Childproofing Your Home

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Now that I’m back to watching little people at my house, I have to think about things like childproofing. Here I thought my home was pretty safe. Silly me. Grandbaby girl can spot a crumb on the floor at a hundred yards away. She delights in trying to open all the cupboards and has radar built in that tells her if Gramma forgot to put the gate across the stairs.

Department stores sell all kinds of gadgets to keep children out of places they don’t belong, but soon the house is so locked up you can barely function. Plus there is always some new drive-gramma-crazy adventure brewing in those little minds. One of my other grandsons, age 2, decided to be a mountain climber in his kitchen. The mountain was a big white stove and its door was a convenient ladder. Once on top, he claimed victory by turning a knob. Fortunately it was the oven knob and not a burner. His mom was right behind him and the climb was short lived. I’m glad I wasn’t there to see the action.

I remember one lady I knew had to padlock her frig. And when my youngest daughter was growing up, everything went into her mouth – lego, soap, sometimes even food. So here I am again trying to stay one step ahead of an accident. The latest attraction is my plants. I only have  two, but they may soon spend their days in a locked room rather than their spots by the window. I wonder if that’s the reason artificial plants were invented?

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Celebrating Your Accomplishments

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A perky young friend of mine has decided that instead of starting the new year with resolutions that often won’t be fulfilled, we should instead celebrate all the things we’ve accomplished in the past year.  So thanks to Lisa, I’m trying to rack my brain and remember what I can. Lucky for her my long term memory isn’t bad. Short term memory is another story entirely.

I started out 2009 with my days to myself. In 2008, I was watching my grandson every weekday while youngest daughter worked. 2009 was a year of maternity leave for her and freedom for me. You heard me right, she had one full year of paid maternity leave. I remember when I got six weeks and then it was back to work.

Anyway, here I was with a full year of time to myself. Not only that, but my Canada pension started since I was also now 60. Not only freedom, but a bit of money in my pocket too. How my life changed in 2009. No longer did I spend mornings at drop-in nursery school groups or afternoons playing colour and shape Bingo. No more Sponge Bob Squarepants matching games or cuddles while we read books. Nothing but me and my day stretching out before me.

I decided that 2009 would be the year I went full steam to become an Internet marketer. No more part-time on the computer until midnight. Now it was full time, all day, every day – my computer and I were inseparable. I ate my meals at my desk, typed until my fingers hurt, watched video tutorials until I could see them in my sleep. And once in awhile I stopped and said hello to my husband.

I did do some things differently in 2009 though. As I learned a new technique, I implemented it. I focused on becoming an information product creator and blogger instead of generally chasing the newest way to make money online. I joined a mastermind group of like-minded people who met for weekly online brainstorming sessions. We also posted regularly on a private forum and helped and encouraged one another. And I began to see results.

Drum Roll Please…….. Continue reading

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Travel Ideas

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If you feel like travelling these days, I’ve found a few websites full of ideas. I’m thinking about warm places I would rather be, especially when it’s so cold here I can barely stand the walk from my car to the store.

For those of you who don’t mind the cold, there are a mix of places to visit, depending on your interests, time, and finances. Most of these are family friendly if you’re able to spend time with the grandkids. Let me know if any of these sites was extra helpful to you. Have fun on your travels and stay safe.

Family Vacations

Dude Ranches

Train Travel

Vacations Especially for Grandparents and Their Grandchildren

There are a lot more, but those are enough to get you started. Right now I’m debating between dude ranches and that last website. Now how many kids can I handle taking and how many days could I handle?

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Help a Future Artist

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One of my granddaughters is in her third year at the Ontario College of Art. During 3rd year, if your marks and portfolio are very good, you have the option of taking your year at their campus in Italy. Of course she said yes and is having the time of her life.

Only problem is that she usually works two jobs as well as going to school to pay her way and in Italy she can’t work. So this donation button is for Michelle and if you contribute you’re supporting a young lady who one day may be a renowned artist. (Although I think she wants to teach and inspire young people.)

Grandaughter Michelle

Grandaughter Michelle

This is Michelle on the left with her mother (my daughter). She is an amazing girl and as well as being gifted in art, is a terrific writer. If you don’t believe me, she blogs about Italy at The Adventures of Captain Defiance Drake (she’s a major Star Trek fan) Her future may very well be teaching high school art and English.

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Believe In Your Grandkids

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It’s amazing how much a child can accomplish when others believe in him. In fact, that can probably be said for most of us. When others see the best in us, it helps our self-worth, no matter what our age.

I found an encouraging video that I wanted to share with you. But it’s no longer available on youtube. Anyway, this ten-year-old young man stood up in front of thousands of educators to tell them that if they believe in him, he can achieve anything. And that in many cases, his teachers might be the only ones who do believe in him.

Let’s all take this young man’s words to heart and help our young people, grandkids or not, to be all that God meant for them to be.

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