Glass Castle

“ Glass Castle ” – this book was recommended by my friend Melinda and then by another friend. As soon as I started reading it was hard to put down, and like most of the books I read, it is a true story. Glass Castle is written well and simple, not getting to into each event but enough information that you have an understanding of what happened. It reminded me of the human version of an abused dog who just keeps going back to his owner for love. The way the author and her siblings were raised was just heartbreaking and at times unbelievable. Having 2 very neglectful parents when these kids became teens they got themselves out of their own personal hell to make a better life.

Cocoa Village

Not far from where I live is Cocoa Village, a quant area that has a feeling of years ago. The buildings are styled different from most on the Space Coast and many of the streets are one way. It is located near the river with an open park that has a stage facing the water, which hosts many events. New this year is an ice skating for the holiday time, in Florida that is a rare option when looking for something to do. I have been to the old playhouse to see a few things and enjoyed them all. Not much seating and the place is small but you will have a good view no matter where you are…unless you are directly behind the worlds tallest hair do like I was recently during Peter Pan…hello Don King! Nearby are many small stores that offer unique items, those made locally are great gifts for people who do not live here. The best thing to do is park in a lot and walk, this way you do not miss anything. There are many options for eating, some outdoors, as well as craft shows, live music and special events. Check out http://www.cocoavillage.com/ for more information and dates.

Christmas - How to Cheaply Decorate

This is a task, but cheap doesn’t give you permission to be tacky…blah! I have weaned out my tacky items from when I was younger over the years because it drove me nuts to see it up at Christmas. I am not into toys that sings, and dance, but enjoy more traditional décor. This year I gave in to my husband and threw away my favorite Christmas tree. I purchased it in 1994 at Ben Franklin craft store, it was 10 feet and very dimensional with areas to hang ornaments real close to the trunk. After we moved our ceiling was only 8 feet, no problem, I had Adam cut the bottom 2 feet. Over the years it started to shed like a real tree but I still loved it, call me Linus. Anyway, last year was it final one, but I wasn’t convinced until it came out of the shed for Christmas 08. It was shedding like a dead pine tree left in the woods during a hot summer. To soften the blow Adam offered me money to buy whatever tree I wanted, so out I went searching like you would if you were cutting one down yourself. I had to look from all angles and finally decided on a rustic green tree with pinecones, berries, and bare branches on it. I’m not a huge fan of pre-lit but you can hardly find any that aren’t now-a days. I like to change my colors from year to year, but had to settle on white lights. Putting it up and turning it on was like a winter sun rising, it was so bright, not what I like. So I put the blinkers on and that seemed to help. For days it sat undecorated, my sister said “you don’t even need to decorate that tree it’s so pretty”, she was right, it really was pretty. But I own so many ornaments that I had to decorate it somehow. I broke my own rule and bought some cheap plastic balls, 2 sets of 8, all matching in the same color scheme. I used “sets” of my rustic ornaments, home-made ones and plaid bows. The tree ended up better than I thought it would. I love it! I have collected Hallmarks and Disney ornaments for years and not one was put on this tree. The cost of the balls, small bows, matching ribbon for a topper, and other sets could have been done in under $50. I have been given some really nice hand made things over the years and they went perfectly on the tree.

My New Tree


Did I mention I have 3 other full size trees to decorate? Also some smaller ones, but I enjoy it. A great cheap way to fill your tree – cotton. The bag cotton works best; you can find some with shinny thread in it or glitter. Take a wad, using both hands pull in opposite direction, (make sure this is cotton and NOT angel hair), almost like you are making a log with dough. Have some at one height and the tail end go up or down, like snow on a tree. One bag is enough and under LED lights it is really pretty.


My Living Room Tree
I like to have a little Christmas all over. Another cheap thing to do is purchase bundles of holly / poinsettias and cut them. Take the pieces and place them random places, but do not be too cheap or it will look like it. Put a few together – like next to a picture frame, or on a shelf in the bathroom. I also use the same bundles outside near the mailbox.
Although many of us have no money after Christmas, it is a great time to get 1/ 2 off or even more on things for next year. I usually pick up something and then the next year when I get out all my decorations I find a gift for myself, and it’s something I like…that’s fun!

