Baby-Proof Your Fireplace Hearth ~ Cut a lengthwise slit halfway through one or two long pool noodles, which can be found at a dollar store. Fit the cut part of the noodle over the edge of the fireplace hearth. No tape should be needed, as it will cling to the edge. Soft pillows placed around the hearth will help prevent head bumps and scrapes as well.
Drip Dry Rod ~ Hang an extra shower curtain rod inside the bathtub just next to the regular shower curtain rod. Clothes can be hung there to drip dry, with the shower curtain closed.
Changing Pads ~ Cut a shower curtain or vinyl tablecloth into multiple diaper changing pads (2'x3'). Or if you sew, lay two pieces of fabric, approximately 2'x3', right sides together, with fleece on the bottom. Pin the edges and sew a 1/4 inch seam around the edge, leaving about 6 inches to turn right side out. After turning, press, hand sew the small opening shut and topstitch all around the edge. Burp Cloths can be made the same way.
Library Benefits ~ Libraries have much more than books to borrow at no cost, as long as you return everything on time. (Mark your calendar!) You can find books on how to do almost anything, children's story books, videos, CD's, DVD's, current newspapers and magazines. Some libraries even loan out art work and cake pans of various shapes for your children's birthday cakes! Years ago, however, I found that I had to be discerning on which books and videos we brought home for our children, with so many on witchcraft, and I know it's worse now! You may also want to take advantage of Story Hour and puppet shows.
Check Over Your Receipts ~ I try to check over my receipts and it definitely pays off. During two consecutive trips to the grocery store recently, the inexperienced cashiers forgot to use my coupons ($17), and had I not remembered, they would have been useless. I was also charged the regular price rather than the sale price on three items ($5), and got home without five items I paid for ($7). So being alert saved me about $30.
Waxed Cereal Liners ~ Save these durable, free liners! They make good splatter guards while microwaving. Lay a liner over a plate of food or slip a small plate inside the liner. Bake potatoes in the microwave inside these bags. Prick the potatoes first so they won't explode, and arrange them in a circle for even baking. Clip shut or simply twist and fold under the opening. Use them to store homemade bread and other food in as well.
SPICY ZUCCHINI CARROT BREAD
(Can use 2 cups of one vegetable. Wrap individual servings of this healthy snack in plastic wrap. Freeze ahead in waxed cereal liners for a quick and easy delicious addition to lunches!)
1 1/2 cups zucchini, grated 3 large eggs
1/2 cup carrot, grated 1 cup applesauce
1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 cup sucanat (natural sugar)
3 1/4 cups whole wheat and unbleached flour 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon lemon peel
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 cup raisins
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 8x4 inch loaf pans. Combine the zucchini and carrots with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and let set for 20 minutes. Drain excess liquid that forms. Mix together the dry ingredients and set aside. Beat eggs, and add applesauce, sucanat and pumpkin, while continuing to beat. Mix in the vanilla and lemon peel, then the carrot and zucchini. Add the dry ingredients a little at a time, being careful not to over mix. Slowly mix in the nut and raisins. Pour into prepared pans and bake for an hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely. Makes 2 loaves.
A LITTLE SCIENCE IN THE KITCHEN TO HELP THE GROCERY BILL
Copyright 2008 - By Mary Hunt - http://www.CheapskateMonthly.com - Used by permission
(Note from Lois: This is a good article explaining why produce spoils, and what you can do to prevent it. If you do not use the green bags for produce, this is another option. The idea behind the package of twenty green bags, which I found at CVS for under ten dollars, is that these bags absorb the ethylene gas produced by fruits and vegetables which causes them to spoil. They really do extend the life of produce, and help prevent spoilage and waste - stretching the food dollars!)
By now you may have picked up on the fact that I, your humble columnist, am on a quest to stop being so wasteful.
Ive started in the kitchen, employing every tip and trick out there for making foodespecially fresh producelast long enough to be used up. Im tired of my garbage disposal being the best-fed member of the family.
A recent tip from a reader, who said the best way to ripen a banana is to stick it into a paper bag with an apple, reminded me of something called ethylene gas. I know, that is an odd association, but youre about to understand why this is so important.
