Category Archives: Family

Shadow Box

September 25, 2008 – 5:12 pm

I have a very special shadow box in my home. I actually haven’t filled it yet, but I will as soon as it is not so painful to do so. A shadow box is a type of frame, but it is not made to hold photos exclusively. These are often deep enough for you to put photos, mementos, objects and other precious items inside. These are often used to commemorate moments you want to live forever, and to remember friends and family who have moved on, and are no longer on this earth.

The shadow box I have sits in my closet waiting for me to get the courage to fill it. This box is meant to hold memories of my sister-in-law, who died very young, leaving behind her husband and her infant daughter. Its been five years, and yet, I cant bring myself to fill it. Perhaps once I do, it means I have to accept that she is truly gone. Its not that I dont know that, it is just that it seems so final. As her daughter grows beneath my roof, I am reminded each day, and perhaps this is all the reminder I need right now. Perhaps her daughter is a living tribute, and the shadow box will have to wait for a later day.

You can use a shadow box for just about anything, and these can be happy occasions. You could use one to remember your son or daughter hitting their first home run. You could put photos, and perhaps the ball in a shadow box to hang in your home. You could keep your daughters first pair of ballet shows, or your graduates graduation cap if you wish. The possibilities are endless, and if you want to remember something with more than a photo, filling a shadow box is a great way to do this.

You can find a shadow box in almost any place you would find regular photo frames. Craft stores are great places to look. Michaels Crafts is the nearest store to my home, and they have a huge selection. You may also find them in department stores, and in home interior stores. You can also find a shadow box online, but remember that shipping may damage it. This may, however, be the perfect place to find the size you need. You can find them in almost any material, and in almost any size, so make sure you look around for exactly what you need. Chances are good that youll find the perfect shadow box to hold your memories.

By Bill | Also posted in shopping | Tagged | Comments (0)

Sexual predator

September 24, 2008 – 8:24 pm

A local police officer rang my doorbell this past weekend and handed me a flyer when I opened the door. He was going from door to door letting people know that in two weeks, a sexual predator would be one of our neighbors. When I say neighbors, I mean within six blocks of my house. That’s entirely too close for a sexual predator to be living to my home. The officer saw the look of terror and dismay on my face and smiled as comfortingly as possible. The flyer had the exact address of where he’d be living, his name, a bit of information that the public should know. I thanked the officer and closed the door, looking into the eyes of my curious and innocent children. I am the mother of a 2-year old and 4-year old. Until now, I’ve never given much thought to having a sexual predator in my neighborhood. Suddenly, I was going to have to think about everything that they would be doing outdoors, at bus stops, playing with friends - everything. I wasn’t pleased.

While I realize that even criminals need a place to live, why in the world did they have to move into my neighborhood? Thanks to a very irritated neighbor, I learned that I could go online and find out how many other sexual predators are living in my neighborhood and county. My husband and I did that after my kids were in bed that night. My jaw hit the floor when I saw the long list of names for my county. I had no idea that there was a sexual predator lurking around every corner. There were photos and descriptions of their crimes that were available. Exact street addresses for them was not available. Apparently, they only give you their address if they would become a neighbor. How considerate.

It isn’t a secret that there have been some horrible crimes committed in recent years. Many innocent lives have been lost and destroyed at the hands of a sexual predator. In some instances, people never even realized that a sexual predator lived nearby. Some of those predators moved without updating their address. All of the news reports make me absolutely sick and hug my children a little bit longer each day. Now, there would be a sexual predator living near my house. I wasn’t sure how to talk to my kids about what a sexual predator was or how to stay safe. I couldn’t imagine walking past his house or seeing him out and about without wanting to smack him. How does a sexual predator function normally when everyone around him knows who he is? And more importantly, why wasn’t he behind bars? Why should I be worrying about talking to my kids about what a sexual predator was?

Every parent should take a few moments to research online and find out if a sexual predator is living near them. Talk to your children about safety. The more informed you are, the more likely you are to prevent a terrible tragedy from occurring. After you realize how many are in your area, give your kids an extra hug or kiss.

By Bill | Tagged | Comments (0)

Reclining Umbrella Stroller

September 21, 2008 – 10:21 am

Taking a baby out and about requires a lot more than slipping on a coat and a pair of shoes. Babies come with some serious but very welcome baggage. One item that parents would do well to keep stored in the back of their vehicle is a reclining umbrella stroller.

Although we all love holding and cuddling with our babies it’s impossible to carry them at all times. When you are out at the mall or waiting in line at the bank, a reclining umbrella stroller is ideal. Finding one is fairly simple and they are generally very inexpensive.

