Archive for June, 2012

YARD / GARAGE SALE: I have ideas (pricing & signs), tips, tricks, etc.!*

Vol. 3, No. 11, Saturday, June 30th, 2012 

TITLE:  “YARD / GARAGE SALE: I have ideas (pricing & signs), tips, tricks, etc.!*” 

INTRODUCTION 

 This week, I will talk about garage sales – in some places, they are called yard sales. My book of the week is:  “The Great Garage Sale Book: How to Run a Garage, Tag, Attic, Barn, or Yard Sale” [Paperback] by Sylvia Simmons (Author).   I just held one at my home and I want to share with you some of my experiences and the things that I learned. And yes, …. my price is firm! (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on homemakers: home and garden.) 

PREVIEW:  I will next turn to the romance theme next week … well sort of. I will write about showers … not the rain kind – instead of the marriage and baby kind. Now, that’s a real girl thing, isn’t it? (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on dating, relationships and marriage.) 

MY LIFE & TIMES*

I know about garage sales – it’s the best time and place for smart shoppers to find some big bargains. The few garage sales that I’ve been to, I found incredible stuff for amazing prices. Lately, I haven’t been to a garage sale. Personally, I would rather sleep in. If I could only make the time …

I had a girlfriend who bought stuff at a garage sale and estate sales in order to sell in her antique shop.  She knew what to look for and paid next to nothing for it. 

Hosting a garage sale is quite another thing. I’m no expert on such sales.  I’ve only had three in my life – the last was a few weeks ago. I’m happy to report that it was successful. The reason is simple. There was a lot of quality items on sale. And by the way, I had lots of help.

THE AUTHOR: Sylvia Simmons (Author)

Sylvia Simmons is a true blue expert on making money from junk.  She wrote a copy at an advertising agency and led a sales promotion department. Simmons was also a senior VP for corporate communications at three worldwide agencies. So you see, she knows how to sell stuff.

SERIES/COLLECTION 

Books/Articles:

Several are:

THE BOOK: The Great Garage Sale Book: How to Run a Garage, Tag, Attic, Barn, or Yard Sale [Paperback] by Sylvia Simmons (Author)  

This book is a good starting point to your joining the garage/yard sale elite players.  It gives you many suggestions. It also recognizes that this is not a serious subject – there is humor to make you smile. It’s fun and games. Aren’t you in need of some of that?

CONCLUSION

Give some thought about garage/yard sales. They are where opportunity is knocking!

Personal Comments

I say:

If you’re into bargain hunting,

  • Garage sales are just the ticket; and Saturday mornings are the best time for them. 
  • Getting there whenever means that you get the remnants – what others didn’t want. Getting there 15 minutes before the sale opens means that you will have the opportunity to buy the best items – indeed, this is what the dealers do!    
  • Going to a sale is an adventure for some people … the thrill of the hunt. 
  • Who knows … you might find hidden treasures in one of these garage sales. 
  • Of course, we’ve all heard the garage sales legend – people who bought paintings and household items and later found out that it was worth a lot of money. 
  • You know … someone’s junk could be someone else’s treasure! Why not yours?

If you’re giving a garage sale,

  • Know that it’s a lot of work.
  • It’s win- win; you’re getting rid of stuff that you no longer need and making some money from it – you’re also making room for you to go shopping yourself.
  • People who come usually do not expect to pay much. 

 The Point

 There’s a lot to be said about making money from junk.

 ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

If you’re planning to have a garage sale:

1.  Try to schedule your sale at the beginning of the month

2.  Check the weather forecast a week in advance to see if it’s clear and moderate temperatures.

3. Avertise in all the free papers and post signs everywhere you can; in this regard, 

3.1 Identify the place (address), directions, date and time (opening and closing), some of the worthwhile itmes, etc.   

3.2 Put flyers on telephone poles, bus stops, etc. – don’t forget the free community billboards at markets, pharmacies, etc.   

3.3 Make posters (BIGGGGG writing) and put them on garbage cans or your car at all corners off your street – pay attention to the busy streets/intersections.  

4. Get a municipal permit if required by law

5.  Display your items carefully – try to make everything visible

6.  Price everything carefully; in this regard,

6.1 Consider putting price labels.

6.2 Charge more for the better articles -remember that you can go down when the haggling begins. 

6.3 Bundle an item of quality with a lesser article in order to move the merchandise and increase sales  

6.4 Charge next to nothing for items of little value. 

6.5  Be flexible with the prices especially as the day winds down

7.  Chat with the people who come to your sale and be friendly

8.  Make a list of items as you sell and mark down the prices paid

If you’re planning to go to a garage sale

1  Check the paper for garage sales

2  Select the best sales, having the items of interest- consider the  neighborhoods

3  Get started VERY early

4  Bring cash

5. Bargain your prices down

A friend told me what his father used to say ( I am paraphrasing a bit): “Some people are one kind of chemists. They take money and make sh?t from it; I’m the other kind. I take sh?t and make money from it!”

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===============================================================

ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Two Bit President
“Despite his tenure as America’s 21st president (between 1881 and 1885), Chester A. Arthur is remembered for very little. One of his accomplishments, however, will not soon be forgotten (or, hopefully, repeated): Arthur remains the only president in American history… to hold a garage sale on the White House lawn.”  (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=5166)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Well, You Know…
“Some time after Barry Crimmins moved to New York from Cleveland, he and his companion stopped at a yard sale in upstate New York.  

 “And this [seventy-year-old man] started telling us this story about selling his cows to this guy we know. ‘Jewed him down, a bit.’ He just matter-of-factly said, ‘I jewed him down.’ And Karen was completely shocked … Karen headed off and I stayed for a minute pretending I was looking at a tractor.”

When the old man wondered why Karen had disappeared, Barry impishly declared: “Well, you know she is Jewish.” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4653) 

S & R* QUOTE #1: Albert Einstein 

 “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/) 

S & R* QUOTE #2: Golda Meir

 “Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/)

 S & R* QUOTE #3: Corita Kent 

“Life is a succession of moments. To live each one is to succeed.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) –  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/)

ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are:  “garage sale”; “bargaining”

Garage/Yard Sale

“A garage sale, also known as a yard sale, rummage sale, tag sale, lawn sale, attic sale, moving sale, garbage sale, or junk sale, is an informal, irregularly scheduled event for the sale of used goods by private individuals, in which “block sales” are allowed so that sellers are not required to obtain business licenses or collect sales tax. Typically the goods in a garage sale are unwanted items from the household with the home owners conducting the sale” (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garage_sale)

Bargaining

“Bargaining or haggling is a type of negotiation in which the buyer and seller of a good or service dispute the price which will be paid and the exact nature of the transaction that will take place, and eventually come to an agreement.” (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bargaining)

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:

“Typically the goods in a garage sale are unwanted items from the household with the home owners conducting the sale. The goods are sometimes new, like-new, or just usable. Some of these items are offered for sale because the owner does not want or need the item to minimize their possessions or to raise funds. Popular motivations for a garage sale are “Spring cleaning“, moving, or earn extra money. The seller displays their wares to the passers-by or those responding to signs, flyers, Craigslist postings, Facebook updates, Twitter posts or newspaper ads. Sometimes local television stations will broadcast a sale on the local public channel. The sales venue is typically a garage, driveway, carport, front yard, porch, or occasionally, the interior of a house. Some vendors, known as ‘squatters’, will set up in a highly trafficked area, and not on their own property. 

Staples of garage sales include old clothing, books, toys, household knickknacks, lawn and garden tools, sports equipment, and board games. Larger items like furniture and occasionally home appliances are also sold. Garage sales occur most frequently in suburban areas on good-weather weekends, and usually have designated hours for the sale. Buyers who arrive before the hours of the sale to review the items are known as “Early Birds;” they often are professional restorers or resellers. Such sales also attract people who are searching for bargains or for rare and unusual items. Bargaining, also known as haggling, on prices is routine, and items may or may not have price labels affixed. Some people buy goods from these sales to restore them for resale.

Advertising for the event of a garage sale is typically done by posting a seller-created sign, usually made from cardboard, in a public location.  In addition to signs, many people advertise their garage sales in the Newspaper in the advertisement section.[1]

In some areas garage sales have taken on a special meaning to a community and have become events of special local significance. In these situations large areas of a community hold a communal garage sale involving dozens or hundreds of families at the same time.” (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garage_sale) 

SCHEDULE III
S & R*NEWS ALERT*#1: A neighbour’s messy yard can drop the price of your home

“If you live beside an eyesore, with its lawn full of weeds and peeling paint around its windows, it’s not just making your street a little uglier, but according to real estate experts it’s affecting the sale price of your home as well as prolonging its selling time.

Homeowners looking to sell will focus on the condition of their home, but there can be a larger issue for potential buyers: the appearance of the neighbour’s house and property, says Ron Abraham, president of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). Approaching a neighbour who doesn’t maintain their home’s exterior can be tricky, but is definitely worth it so you can ask for the true value of your home.

Abraham recommends working with your Realtor to find a way to speak to your neighbour about their property. We have experience talking to other homeowners about this issue. There’s almost always a solution, and your Realtor can help you find the best one, Abraham adds.