Most fruits and vegetables generate ethylene gas while they ripen. This gas is a very active plant hormone. Ive learned the hard way that when I am not organized, good old ethylene can ruin the vegetables, turn the bananas black and jack up my food bill in a big hurry.
Leafy vegetableseven very small amountsare very sensitive to ethylene. Lettuce, for example, begins to decay when exposed to ethylene gas, even in the refrigerator. Items particularly sensitive to ethylene gas, such as broccoli and bananas, will spoil quickly if stored in the same area as avocados, melons, and apples, which are ethylene producers.
This means we need to keep our vegetables away from the fruits to make our fresh foods last longer. This may explain why your refrigerator has two crisper drawers.
These Create Ethylene Gas: apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, citrus fruits (except grapefruit), cranberries, figs, guavas, grapes, green onions, honeydew, ripe kiwi fruit, mangoes, melons, mushrooms, nectarines, okra, papayas, passion fruit, peaches, pears, persimmons, pineapple, plantains, plums, prunes, quinces, tomatoes and watermelon.
These Become Damaged by Ethylene Gas: asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, cucumbers, cut flowers, eggplant, endive, escarole, florist greens, green beans, kale, kiwi fruit, leafy greens, lettuce, parsley, peas, potatoes, potted plants, romaine lettuce, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, watercress and yams.
Of course you can use ethylene gas to your favor. Try this: Place an unripe avocado in a plastic or paper bag by itself and it will ripen much more quickly because the ethylene gas is trapped inside and becomes concentrated.
Ditto for bananas. Since they produce ethylene, they can be manipulated to ripen themselves more quickly inside a bag than if left out in the open air. And remember to add an apple to the bag when youre in a big hurry, since apples are big-time ethylene producers!
Check out more Mary Hunt articles on grocery savings:
Think Outside the Supermarket to Save Money
Supersaver Grocery Secrets Need Doctoring Up
Cook For a Day, Eat for a Month (DPL Members)
FUN KIDS' ACTIVITIES AND CRAFTS THEY'LL LOVE
Before school begins, or anytime, why not build more good family memories by planning special creative fun for your children or grandchildren? These stilts remind me of the sturdy wooden stilts my dad made for us kids when we were young, using two solid triangular wooden blocks fastened securely onto two sticks. We had such fun "walking tall" with those stilts!
Kaboose and Family Crafts have each given prior permission to post their activities for you, so enjoy doing one or more of these now or later! You can click either the title of each craft or copy and paste the link to see these wonderful instructions.
Watermelon Piñata - Parties or Decoration - Age Group: 8 & up | Difficulty Level: Average
Paper Plate Porthole - Age Group: 6 & up | Difficulty Level: Easy
Kids' Can Stilts - Age Group: 7 & up | Difficulty Level: Average
Sand Sculpture - Age Group: 5 & up | Difficulty Level: Easy
How to Make Shadow Puppets ~ Teach your kids to have fun without their toys by bringing shadows to life. See how to make a dog, swan, and rabbit with nothing but your hands, light, and a little imagination. http://video.about.com/familycrafts/How-to-Make-Shadow-Puppets.htm
A Challenge for Mom and Dad: You might work on putting on a shadow puppet show with a spiritual message for a meaningful family night! Then encourage the children to do the same!
Crafting Tutorials ~ If you are new to crafting or just want to learn how to do a new technique or use a specific medium, check out these educational how-to's and tutorials.
WHAT'S YOUR ACTION POINT?
© Dr. Scott Turansky & Joanne Miller, RN - Used by permission.
About this Article: This idea was adapted from the book, "Home Improvement" by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN. Visit them online at: http://www.effectiveparenting.org/
Why do some parents get kids to bed easier or earlier than others? Or, why do children respond differently in the classroom, on the playground, and in the home? The answer to these questions has a number of parts, but one piece of the puzzle is what we call an action point.
An action point reveals the cues that you mean business, that the words you are saying now are not just a suggestion but that they are an instruction you expect your child to follow. An action point is the point in the interaction where you stop talking and start acting by giving a consequence.
