Ditch the Stroller for Older Kids?

I've had so much fun the past two weekends watching my three grandchildren run in 1K races. Their mom is a big runner so it's natural that they would run too. The first race they ran was very well organized with the kids lining up by ages. The bigger kids ran first, then the little ones. The second race my grandkids ran was not very well organized but they still had fun. Those medals at the end seem to make it all worthwhile!

An organization called BLEND in our community has really been pushing events to get kids active. They help promote and sponsor running and biking activities. I am really impressed with the work they are doing. The statistics on the number of obese children in our country are shocking (1 in 3) so it's refreshing to see something positive being done to try to combat that.

I found an interesting article about a graduate student and her professor in Utah who came up with the idea of ditching strollers for older children. They are suggesting that preschoolers can walk up to a half-mile and older kids further than that. In their community they are urging caregivers to walk with their children in places they are already visiting,(zoo, park,etc.)They feel that too many parents are using strollers for older children who could and should be walking. I hope the people in Utah make a huge impression on their community and that their idea spreads. Walking is a very simple and inexpensive way to become and stay healthy. Do your children like to walk or run? Do you have any tips or tricks you use to keep your kids active?

Fun with Photos

Here's another fun site you can use to play with your photos. It's very easy to use. If you like Instagram,you'll love pixlr-o-matic... a SUPER EASY, FREE online photo editing program you can use on the photos you take with your regular camera. I transformed a picture of my rose bouquet using different effects and frames... making them a bit more "interesting" and "artistic"... all within a matter of seconds! Check them out:

This was made using "Glitter".

This was made using "Vignette" and "Peri" frame.

This was made using "Antonio" and "Cornered" frame.

You should SO go try it out...
1. Upload your favorite picture
2. Add the effects you want...
3. Save them to your computer for sharing!

(Pixlr-o-matic is also available as a download, a Facebook App, as a Chrome Web App and for iOS or Android devices)

Isn't that blue rose spectacular?!?  My sweet sister-in-law Marilyn, a fabulous flower designer, gave it to me.

Wordless Wednesday

                                                                           Buddy and Papa.  Boys will be boys!

7 Acupressure Points for Allergies

I work with a gal who is usually pretty miserable this time of year because of her allergies. She depends on her doctor to give her some meds to help cope with it. I'm going to recommend that she read this interesting article about using acupressure points to get some relief.It looks very simple and could bring some relief without using drugs. If you suffer from spring allergies, go check it out!

Sunday Thoughts for Monday Morning

I came across this in a small town newspaper with no author given. I thought it was a good little piece for me to reflect on especially with a new week dawning. Maybe you too?


                                                                                 THANK YOU

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.


Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.


Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.


Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.


Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.


Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.


Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life!

Wordless Wednesday

This is my daughter coming crossing the finish line after running a half-marathon. She is the one who got me started running. (I only run 5K's). My goal is to be able to run half as fast as she can. That girl can move! 

Make A Wish

I enjoyed reading this post on the Cherry Blossom Soup Blog. Sherry talks about "wishing for what we already have." An interesting concept since we almost always wish for what we don't have.

Sherry does a simple exercise every once in a while to remind herself of the abundance in her life. She makes a wish list. Everything on the wish list is something she already has.

All you need to do is set a timer for three minutes.Then just write what you wish for. Think about the people in your life, things you can see, things you love, things on your shelves or in your closet, whatever. I decided to try it.

Here are a few examples from my list:
•I wish for funny, smart, lovable grandchildren.
•I wish for the first daffodil raising its face to the sun.
•I wish for the ability to see the colors of a rainbow.
•I wish for my breath, in and out, sustaining me as I run.
•I wish for the ability to write on my blog.
•I wish for the taste of freshly picked raspberries from my garden.
•I wish for the sound of ocean waves as I sit on our favorite beach.
•I wish for the memory of a warm hug from someone I love.
•I wish for the smell of blooming roses, lilies and lilacs.


Your turn. Get out a timer or the alarm on your phone. Set it for three minutes. (Or even ONE minute!). Then write. Want to share anything on your list?

Enjoy the Little Things

I have a sign hanging on my wall that says "Enjoy the small things- for one day you may look ahead and realize they were the big things!" I think of this almost everyday especially when I reread the emails that my son sent from Iraq. He told how the small things start to take on more importance when you are far away from home and family and the familiar. I thought of this last weekend when I watched my nine-month old niece playing with measuring cups and spoons instead of the baby toys near her.

I think we live our lives too fast and usually looking ahead. We don't stop often enough to enjoy the simple pleasures or people around us. I'm reminded of this in my classroom when I'm trying to fit all of my lessons in and one of my students will interrupt with a funny anecdote or story. Kids can take small events and make them important. We should do the same.

I used to write in a gratitude journal every night. I was pretty faithful for a couple of years and then I just sorted of got bored with it or just didn't bother with it. I'm thinking I need to dig it out again. Many of the things I can be grateful for are the little blessings that come my way each day. It's a good exercise to remember to be thankful, for some day (and I'm afraid much too soon) I'll be doing more looking back than forward!

Speaking of little pleasures--Gathered From The Garden has sweet little Petite Perfumes. These are little roll-on bottles that fit great in your purse or pocket. Check out our website for prices and fragrances.

Wordless Wednesday

Sure sign of spring.