He recommends trying one of these tactics when dealing with a messy property next door:

Talk to your neighbours: Let them know you’re planning to sell and gently ask them to clean up their front and back yards. If they are elderly and unable to do the work themselves, offer to look into free or inexpensive services that can help or offer to do it yourself.

Locate the owner: When living beside a renter who’s unwilling to assume responsibility, ask your Realtor to help you track down the owner or landlord and speak with them.

Contact the city: Many municipalities have bylaws about the appearance of lawns and homes. See if any are applicable in your area and speak to a bylaw officer to find a solution.

Create a diversion: If they refuse to cooperate, detract from their house by placing an eye-catching tree or row of flowers at the entry of your own property.” More information is available at www.howrealtorshelp.ca. www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Organize your garage with tips from a pro

“According to a recent Canadian Tire survey, 61% of Canadians are regularly looking for new storage solutions and tips on how to better reorganize. Follow these three easy steps, courtesy of Jordan Shiffman, an expert in storage and organizational solutions, so that this spring you can have your dream garage and a spotless car to complement it:  

Assess the Mess

Pick a sunny morning to pull everything out of the garage and take inventory. You’ll immediately see what you no longer need.

Our vehicles are more than transportation to us. They are mobile offices, entertainment rooms, team supply rooms and more. Clear out any garbage or junk and consider using a solution like Rubbermaid Mobile organization products to control car clutter and make your travelling more enjoyable.

Keep it Clean

Canadian Tire survey results also uncovered that despite spending an average of five hours a week in their vehicles, only half of Canadian drivers clean the exterior regularly (more than once a month). Pressure washing the garage and your vehicle is a great way to get rid of corrosive winter road salt or sand lingering in both places; Karcher makes a variety of pressure washers that can handle the job.

Zone Your Space and Think Tall

With the garage clean and clear, try to visualize where the big things like the lawn mower might fit. Also, designate areas for specific items like yard tools that you need regular access to. Use available wall and ceiling space for storage; customizable wall track panels like the Mastercraft wall system are useful for getting tools, sporting equipment, lawn and garden accessories off the ground, making space for your vehicle.” www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Posted by on June 30th, 2012 3 Comments

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: The 1st of July – Canada Day; the 4th of July – (U.S.) Independence Day, I say: Let’s celebrate!* – UPDATE JULY 2012

Vol. 3, No. 10, Monday, June 25th, 2012

TITLE: “NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: The 1st of July – Canada Day; the 4th of July – (U.S.) Independence Day,  I say: Let’s celebrate!*” – UPDATE JULY 2012

INTRODUCTION

 The arrival of the month of July means national holidays in Canada and the United States. The 1st is Canada Day; and the 4th is Independence Day.  My books of the week are: 1) Rookie Read-About Holidays: Canada Day [Paperback] by Patricia J Murphy (Author); and  2) Apple Pie 4th Of July [Paperback] by Janet S. Wong (Author), Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Illustrator). Hence, my topic of the week is celebrating your national day. (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on holidays and special dates.) 

PREVIEW:  Next week, I will talk about garage sales – in some places, they are called yard sales. I just held one at my home and I want to share with you some of my experiences and the things that I learned. And yes,….my price is firm! (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on homemakers: homes and gardens.) 

MY LIFE & TIMES*

As young adults, my parents emigrated to Canada, a land of opportunity … a place to work hard and make a good life for themselves and also a family. Although they loved and had a deep attachment to Italy, their country of birth, they were very proud of their adopted homeland.  They felt fortunate that their children could secure a fine education and good jobs in Canada. My parents succeeded and they wished to become Canadian citizens. I was a child when it happened – yet I vividly remember their elation.  (P.S. The only thing that they complained of … was our hard winters.)

In years past, the 1st of July was Dominion Day. It was a big deal. Now it is Canada Day. It is an even bigger deal! Led by festivities in Ottawa, our capital, there are parades, the waving of flags in the hands of young and old alike, cultural shows, fireworks … and further special TV programming …. the tops  … first class all the way!  Weather permitting, I usually enjoy an outdoor activity, getting together with family & friends, watching fireworks, etc. –  I really have fun!

Indeed, I am a very proud Canadian. I cheered on Canada’s athletes at the last Winter Olympics, held in Vancouver.  I was so pleased with the performance of my countrymen and women. I got into the spirit of the achievement, both individual and collective.

Update 2012: The big day is next week. I’m checking out the published “in your community” schedules. I plan to attend and participate in at least one event.  

Closer to home, my daughter is throwing a Canada Day party.  Now that’s a great idea! We offered some mini Canadian flags as decoration. As well, I am pleased to advise that my granddaughter is to be in a parade this weekend – I’ll be there …I wouldn’t miss it!

As my closing note for this update, I say: “For me, Canada is a land of freedom. The diversity and the many cultures make Canada a very interesting place in which to live.  No matter where I travel, I’m always happy to return home. Canadians are respected worldwide.  I feel so fortunate that I was born in this wonderful country.”

THE AUTHOR: 1) Patricia J Murphy 2) Janet S. Wong

 1) Patricia J Murphy

Patricia J Murphy is a children’s writer, communications and marketing consultant. She founded Pattycake Productions, a creative services agency. She has written magazine articles and 150+ children’s books. She has a family and lives in a northern suburb of Chicago, IL, USA. She has won several awards.

 2) Janet S. Wong

Janet S. Wong is an author of 23+ books: picture books about family, poetry about yoga and driving, chapter books about friendship, etc.  Her readers go from toddler to adult. She is a speaker at teacher conferences. She lives in Princeton, N.J., U.S.A.

SERIES/COLLECTION

Books 

Patricia J Murphy

Some books by Patricia J Murphy are: 

  • Think Twice, Be Nice, Rigby Publishing, Division of Reed Elsevier, Barrington, IL, 2001.
  • Sometimes We’re Happy, Sometimes We’re Sad, Rigby Publishing, Division of Reed Elsevier, Barrington, IL, 2001.
  • Let’s See: Voting and Elections, Compass Point Books, Minn., MN, 2001.
  • Let’s See: The Presidency, Compass Point Books, Minn., MN, 2001.
  • Let’s See: The U.S. Congress, Compass Point Books, Minn., MN, 2002.
    Let’s See: The U.S.  Supreme Court, Compass Point Books, Minn, MN, 2002.
    Let’s See: Our National Holidays, Compass Point Books, Minn., MN, 2002.
    Eye Wonder! Rigby Publishing, Divison of Reed Elsevier, Inc., Barrington, IL, 2001.
    Simple Machines, Rosen Real Readers, Rosen Publishing, New York, 2001.
    How a Frog Gets Its Legs, Rosen Real Readers, Rosen Publishing, New York, 2001.
    A Visit to the Art Museum, Rosen Real Readers, Rosen Publishing, Buffalo, NY, 2002.
    Fun with Fractions, Rosen Real Readers, Rosen Publishing, Buffalo, NY, 2002.
    Rookie Read-About Holidays: Canada Day [Paperback]

Janet S. Wong 
Some books by Janet S. Wong are:

  •  The Trip Back Homne
  • Buzz
  • Twist
  • Behind The Wheel
  • Me and Rolly Maloo
  • Minn and  Jake
  • Before it Wriggles Aw
  • Apple Pie 4th Of July

THE BOOK: 1) Rookie Read-About Holidays: Canada Day [Paperback] by Patricia J Murphy (Author) 2) Apple Pie 4th Of July [Paperback] by Janet S. Wong (Author), Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Illustrator)

 1) Rookie Read-About Holidays: Canada Day [Paperback] by Patricia J Murphy (Author)
This book is a primer about Canada Day in printed form. It explains the history, importance, and celebration of this – Canada’s No. 1 holiday.  Such is a tool to informing the reader about Canada Day. The author asks whether you celebrate Canada Day? She prompts the children with words or phrases and images: birthday, Canada’s flag, Canadian Mounties,   celebrate, fireworks, maple leaf, provinces, etc. There is material about: British North America Act. anthem: “O Canada”, etc.  (N.B. The Rookie Books series tries to make its readers more worldly literally and figuratively.)

 2) Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong (Author), Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Illustrator)

This book informs the readers about the 4th of July – the No. 1 holiday of the United States of America. It is couched in the story of a young girl’s experience as a first-generation Chinese-American. She wants to fit in but anxious about her belief that her immigrant parents don’t understand what it is to be American. She wants all things American like the All-American apple pie being baked by a neighbor.  They have a market, cooking away …Chinese food of course. She thinks this to be a mistake. It’s the 4th …the 4th of July and she has a sense of the holiday- the parade is coming; and she expects that customers would not be interested in Chinese dishes. But all turns out well. Father and Mom knew best! The market was patronized by many fellow Americans in the party mode, … in the mood for Chinese food. The 4th of July is Independence Day and this is for all Americans together! Readers learn about the holiday and also that inclusiveness is good. Chinese Americans are welcome; indeed, fireworks are a big part of the 4th and such was invented by the Chinese!  Illustrations are suited to readers  

CONCLUSION

I love my country. I look forward to the 1st of July – Canada’s national day. I celebrate it …my way.

Of course, I am aware of the 4th of July – the U.S. national day of independence. I have travelled and enjoyed the festivities along with Americans in the border states. On this day, I wish them the warmest congratulations and a great party.

And I know that people everywhere on the planet celebrate their home and native land on their own national days. To them, I also offer my best wishes and joyful times.