In some situations, the action point is very long in coming. Why do babysitters get taken advantage of? Some babysitters have no action point. Grandmas fall into two categories. Either they are critical because your action point isn't tight enough or they have very little action point at all.
We don't want to suggest that you avoid talking and just start commanding children around with threats of impending doom. What we're suggesting is that your children need cues besides anger that the discussion is over and it's time to follow through.
It may be a particular kind of look or tone of voice or a choice of words. One dad said, "When I give an instruction, I try to use my daughter's name and I'll say the word 'now' ... for example,
'Kristen, please go get in the car now.' "
Children are smart and they learn different action points from various parents, teachers and leaders. In some ways, it might be helpful to view it as a game recognizing that kids learn how to play you. They continue what they're doing up until the point when they know you'll take action. Your children know your action point.
Take time to decide what you want that action point to look like. Avoid meanness and teach your children cues that will avoid harshness or anger. Those cues can be a great asset in keeping relationships healthy.
To learn more about your action point, read the book, "Home Improvement: Eight Tools for Effective Parenting" by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.
LOOKING FOR MR. RIGHT
By Dave Boehi - © 2008 - http://www.familylife.com - Used by permission from Family Life Today
(Note from Lois: Many subscribers are single or have children who are at the age where they are hoping to marry in the future. This article may help you as Christian parents, to guide your children in realizing some of the most important characteristics to look for in a husband or wife. Dad and/or Mom may want to create a special occasion such as a dinner date with your daughter or son, to talk about these important things - the earlier in their teen years, the better. This important topic of attributes to possess as well as look for in a mate can also be brought up in your day to day lives as the opportunity arises. Then before leaving for college, a refresher course would be a good idea. Another powerful factor is praying for each of your children and their future mate every day. And now on with the article!)
I visit a lot of different websites each week, searching for interesting articles or for story ideas. The New York Times website is one of my favorites, and while there I always look at a little box that lists the "most emailed stories" of the day.
If one article keeps showing up on this list day after day, you know it has attracted an unusual amount of interest. And this was the case recently with an article titled "An Ideal Husband," by columnist Maureen Dowd. It stayed on the "most emailed" list for about a week, which means that somehow the column struck a chord with many readers.
It's a simple article, actually. It raises the question: How do you know if you've found someone who would make a good husband? Dowd then introduces Father Pat Connor, a 79-year-old Catholic priest who "has spent his celibate life -- including nine years as a missionary in India -- mulling connubial bliss. His decades of marriage counseling led him to distill some 'mostly common sense' advice about how to dodge mates who would maul your happiness."
Connor's advice is the type of practical wisdom you don't normally find in the New York Times. (Perhaps that is one reason the article was so popular!)
For example:
- "Never marry a man who has no friends. This usually means that he will be incapable of the intimacy that marriage demands."
- "Does he use money responsibly?"
- "Steer clear of someone whose life you can run, who never makes demands counter to yours. It's good to have a doormat in the home, but not if its your husband."
- "Does he have a sense of humor? That covers a multitude of sins."
- "Don't marry a problem character thinking you will change him. He's a heavy drinker, or some other kind of addict, but if he marries a good woman, he'll settle down. People are the same after marriage as before, only more so."
- "Take a good, unsentimental look at his family -- you'll learn a lot about him and his attitude towards women."
- "Does he possess those character traits that add up to a good human being -- the willingness to forgive, praise, be courteous? Or is he inclined to be a fibber, to fits of rage, to be a control freak, to be envious of you, to be secretive?"
What would be on your list of attributes for a prospective husband--or wife? What would you say to a friend or child who asked, "What should I look for?"
I like Connor's advice, but I would add some questions about spiritual compatibility. To me, a couple's spiritual foundation is the key factor for making a marriage work.
The first question is, "Are both of you Christians?" As the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?"
Let me quote from Preparing for Marriage, a premarriage manual I edited and co-wrote with three colleagues here at FamilyLife:
This passage makes it clear that a Christian should only marry another Christian. Marriage is not a man-made institution. God created it. Its fullest enjoyment and expression can only be found in two people who have a relationship with Him.
