Parents: Have You Told Your Kids?

Posted on January 23, 2012 by viviankirkfield

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In only a few weeks it will be Valentine’s Day.

I’ve been asked to write a special letter to my children about how I met their father. It will appear in Bob Brody’s Letters to My Kids. I’ll post it here after Bob publishes it.

Bob has appeared on the CBS Early Morning Show and his mission to encourage parents to write letters to their children to pass along the family history has been written up in the New York Times and other respected newspapers and magazines.

He has put together a fun survey that includes questions like: have you told your kids how you met your spouse? Bob has asked me to spread the word to parents. The survey takes just a couple of minutes. He is looking to get at least 100 responses…why not give it a try. I did!

You can click on the links above or follow this link below.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W6QRZ52

I know Bob will appreciate your response to the survey.

10 awesome Valentine’s day ideas (amomwithalessonplan.com)
4 Sweet Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Your Kids (celebritybabies.people.com)
Simple Expressions Of Love (thismansjourney.net)
Printable Valentine Cards From Hello!Lucky (craftzine.com)
Julianne Moore Debuts Valentine’s Day Cards for Charity (celebritybabies.people.com)

How to Create More Free Time and Save Money

Posted on January 3, 2012 by viviankirkfield

various potato dishes: potato chips, hashbrown...

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Many parents are time-short these days.

With work and family responsibilities, there’s not a lot of free time for most moms and dads.

Here are two simple tips that can create more time and save money:

1. Shop once a week. Plan the week’s menus, make a list of what you need and then shop for everything at once using your list. You’ll not only save time, but money as well…less gas with only one trip and you won’t be picking up items on a whim.

2. Cook once a week. Chose a morning, afternoon or evening when you have a few hours of uninterrupted time. Make a roast chicken, baked potatoes and a couple of casseroles. Store everything in the fridge or freezer and you’ll have dinners (and perhaps lunches as well) for the entire week. All you’ll have to do is heat, add a side of salad or veggies and serve.

What do I do with the time that I’ve saved? I read a book, exercise or spend some quality time with my family.

What would you do with your free time? Do you have one or two top tips to save time and money? Please share.

Meal Planning Monday (mummysknee.wordpress.com)
Five tricks for thrifty menu plans (blogs.confused.com)

Looking Ahead to 2012: Let’s Simplify

Posted on December 30, 2011 by viviankirkfield

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Did you know that today is National Bicarbonate of Soda Day?

National Bicarbonate of Soda Day or Baking Soda Day celebrates the many benefits and uses of this simple inexpensive substance, readily available at grocery stores and pharmacies.

No home should be without a box of this product. It’s definitely a “green” alternative to many of the chemical-loaded toxic products out there. Among its many uses: