I recently witnessed one of the best gifts I’ve ever seen.  Thoughtful, interesting and homemade.

Now I want to make one of these babies for myself.

One of my sister-in-law’s best friends gave her this for a wedding ‘emergency kit’.  It had everything you’d ever think of.  But the packet is what I love.  It is a hot pot holder with Ziplock bags sewn inside.  (stack the bags and a simple line sewn down the middle).

It would be perfect for my car.  It could hold so much stuff!!

Here’s the outside:

She says the key is that you need to find a hot pot holder with a loop in the middle – not a corner.

Urban Edge Salon in Holdrege is giving you a chance to win a spray tan package.  Plus, get your lips lookin’ good with Pure Illumination Lip Gloss.  You choose the color.  These bad boys have a light and mirror in it!

Here’s how you can win!

1.  Leave a comment on this post.  Tell us why you need this giveaway!

2.  Head on over to the Facebook page of Urban Edge Salon, and give them a “like.”  Be sure to tell us you liked them, so we can get you in for a second entry!

One winner will be chosen on Friday night.  Good Luck!

Here’s a few more details about Urban Edge Salon!

• 401 West Avenue Suite 201
• Holdrege, Nebraska 68949
• Facebook
• 308-995-8999

Tracy Harling said, “You are never to OLD to enjoy the Shrine Circus!!”

Christina said, “I’ve never been to the circus so would love to go. Plus, I have a 2 1/2 year old who I am sure would love it too!”

Ladies – please send me an e-mail to leslie@herviewfromhome.com and I’ll let you know how to claim  your prize!

***

We’re giving away tickets to the Shrine Circus!

Cause really, who doesn’t like this place!  I feel like a kid again each time I go.  And of course, we buy plenty of cotton candy to tide us over!

We have at least 2 family 4 packs to giveaway (likely more!)  All you have to do is:

1.  Leave a comment to let us know why you’d like to go!

2.  Hit the tweet or like button below for a second entry.  (Let us know you did that so we can mark you down twice!)

Winners will be chosen on Monday night!  More info on date/location is below or simply click here.

The Shrine Circus returns to Kearney’s Viaero Event Center for a pair of performances at 4 and 7:30 p.m. on May 23.

Hosted by the Tehama Ft. Kearney Shrine Club, the shows are presented by James Cristy Cole Circus and feature many longtime circus performers and legendary acts.  Tickets are $10 for adults ($12 day of show) and $8 for students in sixth grade through college. Children in fifth grade or lower are free. All seats are general admission.  Tickets can be purchased from area Shriners or by visiting the Event Center box office in person.

This year’s event includes an entirely new show featuring clowns, daring acrobats and aerialists, juggling, beautiful animals and the always popular Motorcycle Globe of Death.

Other acts include Royal Bengal tigers and high-flying excitement featuring the X-Metal BMX team. Animal rides also will be available before each performance and at intermission.

Each week I attempt to break down the best deals at Walmart, Walgreens and Target.  These are matchups – matching a sale with a coupon – to get the lowest price.

Here’s my deal of the week:

I’m super excited about this deal.  For just $25 bucks you can have this

drink server AND tumblers.  (Have it shipped right to a store near you for free!!)

I’ve really been wanting a set like this.  Here’s the deal.

Target

Diet Pepsi, 12 oz 12 ct $2.75, sale price through 5/25/NOW $1.66  ($0.13 a can)

Windex Touch-Up Cleaner $3.50, price cut through 6/22/NOW $1.00

Buy 2 Purina Dog Chow or Puppy Chow, 16.5 lb $10.99, sale price through 6/1/NOW $3.99 wyb2

Walgreens

iChill Liquid Sleep Aid, 8 oz $4.99/NOW FREE

Mars or Dove Candy, 1.14-1.92 oz $0.59/NOW $0.34 each wyb2

Buy 2 Banana Boat Kids Sunscreen SPF 50, 8 or 10 oz $9.99, regular price/NOW $5.49 wyb2

got 2b Glued Styling Spiking Glue, 1.25 oz $2.59, regular price/NOW $0.59 

Wet n Wild Mega Volume Mascara, .27 fl oz $1.99, sale price through 6/1/NOW $0.99