Christmas in Melbourne

Melbourne Light Parade – this annual event is getting bigger each year. Being in scouts our troop marched in the parade for 7 years, which was a lot of fun but after getting out of scouts I looked forward to just watching it. The route is from a Melbourne High School area to downtown City Hall. Streets are closed but spaces are taken early. I recommend parking close to where you will sit and then go eat or shop somewhere. The parade starts at 6pm, usually the 2nd Saturday of December. Just make sure you arrive in enough time to claim your spot. Of course if cuteness is not on your side, then out holly jolly, someone is bound to come your way with some candy.

Christmas

Having a baby at Christmas time is just the icing on the cake. But when your baby is discovering new stuff you have to watch out during the holiday season since so many extra things are put out. My daughter’s 1st Christmas she was almost a year since she was born the January before. I decided to put my living room tree up on a table making it touch the ceiling, and then left all my breakable and meaningful ornaments off. It’s just one year and if I can do it so can you. Keep in mind that many things have little pieces and add some lights and you have an area screaming “come touch me” to a small child.
Don’t forget to get a baby’s 1st Christmas or some type of ornament for the new member of the family. I get my kids an ornament each year that kind of represent that year – one year my son was into “Arthur”, so I found him with snowflakes, of course that fad left but he still enjoys talking about it when the ornament is opened each year.

Losing It by Valerie Bertinelli

I was expecting this book to focus solely on her weight loss but soon found out it had much more. Being a Van Halen fan I loved her view from the side of the stage. She talked about the relationships that fell apart between the members of the band and then some. I only had the book 7 days from the library and being it was Christmas I had to read fast. Being the book was so good it was easy. I would recommend this to those that know who she is, like Van Halen or is looking for inspiration in their own weight loss.

Think Ahead

My Marley, God bless him, is a pure Yellow Lab…no I didn’t get the name from “Marley & me”. We got him just before the book came out, and yes I did read it – it was good.
Labs are prone to some illness, just as any breed is. We soon realized that Marley had severe allergies…a very long list. The symptoms didn’t start until he was almost 2 but when they hit, they were terrible for him. Test after test, vet appointments and lots of money we finally found out the many things he could not longer have or be around, including many food items and trees in Florida. He ended up on a costly dry food but is so worth it. He is such a great dog.
Now the purpose is not to brag about my allergic K9 but to say, if you are going to get a pure breed, which tends to have more health issues than a mutt, look into pet insurance. Be responsible no matter what and make sure you get all the shots and other things needed to be a pet owner.

Thanksgiving

I love Thanksgiving, the traditional foods, Macy’s parade, fall décor, being with family & friends and having a day that is solely used to reflect on being thankful for all the blessings in life. Every Thanksgiving since 1991 I have worked, but no “poor you” needed because most of those years it was my choice to do so. Now it has become traditional and feels right for me to be there for the day to help make the meal smoother and more importantly pleasant. Knowing someone else has emptiness especially during a day that was once enjoyable for them motivates me to be more kind even if I am rushing around and somewhat stressed that things may not go the way I imagined. I know much of those feelings from the residents where I work result from personal losses over the years, not just of loved ones either, but the loss of preparing their meal, baking and maybe even hosting. Every year I will be with people who feel that way, some may even be negative to me because I am so happy. But I shrug it off and make the best of it. I think that those that join me to assist in some way come away with another meaning of Thanksgiving. Just because a person is surrounded by others does not mean they don’t feel alone so reach out to someone and not just on Thanksgiving.

Me at work this Thanksgiving with my mom and nephew

Beyond Little League

Travel Ball
This group is completely different that a local little league level. The girls are more advanced in their skills and parents have to be involved, no doubt about it. My daughter got into travel ball when she was spotted playing at a local game. She was good at the time but I think this particular “scout” from travel ball was really seeking girls to fill a team. The practices were more often and for games we had to travel, makes sense huh?
The 1st team she was on her dad helped coach, but this bad new bears group never won a thing. The majority of the girls were older and more experienced than Ky so she sat out a lot. With older girls came attitudes and at times trouble. I was not real into it and didn’t connect with many of the parents even though I was married to the coach.
Within time we saw Kyla’s potential and started looking into placing her with girls her own age…best thing we did.
We have been with the team she is on now for over a year and found our softball home. She truly loves the game and after playing on a local level as well as travel she finally gave up on LL. I was a little sad because we made many friends through lots of seasons with little league but realize it was for the best. On the local level girls were pushed to the back burner. Of course this is not true for many areas but sadly it was in ours.
Travel ball is first and foremost about one thing, the girls. That makes the difference. Now don’t get me wrong, it cost time and money, both of which lots of us do not have now. But we feel it is so worth it. Our daughter is constantly busy and does not get in trouble. She hangs around a great group of girls, most through ball even though they do not attend the same school, and the girls that I am aware of, all get great grades.