Personal Comments

I say:

  • For me, Canada is the best country in the world.  
  • Canada is big and strong.  It has vast stretches of empty land that is absolutely breath taking with beautiful greenery. It is blessed with plenty – natural resources:  timber, wheat, oil, cattle, coal and water (electricity).   Its large economy provides opportunity for its inhabitants. Its trade with the United States is important.  It has brave soldiers in its defense force – they strive for peace not war.  (The United States is probably the most powerful country in the world.  Canada benefits from being its ally and neighbor.  To a certain extent, this makes me feel safe. I admire the United States.)
  •  Canada is a place where life is good. I see it as going at a pace that is fast, but still better than that of others. Canada is warm and fuzzy. – it is known to be very generous. Canada has many social programs to take care of people who are less fortunate. Canada is genuinely friendly, multicultural. I am happy to live in Canada. 

 The Point

For me, patriotism and nationalism are good and a positive!  Everyone should have pride in country and self. Celebrate what has been accomplished to date; and strive to do better in the future.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*
I encourage everyone to:
1. Be proud of your country: its past, culture and heritage and your people: their good character and generosity;
2. Be aware of your country’s high points like natural resources and also, for balance, areas in need of improvement;
3. Become knowledgeable about the surrounding countries and the rest of the world;
4. Teach the children everywhere about the ideals of humanity, the values of respect and dignity and also that we are each our brother’s keeper;
5. Celebrate your national day with gusto;
6. Make the world a better place for all of mankind!
 
To all of you …Happy National Day … With love from Canada.

 Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

 And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===============================================================

ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #1: Paul Martin & Wyndham Lewis
“The painter, novelist and polemicist [Wyndham Lewis] was born in Canada (aboard his father’s yacht in the Bay of Fundy) and served as a Canadian war artist in the First World War. During the Second World War, the same trick of nationality allowed him to remain in Canada, where he endured considerable poverty while earning the emnity of the few people who tried to help him.  

“When Lewis was living in Windsor, for example, he sought the services of Paul Martin, the politician, in collecting a payment he was owed for a painting. Lewis suggested that he undertake a portrait of Mrs Nell Martin in lieu of legal fees, and her husband agreed.

“The painter and the sitter quarreled, however, particularly over the former’s extreme right-wing political views and vitriolic denunciations of Canada and its inhabitants. Martin recalls him as “a very odd fellow, coming to the house every day but keeping on his galoshes, overcoat and hat while he sketched.

“Martin, who didn’t care for the completed picture, was unaware that in his absence Mrs Martin had agreed to renegotiate the fee to the advantage of Lewis – who then demanded another increase, without which he refused to sign the painting.

“In the Illness of time, Martin has written, ‘the portrait has grown on me… It is still unsigned.”  (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=2232)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #2: AEF
“On July 4th, 1917, the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), having arrived in Europe to join their European allies in World War I, sent a contingent to visit the great Lafayette’s grave in Paris. Colonel Charles Stanton was asked by General Pershing to deliver an address on behalf of the AEF. His speech, in its entirety, is reproduced below: “Lafayette, we are here!”  (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4348)

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #3: Brian Williams: July 4th Fireworks
Every year on the 4th of July, “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams and his family put on an impressive pyrotechnics display. “We probably set some stuff off that we shouldn’t,” he once confessed. A former firefighter, Williams was well aware of the risks. Indeed, he once recalled a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) film about fireworks. “They showed what an M80 can do to a watermelon. They showed what a sparkler can do a girl’s cotton dress, and as a result I don’t wear those on the 4th of July.” (Source: Anecdotage) – http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=21582)

S & R* QUOTE #1: Martin Luther King, Jr.

 “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.”  (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/changegrowth/)

 S & R* QUOTE #2: John F. Kennedy

 “The only reason to give a speech is to change the world.”  (Source: Wisdom Quotes) –   http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/changegrowth/index3.html) 

 S & R* QUOTE #3: Benjamin Franklin

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”  (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/changegrowth/index3.html) 

ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Canada’s Day”; “Fourth of July”; “Nationalism”, “Patriotism”,  “Natural Resources”; etc.

Canada’s Day
“Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada), formerly Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confédération), is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire.[1][2][3] Originally called Dominion Day, the name was changed in 1982, the year that Canada gained full independence from the United Kingdom. Canada Day observances take place throughout Canada as well as internationally.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Day

Fourth of July
“Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.[1][2][3]”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Day_(United_States)

Nationalism
“Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the ‘modernist’ image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity.[1] There are various definitions for what constitutes a nation, however, which leads to several different strands of nationalism. It can be a belief that citizenship in a state should be limited to one ethnic, cultural or identity group, or that multi nationality in a single state should necessarily comprise the right to express and exercise national identity even by minorities.[2]

It can also include the belief that the state is of primary importance, or the belief that one state is naturally superior to all other states.[3][4] It is also used to describe a movement to establish or protect a ‘homeland’ (usually an autonomous state) for an ethnic group. In some cases the identification of a national culture is combined with a negative view of other races or cultures.[5]”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nationalism

Patriotism
“Excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term’s meaning upon context, geography and philosophy, patriotism is a devotion to one’s country. In a generalized sense applicable to all countries and peoples, patriotism is a devotion to one’s country for no other reason than being a citizen of that country.

It is a related sentiment to nationalism, but nationalism is not necessarily an inherent part of patriotism.[1][2][3]

The English term patriot is first attested in the Elizabethan era, via Middle French from Late Latin (6th century) patriota “fellow countryman”, ultimately from Greek πατριώτης (patriōtēs) “fellow countryman”, from πατρίς, “fatherland”.[4] The abstract noun patriotism appears in the early 18th century.[5]”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriotism

Natural Resources
“Natural resources occur naturally within environments that exist relatively undisturbed by mankind, in a natural form. A natural resource is often characterized by amounts of biodiversity and geodiversity existent in various ecosystems. Natural resources are derived from the environment. Many of them are essential for our survival while others are used for satisfying our wants. Natural resources may be further classified in different ways.”(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_resource

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS: The Fourth of July 2011
“On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.
2.5 million
In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation.
Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970
<http://www.census.gov/prod/www/abs/statab.html>
311.7 million
The nation’s estimated population on this July Fourth.
Source: Population clock <http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html>
Flags
$3.2 million
In 2010, the dollar value of U.S. imports of American flags. The vast majority of this amount
($2.8 million) was for U.S. flags made in China.
Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/> <http://www.usatradeonline.gov>
$486,026
Dollar value of U.S. flags exported in 2010. Mexico was the leading customer, purchasing
$256,407 worth. Source: Foreign Trade Statistics <http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/><http://www.usatradeonline.gov>
$302.7 million
Annual dollar value of shipments of fabricated flags, banners and similar emblems by the nation’s manufacturers, according to the latest published economic census data.
Source: 2007 Economic Census, Series EC.0731SP1, Products and Services Code 3149998231 <http://www.census.gov/econ/census07/>” (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) – http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/pdf/cb11-ff13_july4th.pdf
“On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million. (Source: Historical Statistics of the United States: Colonial Times to 1970). Since then, the population of the United States has grown to over 311 million (estimated population on this July Fourth). Many US residents celebrate the Fourth of July with parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues with friends and relatives. In fact, 81 million Americans reported taking part in a barbecue last year (Source: Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2011).”
Source: U.S. Census – stats – http://blogs.census.gov/censusblog/population/

“The Canada 2006 Census counted a total population of 31,612,897, an increase of 5.4 percent since 2001.[152] Population growth is from immigration and, to a lesser extent, natural growth. About four-fifths of Canada’s population lives within 150 kilometres (93 mi) of the United States border.[153] A similar proportion live in urban areas concentrated in the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor, the BC Lower Mainland, and the Calgary–Edmonton Corridor in Alberta.[154] In common with many other developed countries, Canada is experiencing a demographic shift towards an older population, with more retirees and fewer people of working age. In 2006, the average age of the population was 39.5 years.”

Name   Province                                           Pop. 
Toronto Ontario                                         5,113,149 
Kitchener – Waterloo Ontario                        451,235
Montreal Quebec                                       3,635,571
St. Catharines–Niagara Ontario                     390,317
Vancouver British Columbia                        2,116,581
Halifax Nova Scotia                                      372,858
Ottawa–Gatineau Ontario–Quebec              1,130,761
Oshawa Ontario                                           330,594
Calgary Alberta                                         1,079,310
Victoria British Columbia                              330,088
Edmonton Alberta                                     1,034,945
Windsor Ontario                                           323,342
Quebec City Quebec                                    715,515
Saskatoon Saskatchewan                             233,923
Winnipeg Manitoba                                       694,898
Regina Saskatchewan                                  194,971
Hamilton Ontario                                          692,911
Sherbrooke Quebec                                     186,952
London Ontario                                            457,720
St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador           181,113 ”

(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) –  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada

“Canada’s two official languages are English and French. Official bilingualism is defined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Official Languages Act, and Official Language Regulations; it is applied by the Commissioner of Official Languages. English and French have equal status in federal courts, Parliament, and in all federal institutions. Citizens have the right, where there is sufficient demand, to receive federal government services in either English or French, and official-language minorities are guaranteed their own schools in all provinces and territories.[172]”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada

SCHEDULE III
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Generosity is what it means to be Canadian

“When you think of adjectives to describe what Canadians are like, you might come up with words like: humourous, passive, polite, friendly, or bland.

