Search Results for: blog packing part one what to know before you go

Let There Be Light

I can see it, smell it, and almost touch it. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel. And by tunnel I mean my daughter’s school year. In two weeks I will enjoy a treasured reprieve from the worst mom job ever—packing school lunches. I abhor the near daily ritual, which hurts my brain, as much as it does my wallet. I’ve endured this penitent practice for nearly three years and I still haven’t figured out what I can pack that my now 8-year-old won’t toss into the school’s 80-gallon garbage barrel. Aside from the torment of devising a … Continue reading →

Pack Your Bag It’s Time To Go

If you are getting close to your delivery date, it is time to pack your bag for the trip of a lifetime. Before you drag out your suitcase and start tossing in your sunscreen and beach blanket, I should tell you that it’s a different kind of trip. That all important trip to the hospital (if you are planning to give birth at a hospital) where you will give birth to your baby. In the interest of full disclosure, I must say that with both pregnancies I did not pack my bag for the hospital until right before I left. … Continue reading →

Freelancing Mistakes To Avoid – Part 1

Being a freelance home – based professional can be very rewarding and very freeing. It can also be very scary and very challenging. Before you jump in to the world of freelance work with both feet, take a minute to look at this list of some common problems faced by freelance professionals. Don’t worry, I would not just toss you a list of problems to be aware of and wish you luck in avoiding them. Ideas for how you can avoid these problems are right here alongside them so that you and other freelancers who may be going through tough … Continue reading →

Cupcake War

I’ve been known to indulge in a cupcake or two… or six, at times. Typically, I follow the splurge with a few miles on the treadmill or an extra-long bike ride. Not exactly the healthiest of patterns, but it supports the philosophy that in order to avoid packing on the pounds you need to burn more calories than you consume. Interestingly, that simple equation is at the center of a controversial ban being implemented in Massachusetts public schools. Beginning August 1st, the state is no longer allowing bake sales to take place on school grounds. In addition, Massachusetts is unveiling … Continue reading →

Cool Places to Visit in 2012

There’s one thing I learned very quickly working in TV news in Wisconsin during the winter months: Never do a happy dance on-air when the meteorologist says there’s no snow in sight for the foreseeable future. For someone born and raised in Hawaii, that’s great news. For skiers, snowboarders and business owners, who rely on the white stuff, not so much. So, anyway, I learned quick to keep my lip zipped and refrain from busting a move when I would hear that there was no snow in the forecast. I saved my happy dance for the commercial breaks. I suppose … Continue reading →

Home Security

As a single mother with a young daughter there are times that I feel particularly vulnerable. One of the worst was when I we first moved from our apartment into the house I bought. The first couple nights I didn’t really notice, I was too tired, unpacking, cleaning, moving furniture, when I went to bed at night my eyes were closed before I hit the pillow. After the first couple of nights I started to notice how many different ways there are to get into my house, and I have to say I got a little nervous. I wanted to … Continue reading →

Packing Preparation Makes Travel Easier

If you want to have a smooth vacation, start with the preparation before travel. Being prepared can mean the difference between a fun get-away-from-it-all vacation to a stressed-out experience. If you are contemplating waiting until the last minute to pack and prepare then I have to warn you. Becoming frantic the night or two before the trip can carry over to your vacation, making it hard to relax. Here are some things that you can do to prepare for your travel. Laundry Get all of the laundry done well in advance of the trip. This way you can get that … Continue reading →

The Day After

Valentine’s Day has been and gone here in Australia but the feeling, the romance the caring for each other needs to remain. Yes, it is great to celebrate a special day like Valentine’s Day or a wedding anniversary, but make sure you don’t let the romance and the feeling of Valentine’s Day dissipate after the day. Those little acts of showing your spouse you care need to be an everyday occurrence. Each day ensure you find one thing at least to encourage your marriage partner about, or one thing you can do to show them you love them and that … Continue reading →

Three Reasons to Get a Shopping Buddy

Grocery shopping presents new challenges in the third trimester. Walking up and down each aisle is a little more tiring that usual. Pelvic pain can make a shopping trip miserable. Reaching items on the top shelf or squatting down to pick up items off the bottom shelf becomes embarrassingly difficult. Lifting a case of water seems impossible. And just when you think you’ve gotten through the worst part, you arrive at the checkout and realize you can’t reach the items in the bottom of the cart because your belly is in the way! The solution? Enlist a shopping buddy. Call … Continue reading →

Words That Stay with You

Never underestimate the power of music in your Christian life. I find it is a great help in reinforcing Christian truths. Last week, as our music group practiced the songs for Sunday, one of them was The Potter’s Hand. It was one I hadn’t been familiar with until I came to my current church after we moved house but the words of the song have stayed with me throughout the week like a daily prayer. Have a look at the words here and see if maybe you might want to adopt them as a daily prayer perhaps to start the … Continue reading →