Entries from April 1, 2008 - May 1, 2008
A Travel Treasure: Elder Hostel
Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 04:05PM While caboodling around the web, looking for travel information for “older adults”, I happened on to Elder Hostel’s site. Elder Hostel provides amazing opportunities for education and travel. The trips are very reasonably priced. Travel is both national and international. Elder Hostel schedules interesting trips in almost every state so flying is a problem, driving is an option. Meals, guides and transportation to sites are included in the price. Singles who are willing to share a room, will be matched up with a roommate and receive the double occupancy rate.
In North Carolina, I could hike the Blue Ridge, learn to knit socks or explore the coast, for about $750 per trip. Each trip lasting 5 to 6 days, meals included.
It sounds too good to be true and for now… it is. The catch, you have to be 55 to participate. I live by a college town. I am tempted to go buy a fake ID.
For those you who do not need a fake ID to qualify, this is an amazing opportunity.
Check out: http://www.elderhostel.org/
To see trips plan in a particular state: http://www.elderhostel.org/programs/usa.asp
Wish I could say, "I’ll see you there."
One Secret to Happiness
Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 12:51PM Chocolate. Did you honestly expect any other answer? There is something in chocolate that delights and thrills a woman’s spirit, quiets her soul, heals the pain in her heart. The downside of eating chocolate, especially milk chocolate, is once you have a few bites, it is hard to stop. No matter our good intentions mini, regular or king-sized, one bar equals one serving.
Regrettably, chocolate has a ton of calories; sugar and other health no-noes. The cravings to eat more chocolate can be an all day temptation. What should have been a little taste of delight was in effect a major obstacle to happiness.
Than: I happened across the true secret to chocolate enjoyment. Someone gave me a bag of Dove’s Dark Chocolate Promises. These little jewels are rich, creamy, melty, all that chocolate should be. At just forty calories apiece, they are the perfect size for daily indulgence. Here is the amazing thing, after one or two I am content. I don’t desire any more! Dark chocolate doesn’t create the craving I usually experienced after eating milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is satisfaction without guilt or cravings.
This is one secret to happiness, have a little dark chocolate every day.
Teens and Freedom
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 09:03PM My teens have the right amount of freedom. We rarely argue about movies and other entertainment choices. When it comes to music, with the older teens, I have adopted a don’t ask but if I do, you had better tell strategy.
They do get grounded about every other month or when I can’t stand the mess any more. It is the only way I can get them to clean their rooms. While this system isn’t a parenting ideal, it works for me.
Whereas my teens have the right amount of freedom, it is our stuff that is being locked up. Not valuable stuff like jewelry, or personal stuff like shoes (although a nice pair of flip-flops did walk away last summer), it is the house stuff that lacks freedom in our home.
I started locking up the extra towels last year. When we had one teen, who thought a towel was a one time use object, that was a pain. Much talking and making him wash towels later, nothing changed. Now there are three of them who think a towel should be used once. Preferable 2 towels, because the hair towel must not be used to dry the body nor the body towel to dry the hair. I issued two towels per person, washed weekly graciously by me, the rest are under lock and key.
I buy in bulk. Bulk buying saves time and money unless multiple teens can’t be bothered to see if there is already peanut butter, shampoo, paper towels, cereal, razors, tissues, shaving cream, bar soap or house snacks already open. All these items are now incarcerated until I judge it is time to free them for personal use.
It seems silly to have had to resort to locking stuff up. Disciplining, yelling, talking, explaining, yelling, making the offender pay for taking another peanut butter out when one was already open, nothing worked. In the end, it is easier to lock the stuff up and let the kids go free.
I Gave Birth to my Sister’s Child
Monday, April 21, 2008 at 08:10AM I look at my child and swear she belongs to my sister. I have a bunch of sisters and the one I am writing about has birthed no children of her own. She didn’t have to, I did it for her. Genetically this child is my husband’s and mine, however in spirit she is entirely my sister’s.
There is the same fire in their eyes when crossed. They are both smart and funny and not at all afraid to tell you exactly what they think. My sister’s language tends to be more colorful. There are times I can see my 13 year old daughter is thinking the words she dare not say. Neither suffers fools gladly.
My sister came out of the womb wanting to run her own life and my daughter is the same way. She will never forgive us for being born fourth in our family instead of first.
As I struggle to survive this child’s teenage years, I live in hope. My sister was a challenging teenager to raise but she is a great adult. The qualities that turned my mom’s hair gray during her teen years have made for a successful and interesting woman. I try to remember my kids will be adults a lot longer than they will be kids. The struggles now, hopefully, are useful building blocks for our future adult relationship. In the mean time, I am beginning to stroll though the hair dye aisle at the drug store.
Since I am graciously raising this child who is so like her, would it be unreasonable to ask my sister to pay for college?
Born To Be a Passenger
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 11:13AM 
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