Walmart

Earthbound Farm Organic Carrots, 16 oz $0.74-$0.88, regular price/NOW FREE

Beech-Nut Fruities, 1 ct $0.98, regular price/NOW $0.02 MONEYMAKER

Folgers Classic Roast Packets Instant Coffee Crystals, 7 ct $1.00, regular price/NOW $0.50 MONEYMAKER

Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Flavor Packet, 1 ct $0.84, regular price/NOW $0.16 MONEYMAKER

Emerald Breakfast on the Go, 5 pk, $2.68, regular price/NOW $0.68

Vlasic Farmer’s Garden Dill Spears Pickles, 26 oz $2.96, rollback price/NOW $0.96

Dreamfields Pasta Noodles Spaghetti, 13.25 oz $1.78, regular price/NOW $0.78

Dole Fruit Smoothie Shakers, 4 oz $1.50, regular price/NOW $0.75

Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce, 10 fl oz $1.74, regular price/NOW $0.44

Glutino Gluten Free Chips, 5 oz $2.78, regular price/NOW $0.78

Corelle Livingware Winter Frost 32-Piece Dinnerware Set $49.00 shipped

Yucatan Guacamole $3.98, regular price/NOW $0.98

Wet n Wild Nail Polish, .4 oz $0.93, regular price/NOW $0.07 MONEYMAKER

Creative Bath 1.5 Gallon Beverage Dispenser Set (reg $39.98) $25.00

Walmart

Ask any homeschooling mom what they are asked about most when they tell someone they are homeschooling and you will probably hear the word ‘socialization’. It’s not bad enough that many of us hear the word in our subconscious, roaming the wilderness that is our doubts. Then we try to share our happiness about how well our children are doing it seems like some people rush right past our joy and ask only one question:

“But what about socialization?”

According to dictionary.com, socialization is defined as

“a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior and social skills appropriate to his or her social position”.

What better environment is there than homeschooling for  our children to acquire their personal identity? What better place than in the home can a child learn values, behaviors and social skills that will help them go out into society? If you are homeschooling, chances are you are not only concerned with teaching your children the three Rs but teaching them your family’s values and behaviors. And it’s not that difficult to do either. But most people, when asking this question, are asking you how your child could possibly learn how to socialize with other kids when they are at home doing school.

I asked myself this question too, after the doubt army marched through my mind once again as a mom I had known from public school posed the question. Yet again. Fortunately there are a myriad of opportunities for homeschoolers to mix and mingle. If you are new to homeschooling I would encourage you to simply type in ‘homeschool support groups’ in your browser along with your town or county and state and see what pops up. Your public library will be another great resource in linking you to other homeschoolers in your area. Though many homeschoolers choose to keep their identity private for whatever reason, I found turning to the children’s librarian very helpful. Homeschoolers are big patrons of the library and often the children’s librarian knows which families homeschool. Though she can not offer their information to you, you can leave your name and number with her and ask that she relay the information to the homeschooling moms she knows of in your community. I met a wonderful mom and her son this way and our sons stayed friendly right up until graduation until he went away to college.

No doubt you will find some local groups when you search the internet but there are several established homeschool support groups you can contact as well. Start by looking at LEAH’s website, leah.org. Loving Education At Home has over one hundred twenty chapters across the country and is a great starting point in finding a support group. However, you will be happily surprised to find several groups in your own town/county that are all too happy to have you join them for a class, event or field trip. You will be very happy to find out just how many classes, workshops, events, games and field trips you will find through these wonderful support groups. As a matter of fact, when it comes to socialization your problem won’t be finding activities or other homeschooled children for your children to play with, it will be finding the time to do it all.

Here is with my title ‘Leave Some Breathing Room in Your Calendar’ comes in.

We are very fortunate to have two wonderful homeschool support groups in our area. We settled in very comfortably with one group in particular, with my son and daughter both hitting it off with the kids and myself enjoying the company of the moms. I was eager to join in on every outing, every field trip, every club, every game and every meeting that was posted on the website. Within just a few months we found our car to be our second home, often packing drinks, sandwiches and snacks for the drive to whatever activity was on that day. My kids were loving it and I was enjoying the company of these wonderful moms. In my quest to make sure they were ‘socialized’ I forgot that they, and myself, need down time.

