Buy Local (Strategically)

 

photo courtesy of Dreamstime

Many people talk a big game about buying local, but when the rubber hits the road, it may be better for the community and the environment but sometimes just isn't the most affordable or convenient option. So instead of just saying "you should always buy local" or even "you should buy local when possible," it's time to talk about buying local strategically. Where can your locally spend dollars do the most good, both for you and your community?

Produce

Fresh produce, even when not perfectly unblemished and shiny, is generally better tasting than that which you find in the supermarket. Finding a fresh produce supplier Medley FL or your area can instantly improve the quality of your cooking. You can't buy everything local, most likely, but you can't deny that local tomatoes grown in-season are going to be better than what you find at the grocery store. The grocery store will always be there later. 

Books

Books are another thing that you should absolutely buy local, for two reasons. First of all: when you buy from a local bookstore, the author gets paid more than if you buy from a big conglomerate. If you want to support your favorite author, buy their book from your local independent bookstore. 

Spaces 

Also, bookstores are often important community spaces not just for writers and readers but for artists of all kinds. Think of the spaces that you value in your local area, like small restaurants, hair salons and coffee shops. They all need your support to stay in business. 

Don't beat yourself up for buying from a chain. There's a reason that chains exist and a reason that they're so popular. However, it's worth investing in your local economy in ways that are meaningful to you and can do the most good, so be strategic with your money and your purchases.

Easy Ways To Keep The Kids Entertained This Summer

Now that summer has arrived, parents are faced with the summer holidays. It can sometimes be
challenging to know how to keep the kids busy through the summer. You don’t want to risk not
organising anything, by the time the end of the summer arrives, you’ll be sure to be pulling your
hair out. 

Photo by Mac DeStroir from Pexels

Things of things to do, however, doesn’t have to mean you are going out and about. You can stay at
home and have just as much fun. Parents often get confused into thinking they need to go out all the
time and fill the summer with expensive activities; this isn’t the case. 

If you’re finding it hard to think of some ways to keep the kids entertained this summer, have a look at
some of the ideas below: 

Out And About 

Ok, so we will start with a few days out, but inexpensive ideas. There is a load of fun activities that
you can get involved with over the summer when the weather is perfect.

Visit The Beach -  A trip to the beach is often a great success for the kids. It’s something that the
whole family can get involved with, with water sports, sandcastle competitions, picnics, and much
more the beach is a winning, cheap day out for the whole family. 

Theme Parks - You may think that this is an expensive option; however, if you shop around and find
coupons, you can often find a great deal for these kinds of days out. 

A Trip To A Park - Whether you choose a play park or a national park, they are both brilliant. Ride
your bikes, playing ball games, have a picnic, relax in the summer sun, or enjoy a box of
pretzels delivered (order them in advance).

There is plenty that a park can offer you and the kids, and it’s a popular go-to for many parents in
the summer holidays. 

Days In 

Days in can be just as entertaining as days out in the summer. They are also a great way to keep
the costs down if you have spent some savings on trips or week away already. Being at home also
enables your children to free play and choose some activities they would like to do in their own space. 

Home Cinema - An enjoyable day at home is a home cinema. Recreate a cinema feeling in your
lounge. Pick out some favourite movies and munch on some hotdogs and popcorn. You could even
set the living room up as a den that surrounds the TV with comfy seating and blankets. 

Back Yard Camping - Who said you have to travel to camp? Camping in the back yard can be a
brilliant way to introduce your kids to nature without worrying if they’ll enjoy it, they will automatically
feel safer because they are in their back yard. Why not go the whole way and create a mini-camp
site complete with a seating area, fake fire (or real under supervision), lanterns, and chairs. 

These ideas should get the creative juices flowing and give you a good starting position with
your summer holiday plans. Is there anything that you are planning for this summer? Please
share your ideas in the comments below. 

Here's How To Prepare For An Awesome Family Trip

Are you planning on taking the kids camping? If so, then there are definitely a few things to consider. Here are the important factors to keep in mind to ensure that your camping trip does go off without a hitch. 