*My favorite player to watch

Honestly just a few years ago I didn’t even know travel ball existed; now I realize it is a whole new world. So if you have a daughter who loves the game check into a travel ball team. Now If I could just think of a way to cash in on this great sport….

Christmas Caroling

We did this annually, of course working in a nursing home helped because I set it up.
To do this, pick 6-8 upbeat songs. No one wants to hear a girl sing Silent Night while watching an elderly person tear up. Great song but it can be sad so stick to not so sad songs like: Frosty and Rudolph. Do not pick songs that cannot be sung along to like “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”, it may not go well.
After you have picked your songs make easy to read large copies for all and staple them in the same order. Practice a little and send them home with your girls. Call a Nursing Home and set up a date that works for both sides. Put on your Santa hat and sing your heart out, add bells if you have younger ones. Remember making a card to something to hang on the door is nice, candy may not be a good idea since a nursing home has so many diets. Many residents have nothing to decorate with in their small area and most doors in a home are magnetic. Ask, and if so make something to display on them using a magnet.
So fa la la la your self to bring some joy into the lives of others!

Caroling last year, some of my family joined us too

Pass Along

I learned a lesson the week of Thanksgiving, the hard way. When your kids get a little older you need to remember to let them in on certain things. What I discovered was my kids didn’t know you should not put metal in a microwave. My son was heating up water for oatmeal in a metal rimmed cup. To make a long story short, small fire, panicked kids, smoky kitchen and smelly house. My husband had to remind me not to be mad because this was our fault not theirs, they just didn’t know. I need to remember things that didn’t apply one day, may the next as the grow up.

More Games

Bridal TP Creations
For this game you will need lots of…toilet paper. Teams can be made up of 3-4 people or as little as 2. You may want to give people a heads up so they can start thinking of what they will do to be creative. You can also provide other helpful items: flower, pipe cleaner and tape.
Gather the teams and each one will need a “bride” who will model for her team. Set a time limit and give the real bride something to do while each team is at work. Once time is up the bride will choose her favorite dress. Have prizes for the winners. Don’t forget to take photos!
We did this at work during a “Wedding Theme” month, and I have to say my creation was nice in a Redneck wedding sort of way.

*Me designing the dress for Joan my "bride"

*My creation...sorry Joan, but it did look nice :)
Baby Touch and Feel
Gather up about 10 common items that are found in the home of a new mom (to save on money ask some mom’s for donations); baby brush, pacifier, nipple to a bottle, nail clippers, thermometer and some harder items like a lid to baby food, nasal bulb, bottle brush cleaner, bottle bag and a baby wipe. Put each item in a numbered brown paper bag to pass around. Pass out numbered sheets of paper for the guests to write their guesses down. Pass out the bags and give everyone 20-30 seconds, then announce for them to pass it to the person next to them. Give a prize to the one with the most right…don’t forget a tie breaker – maybe a smelling item like Johnson and Johnson baby wash or baby food

Cheap Things

SLIME you will need: water, Elmer’s white glue, borax food coloring (unless you want uncolored white slime)
First mix the mix 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of Borax until dissolved, in a separate container mix ½ cup of white glue with a ½ cup of water – add coloring if desired. Then mix the 2 together, it will become stiff, then remove it from the bowl and finish by hand. Some water may remain in the bowl.

Foam Just for Fun you will need: empty plastic bottle (for each kid) like a 2 liter or Gatorade with no lid (do not even have the lids available), water, dishwashing detergent, baking soda, and vinegar.

First fill each bottle most of the way full of warm water and add a squirt of dishwashing detergent. Make sure you have all the needed items ready. Next add some baking soda (2-3 teaspoons) to each bottle. Put your hand over the opening and shake it up to get suds, then pour in vinegar which will start the reaction. Squeezing the bottle may help move things along. Add more baking soda and vinegar when needed. Have a foam fight. Remember do NOT cap the bottle.