We were taking part in baseball, basketball, kickball and bowling games. There were the First Friday outings, art class, science class and foreign language club. Oh and don’t forget the afternoons at the movies. Some trips were just minutes from home; others over an hour away from our home. Our car had truly become Mom’s Taxi. To sum it up, we were spending at least three and sometimes four days a week traveling to and fro. When did our school work get done? Sometimes in a frenzy early in the morning and oftentimes in the evening when we returned home.

Then I hit the brakes. It was like a case of burn out. I was getting tired and overwhelmed but worse yet I was getting discouraged with myself. “The mother moms are doing it. Why am I so tired trying to keep up?” I would berate myself. Looking forward to outings turned into dreading getting in that car, feeling resentful because I didn’t have time to read a book and sick of lunches on the go.

Lucky for me I sat next to a wonderful mom one afternoon and spilled my guts to her. She gave me a sympathetic look and said “I’ve been there myself”. It was like the weight of the world had come off my shoulders. I waited for her to share her solution, the secret of doing it all, with me. What did she say? “You’re doing too much.” That was it. As simple as that. She then told me I needed to start picking and choosing what we did and when we did it. You can’t do it all, plain and simple. I needed to stop cramming the calendar full and start scheduling in some down time – both for me and for my children.

That day I sat down and purposefully looked at my calendar. I told my children from that point on we were limiting our activities to two per week. The other three school days would be home based, focused on getting our studies done slowly and joyfully. And while they were busy reading and studying I added in one day a week just for myself , whether it was for reading a book, flipping through a magazine or just putting my feet up.

Leaving some breathing room in my calendar was the best decision I made for both my children and myself. With a little breathing room you can come to the table refreshed, excited and eager to learn alongside your children. And that question about socialization? Simply say “Oh, yes, I know. They’re having a wonderful time!” and let it go!

Here’s the thing.  My girls aren’t big into the healthy foods.  They eat mini corndogs and dinosaur chicken nuggets more than I like to admit.  So whenever I have a chance to sneak something healthy into their diets, I do it.

And this recipe is definitely healthy!

It’s a combo of strawberries, blueberries, lemon juice a tiny bit of sugar and Greek Yogurt.  They thought it was dessert and that’s fine by me!  It’s a very easy recipe – I used an old baby food grinder to blend the fruit, and my 4 year old helped.  

Next time I make this I will use much smaller portion sizes.  They expand in the freezer and come out big enough for two serving sizes.  I would try to get about 7-8 pops out of this one (I made mine way too huge with only 5 pops).  Of course, it depends on the size of your cup or mold.

I personally would prefer this as a smoothie with a straw.  Either way – it’s tasty!

And seriously?  How cute for a Memorial Day or 4th of July party!

Memorial Day Yogurt Pops (Recipe found Here)

1/2 cup strawberries, chopped
1/2 cup blueberries, chopped
2 cups greek yogurt, divided
4 tbsp lemon juice, divided
Sugar or sweetener of choice.  (about a teaspoon per mix)

In a blender or food processor (I used an old baby food blender) combine strawberries, half a cup of the yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice and sweetener. Blend until smooth. Remove to a bowl or measuring cup.

Repeat with the blueberries, half a cup of the yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice ans sweetener.

Mix remaining 1 cup yogurt, 2 tbsp lemon juice and sweetener together until smooth.

Divide strawberry mixture among 8 popsicle molds or paper cups. Tap molds firmly on counter to settle mixture to the bottom. Divide plain yogurt mixture among molds or cups and tap firmly. Top with blueberry mixture and tap firmly to even out.

Place molds in freezer and chill 1 hour, until just starting to firm up. Add popsicle sticks and freeze until completely firm, at least another 2 to 3 hours.

Alzheimer’s disease is not normal aging.  It is a progressive, fatal, degenerative brain disease and the greatest risk factor is age.  In 2011, the first wave of baby boomers began turning 65 – the age that your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease begins to increase significantly.  Knowing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and getting diagnosed early is vital to receiving the best help and care possible.