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Check The Tent 

Before you head out camping you do need to make sure that all your equipment is working effectively. This is crucial to ensure that you don’t run into issues when you arrive at the campsite. Believe it or not, this can happen. One of the most common mistakes people make is thinking the tent will be okay because it’s been in storage for a while. Well, that’s just not the case. The reality is that a tent in storage can develop numerous issues, particularly if it wasn’t put away the right way. Use a dry run to check the tent before camping. Look for issues with leaks and other issues that could cause you problems when you’re out for a couple of weeks in the wilderness. 

Get The Right Equipment

You also need to make sure that you have all the right equipment for a fantastic camping trip. You’ll probably find that there’s more to purchase here than you might expect. For instance, you do need to make sure that you have all the right cooking supplies. Cooking outdoor equipment is definitely not the same as what you probably have lying around your kitchen so don’t make the mistake of just relying on this. You also need to think about whether a power supply will be necessary for your camping trip as well. 

Research Campsites

It’s definitely worth researching the different campsites that you can go to because there are a lot of choices that could suit your needs. You could think about the different activities that are available nearby. You might also want to consider whether the campsite in question is suitable for your requirements. For instance, some will provide electric outlets for devices while others will not. Some campsites will have lakes nearby that are going to be ideal for those interested in exploring some fun water sports. 

Prepare For The Best And The Worst

You might also want to think about the worst situations that you could encounter when camping. Specifically, you need to consider what you’re going to do if the weather takes a turn. This can happen, even if you are planning to go camping in the middle of the summer. There need to be contingency plans in place for this. If the weather makes it impossible to continue camping, make sure that you know where the nearest hotel or shelter is. You might also want to ensure that you pack some fun activities for those rainy days in the woods. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the best ways to prepare for your next family camping trip the right way. If you take this advice, you can guarantee that you have a fun-filled adventure that is sure to bring you closer together. 

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Are You Still Busy during the "Shelter in Place" Order?

Every now and then I'll interact with someone who thinks I have a lot of free time on my hands now that we are "stuck inside" due to the shelter-in-place guidelines which are in place all over the country and the world. (We are actually NOT inside all the time; we are outside quite a bit because why move to 8 acres of land with a pond and stay inside in the springtime?)

At the beginning of this whole thing, I put a lot of things on hold to make sure I was checking up on the virus numbers and checking in on the press conferences by the governors on both sides of the state line, checking in on my own city's Facebook page and county's website. I realized some things were starting to suffer and it was taking its toll on me and how I lived my life and how I was steering the lives of my children.

3 House Hunting Tips to Help You Find the Home of Your Dreams

Looking around for a new house can sometimes feel like an overwhelming experience. Maybe you have a ton of homes you absolutely love. Or, maybe you haven’t been able to find any that appeal to you. 

Whatever the case, the right house is out there and it’s important to keep the faith. Once you’ve put your own home up for sale and you’ve tried to boost its curb appeal to help it sell quickly, you’ll find that you’re likely more motivated to seek out the perfect house for your future. 

So, what can you do to make house hunting easier, or to make sure you’re choosing the right home for yourself and your family? 

Pixabay

1. Know Where You Want to Live

Location, location, location. It’s one of the biggest factors when you’re making a move. You might find the house of your dreams, but if it’s in a location that doesn’t appeal to you, it’s just not going to work. 

When you’re considering the right location, think about the school district (if you have kids), how far of a commute it will be from your job, and whether you actually like the neighborhood itself. Remember, you’re not going to spend every waking moment inside your house. You’re going to go out into the neighborhood, go to school events, go shopping nearby, etc. Making sure you like the area is a huge factor you’ll need to consider. 

2. Create a Check-List of “Must Haves” 

It’s okay to be picky when you’re buying a new home. In 2019, there were 673,000 homes sold in the U.S., which is over 12% more than the year before. The trend keeps going upward, so sellers know that buyers are interested and they’re going to want to do whatever it takes to make their home appealing to you. 