When Christians fail to obey God in this critical area, they experience a growing frustration after marriage:
- They are unable to discuss the most precious, intimate part of their lives with their mates.
- They have conflicting goals and expectations.
- They clash over the values they teach their children.
- They have differing circles of friends.
- They have difficulty communicating and resolving conflict.
A second question is, "Do you both share the same commitment to spiritual growth and to serving God?" My observation is that many Christians avoid this second question; they know they need to marry another believer, but they allow infatuation, loneliness, or weariness of singlehood to cloud their minds about deeper spiritual compatibility. Quoting again from Preparing for Marriage:
1 John 2:15 tells us, "Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." You may both have received Christ, but if one of you is more focused on loving the world rather than loving God, you will experience many of the same conflicts as a believer and non-believer. Your goals and values will differ. Your lives will head in different directions. ...
To evaluate this area of your spiritual compatibility, begin by asking yourself questions such as:
- Do both of us share the same desire to know and please God?
- Do I have any sense that one of us is putting on a facade of spiritual commitment?
- Do our actions back up our words?
- Do we both consistently display a desire to obey God in all things?
- What priority does each of us place on ministering to other people?
- Are we both willing to follow God's direction?
When you are truly spiritually compatible, and are walking with God daily in the power of the Spirit, you are able to experience marriage the way God intended.
GOING OFF TO COLLEGE
If your children are not going to Christian colleges, encourage them, before they head off to secular colleges, to get connected to one of these good Christian organizations before leaving or immediately upon arrival. Campus Crusade, InterVarsity, and Navigators This could make all the difference in the world, in a day when Dr. Josh McDowell has found that 80% of young people, raised in Christian homes who had previously made a commitment to the Lord, are falling away from their faith. Being connected to other believers, staying in the Word of God, and prayer are key factors.
Two excellent resources heard about on the Point of View radio broadcast on July 28 (http://www.pointofview.net):
Jonathan Morrow, Founder, Think Christianly, Author: Welcome to College: A Christ Followers Guide for the Journey http://www.thinkchristianly.org
How to Stay Christian in College is an Interactive Guide to Keeping the Faith by J. Budziszewski: NAV Press - http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=835103&netp_id=320284&event=ESRCN&item_code=WW
MOMENTS FOR MOMS
By Elisabeth Corcoran - info@elisabethcorcoran.com - Copyright 2006 - Used by permission
I have a girlfriend whose son is about to undergo heart surgery. He's less than a year and a half old and he is one of those kids that just draws you in, that everyone thinks is simply precious. Seriously, I'm constantly telling him that I just want to eat him up, he is that sweet. Now, I suppose I could be a bit biased, seeing as I love my friend so much that maybe it just overlaps onto her kids or that I had the privilege of being in the delivery room when he was born, but I don't think that's it. In fact, his dad mentioned to me that his father had been praying that people would be drawn to him, and they are.
But now onto his heart. Can you imagine, really, what my friend must be going through? It's coming up in a matter of weeks. I'm trying to put together a little prayer calendar for her with some of her friends each taking a day, and we're getting them some giftcards to restaurants so they don't have to worry about a few meals, but my hands feel tied. I have no idea how to help her handle this. He will more than likely get through this beautifully, but just the waiting and the unknowing before and during and after - the emotions that she must be experiencing are something I'm having a hard time relating to.
Then again, maybe, it's kinda easy to relate. Maybe it's just about the same as not knowing how any given situation is going to play out and when you get to that point of realizing that you have pretty much nothing to do with the outcome - with any outcome of any situation. I think we think this only happens in really big situations or when really bad things happen or when you're left hanging in the balance. But we are being deceived when we think we plan out our day or our week and assume that because we've put some thought to it, that's how it'll turn out. We are not in control of the big things in life, but we're not in control of the little things either.