Here are the 10 Warning Signs.  Each description also includes what is a typical age-related change versus a sign of Alzheimer’s to help contrast the difference.  Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.

 Memory changes that disrupt daily life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information.

Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (for example, reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

Typical age-related changes include sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

Challenges in planning or solving problems

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. 

They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills, or they may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook is a typical age-related change.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure

People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show is a typical age-related change.

Confusion with time or place

People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately.

Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

A typical age-related change is experiencing confusion about what day it is but later figuring it out.

Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships

Having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s for some people.

They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

Vision changes related to cataracts is a typical age-related change.

New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation.

They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary; have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name.

A typical age-related change is sometimes having difficulty finding the right word.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places.

They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

Misplacing things from time to time is a typical age-related change.

Decreased or poor judgment

People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making.

They may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

Making a bad decision once in a while is a typical age-related change.

Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports.

They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby.

They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

A typical age-related change is sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

Changes in mood and personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.

They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted is a typical age-related change.

Mood changes with age may also be a sign of some other condition. Consult a doctor if you observe any changes.

If you notice any of these signs please discuss them with a physician.  Unfortunately fear keeps many individuals from communicating with their doctor.  Other disorders (anemia, malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies, infection, diabetes, thyroid abnormalities), can have similar symptoms.  It is critical to seek a diagnosis. 

To learn more about preparing for a doctor’s appointment and the warning signs go to http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_know_the_10_signs.asp or call Alexandra Dillon, Associate Director, Alzheimer’s Association Great Plains Chapter, Alexandra.dillon@alz.org, 308 440-7773.

(First Published June 2012)

Walking out the front door was the hardest part. I was leaving my little man in extremely capable hands, but that didn’t stop the tears from stinging my eyes or my return trips into the kitchen for one last kiss. While sitting in the airport, I scrolled through the photos (over 1,000!) on my phone and tried to keep the lump in my throat at bay. Maybe I should have just taken him with me after all.

But, I boarded the plane and almost immediately fell asleep. That nap was glorious. And then, I read my book, uninterrupted. I haven’t done that in ten months.

I was able to stay up too late both nights, celebrating with my brother and his new fiancé, and then celebrating one of my best college friend’s wedding, without anticipation of a middle of the night feeding.

Admittedly, I did check my phone too often looking for a picture or news of my guy. I was told that in my absence he stood unassisted. Like any good mother, I told my husband that he should just push him over. He’s obviously growing up too fast.

While he was standing, I was dancing in heels that were too high. Telling fun college stories that felt much more recent than ten years ago. Catching up with friends that I hadn’t seen in much too long. And missing him, fiercely.

When my feet hit the ground back in Virginia, I almost ran to my waiting ride. Inside was my handsome little guy (oh yes, and my husband and mother-in-law) that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on.

Mommy needed a vacation, but it will be a long time before I want to take one without him.

Dash missed me so much that he spent most of the night letting me know. It’s been noted little man, it’s been noted.

We had a hard week this week. My poor boys are suffering from “last 20 days of school” – itis…

Our first grade teacher utilizes a system called “Clipping Up/Clipping Down”. There is a chart in their room where every day everyone starts at the same place, and it is their decisions and consequences for those decisions, that decipher where they will be at the end of the day. Everyone starts in the middle at “Ready to Learn” and they are given encouragement to make good decisions, listen to directions, do well on their work, offer help when they see the need and so forth.

If the teacher, Mr. Grant Bachman, decides that the student is doing a good job, he will ask that student to “clip up”. At this point it is my imaginative mind that sees a young first grader gleefully skipping over to the colorful chart, finding the clothes pin with their name on it, and moving it from “Ready to Learn” up one colorful block to “Good Day”, then “Great Job” and finally the coveted “Outstanding”. But, if a child makes the wrong decisions, doesn’t respond to directions or commits an irresponsible or inappropriate act, then the student is asked to “clip down” to “Think About It”. The chart progresses down to “Teacher’s Choice” and then the bottom of “Parent Contact”. What I love about this system is that no matter what happened the day before, each child starts the next day starts where everyone else does. Anyone else have Julie Andrew’s singing “We’ll start at the very beginning, a very good place to start” running through their mind?

