Search Results for: blog your big backyard

Build Your Own Fire Pit

When our store-bought fire pit became a victim of one nasty storm (a tree limb fell on it and crushed a big dent into it), we started to look around for a new one. The problem was that it was out of season, so such things weren’t easy to come by, unless we wanted to special order one in the hundreds of dollars. The one we had was a clearance item at our local grocery store and cost us less than $60. It was functional and decorative and served us well. We looked around a bit and couldn’t find anything … Continue reading →

Check Over Your Insurance This Holiday Season

You are probably really busy right now. December is filled with family get-togethers, shopping for presents, wrapping those gifts, and many celebrations. Now is also a good time to dig out your insurance policies, and check them over. They might not cover what you think they do! Christmas trees and decorations pose potential dangers that you wouldn’t face at other times of the year. Trees that are placed too close to a heat source can ignite. Christmas trees that are covered in strands of lights that are frayed, or that are all plugged into an overloaded outlet, can also go … Continue reading →

The Big Stick at the Park

Like most people living in a city or suburb we have a park within walking distance. It’s got big grassy fields, a swing set, a playground, and even a half basketball court and a place to play tennis. How did we get so lucky? It’s really a great place to take a short walk towards. A chance to get outside a little bit. Breathe some fresh air. Look at the leaves on the trees. Smell the roses. It’s also a great place to stay for a while. As a former child myself, it’s a place to remember how much energy … Continue reading →

What is the History of Your House?

Every house has stories to tell. Have you ever wondered about the families that lived in your house before you moved in? The area around your home must have gone through some changes over the years. What did things used to look like? You can use your genealogy skills to uncover the history of your house, and the people who used to live there. It can be fun to use your genealogy research skills in a slightly different way. You probably put a lot of thought into what you wanted in a home. If you have several children, you need … Continue reading →

Getting Fit With Your Four-Legged Friend

If you have a crazy work schedule, travel a lot or enjoy experimenting with unstructured fitness plans, then it might be challenging to find a consistent workout partner. Enter man’s best friend. Fido and Fifi often make ideal four-legged fitness companions. Exercising with a dog is the perfect solution for individuals, who long for company while they burn calories, but can’t seem to mesh schedules with a two-legged pal. That said there are some general tips you should consider before making your little wagster your main workout buddy: Agility activities: According to experts, medium dogs, especially herding breeds, are good … Continue reading →

How to Save Money on Your Wedding

Despite the economy, you still want a fabulous wedding, right? Well, with a few ideas, you can have a great wedding without settling for a backyard barbecue while wearing jeans and a veil (unless that is your dream wedding–then go for it!). Decide what is most important The best way to start with saving money on your wedding is to decide what means the most to you. This way, you’ll know where to concentrate your energy. Have your dreamt of a fabulous designer dress? Is the quality of the photography most important? How about the food or the bar? There … Continue reading →

What Would You Say to Your Pets?

I read an article in the January/February issue of BARK magazine that had me in tears. It was called Beyond Words: the light and the dark side of a relationship without speech. The article talked about a woman who said she would give a million dollars to be able to talk to her dog — and have the dog understand. The author of the article suggests sitting down and making a list of the things you would say to your pets, starting (probably) with “I love you.” That would certainly top my list. Moose, Lally: I love you both very … Continue reading →

Starry Nights, Spooky Blog Tours, and Dachshunds: An Interview with Author Christine Verstraete

This next interviewee’s name may look familiar to you since I’ve interviewed Christine Verstraete before. Last time it was about her miniature doll hobby and the dogs she often includes in her displays. This time around I asked if she’d be interested in talking about Petey, the dachshund who stars in her new book, Searching For A Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery. She again graciously agreed, and added something fun just in time for Halloween: details on her spooky blog tour and how you can enter to win a set of Halloween minis or a copy of her e-book, … Continue reading →

Should You Hold Your Child Back a Year?

One controversial idea that seems to be gaining in popularity is the practice of intentionally holding a child back or delaying the start of school by a year. Thus, students who are qualified to enter kindergarten at the age of five stay home or in preschool that extra year, only entering formal school at the age of six. Why is this happening and what should you do? There are a few reasons that parents are choosing to delay the start of a child’s formal schooling. One reason is to ensure that the child will be at the top of the … Continue reading →

Beware If Your Pet Gets Hurt During a Kennel Stay

Just as Aimee (and most of us pet owners) experiences separation anxiety when she has to be away from her pets for an extended length of time, so do I. But after what happened this last time we went away and came home from vacation to a hurt Murphy who needed surgery on his paw, I’m going to be even more anxious. And not at all inclined to entrust my Murph to any kennel. A Lesson in Responsibility Wayne and I learned very fast that the kennel was not going to accept any responsibility for Murph’s injury without us pressing … Continue reading →