Whether any of that is true, one trait we can take pride in is our generosity. According to the World Giving Index, Canada is the third most generous country in the world out of 153 countries. Canadians donate both of their money and their time, contributing thousands of volunteer hours to help those in need. It is evident that we have impacted millions of lives around the world.

On July 1st, show your Canadian spirit with these activities that help others:

Visit a retirement centre. Get a group of friends together and put on a show. If you can juggle, sing, dance, or make people laugh, use your skill to brighten someone else’s day. Even if you don’t know anyone in particular at the centre, the time you sacrificed to pay a visit will speak volumes to the elderly.

Host a neighbourhood potluck. Swap food, stories, and experiences as you get to know the people and needs in your immediate community.

Serve at a soup kitchen or food bank. Soup kitchens and food banks often have a rush of volunteers at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but Canada Day usually isn’t very popular. Don the apron and plastic gloves, leave the diva attitude at the door, and help alleviate hunger this summer.

Think beyond our country. Extreme poverty claims the lives of millions of children and families around the world. Basic essentials like clean water, food, and shelter that we take for granted in Canada are in short supply in developing countries. International children’s charities like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada work in communities to build schools, wells, and health clinics helping the most vulnerable victims of poverty. You can get involved by purchasing life-saving items through the charity’s gift catalogue www.ccfcanada.ca/Gifts. Show victims of poverty that Canadians care.” www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Bake a patriotic pie for Canada Day “Recipe Box:

Pie is a classic dessert serving many traditions all across our country, so why not charm your Canada Day guests with a tribute treat? Serve them a red-and-white cheesecake pie.

In this recipe adorned with a red-berry maple leaf the abundance of seasonal fruit ingredients make it easy to be appreciative of our fertile landscapes. You will also see the trade secrets of corn quality Fleischmann’s corn starch and flavourful Crown corn syrup all of which promise a great taste treat:

Summer Berry Cheesecake Pie

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Bake Time: 30 to 35 minutes

Chill Time: 4 hours

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Crust:

1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup finely chopped nuts

Cheesecake:

1/3 cup butter

2 packages (250mL each) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup brown sugar

4 teaspoons Fleischmann’s Canada Corn Starch

1/2 cup Crown Lily White Corn Syrup

2 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup (250mL) sour cream

2 tablespoons sugar

Fresh berries for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.

For Crust: Combine all crust ingredients in a medium bowl. Firmly press onto the bottom and up sides of a 9-inch/23cm pie plate. Bake 8 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

For Cheesecake: Cook 1/3 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until butter turns the color of light brown sugar, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Beat cream cheese, brown sugar and corn starch in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in corn syrup, eggs and vanilla. Carefully pour browned butter into cream cheese mixture. Stir until blended. Pour into prepared crust.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is almost set. Combine sour cream and sugar. Spread over hot cheesecake. Cool completely on wire rack. Cover and chill at least 4 hours. To serve, garnish with fresh berries.

Optional Serving Suggestion: Drizzle each slice with a Raspberry Sauce. To make a Raspberry Sauce, mash 1/2 cup raspberries; stir in 2 tablespoons corn syrup. Cover and chill until ready to serve. For more tasty pie recipes, visit www.achfood.ca” www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Posted by on June 25th, 2012 5 Comments

“MOVING: COMPANIES, QUOTES, TRUCK RENTAL, BOXES, ETC. – I have some ideas, tips … even a checklist!*”

Vol. 3, No. 9, Monday, June 18th 2012

TITLE:   “MOVING:  COMPANIES, QUOTES, TRUCK RENTAL, BOXES, ETC.–I have some ideas, tips … even a  checklist!*”

INTRODUCTION

With July 1st fast approaching, I’m thinking of moving day.  Moving can be very stressful.  Today, I will talk about doing a move in an organized manner.  My book of the week is “Helping Hand Books: Lauren’s Moving Day [Hardcover] by Sarah Duchess of York (Author), Ian Cunliffe (Illustrator) (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on home and family and also parenting.) 

PREVIEW (Monday, June 25th,2012): July 1st also is a national holiday in Canada. As a result, I will do an update on my post titled, “NATIONAL HOLIDAYS: The 1st of July – Canada Day; the 4th of July – (U.S.) Independence Day,  I say: Let’s celebrate!*” (Vol. 2,  No. 9, July 3, 2011). Bring your mini flags. (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on holidays and special dates.) 

MY LIFE & TIMES*

I have moved many times in my life.  In my province and town, most people move on July 1st, thus making it prime time for moving companies to charge top rates.  For a family with children in school, July 1st, being the end of the school year, is an ideal day to move…

 My last move was a very difficult one.  I moved on the 15th of May, which made it easier for me to hire a moving company at a good rate.  I moved from a big single house to a duplex. Downsizing homes makes moving chaotic.  I didn’t know what to do with the excess furniture.  I eventually placed everything and stored the extra furniture in the garage.  It is extremely important to be organized. I called and hired a moving company a few months in advance.  I made arrangements for the telephone company, the cable company and the electricity company to make the transfers on the moving date.  I packed everything before we moved.  I labeled every box, so I could easily find what I needed at the other end. Every picture was removed from the walls.  Whatever could be dismantled was done. By the time the moving company arrived, everything was packed and ready to go. 

This brings to mind a move that I witnessed a few years ago.  A friend was moving his office and I offered to help with the move.  The moving day came and he hadn’t packed anything yet.  When the movers arrived, we had been packing only for an hour or so.  Needless to say, the movers were upset.  They threatened to leave.  After much convincing on my friend’s part, the movers decided to do the move.  It turned out to be the move from hell.  Regrettably, the move was very expensive.

THE AUTHOR: Sarah Ferguson 

Sarah Ferguson married well and became the Duchess of York. By the way, she later got divorced.  She is an author, credited with writing a number of books.  Ferguson is also a philanthropist, intent on making the world a better place. In 2007, she founded the Sarah Ferguson Foundation.  This foundation funds programs that promote education and wellness.  In 1993, she founded Children in Crises, which assists needy children around the world. 

SERIES/COLLECTION

Books/Articles:

Several are:

  • ·        ‘Tea for Ruby.’’
  • ‘Little Red’ picture book series (Simon & Schuster)

THE BOOK: Helping Hand Books: Lauren’s Moving Day [Hardcover] by Sarah Duchess of York (Author), Ian Cunliffe (Illustrator)

If you have young children and your family is moving, you might check out this book. Moving day is nearly here and the youngster, Lauren, feels anxious. Like other kids in the same situation, her anxiety stems from not knowing what the new house will be like and how she will feel living there. Chances are the new room will be comfortable and the house will become home soon enough. Chances are also that she will make some new friends and all will feel just right. This book can be a great tool for parents to defuse the anxiety and make the transition easier.

CONCLUSION

Moving the wrong way is an ordeal to get through. But there is a better way

Personal Comments

I say:

  •  The key to a good move is to be organized. 
  • Moving could be more pleasant if you have family and friends present and helping as much as they can. 

 The Point

 There is a way to move the right way. Let me give you some steps to your new home.

 ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

 Everyone should:

 1. Inquire into available moving companies; in this regard,

1.1  Get references and check out their records with the authorities, consumer groups and also the good business bureau; 

1.2  Ask for a written estimate; and

1.3  Hire one as early as you can;

2. Reserve a rented truck-trailer as needed also as early as you can;

3. Secure (a) Boxes of all types and sizes – the super market is a great FREE source. (I like banana boxes with covers);  (b) Several rolls of -packing tape plus a dispenser; (c) Thick twine; (d) Black markers; etc.  

4.      Pack everything you can before moving day, in this regard, (a) Wrap individually dishes, glassware, etc.; (b)  Use packing chips; (c) Label everything: identify the contents of each box as well as the intended room;   (d) Wrap furniture in blankets to protect it from scratches and breakage;

5.      Dismantle furniture and/or tape or tie all drawers and doors with twine or tape to make it easier for transport; 

6. Discard items, as you’re packing, of no use-value and set aside anything no longer needed for goodwill or a future garage sale;

7. Move everything possible to your new quarters in advance of moving day;

8. Contact your insurance company and request coverage for your new place; in this regard,

8.1  Increase the value if acquiring new and additional furniture;

8.2  Ask the company to immediately send you by fax a binder for the new address and your policy, later by snail;    

9. Advise the building manager about the expected date and time of the move-out or the move in, so that you can get an elevator and permission to park at the entrance;

10. Inform family and friends of your new address and redirect your mail or at least three months;

11. Change your address with: (a) Governments (b) Banks (c) Credit cards (d)  Utilities: (i) Electricity or gas  (ii) Telephone and/or cable, etc. –try to bundle;

12. Ask family and friends to help you; if these people are there for you,

12.1  Have food and drinks available at each meal time

12.2 Consider a gift as a token of your appreciation

13.  Move in your own vehicle your fragile stuff (like computers, TVs, audio equipment, cameras, etc.);

14.  Give instructions to movers to place furniture in the desired location along with the room appropriate boxes;

15.  Take a big breath and start the unpacking. Give yourself a break and don’t try to do it all in one day. 

 A VIP lives in your home … you. And I want you to get there with the minimum fuss and muss.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===============================================================

ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: New Neighbors
“Lauren Graham was excited about moving into her New York apartment in 2003, telling everyone she knew that it was the building in which Conan O’Brien lived. During an appearance on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” shortly thereafter, Graham shared the exciting news with O’Brien himself, and was promptly informed that she was sadly mistaken. “I moved out of there,” said Conan. “It was rat-infested!” (Source: Anecdotage) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=4007) 

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2: Too Cute
“In 2002 Will Smith, planning to move with his family into a new house, sat down with his young son Jadan (‘the sensitive one’) and asked him how he would feel about “maybe not living in this house anymore… maybe living in another house.”  