So, back to our hard week. We have made it a habit to ask the boys about their days ever since they started preschool at 3 years old. Now, we ask what clip they got to in addition to their favorite part of the day (besides recesses and lunch because I have very keen boys.) So, when we had our kids who were ashamed of their day and where they were clipped, we were taken aback. We have good kids and have been told by so many in the school that our boys are the most polite, sincere and hard working boys they’ve encountered. But on this day, I had a child clipped at “Think About It” and another at “Teacher’s Choice”. They were devastated, and as their parents, we were too. We wanted to know what went wrong, if they knew what they had done and tried to go over what the better decision was in the situations.

In between the tears and the Kleenex, we got through the bad decisions and I felt it was time to do the building up of them again. Not that they were broken down, but my children are very emotional when they have been disciplined. So, their dad and I started something that I feel is something for everyone, not just elementary kids. The next day they would be starting at “Ready To Learn” with the rest of the group, with the kids who were in the office with the principal as well as the kids who reached “Outstanding” the day before. The playing field was level so to speak, and the bad decisions of yesterday were forgiven and forgotten. They were set up again for the next day to be better. Sounds pretty familiar, and AWESOME to me.

So their dad and I started with this encouragement: “Make Tomorrow Better”. The boys were definitely apprehensive about the next day and the challenge we put to them. We have 20 some days left of school, and dad and I challenged them both; make “Outstanding” 4 times before the end of the school year. And you know what?

The next day, I saw their pictures standing beside the clip chart, pointing at their clip in the red “Outstanding” block. Both of them, individually pictured and grinning from ear to ear with pride of accomplishment stared back at me saying “I did it Mommy! I made today better!” And now, I understand something better about what God must feel when he looks at us as we live our lives down here.

My pastor this morning was talking about how Jesus was watching from above as Stephen was about to be stoned as a disciple. Stephen saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father, encouraging him through this hardship as Jesus felt compassion as he too had experienced pain, rejection and injustice in his death. My pride in my son’s actions at making better decisions is not unlike that. I had cheered for them, I was literally showing off their pictures to my co-workers who had no idea about what Clipping even was, but they encouraged my pride because they saw how completely happy I was for them.

So when a small older woman today in church turned around and shook my hand in the morning greet your neighbor part of the fellowship wished me a good day, normally it would have struck me oddly. It was 9 am, and the session was just starting, and yet she was wishing me a good day. In the back of my head I heard myself saying “I’ll make it better than yesterday!”

Hope you are having a wonderful SONday!

Let’s settle in this morning and talk about the feelings of our children. Are we uplifting them or tearing them down, maybe even unaware that we are?

Let’s see what the Bible says:

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

 The instruction here is for us as parents not to provoke our children, so they won’t become discouraged. Let’s take a look at what provoke means.

-Stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion.

Or

-Stimulate or incite (someone) to do or feel something, esp. by arousing anger in them.

By looking at these definitions we can see that provoke means to stimulate anger or a reaction in someone. God doesn’t want us to stir up the feeling of anger in our children on purpose or for the wrong reason. Example; a child is being disrespectful and hurtful, and then you come back at them the same way.

 Not good.

 Why?

 Let’s look at what discouraged means.

-Cause (someone) to lose confidence or enthusiasm.

If we say hurtful things, and are constantly showing our children disapproval we are causing them to lose confidence in themselves, as well as other things. That should be a major eye opener! We should want our children to feel safe, loved, confident, and encouraged.

How?

-Build up their confidence

-Encourage them

-Talk with them

-Point out to them the good things you’ve seen them do

-Let them know it’s not the end of the world when something doesn’t go their way

-Give them hugs and kisses

- Read to them

The list goes on and on. What children need the most, what they want the most is YOU.

Now, I know, as I think every parent does, that sometimes our children are not going to be happy with corrections or certain situations. That’s not what I’m talking about here, nor do I think that’s what God is referring to. But I do think we have to be very careful in our own reaction to situations, so we can show them a Godly way to handle things.

I know that’s easier said then done at times. But remember those little eyes are looking to you for direction! They are watching what you do. ALWAYS.

Scriptures:

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

What ways are you going to encourage your children this week?