So, don’t settle for something less than what you really want. Chances are, you’ll start your search online. It’s easy to fall in love with houses when you’re looking at them on a phone or computer screen. But, make a checklist of the things you want your new house to have, and see which places fit those criteria. If they seem to check off the boxes online, you can do a walk-thru in person and continue to compare what the home really has to the list of things you want. 

3. Work With a Realtor

Some people hesitate when it comes to working with realtors, but they really are extremely helpful when you’re looking for a new place to live. Not only do realtors know a lot about houses, but they can also take show you some hidden gems and tell you things about the history of a house that may not be posted in its listing or description. 

A realtor, like William Pitt of Sotheby’s International Realty, can give you guidance on what to look for in a house. You can show them your checklist, and they should be able to tell you quickly whether or not a certain home is right for you. 

This is supposed to be an exciting time, and your dream home could be just around the corner. Don’t let the idea of moving start to overwhelm you. Instead, keep these three tips in mind as you hunt for your future home, and enjoy the journey!

Give A Little Back To Your Community

Giving back to the community is such a valuable thing to do which can feel incredibly important and it’s so vital to ensure your community is growing and becoming more successful. This can be implemented in many different ways but there are some simple ways to get back into the community. Especially if you have been previously in trouble or had some criminal record previously, it can feel good to help out. If you have a Record Suspension or you would like to prove your with within the community. 

Photo: Pixabay

Tidying Up 

You can find work in your neighbourhood by seeing what local groups help clean up the streets, keeping the place tidy and clean. Picking up trash, keeping the streets safe and clean is a very important task and the results can be seen immediately. It’s a lovely way to get involved with neighbours, to find out what is going on locally and to feel part of something. Often these types of groups are desperate for people to help, whether it’s cleaning up the local parks, or making sure all the trees and streets are cultivated and looking pristine. Search Facebook for local groups and get involved, it’s a good way to give back. 

Photo: Pixabay

Donate 

Donations are never going to go a miss. Whether you’re donating to your local shelters, or to charity and thrift stores, they will always be glad for a donation. Clothes especially in the winter months are very important for homeless people. Shelters also accept blankets, any kind of bedding, clothing, food, this time of year, it’s vital to help those around you and make sure they’re getting what they need when they need it the most. Donating is great if you have too much clutter or you’re wanting to sort through your old boxes of belongings that have been stored in the attic or basement for far too long! You can often donate to your local hospitals too for children such as old toys and games are usually welcomed and it is such a positive for everyone! 

Visit a Senior Center

There are probably a few local nursing homes locally where there may be elderly people who are lonely or perhaps no family to visit them. Some residents may just be wanting someone to chat to, even if they have dementia, they may just want to have a little babble on to someone with a friendly face and often staff do not have the time to commit to helping all of them individually. Stopping by with games, having a cup of tea for just an hour or so a week can make all the difference and the Christmas period is definitely a difficult time when people should come together to help. See what homes are local to you and ask about volunteering for an hour or so to put a smile on someone’s face. The power is in your hands and you have the chance to give a little back this Christmas time.

Worlds of Fun Winterfest 2019

Last year I posted about how Winterfest is the ultimate family experience! Also please check out my post from 2017 when we got to first experience the wonder of Worlds of Fun Winterfest! Worlds of Fun transforms into a winter wonderland, with over 500 million lights and miles of festive décor and family activities!

Once again, Worlds of Fun was so gracious and sent my family free of charge to experience their amusement park entirely transformed for the holiday season. What a great way to get in the Christmas mood! I also want to add that we received a couple of tasting cards so we got to try some yummy things: truffle bomb hot chocolate, those amazing loaded yams, shepherd's pie, winter egg roll, and holiday donut nachos. We even got a cool ornament, some saltwater taffy, and a scarf, which came in handy as it got more chilly that night.