Jadan’s eyes started welling up and he asked: “By myself?” (Source: Anecdotage) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=6268) 

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #3: True Grits?
“Prior to moving into the White House, Jimmy Carter’s wife asked whether the chef could prepare the same Southern meals which the Carters often enjoyed at home. “Yes, ma’am,” he replied. “We’ve been fixing that kind of food for the servants for a long time.” (Source: Anecdotage) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=3660)

S & R* QUOTE #1: Oprah Winfrey

“The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) –  http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/)

 S & R* QUOTE #2: Marge Piercy

“Life is the first gift, love is the second, and understanding the third.”  (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/)

 S & R* QUOTE #3: Barbara de Angelis

“No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.”  (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/index5.html)

ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are:  “Moving day”; etc.

Moving Day

“Moving Day (French: Fête du déménagement or journée nationale du déménagement) is a tradition, but not a legal requirement, in the province of Quebec, Canada, dating from the time when the province used to mandate fixed terms for leases of rental properties. It falls on July 1, which is also Canada Day. ” (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_Day_(Quebec)) 

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:

“The tradition began as a humanitarian measure of the French colonial government of New France, who forbade seigneurs, the semi-feudal landlords of the seigneuries, from evicting their tenant farmers before the winter snows had melted.[citation needed]. Historian Yvon Desloges notes that it was common to move in the spring in the 18th century, citing a 1750 bylaw by Intendant François Bigot. 

Later, this evolved into a requirement that urban leases begin on May 1 and end on April 30. In law, this date was set in the Civil Code of Lower Canada of 1866.[2]   

Moving Day is a boon and a headache for commercial moving companies, and people often must reserve their services more than six months in advance in some cases.[4]

Although moving day is seen as a headache for most people, Montreal-based columnist Josée Legault sees a few positive aspects in the annual festival, pointing out that July 1 occurs at the end of the school year, not two months before as is was the case before the 1970s. Bargain hunters —especially people who don’t move— also enjoy the numerous garage sales occurring before moving day and the common practice of leaving behind slightly used furniture and appliances on the curb side or in the alley, in effect giving them to anyone in need.[12] ”  (Source: Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)-  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moving_Day_(Quebec))

SCHEDULE III

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Key insurance tips for homebuyers

“You just bought a home but before you think about paint colours and planning that house warming barbecue, there are some tips you should consider to prevent costly disasters.

Buying a house is one of the most important investments you will ever make, says Ian Wilson, Claims Innovation Director at RSA. And although it’s really easy to get caught up in the excitement, it’s important to take the proper measures to keep that investment safe, particularly if you are buying an older home.

Most people wouldn’t consider buying a house without first having a home inspection done to uncover any hidden hazards or potential disasters lurking. But even a good inspection won’t eliminate all risks.

RSA recommends the following tips:

Replace all external locks “This should be an immediate action upon moving into your home. You never know who else has a spare key to your house.

Oil tank maintenance- Oil tanks are very common in Atlantic Canada but less so elsewhere in the country. Oil tanks rust from the inside and the resulting damage can be extremely costly. As a homeowner you are responsible for the environmental clean-up of the soil and the water-course. Insurance companies generally won’t insure a house with an external oil tank that is older than 10 years or an internal one that’s much older than 15 years. It’s wise to spend a few hundred dollars and install a fibreglass or plastic tank. Most of these have warranties of around 25 years.

Check your roof and your eaves troughs- The home inspector will do this but if you bought the house while the roof was blanketed in a thick layer of snow, you may not get the full picture of its overall condition. Look out for curling shingles which may indicate an old and weathered roof that could leak. Make sure your gutters are secure and sloping toward the downspout without any dips or curves. All downspouts should also direct water away from your home’s foundations. This will help prevent water from leaking into the basement.

Mould- Often home inspectors can’t access the attic or crawl spaces during the inspection, yet these areas can be sources of mould. Check your attic, crawl spaces and closets for mould. Signs include, a musty smell, water stains, swelling of the baseboards or white patches under carpets.

Avoiding water damage – Sewer backups, burst pipes, and leaky foundations and roofs is a common cause of home insurance claims across Canada. Checking the state of your plumbing on a regular basis will help. Look at the water pipes and waste pipes which over time can wear out and need replacement. Consider installing a backwater valve in your basement. If your sewer unexpectedly backs up, it is designed to close automatically and helps you avoid a costly mess.

Check your electrics – Look out for missing or faulty GFCI outlets (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). GCFIs should be installed in external locations or internally where water is close by, such as in bathrooms and kitchens. They are equipped with a button and they should trip, cutting off the electrical supply, when tested. If the GCFI doesn’t trip, replace it. You could save a life.” www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Make your home a poison-free zone

“Nearly all parents with children 14 and younger feel it’s important to lock up medications and cleaning products away from children, but half of them store medications in a medicine cabinet and more than 60 per cent store cleaning products under the sink, according to a recent Leger survey conducted for Safe Kids Canada. Unfortunately, these common spots are often too accessible to little hands.

Each year an estimated seven children under 14 die and close to 1,700 end up in the hospital with serious injuries due to poisoning, according to hospital data. Young children are curious by nature and explore their environment by touching and putting things in their mouths, says Pamela Fuselli, the executive director of Safe Kids Canada. So it’s crucial to check your home for potential poisons and store them where children can’t see them and lock them up so children can’t get at them.

Here are some tips from the organization to help you poison-proof your home:

Buy medications with a child resistant cap whenever possible and store all medications and vitamins in a locked box (a small toolbox with a combination lock or padlock works well). Keep the locked box, and the key, out of sight and out of reach of children.

Store household cleaners, like oven cleaner and bleach; car supplies, such as windshield washer fluid; cosmetics, like nail polish remover; and pesticides, in locked cupboards or drawers. A child safety latch is an acceptable alternative.

Keep all medications and other household poisons in their original containers with their original labels.

Never tell your children that medication is candy; they may seek it out when you’re not around.

If you suspect your child has been poisoned, call your local poison centre or 911. Add the number of your area poison centre to your cell and home phones.

More information about poison prevention is available online at safekidscanada.ca.” www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Posted by on June 18th, 2012 41 Comments

FATHER’S DAY: I love you Dad, yesterday, today and forever!*” – UPDATE 2012

Vol. 3,  No. 8,  Monday, June 11, 2012

TITLE: “FATHER’S DAY: I love you Dad, yesterday, today and forever!* – UPDATE 2012”

INTRODUCTION

Now that Father’s Day is approaching, I am thinking about my Dad. My book of the week is: “A Father’s Day Thank You” by Janet Nolan. Hence my topic of the week is this special day.

PREVIEW (Monday, June 18th, 2012): I am also thinking about another rite of summer – Moving Day. In our province, July 1st is the start of the lease year for dwellings; as a result, the lead-up to that date is the time for moving. This year, I have been affected by three moves; I can tell you it’s big work. Come on over – I’ll give you a heads up first hand. (Editor’s Note: Oops, with the coming of Father’s Day, we bumped this post to next week. Sorry about that. This is another post in a continuing series on home and garden.)

MY LIFE & TIMES*

Father’s Day was special for my family.  My mother taught my brothers and me that this was the day to show our respect and love for our Dad. (She was a great example as she in turn, showed her loving respect for her father on this day.)  We always celebrated Father’s Day.  My mother would make a special lunch and bake one of our favorite cakes.  My brothers and I would buy gifts. While he didn’t expect anything, Dad’s reaction was always a combination of pleasant surprise, gratitude and appreciation.

My Dad was a very special person and a wonderful father.  His wife and children were his priority.  He was a VERY hard worker and a great provider – his aim was to ensure that we had all the opportunity that life had to offer. He encouraged us to love knowledge and be curious. He said that it was important to have goals. He showed by example: “Work hard and do your best”!. He taught us to strive to better ourselves: 1) Get an education; 2) Get a job and excel and build a career; 3) Buy and  own real estate; 4) Save for a better life.  He also taught us to have fun and balance in our lives.

Update 2012

It has been 6 years since my Dad passed away and I still miss him terribly.  He truly was a special Dad.This coming Father’s Day, I plan to go to the cemetary to pay my respects. You see, I’ll ALWAYS be there for my Dad.  While my mother was alive, she would come with me.  Since this is the first time I am without my late Mother on this day, it is especially hard. Of course, I will also pay my respects to my Mom.  I carry them both deep in my heart.  

THE AUTHOR: Janet Nolan

Nolan is a children’s picture book author. She likes what she does. She says that she came upon it unexpectedly She is creative. She likes conceiving of and developing characters, backgrounds and story lines.

