Flying Solo

My baby is gone. She learned how to ride a two-wheeler and took off. It’s a mother’s worst nightmare. Your child is ready to spread her wings, but you just want to smother those growing appendages in a bear hug and hold on for dear life. This summer, my little fledgling was itching to take flight and she used her beloved bike to soar… far away from home. Too far. Way too far. What started out as a request to ride solo to the end of our cul-de-sac morphed into a journey stretching several blocks into an unfamiliar neighborhood filled … Continue reading

Has This Ever Happened To You?

Yesterday I took Dylan and Blake out for a day of errands and shopping. We have gone out for errands and shopping many times before, but yesterday a few things happened that left me wondering whether other moms have experienced similar situations. The first incident happened when we were at a consignment store. I had brought in a bunch of baby clothes that Blake has already grown out of, and the store owner was looking through the box, deciding what she wanted to buy. I was looking through baby clothes in Blake’s current size and Dylan was beside me until … Continue reading

Be Careful What You Wish For

Has anyone ever told you to be careful what you wished for? I was reminded of that when I was first divorced and Hailey would go to her father’s for the weekend. I remember so many times thinking, I wish she would be quiet for just a minute, it’s so noisy in here I can’t even hear myself think! Then her father picked her up for that first weekend visit. Suddenly the house was too quiet, and I was at an absolute loss as to what to do with myself while she was gone. It got easier as time went … Continue reading

How to Make Your Home More Earth Friendly

There are simple things that you can do in your home to make it more Earth friendly. Make a few changes or a complete overhaul. Either way, you will be making an impact that can affect future generations. Speaking of future generations, a lot of these ideas are great for kids. Assign children appropriate earth-friendly tasks around your home. Not only will they learn a great lesson about being environmentally responsible, but they will also get a kick out of being in charge. Purchase and place reusable shopping bags in the front hall closet, so you can grab them on … Continue reading

Multi-Generational Fall Getaways

Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you have to kiss the sun, sand and surf goodbye until spring. Fall is one of the best times of the year to score travel deals on beach getaways. In fact, some of the price reductions are so generous you can invite grandma and grandpa along for the ride. The change in temperature often means a dip in prices for multi-generational vacation packages to sunny locations, such as the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii and the Carolinas. Since autumn is considered “off-season” at the aforementioned beach destinations, not only will you and your entire … Continue reading

The Bright Side

Forget about the kids; are you ready for a new school year? Ready or not, once Labor Day ends back-to-school structure and schedules will snowball into a massive avalanche of the “new norm”. No more bedtimes in the double digits, no more meals around an open fire, no more swimming before breakfast. Back to pencils, books and teacher’s dirty looks… and mom nagging about unfinished homework. I already listed a litany of reasons why I am not looking forward to back-to-school, but I neglected to mention that a small part of me is harboring some optimism about the return to … Continue reading

Christmas Shopping for Baby

Last night my husband and I perused the toy aisle in Walmart, looking for ideas for our son’s Christmas present. He is just over a year and a half now, and pretty much anything that has wheels or involves horses is sure to get him excited. The problem we’ve been facing is trying to find a toy that will not only reflect his favorite things, but will also be age appropriate and hopefully so for a long time. We don’t want to get him something that he will outgrow in 3-6 months. It should at least last until next Christmas … Continue reading

How I Got My Home Gym For Free

The fact that I’m frugal spreads over into every part of my life, from my diet and clothing, to my health routines. Of course, I wouldn’t sacrifice my health just to save a buck, but I do look for free ways to work out. A lot of doctors recommend walking, but since I live in Tucson, Arizona, walking outdoors any time between the hours of 6am and 9pm isn’t going to happen, especially during the summer. I don’t like being uncomfortable, and trudging around in the heat kills any of my good intentions to exercise. Staying indoors where the temperature … Continue reading

Advanced Thrift Store Tips

By now you have figured out that shopping at thrift stores can really save you money. or maybe you have tried shopping the thrift stores and have been disappointed with selection or prices. Either way, take a look at some advanced thrift store tips that will help you net the real bargains, such as a brand new Barbie bike for $5 or 5 pairs of name brand jeans for $3. Know when to shop Because thrift stores have a changing inventory, it is important to know when to shop. If you want the best selection, shop during the week, preferably … Continue reading

So Many Ways to Get Free Stuff

Did you know that despite the economy, there are so many ways to get free stuff? It is unbelievable how many different opportunities there are to supply your home and your family with items that you need for free. Here are my favorite ways to get stuff absolutely for free. And don’t forget, when it comes to getting things for free, be sure to return the favor or pass it forward. People you know Your friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers can be a great source of free items. Chances are pretty good that the people you already know have exactly … Continue reading