Sometimes that small fact can tick me off - I want to know that my hard work and organization and Type A status is doing me some good. But if I think about it for just a few moments, I realize that I have no desire really to be in charge of anything. That I'm so grateful that Someone else is in control, even when it doesn't feel like he is. He had things worked out way before I came on the scene and has things pretty much taken care of long past I make my exit. But here's the thing, ladies - we know the very end of the story. All the ups and downs we go through down here - just chapters, not the end all, be all. There will be an eventual happily ever after when all the loose ends get wrapped up, all the questions answered, and all the nonsense will make sense. And that is the bigger hope that we can all hold onto, no matter what our day is looking like, no matter what situation we're called to walk into, no matter what unknowing we have to wait out.
Elisabeth Corcoran: Author of In Search of Calm: Renewal for a Mothers Heart (2005) and Calm in My Chaos: Encouragement for a Moms Weary Soul (2001). http://www.elisabethcorcoran.com.
Pray open hearts as the gospel goes forth during the Olympics to reach many for Christ.
OLYMPIC CRAFTS ~ http://holidays.kaboose.com/Olympics.html/?source=newsletter
Create kids' crafts inspired by the Olympics such a medal, torch, or flag. A fun way for children to celebrate the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, China.
Craft Stick Balance Beam Colored Streamers Gold Medals Ceremonial Craft Torch Swim Goggles Colored Ring Flag Winner's Medal
BREATHTAKING ~ See if you can breathe while watching this video: http://videos.komando.com/2008/07/23/russian-bar-routine ~ Thanks to Karen Coughlin in Florida!
THE MARATHON
Author unknown - Thanks to Deanna Oney and Rachael Breneman, both in Ohio for this touching story and video!
A son asked his father, 'Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?' The father who, despite having a heart condition, says 'Yes'. They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying 'Yes' to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his father, 'Dad, let's join the Ironman together.' To which, his father said, 'Yes.'
For those who didn't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.
Father and son went on to complete the race together. See the video of the duo here: http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=8cf08faca5dd9ea45513
MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONAL TIPS
Common sense tips to save time and energy and make your life easier and more productive.
By Lois Breneman, © Revised 2008, Heart to Heart Newsletter, jhbreneman@juno.com
When you have a difficult decision to make, you and your husband may want to list the advantages and disadvantages on paper to help you see the situation in black and white. This really helps in making wise decisions!
Make a prayer list on large index cards or type out on the computer. You might alternate several different prayer lists, with some of the same requests listed on each one, as you and your husband pray together, as we do. Topics include our family, friends, church, pastors, those who have physical or spiritual needs, wayward children, single parents, our country, Christian ministries, missionaries (each card concentrates on a specific part of the world), the Heart to Heart Newsletter, subscribers, and other requests as they arise.
For your own personal Bible study time, some methods that may be helpful are: (1) Read through the Bible; (2) Study one particular book at a time; (3) Do topical studies - Example: Child Discipline, peace and contentment, the fruit of the spirit, courage, prayer, marriage, forgiveness, work, giving, etc.; (4) Study a verse word by word; (5) Write down all the verses you have memorized. Review them; (6) Write a poem centered around a Scripture verse or doctrine. (7) Sing hymns and choruses.
Buy or make gifts to keep on hand, for birthdays, weddings, new babies, graduations, etc., so you don't need to run to the store so often, and be tempted to buy more than you should. If you come across a nice gift that is a real bargain, you might want to purchase that item in multiples to have on hand as gifts.
Store all your gift-wrapping items together - paper, bows, tape, scissors, cards, pen. A wastecan is great for storing rolls of gift wrap. Plain Christmas gift wrap in a solid green, red, gold or silver is appropriate year round.
Store all your correspondence items in one place: stationery, cards, pens, stamps, return address labels, envelopes, stickers, rubber stamps, etc.
Plan a day to run errands all at once. List the places you need to go and what you need to buy or drop off there. This will eliminate back-tracking or forgetting. Planning your day in a clockwise manner to eliminate as many left-hand turns as possible also saves time and gas. Apply the same rule to yard sales.