She graduated with a B.A. from Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, and a master’s degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She currently is the Program Co-Chair for the Illinois chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She lives in Oak Park, Illinois.
(Source: http://www.janetnolan.com/cv.html)

THE ILLUSTRATOR: Kathi Ember

Ember lives on a Pennsylvania farm. She loves animals, knowing them first hand. They are the subject of her art. Examples can be found in greeting cards, puzzles, wllpaper to name a few.  In “A Father’s Day Thank You” by Janet Nolan, she uses her gift to create charming cub like adorables. They are perfect with Nolan’s prose. They do the trick!
(Source: http://www.mbartists.com/cgi-bin/iowa/artists.html?artist=63)

SERIES/COLLECTION
Books
Nolan is the author of:

  • The Firehouse Light 
  • A Father’s Day Thank You  
  • The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh  

BOOK: A Father’s Day Thank You by Janet Nolan

Father’s Day is the occasion. Harvey is one of three children (cubs). There is a question about the right gift for Dad on Father’s Day. In years gone by, they bought the same gift (e.g., ties, a box of nails, golf balls, etc.) and he always loves it ,,,repeatedly asking for more.  This year he decides upon the perfect gift. Recognizing everything his father does: helping him after a fall, flat tire on his bike, reading a bedtime story, etc. Dad is handy in the kitchen – he knows how to cook breakfast; etc.  Putting crayon to paper is the priceless gift appropriate for the special father that he has. One of the visual images- the color is striking,   (Illustration by Ms Ember), shows the scene of a father at a desklike table and mother fugure entering the room with a gift wrapped present. There is a dog wagging his table to add to the tranquility of the scene.

The message is right. Being in a family with a Dad is good. Being a Dad that is loving is great!
It’s not only about the gift to buy, but also what you can make. The thought is most important. Saying thank you on Father’s Day is very good!

While the book’s level  is PreSchool-Grade 2, the sweetness and innocence is also enchanting for adults reading the story to their offspring.

CONCLUSION

One of our commandments is:  “Honor your father and your mother”.   It’s important to make a big deal over your father on this day.  It’s when one can officially pay respect to Dad.  With our busy schedules, we sometimes forget to express how we feel and sometimes we take things for granted.  It’s the day when we can say, “Dad, you are special and I appreciate everything you do for me.”

Personal comments

I say that taking the time to celebrate your father is good. His main concern is to do right for his family.  Know that you are lucky to have him. Recognize all that he does, from things small all the way to big, all great and wonderful nonetheless. Give thanks for the blessing.

The point

This is the day for father. Every other is your day at his hand.  Like your Dad, my Dad deserved and continues to deserve to be respected on this special day. It has been five years since he passed away and every Father’s Day, I light a candle in his honor.  Seize the moment and give tribute to your father.

ANTOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

Everyone should:

1. Make Father’s day a special day for your Dad;
2. Go with Dad and play one of  his favorite activities like golf;
3. Put some thought in the gift that you will buy;
4. Tell your Dad how much you care and appreciate him;
5. Don’t wait for this day; but instead, 
5.1 Pay your respects each and every day;
5,2 Visit your Dad often;
6. Make Father’s day a holiday to enjoy and spend quality time with him;
7. Mark the day if he has passed on by
7.1 Wearing the tie belonging to him in your closet, regardless if it’s the green one for St Patrick’s Day;
7.2 Smelling the pungent aroma from a bottle of the after shave that he used to use;
7.3 Playing with one of his golf balls displayed yearlong in your glass bowl; and
7.4  Recall your wonderful memories.

This Father’s day, I plan to remember the days gone by, smiling but sad at the same time, and while gazing at the candle flickering.I will raise my glass, and say: Salut!   

Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours? *
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
CREDITS
-Web Tech:  richmediasound.com

The above is a new media production of Valente under its “United Author*” program.

P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2011, 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===============================================================

ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

Schedule I

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #1: Father’s Day Gift
“As part of a Father’s Day gift in June 2001, Sharon Stone and her husband, San Francisco Chronicle editor Phil Bronstein, visited a Komodo dragon at the Los Angeles Zoo. Lest the Komodo mistake his foot for a mouse, Bronstein was advised to remove his white sneakers. No sooner had he doffed his protective footwear than the Komodo bit him on the toe. “He was so brave,” Stone later declared. “In the 21st century, a woman doesn’t often see her knight fight off a real dragon!”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=14778

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTAGE #2:Robin Williams: Box Office Poison
“At the 2005 Golden Globe Awards, Robin Williams was appraoched by “Extra” host Mark McGrath. “We did a movie back in ‘95 together,” McGrath remarked. “It was called Father’s Day.” “I remember now,” Williams said with a nod. “My phone hasn’t rung,” said McGrath. Robin’s reply? “Neither has mine!”
(Source: www.anecdotage.com) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=21377

S & R* (DOUBLE) QUOTE #1: William Shakespeare

S & R* QUOTE #2: John F. Kennedy
“My father always told me that all businessmen were sons of bitches, but I never believed it till now.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/father.html

S & R* QUOTE #3: Sigmund Freud
“I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.”
(Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/father.htm

Schedule I-A

“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
For today, my word/phrase(s) are: “Father’s Day”; etc.
“Father’s Day”
“Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. It is celebrated on the third Sunday of June in many countries and on other days elsewhere. It complements Mother’s Day, the celebration honoring mothers.”
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) –  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father’s_Day

S & R* BONUS FACT * #1: Father’s day
“Father’s Day is a celebration of fathers inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother’s Day in celebrating fatherhood and male parenting. It is also celebrated to honor and commemorate our forefathers[citation needed]. Father’s Day is celebrated on a variety of dates worldwide and typically involves gift-giving, special dinners to fathers, and family-oriented activities.Long before any modern observances, a young Babylonian named Elmesu wished his father good health and a long life on a clay tablet. The Catholic
observance was originally on March 19, St. Joseph’s Day. On June 19, 1910, an independently-invented Father’s Day observance was celebrated through the efforts of Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. After listening to a church sermon at Spokane’s Central Methodist Episcopal Church in 1909 about the newly recognized Mother’s Day, Dodd felt strongly that fatherhood needed recognition, as well.[1] She wanted a celebration that honored fathers like her own father, William Smart, a Civil War veteran who was left to raise his family alone when his wife died giving birth to their sixth child when Sonora was 16 years old.[2]The following year with the assistance of Reverend Dr. Conrad Bluhm, her pastor at Old Centenary Presbyterian Church (now Knox Presbyterian Church), Sonora took the idea to the Spokane YMCA. The Spokane YMCA, along with the Ministerial Alliance, endorsed Dodd’s idea and helped it spread by celebrating the first Father’s Day in 1910. Sonora suggested her father’s birthday, June 5, be established as the day to honor all Fathers. However, the pastors wanted more time to prepare, so on June 19, 1910, young members of the YMCA went to church wearing roses: a red rose to honor a living father, and a white rose to honor a deceased one.[2] Dodd traveled through the city in a horse-drawn carriage, carrying gifts to shut-in fathers confined indoors by illness.[2] It took many years to make the holiday official. In spite of support from the YWCA, the YMCA, and churches, Father’s Day ran the risk of disappearing from the calendar.[3] Where Mother’s Day was met with enthusiasm, Father’s Day was often met with laughter.[3] The holiday was gathering attention slowly, but for the wrong reasons. It was the target of much satire, parody and derision, including jokes from the local newspaper Spokesman-Review.[3] Many people saw it as the first step in filling the calendar with mindless promotions.[3] A bill to accord national recognition of the holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913.[4] In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane to speak in a Father’s Day celebration and wanted to make it official, but Congress resisted, fearing that it would become commercialized.[2] US President Calvin Coolidge recommended in 1924 that the day be observed by the nation, but stopped short of issuing a national proclamation. Two earlier attempts to formally recognize the holiday had been defeated by Congress.[5] In 1957, Maine Senator Margaret Chase Smith wrote a proposal accusing Congress of ignoring fathers for 40 years while honoring mothers, thus “[singling] out just one of our two parents”[5] In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation honoring fathers, designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.[2] Six years later, the day was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972.[2][5]In 2010, the Father’s Day Centennial Celebration[6] occurs in Spokane with a month of events commemorating the day.In addition to Father’s Day, International Men’s Day is celebrated in many countries on November 19 for men and boys who are not fathers.”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father’s_Day

S & R* BONUS FACT #2: Observance of Father’s day

“Contrary to popular belief, the first observance of Father’s Day actually took place in Fairmont, West Virginia on July 5, 1908. It was organized by Mrs. Grace Golden Clayton, who wanted to celebrate the lives of the 210 fathers who had been lost in the Monongah Mining disaster several months earlier in Monongah, West Virginia, on December 6, 1907. It’s possible that Clayton was influenced by the first celebration of Mother’s Day that same year, just a few miles away. Clayton chose the Sunday nearest to the birthday of her recently deceased father. Unfortunately, the day was overshadowed by other events in the city, West Virginia did not officially register the holiday, and it was not celebrated again. All the credit for Father’s Day went to Sonora Dodd, who invented independently her own celebration of Father’s Day just two years later, also influenced by Jarvis’ Mother’s Day.Clayton’s celebration was forgotten until 1972, when one of the attendants to the celebration saw Nixon’s proclamation of Father’s Day, and worked to recover its legacy. The celebration is now held every year in the Central United Methodist Church — the Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was torn down in 1922. Fairmont is now promoted as the “Home of the First Father’s Day Service”.[7]”
(Source: Wikipedia the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father’s_Day

Schedule II

STUDY/STATISTICS: Father’s Day: June 19, 2011
“The idea of Father’s Day was conceived slightly more than a century ago by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father’s Day celebration — 101 years ago, June 19, 1910, proclaimed by Spokane’s mayor because it was the month of Smart’s birth. The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.”