We were super sad that my husband could not come this year, as he was working in Kuwait :-( We really enjoyed some of the seven live shows … super fun characters walking through the park as well. Definitely something you want to attend more than once this season! Don't forget about the ice skating, carriage rides, and cookie decorating! There is just so much to do = season pass would be a great Christmas gift for someone on your list!

Speaking of shopping, Artisan Alley features more than 20 KC vendors and artisans with tons of unique gift ideas. My girlfriend got herself a fuzzy Snoopy coin purse and a vinyl Snoopy purse. Did I mention she loves Snoopy? You'll see below!

We had our friend take this at the end. Perfect photo opp!

This is how the night began: with my son all decked out for the 50-degree weather in his Worlds of Fun Santa hat!

This year since we couldn't take Daddy, we took a bunch of friends and met others (my girlfriend with 8 kids and 2 grandkids) there! Lots of the kids have a Season Pass, which I highly recommend.

The little girls loved the standing snow angel cube.

Me and one of my besties, Katie!

Yams, Shep Pie, and Winter Egg Roll. Festive sauces!

Michael and Callie. Joel went off with friends.

So many great photo opps here!

Planet Snoopy is always a hit. The place cleared out by 9 and we got to just keep riding the rides; it was a blast!

My friend flipped out when Snoopy came around. Can you say FAN GIRL?!

Had a hard time getting Sam out of Planet Snoopy! So much to do!

The promise of the Holiday Donut Nachos did the trick!

Callie and longtime bestie, Ciara.

My own basketball team, the McKids, growing fast and having a blast.

You can get a tasting card for $25 and choose which 6 items you would like to try. Then if you love it you can purchase a larger size.

Thanks a bunch, Worlds of Fun, for a most amazing family night out on a lovely winter evening! See you again this year... or next year!

Fall Starbucks Dates with My Kids

Yes, these are fall dates even though the weather is cold and it has already snowed here. Ah, but then the next day it might be 60 degrees and you are breaking out the shorts. Welcome to the Midwest!

I'll post these as we go on the dates; we're trying to do one per day for five days. We chose Starbucks since they all love coffee and want to try new flavors. It's a great place to go and chill in the middle of the day, listen to some good music, and chat. Also you can play Pokémon Go every 5 minutes there to get your digital goodies (I do it for Sam!).

Here is a post from 2015 about when we used to do dates.

Up first: the middle child on a Thursday afternoon. She got the toasted white chocolate mocha and I got the egg nog latte. We sat in comfy chairs by the front window and she answered some of my date questions. Then I asked her the Love Languages questions for teens so we could determine her love languages: first was Quality Time and second was Acts of Service. Later that day she did one of her favorite things: went to the eye doctor. She loves picking out new glasses frames each year!

Friday I picked up Sam from a sleepover and we headed out for some lovely coffee and Pokémon Go. He wanted the egg nog latte like I got, but he didn't like it. The barista then made him a Pokémon Go Frappuccino for free because they want to make sure everyone likes their drink. WOW! So I took home the extra latte for the other kids to devour.

 

Sorry about the wonky formatting. You would really think Blogger would get their crap together after 12+ years of me blogging here, but nope. They are pretty much the same as the day I started my blog, unfortunately. If I had the time to learn WordPress, that's where I'd be.

So here is Michael's Saturday date below! We headed out and figured the place would be packed but we found a table no problem. He took the Love Language test but got 8 on THREE different things! He's not into words and he's not into touch, but he likes time, gifts and acts of service. We talked about his work and some other things. It was great to spend time with him (and play Pokémon Go). He got a mocha frap and I got a straight mocha. It was a chocolate kind of day.

Normally we don't do things on Sunday that involve paying money (kind of a fast from spending and a focus on God), but today I made an exception so we could get all the dates done before Daddy got home from Kuwait. Eva and I headed out after church for a nice chat and coffees.

The final date was with Joel, my oldest. We went out on Monday and spent some time together figuring out his personality type as well.