Learn to double your time by multi-tasking. While waiting in the doctor's office, for children in a carpool or while watching TV, you could read, scan a book, write a letter, memorize scripture, cross-stitch or do mending. Or at home you could jump on a trampoline, ride an exercise bike or walk, while you memorize Scripture, pray or listen to a tape.
Choose or make birthday and anniversary cards for friends and relatives for one year at a time. Address the envelopes, add the return address label, write the special date at the spot where the stamp will go and sign the card. You may want to embellish the envelope with rubber stamps designs. When it is time to mail the card, add a note or letter, if you wish (or have the time). If not, lick it, stamp it, mail it and it is done! Record on your calendar the day you should mail the card, so you remember to mail it on time.
A large calendar is a great way to keep track of a busy family. Have everyone write in his or her own appointments in easy-to-spot, different colored inks. Teenagers should be responsible for getting their activities posted before the day of the activity so plans can be made.
Use a file folder system. If you can't keep up with the magazine and newspaper articles, tear them out, fold and file them. Read them when you can. This will save on a lot of clutter in your house. You will know where to look for information when you need it. Examples of categories: Recipes, Health, Cancer Prevention, Gardening, Children under Two, Children, Teenagers, Religion in the News, Home Schooling, Public Schools, Christian Schools, Alcohol and Driving, Appliances, Warranties, Use and Care Booklets, Roanoke, Virginia Attractions, Abortion, Interior Design, Colleges, Weddings, Graduation, Marriage, Parenting, Crafts, etc.
Phone numbers to post by your phone: Time and Temperature, Emergency, Weather, Poison Control, Children's Stories, City or County Extension Agent (Home Economist and Horticulturist available to answer your questions).
Write or type names and phone numbers of people you call most often on a large colorful index card. Laminate and keep by the phone. Make one for each phone in the house. You will save a lot of time when in a hurry. Using the computer is an even more efficient way to do this.
Keep addresses in a recipe box on 3 x 5 index cards. If there is a change, you can keep it up to date by inserting a new card. No need to erase or cross out.
Make a weekly schedule of your family's favorite TV and radio programs with the times and stations listed. There are many educational TV programs which teach cooking, painting, drawing, sewing, gardening, home decorating, vocabulary, science, math, first aid, geography, language, etc. Many of these are very worthwhile. There are also many Christian radio and TV programs which are available, though discernment is needed. By listing special ones that would benefit your family, you would have all that information readily available at your fingertips.
A carrying caddy is nice for cleaning supplies or audio cassette tapes. They fit exactly.
The next time you pack for a trip, write up a Packing List on the computer, and print a few copies. This will save making a list each time, and you'll never forget panty hose, an umbrella or a blow dryer. Have a section for the various seasons. List things like "Arrangements for mail and newspaper," with the appropriate phone number or web site to hold your mail or newspaper. Have teens make their own list and pack for themselves.
Make or buy a pocket wall organizer to store things that normally make a pile of clutter in most homes. Clear shoe pocket organizers can work for this. Label the pockets temporarily with Post It Notes. After you decide what you want to store in the pockets, you could label in a more permanent way. Some suggested labels for pockets might be: Menus, Home Schooling, Church, Immediate Attention, Things to File, Receipts, Coupons, Craft Ideas, Correspondence Record, Gifts Given, Cute Quotes from Kids, Quotes & Poems, Money Saving Ideas, Items Ordered, Refunding, Grocery List, Youth Group, Pens, Index Cards, Scissors, etc.
Shelf expanders are great if you need more room for storage. Check department stores.
Clear storage boxes are nice for storing children's clothing, toys, seasonal decorations, extra knick knacks, you name it!
Clear plastic shoe pocket organizers are great for inside the coat closet for gloves, scarves, umbrellas, sunglasses. They are also great inside the hall closet for small medical supplies so you can see them at a glance for Band-Aids, small tubes of meds, thermometer, bulb syringe, and samples from mail. Being able to see things at a glance is important.
Clear plastic shoe boxes are also nice for storage. Sturdy cardboard shoe boxes (labeled) also work well. Cover with fabric and glue into place for nice looking stackable storage!