How Many Fathers?

70.1 million
Estimated number of fathers across the nation.
Source: Unpublished data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation

25.3 million

Number of fathers who were part of married-couple families with children younger than 18 in 2010.
•22 percent were raising three or more children younger than 18 (among married-couple family households only).
•3 percent lived in someone else’s home.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements  http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam.html>

1.8 million
Number of single fathers in 2010; 15 percent of single parents were men.
•Nine percent were raising three or more children younger than 18.
•About 46 percent were divorced, 30 percent were never married, 19 percent were separated, and 6 percent were widowed.
•39 percent had an annual family income of $50,000 or more.
Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements
<http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/hh-fam.html>
U.S. Census – stats –
http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/cb11-ff11.html

Schedule III

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: What Canadians are giving for Father’s Day

“For the 42 per cent of Canadians who definitely or probably will buy a Father’s Day gift this year, the days leading up to June 19th can leave shoppers scratching their heads. For those still stumped for gift ideas, a recent survey conducted by men’s grooming brand, Gillette, sheds some light on what Canadians will be wrapping up this year. The traditional father’s day gift “ the necktie“ is always a popular choice as 42 per cent of Canadians are planning to give some sort of apparel for Father’ s Day. If you’re giving a necktie, put a modern spin on it. Says Brett Fahlgren, GQ style correspondent. A tie that has a thinner width instantly updates the classic shirt and tie look, and don’t be afraid to play with bold patterns and colours. Grooming gifts will be popular this year with 24 per cent of Canadians choosing them for Dad. One idea is to give a Gillette Fusion ProGlide gift pack. In this pack you get the ProGlide razor, Hydra Gel shave gel, and a cleanser that exfoliates and heats up on contact with water“ Gillette Fusion ProSeries Thermal Face Scrub.As other gifting holidays, tech devices are always a popular gift and 32 per cent of Canadians plan to choose one for Father’s Day. From cameras, to music players to GPS navigation systems, technology gifts offer almost limitless gift idea possibilities. No matter whether or not a Father’s Day gift is given, or how big or how small it is, the old adage remains true“ it’s the thought that counts.”
www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: Father’s Day gifts for grandfathers By Melissa Yue
”If you think dads feel neglected after years of forgotten Father’s Day fanfare, grandfathers feel it even more. Every Mother’s Day, we lavish our mothers and grandmothers with heartfelt cards and flowers, but when Father’s Day rolls around, we hardly remember to call. Though most men will often shrug that it’s no big deal, you’ve vowed to make things better this year. Get inspired with these gift ideas:

Quality time with you. Most grandfathers would prefer spending time with their loved ones to a cheesy joke card and #1 grandpa tie. Tear out a page from your day planner and literally give your whole day to grandpa, participating in his favourite activities like fishing or birdwatching. Or buy tickets to watch a concert, movie, standup comic, or sports event together.

Donate in his honour. Show your appreciation to your grandfather and all the ways he helped to shape you into who you’ve become. Charities like Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (www.ccfcanada.ca) offer valuable gift items like fruit trees, mosquito nets, clean water wells, and business loans to help struggling families overseas. You can customize a card for your grandpa and show him how his generosity inspired you to help others.

Mp3 player. Rummage through his old vinyl records and cassette tapes and find matching mp3s to load onto a player. Then show grandpa how to use his new gadget so he can enjoy music he loves on “the“go.

Photo gifts. Load all your favourite photos of children and grandchildren into a digital picture frame. Or frame a collage print of your favourite memories for display.

Your grandfather is probably not expecting anything from you, but a simple gift can touch his heart and will show him how much his support has meant to you.
www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2011, 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.

Posted by on June 11th, 2012 1 Comment

CHILDREN’S SUMMER HOLIDAYS: I have some ideas – activities, spots, camps, parks, etc.*

Vol. 3, No. 7, Monday, June 4th 2012

TITLE: “CHILDREN’S SUMMER HOLIDAYS: I have some  ideas – activities, spots,  camps, parks, etc.*”

 INTRODUCTION

Summer is around the corner and in a couple of weeks, classes will be over and it will be summer break. It brings back memories of when my daughters were in school.  Today, I will talk about kids’ summer holiday. My book of the week is “The Family Manager’s Guide To Summer Survival: Make the Most of Summer Vacation with Fun Family Activities, Games, and More!” [Paperback] by Kathy Peel (Author).  (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on parenting: family, child rearing and education.)

PREVIEW (Monday, June 11th, 2012): I am also thinking about another rite of summer – Moving Day. In our province, July 1st is the start of the lease year for dwellings; as a result, the lead-up to that date is the time for moving. This year, I have been affected by three moves; I can tell you it’s big work. Come on over – I’ll give you a heads up first hand. (Editor’s Note: This is another post in a continuing series on home and garden.)

MY LIFE & TIMES*

Childhood: When I was a young girl, my summers were spent at home.  My parents worked most of the time and on nice weekends, we did day outings with uncles, aunts, cousins, etc.  It was fun and wonderful reconnecting with family.

Motherhood: Working in an educational institution, allowed me to take the summers off.  I planned it so that I would be home for my daughters.  I took them for swimming lessons, water parks, outings with friends, the zoo, family vacation, etc.  I invited their friends often to spend the day.  I looked forward to spending time with my children during the summer months.  Summer months with my children were very precious for me.  I worked full-time and with my busy schedule, quality time with my daughters was limited.  During the summer months, my daughters and I spent time together.  It was the time to bond.  Some say that the summer school vacation period is too long.  A shorter vacation period during the summer and more vacation during the school year would be ideal. 

Grandparenthood: My daughter, being a school teacher, will also be able to be home for the summer.  Her children – my grandchildren need this time with their mother. 

THE AUTHOR: Kathy Peel

Kathy Peel is the president and founder of Family Manager, Inc.  She lives in Dallas, Texas. She is an author, having written 18 books, which sold over two million copies.  For more than 12 years, she has been contributing editor at Family Circle.  She has numerous appearances to credit on such shows as:  Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America and The Early Show.

SERIES/COLLECTION

Books/Articles:

Several are:

THE BOOK: “The Family Manager’s Guide To Summer Survival: Make the Most of Summer Vacation with Fun Family Activities, Games, and More!” [Paperback] by Kathy Peel (Author)

Summer is a challenge for parents. In her book, Kathy Peel demonstrates how to make the summer months memorable with activities, learning experiences, trips, etc.  Furthermore, she’ll show you the 10-best ways to keep your kids from being bored.  She has creative activities that teach children skills and values. I think the more ideas the better. Take a look – your kids will benefit!

CONCLUSION

Summer is a time for fun and games. More, summer is an opportunity for a parent to spend quality timer with their kids.

Personal Comments

I say:

  • Summer holidays from school could be enriching and exciting for kids. 
  • For Moms and Dads everywhere, it’s important to make the most of the summer months with your children.  Indeed, if done right. it ‘s the time for parents, especially working Moms to bond with their kids.
  • Summer camps are great for children as long as it’s for a short period of time. 

The Point

Give some thought to your kids, this coming summer. Make it special not only for them, but also for yourself. Sun & fun is not simply child’s play! It takes a parent’s careful consideration and direction. 

ATOINETTE’S TIP SHEET*

I ask: “What do you have planned for the summer?” I say that a parent may:

  1. Keep your children in touch with their school friends, if possible, invite them over for slumber parties;
  2. Make plans for play and projects in home for rain days: a) magazine collages; b)cookie/cake baking; 
  3. Visit your city library; there is much to do and many opportunities to learn; 
  4. Go to your nearby park and playground often – physical activity is very important for your child; but, keep close watch ALWAYS!
  5. Arrange events with other parents at the park: a) Carnival; b) Board game tournaments; 
  6. Plan ahead – remember the early bird gets the worm;
  7. Consider a family vacation;
  8. Look for recreational programs or camps; with this in mind, 
  • Look into the local community center for activities
  • Enroll your child for swimming lessons, sports, etc.
  • Register your child for a two-week camp –  I think two weeks are just right!

9. Plan day trips, fun outings, to this end, go to the: (a) Water park; (b) Zoo

10. Make it your aim to make this summer, memorable for your children and also yourself.

I’m really looking forward  to the end of June. Soon, children will shout: ” Hooray, it’s summer holidays:  no more homework – let’s play!” I wish that you and your children have lots and lots of fun!