Sea World

Sea World – at one time I considered SW my favorite theme park. For the price, especially Florida Residents, you can’t beat it because you can return all year long. Of course like any other theme park look into the hours of operation and show time prior to your trip so you have no surprises. During holidays they may close early to host special events and also like the others weekend and holidays are the busiest. For Sea World take extra precautions for being in the sun since most shows and rides are outside. You can bring in drinks and snacks – look into the rules of the park for all of that. If you are able to look at a map prior to your outing it may help otherwise grab one on your way in. Take a moment to figure out what routes you will take keeping in mind show times of things on the top of your list. A favorite, and one that gets busy, is the dolphin feeding in Key West. You can purchase food and once they have sold the allotted amount you cannot buy anymore. This is where your patience may be tried by pushers and other crazy people trying to get a get photo of these awesome creatures. Right outside the pool area is underwater viewing. Warning – you may see much more than you want…dolphins are frisky if you know what I mean. I had to field questions from my son and niece during out time down there. Of course you have to make time to see Shamu and whatever show title they give that exhibit. Another warning – if it says Splash Zone, you will get wet, no doubt about it. Bring your own cheap $ store poncho so you can cover up you things if you plan on sitting here. If you want to get wet I suggest sitting in the splash zone towards the middle, the ends aren’t as active since the whale has to turn around. It really is an awesome thing to see humans in a deep salt water pool with killer whales. To entertain the guest while waiting they play a trivia game and scan the audience to put people on their big screen. If you want to appear, act like a fool flapping your arms around like a crazy bird and you may end up a star. You will probably embarrass those with you but oh well. Sea World has a great roller coaster, Kraken. I love big coasters and this one is a blast, yes they take your photo at the end so smile! Kid’s meals are not a bad price and they come with a cute whale carrying case but SW needs to learn most kids do not consider raisins as a dessert, they don’t consider then at all. The refillable cups are a good buy also; unless you have a stroller to push that can hold lots of drinks. If you are visiting on a day that ends with fireworks start asking employees early where the best spot is for viewing. A blanket may be a useful item to bring for that. I am one of those moms who doesn’t go anywhere without a huge beach bag. Yes I end up holding a lot but I have everything I need and a big bag is more comfortable than a smaller one. I leave room for purchases to be made, bring a change of socks, plastic bag for wet items, you name it. If you are going to be getting wet at SW don’t forget some dry items. After a half day at the park you would be amazed how great a different pair of socks feels. Put em’ on and get back out there! What would a day at SW be without seeing those famous Clydesdales and tasting beer, so if you don’t look 21 bring your id.

K9 Picking

K9’s
Becoming a dog owner should be on a whim. Most of us dog lovers grew up with a favorite Fido and may remember a particular breed. Just keep in mind you also need to remember that you were a kid and you may only remember the good. When choosing a breed you need to look into it completely because you are making a commitment for at least 10 years. I have always been a medium to large size dog lover but my husband and I almost changed that one year. We already had a Rottweiler and were looking for a 2nd dog. Miniature Pinschers seems cute and even close in color to Rotts. We had our next family member picked out when all of sudden the most ear piercing noise came from outside. It was the mom of the puppies and she was going crazy, but not as crazy as I would have owning one like her. We quickly changed our mind and left empty handed. I like the deep bark the larger dog makes and others love the small breeds. Either way remember you will have the dog awhile.

Dogs cannot eat grapes! Why? I don’t know but they can’t!

November Pick

For November I picked some new items that I tried and an old favorite
Dial Yogurt (hand soap) I tried this because someone had it not because I was in the grocery store and thought “wow, Dial has a yogurt”. It is the consistency of yogurt and works just like any other soap but, trust me, it smells good and feels good. Okay I’m geeky but whatever, you will think the same thing…geek!.

Kebler Almond Crescent Cookies – they are in a blue box and only out this time of year. These cookies are so good; I load up when I see them. If you like almond flavor you will love these. Darn Kebler elves making me fat!
Avon Spa Callas Remover – I know, gross, but this product is awesome and worth all $8 it cost me. For those of you who live in Florida and really should have your feet always looking ready to be bare…not in Crocs please, this thing is great. Get it and get rid of those funky looking things you put in flip flops.

No Excuses

“No Excuses” by Kyle Maynard. A true story about a boy who was born a congenital amputee and overcame obstacles to live a normal life. I checked this book out of the library on a whim and immediately was hooked. Kyle’s outlook on his life, the respect he has for others and his motto of no excuses is a great example of a positive individual. I would recommend this for a sports fan (especially wrestling), anyone dealing with some type of disability and for people who enjoy a good true story.