I actually received two at separate baby showers before the birth of my daughter. I had every intention of returning one but never got around to it. I’m now glad that I didn’t. One of the nicest things about an umbrella stroller is that it takes up such a small amount of space. I popped one in the back of my mini-van and we ended up putting the other in the trunk of my husband’s car. It saved us from having to worry about how we’d transport the baby if we stopped at a restaurant or did some window shopping one Saturday afternoon.

The two I have differ a bit from one another but they are both just as easy to use. Setting up a reclining umbrella stroller is simply a matter of unfolding it and locking it into place. Putting it away after use requires the unlocking of the latch that holds it in place and then folding it in half.

You do have to remember though if you are a walker or someone who enjoys taking the baby out and about around the neighborhood, you’re probably going to want a sturdier stroller. Also, an infant can’t really sit properly in a reclining umbrella stroller. Once our daughter was about eight months old she could be strapped into the umbrella stroller much easier.

After I had used the strollers for several months I realized what a great gift they had been. I’ve got several friends who are all expecting and I have every intention of giving each one of them a reclining umbrella stroller as a gift as well.

My daughter is now over two-years-old and she can still fit comfortably in them. The only drawback to using a reclining umbrella stroller with a toddler is that they move around a great deal and if they spend enough time playing with the belt, there is a chance that they can unlock themselves. It’s really just a matter of keeping both eyes on your little one at that point. We all know how much mischief a two-year-old can get into.

By Bill | Also posted in shopping | Tagged | Comments (0)

Loose Diamonds Wholesale

September 9, 2008 – 2:36 pm

If you want to make a huge impact on your future fiance then you might want to have an engagement ring designed especially for her. This communicates that the relationship is precious and that she is one of a kind. The first step in the process is to find loose diamonds wholesale dealers who can offer you the perfect stone.

There are a variety of gems available on the market. You want to make sure that the loose diamonds wholesale supply is filled with a nice choice of quality gemstones. Things to look for include clarity and cut. The diamond should be clear and sparkling with hints of reflective color and the cut has to be precise and clean.

Common cuts for loose diamonds wholesale suppliers will carry are vast. Following are five very popular cuts that are sure to please. Once you have selected which of the loose diamonds wholesale distributors have to offer you are well on your way to creating the perfect original engagement ring that is as unique as your lady.

The round gemstone is one of the most popular, classic cuts on the market. You really want to choose this cut among the loose diamonds wholesale supply if you are creating a classic design for a traditional girl. The round solitaire is the quintessential choice for the timeless ring.

Also, there is a romantic connection to the round shape that is repeated in the metal body of the ring. The circle represents eternity and unity to many and this traditional romantic element makes the round cut a personal favorite of mine from among the various loose diamonds wholesale distributors offer.

Another classic is the marquis cut. This design is closely associated with elegance and royalty. This cut for any gemstone will provide interest and depth in the shape and it will give the diamond a reflective quality unlike any other. If you want to add a touch of rich sophistication you may want to choose the marquis.

One of the more expensive cuts is the heart shape. The added expense is due to the skill required to make such an intricate cut on the loose diamonds wholesale stock. These carefully cut gems represent love in obvious ways but there is a subtle notion of effort and skill communicated in this presentation.

The pear shape is another diamond cut that is gaining popularity. This is a great choice if you want something that is fresh, young and unique. The pear is a little more pricy than most of the loose diamonds wholesale selections but it is a newcomer that is worth every penny.

After you choose your gemstone the rest of the ring should fall into place.

By Bill | Also posted in shopping | Tagged | Comments (0)

Music Notes

September 7, 2008 – 11:29 am

Each year when it comes time to see the Wiggles’ concert, my daughter has a certain costume in mind. I’m not sure where she got the idea of wearing costumes, but it is something that she loves to do. For a few years, she would not wear anything but a Greg Wiggle costume when she went, but this year, she requested that I make her a Wiggly Dancer outfit. This was not as easy as I thought it would be, because I was stumped at first about how to make the music notes that adorn their jackets.

We started out with a red tshirt because the dancer coats are red. I didn’t want to get her a jacket because we were going to the show in the middle of August, and I didn’t want to her to sweat a lot. I then had to figure out how to make the music notes. I could have bought gold and black colored felt, but I thought that would look too plain. The music notes on the Wiggly dancer coats are shiny, and she would want the same thing for her new outfit.