And that’s my thought of the week on books, what’s yours?*
Take it out for a spin and tell me if you agree.
ALP
“Books are life; and they make life better!*”
P.S. Big News: There are big changes coming to my blog – Please stay tuned.
P.P.S. #1 I have a TWITTER page. Consider becoming a follower? Visit www.twitter.com –   saveandread
P.P.S. #2 I also have a FACEBOOK page. Consider becoming a friend? Visit: www.facebook.com – Alp Save Andread – please check it out.
P.P.S. #3 I am on Linkedin. Consider becoming a connection? Visit  www.linkedin.com – Antoinette La Posta
*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved.
===============================================================

ANNEX I: NEED SOMETHING FURTHER? TRY AN ANECDOTE OR A QUOTE:

S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #1: Meandering
“One wintry day when Frank Lloyd Wright was nine years old, the future architect went for a walk with a reserved, no-nonsense uncle. As they reached the end of a snow-covered field, his uncle stopped him. “Notice how your tracks wander aimlessly from the fence to the cattle to the woods and back again,” he said. “And see how my tracks aim directly to my goal. There is an important lesson in that.”

Years later Wright remarked that this experience had had a profound influence on his philosophy of life. “I determined right then,” he explained with a twinkle in his eye, “not to miss most things in life, as my uncle had!” (Source: Anecdotage) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=9272)

 S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #2: Alfred Hitchcock: Mischief
“Alfred Hitchcock was a mischievous child. One day when Alfred was “no more than six years of age,” his father sent him on an errand to deliver a sealed letter to the local police station. Having read it, the officer lead young Alfred to a cell and proceeded to lock him up.

Two hours later [some sources say five to ten minutes later], the boy was released. “This,” the officer explained, “is what happens to bad little boys!”\ (Source: Anecdotage) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=9022)

 S & R* CHOICE ANECDOTE #3: Dean Kamen: Family Vacation
“By the age of 16, Dean Kamen (famed for his invention of the Segway Human Transporter) had made a small fortune selling his first invention – a control unit for light and sound shows – to such clients as New York’s Hayden Planetarium. “I used some of the money to send my parents on a two-week vacation,” he later recalled, “and I used the rest of it to buy myself some really great machine tools for the workshop I had set up in my parents’ basement.”

Unfortunately, some of the new equipment would not fit in a basement. Kamen, however, had a solution. He simply hired a contractor to dig a massive hole in the back yard, knock through the foundation wall, and expand the cellar. His parents soon returned from Hawaii – and found their home on stilts (erected to prevent it from falling into the aforementioned hole). Kamen later recalled their reaction: “They were not amused.” (Source: Anecdotage) –  http://www.anecdotage.com/index.php?aid=1262)

S & R* QUOTE #1: Tara Brach

“When we put down ideas of what life should be like, we are free to wholeheartedly say yes to our life as it is.”  (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/)

S & R* QUOTE #2: Franklin P. Jones

“Love doesn’t make the world go ’round; love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/index2.html)

S & R* QUOTE #3: Robert Frost

“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.”  (Source: Wisdom Quotes) – http://www.wisdomquotes.com/topics/life/index2.html)

ANNEX II
SCHEDULE I
“IT WORDS FOR ME!*”
“For today, my word/phrase(s) are:  “summer vacation”; “children”; “summer camp”

Summer vacation

“Summer vacation (also called summer holidays or summer break) is a vacation in the summertime between school years in which students and instructors are off school typically between 6 and 14 weeks, depending on the country and district.(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_vacation)

A child (plural form is children) is someone who is not an adult yet, or a person who has not reached puberty. A person younger than 15 years old is usually called a child.[source?]” (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child)

Summer School

“Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted (usually) during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers.” (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_camp)

SCHEDULE II
STUDY/STATISTICS:

“Some countries only get six weeks or two months summer vacation because students supposedly forget large amounts of information learned in the past year (See: Summer learning loss).[1][2] Other education reformers believed that children were overstimulated in a system which required 48 weeks of schooling. They believe that over-schooling could lead to nervous disorders, depression, and insanity.[3] They believe that children need the 2–3 months off to relax and also to take a break from other childhood stresses associated with school such as peer pressure, cliques, bullying, and the pressure of heavy loads of schoolwork and homework.

Some critics of summer vacation point out that American students spend approximately 180 days (36 weeks) per year in school, but Asian students are “in school for 240 to 250 days”. However, in certain Asian countries, like Singapore, students in both primary and secondary education get a week of holidays in March, a month in June, another week in September and a month and a half in November to December, meaning that Singaporean students spend around 200 days a year in school, not 240 to 250. This is consistent with the conclusions of researchers[4] who suggest that advanced abilities are in proportion to the time spent learning. Summer holidays in Japan last from late July until early September.” (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_vacation)

“In most camps, the adult supervisors are called counselors, but another name may be “cabin leader”. In many camps, counselors are assigned to smaller groups of campers, called “bunks”, “huts”, “cabins”, or “units”, who participate in activities as a group. Counselors often share living accommodations with their bunk or other counselors. Most counselors are in their late teens or early twenties, as high school or college students on their summer break are frequently recruited.

At some camps, all campers stay overnight, and at some camps, so called day camps, the campers go home each night. Some other camps allow both day and overnight campers. In the USA, residential camps that have overnight facilities are sometimes called “sleepaway camps”. Summer camp is often the first time that children spend an extended period of time away from home.

The practice of running residential holidays for children away from their own home seems to have originated in Appenzell in the Alps in 1876, when Pastor Bion set up holiday camps in which children made tree-houses, sang songs, did drama, made kites and had adventure games.

Post-war France used Pastor Bion’s model to take children who had grown up during the war years, away from cities, and their scheme ‘colonies de vacances’ became state controlled, part of their state education system for all children.

The American camps seem to have developed from a very different cultural root.” (Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_camp)

SCHEDULE III
S & R* NEWS ALERT* #1: Summer schooling: The ABC’s of sun safety

“Canadians may love the sun, but do we really know how to protect ourselves from it? A recent Banana Boat sunscreen brand survey reveals that we might not have all the facts when it comes to sun safety.

To assist Canadians with sun care basics, dermatologist Dr. Julia Carroll has joined forces with Banana Boat to develop the following ABCs of sun safety:

Apply all year round: The sun may not feel as warm during the spring, fall and winter months, but you can suffer both short and long term effects from the sun all year long. Regardless of the temperature outside or the time of day, be sure to apply sunscreen to all uncovered areas of your skin.

Broad spectrum is best: Ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays may both come from the sun, but they affect your skin in different ways. It’s important to look for a sunscreen with broad spectrum (both UVA and UVB) protection and follow these four easy steps for proper application:

1. Apply early: Apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure.

2. Apply enough: You should be using one ounce or 30mL of sunscreen roughly the size of a golf ball.

3. Apply everywhere: Don’t forget ears, lips, shoulders and nose. These areas are most susceptible to sun exposure.

4. Re-apply frequently: Be sure to re-apply one ounce of sunscreen every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.

Cloudy day? Don’t put the sunscreen away. Up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds, mist and fog, so even if you can’t see the sun, it can still see you. Be sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing on even the cloudiest of days to keep your skin safe.

For more information on proper sun protection, visit www.SunSafety101.ca.“ www.newscanada.com

S & R* NEWS ALERT* #2: A summer sun solution for kids with sensitive skin

“Specialists in the field of sun protection advise that the delicate skin of babies and young children can be more vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays. Unprotected exposure is a concern to all parents, especially when their little ones discover that the true adventures of summer are all outdoors.

The Canadian Cancer Society warns that the risk of skin cancer is greater than it was 20 years ago and continues to increase. Ultraviolet rays can break through clouds, fog and haze and among other cancer risk factors, blistering sunburns as a child, must be avoided for skin health later in life.

Kids don’t have to be at the pool, beach, or on vacation to get too much sun, says Beth-Ann Ivany, Senior Brand Manager at Aveeno, a leading brand name in the field of nature-based skin care. Children need protection from UVA and UVB rays whenever they are outside.

Since that is likely to be any time, all the time, it is highly recommended that parents add a thorough application and reapplication of sunscreen every day to their children’s morning routine. Indeed, getting them to sit still for it each day might still be a challenge and many parents also struggle with concerns about the quality of the product they are putting on their child’s skin.

Using hypo-allergenic, naturally-derived mineral ingredients is a starting point but with sunscreen advancements today, the options are ever-increasing, Ivany explains. Aveeno is well known for the development of the Active Naturals technology for effective skincare. These formulations combine Active Naturals, such as skin-soothing moisturizing oat and other naturally-sourced ingredients, to produce formulas that can enhance the beauty and healthy look of skin. Knowing that sunscreen is a must, it is ideal to choose one with multiple benefits that moisturizes, soothes and nourishes too.

For kids, and for anyone with skin sensitivities, a hypo-allergenic mineral based sunscreen is a welcomed solution.

The Active Naturals in the new Sensitive Skin mineral sunscreen product line are derived from the moisture replenishing and soothing properties of oatmeal. Ivany explained. It is also ‘broad spectrum’ to protect against both UVA and UVB rays. For exuberant kids, it’s waterproof maintaining its SPF protection after 80 minutes of water or sweaty activity. This means that children, teens and adults alike will get broad spectrum protection from the rays of the sun and they will also be able to moisturize and soften sensitive skin at the same time.

Dermatologists remind us however, that a reliable sunscreen is just the first step. Always combine it with activity in the shade, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothes, and keep hydrated.” www.newscanada.com

*TM/© 2012 Practitioners’ Press Inc. – All Rights Reserved

Posted by on June 4th, 2012 23 Comments