Shoe boxes make great gift boxes. Cover the lid with wrapping paper. Wrap the box separately. If you need a quick gift, just get a gift from your box with pre-purchased or pre-made gifts, and put it in your pre-wrapped box with some tissue paper! Here's where your organization pays off!
If you need a filing cabinet, purchase the deepest one you can find. The same amount of wall space is needed, no matter how deep, so you might as well get the maximum use.
Keep scrap paper and a pen handy - near each phone, in your bedside stand, as well as in the bathroom. You'll be surprised at all the ideas you'll have while putting on your makeup or lying in bed. Jot them down. A dull pencil in this case is better than the sharpest mind.
A divided tray can be used as a makeup tray.
Bricks are helpful in raising up items in the back of a deep shelf so you can see everything at a glance. Cover bricks with contact paper, if you wish.
Small pieces of scrap lumber are useful in creating more shelf space. Stand two pieces of 2 x 4" scraps on their sides. Lay a divided tray or a board for a shelf over the top, and you have an extra shelf.
Small baskets are handy for storing all kinds of things. If your grocery store displays fruits or vegetables in baskets, go early in the morning and ask if you may have the empty baskets, if they just toss them. Our grocery store used to have mushroom baskets that were free for the asking. Cloth liners could be sewn for them to be used for many different items.
Rubbermaid turntables are great for spices (in alphabetical order like at the store, so you can find them easily), medicine, cleaning supplies, etc. Check the dollar stores for these too.
Desk organizers help to keep paper clips, rubber bands, etc. orderly. Tiny boxes in a desk drawer also work well to separate items. Stationery and jewelry boxes work.
Six drawer organizers are great organizational and storage helpers! Multiple uses!
Have two clothes rods in your closet halfway across (upper for blouses and lower for skirts). Lower the rods in a child's room so he/she can reach them.
Vertical storage for socks and underwear works great! Store socks in drawers, folded in half, with heels always to the same side for neatness. Stand a pile of socks on their side, with socks back to back to each other. Use small boxes in a drawer to separate from other clothing items, if necessary. Underwear and boxer shorts both work well if folded into thirds (left side to center, right side to center, then folded in half the other way. Store in drawer in the same manner as the socks - on end. Handkerchiefs store neatly in this manner as well. This method helps keep a drawer neat and gives visibility to every item in the drawer! Works great!
You may want to keep a weight chart for you and your husband, so you know when you need to cut down and lose a few pounds. Then again, you may not!
A neat and orderly way to store necklaces and bracelets is by hanging them on push pins stuck into a bulletin board, cork board, or the side or back wall of your closet. They are out of sight if using the inside of your closet and don't collect dust.
Store your earrings in a shallow drawer. First line the drawer with a towel or piece of fabric that will not slide around. Place your earrings in groups according to color. This makes them easy to find at a glance.
If you have ever locked your car keys in your house, your car or your trunk, attach your house and car keys to your purse with a matching shoestring, sturdy ribbon or a key clip. This also prevents your keys from getting lost inside your purse. Keep an extra set of keys in your wallet, as well, in case you lock your keys in the car. Then hang on to your purse!
HUMOR IN THE FAMILY
I had just taken some angel biscuits out of the oven and was putting in the creamed corn bread when my five year old grandson came into the kitchen and spied the platter of biscuits.
Out of his mouth spilled these words... " I love those, they are my favorite! I have never had them before." ~ Paula Archer in Nebraska
I went to the car lot the other day to pick up our new 'family' vehicle. My grandson, 5, spotted an unopened bottle of water from the weekend. He said, "I found my bottle of water." I replied, "That is probably mine." To which resulted in him lifting the bottle to his nose, taking a big long sniff and saying, "Nope, it's mine ~ smells like my germs!" I lost it! ~ Paula Archer, Nebraska
A grandma was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her granddaughter, as she had done many times before. After she had applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" ~ sent by Linda Crosby in Virginia
Please remember to pray for each dear Heart to Heart lady and her family as you receive your newsletter. Many ladies are going through very tough times and need our prayers!
Pray each day for the protection of our troops, as well as for their families left at home!
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