I wandered into the craft section of my local department store with the music notes on my mind. I wandered up and down the aisles but didn’t find anything. I didn’t really expect to find already made shiny music notes on the shelf, but I thought it never hurt to look. Finally I came upon the section that had ribbons, laces, and other adornments. What I found there was the answer to my problem. There I found shiny adornment that I could form into the shape of the music notes on her new shirt.

Once I got the adornments home, I had to truly think about adding the music notes to the shirt. I ended up using my glue gun and a lot of patience to get what I wanted out of the materials. Though I wasn’t sure a glue gun would be the best idea, it was the only hope I had. In the end, I was lucky that the music notes turned out as well as they did. If you would like to create something similar just take some advice from me. The shirt will look good, but make sure you never put it in the dryer. When it came out, much to my dismay, the heat has bunched the shirt up in odd places. That’s OK though; at least I know I can recreate the shirt if she needs another.

By Bill | Also posted in entertainment | Tagged | Comments (0)

Beaded Christmas Ornament

September 4, 2008 – 2:22 pm

If you want to add some creative sparkle to your holiday tree that is truly unique you may want to consider the beaded Christmas ornament. There are many different styles and designs available. You can choose ones that are pre-made by crafters as well as professionals or you can make this beautiful holiday decoration on your own.

You local arts and crafts store is a great place to start for ideas. A typical beaded Christmas ornament design is anything but typical. You can be sure that no matter which design you choose you will have a unique piece for your tree. Making more than one ornament is also an option.

If you choose to make more than one beaded Christmas ornament then you should plan to put some time into the project. Most of the designs are quite intricate and involve quite a bit of effort and some practiced skill. However, the outcome is well worth the time and effort because you will wind up with either one great conversation piece or better yet, a collection of conversation pieces for your holiday decoration.

I have seen many different styles and designs with beading and holiday decoration. My favorite beaded Christmas ornament resembles a chandelier. Its oval shape has depth and texture naturally created by the crafting beads. The light from the decorated tree shines right through the ornament making the whole thing sparkle.

I was so impressed with the outstanding hand made Christmas decoration that I decided to make one myself. The pattern was a little challenging to find but there were so many styles that I chose a unique one that had the same look as the original one that I saw.

The one that I created is in clear as well as colored beads. I chose white and red for this particular beaded Christmas ornament because it suits my overall holiday decorating color scheme. Creating the ornament was a bit of a challenge and I think that my past work with beads really helped my efforts.

If you are a beginner with this kind of craft you may want to choose a simple pattern. There plenty of easier styles that are perfect for beginners. One of my favorite beaded Christmas ornament uses a traditional bulb. You simply make a netting of beads that drapes right over the bulb.

The netting project is a great place to start with this kind of project. In no time at all, you will be able to create any beaded Christmas ornament that you like no matter how challenging it is.

By Bill | Also posted in shopping | Tagged | Comments (0)

Artificial Christmas Tree

August 30, 2008 – 9:12 am

We live in Minnesota. There are many tree farms in the central portion of the state due to the sandy soil. It is a tradition with many people to spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon searching for the perfect Christmas tree and cutting it down. The tree farms add to the economy of the state. Christmas trees are one of the leading exports from our state. Because we want to support our local tree farmers and because trees are very reasonably priced, we have always had a live tree for the holidays. In the last few years we have been discussing how much simpler it would be to have an artificial Christmas tree. It would mean no longer having the messy clean up that needs to be done when the tree is brought in and taken out of the house. It would also mean that every year the tree would fit the space that we have for it.

The manufacturers have vastly improved on the way the artificial Christmas tree looks. My sister purchased one last year and I had to feel the branches before I knew that it was not a real tree. She did have to pay a great deal for the artificial Christmas tree, but she bought it during the prime season. If you look for specials after the holidays you can usually find them discounted. You can also purchase the artificial Christmas tree that is pre-lit, this would really cut down on the work, however I would be concerned about having the bulbs burn out. There are replacement bulbs available, however you never know when they are going to take these bulbs off the market and then you are stuck with a tree that does not have its full lights on.

After taking out our Christmas tree last year and cleaning up the needles from the carpet, we decided that we would invest in an artificial Christmas tree for this year. We checked several post season sales, but did not find a tree that we liked. We decided that we would try to get one at a pre-season sale; this would also save us from having to store the tree over the summer.

This year the tree farms started airing commercials about how beneficial the tree farms are to the environment and also the states economy. After hearing this commercial several times we decided that we would continue to support the local tree farmers and purchase a real tree. We will wait and get an artificial Christmas tree when we can no longer manage a real tree.

By Bill | Also posted in Home | Tagged | Comments (0)