Only Child

Thanks for the article from Isaiah Gaines

Being an only child always made me want siblings but you know, there wasn’t much I could do about that. I think that’s why as an adult I’ve chosen to surround myself with animals –they’re the best thing in the world next to other people! I love dogs more than cats and though they can get kind of smelly and gross I know they really feel human emotions, they really do. Anyway, I can’t imagine a better house for dogs than the one I’ve got here – there’s a huge backyard and a HOMESECURITYSYSTEM.COM alarm and all the room to roam inside they could want which is good because I’ve got 3 of them. Sadie, Sara and Callie – they’re allgirls– and they just make my life. Getting home from a hard day at work is so much better when you know you’ve got a sweet dog waiting for you…I just don’t understand when people say they don’t really like animals! I just couldn’t live without my girls and know that that will never change.

A Better, Green, Playroom Design

Guest post written by Fiona Walker

Right now the playroom design that we've had for a while now just isn't working. We have all these storage units in there that we thought would be great. Except they're so big that it's hard for the kids to find their smaller toys. Well, it isn't quite working for it anymore so we're just going to do a whole redecoration.

I just can't get the layout right, so I went online to find some inspiration for our playroom. While I was looking at that online, I came across some energy saving packages from Texas Electricity Providers and decided to sign up for one of the plans for our energy at our house.

I did find this one really great functional playroom design with cubby shelves built into the wall. That way you can see what's already in the cubby holes without looking around for way too long like I do with our current storage solutions. I think that will also just make the whole room look a lot more neat and organized. If the kids can see all the toys they want, theyÕll want to play with them more.

To Exercise or To Exercise, That is the Question

Spring is in the air. I know some of you are still knee deep in unending snow banks, but trust me, spring is in the air.  I know this not because the trees are budding in North Carolina and the daffodils are blooming, although they are,  but because my body tells me at this time of year, every year, that it’s time to move. Not sell my house and move, but get off my dusty winter duff and move.  It is time to shake off the mental and physical hibernation I have been in and get back to serious exercise.

Before I actually do follow my inner dictate I have to go through the ritual of getting ready. I have to think about exercising and all that entails before I actually do it. Martha Beck says this is a part of any process of change and it’s okay. So I feel vindicated. Thinking about a change we are trying to make is actually a way for our psyche to prepare for it. So,  I am thinking about whether I am going to walk, or jog, join a health club or cough up the money for the Proform Elliptical I saw online.  My frugal side tells me I should just slip on a pair of Asics sneakers and save a whole lot of money.

Every time I decide to get serious about exercise these are the types of questions that suddenly take on an extreme level of importance.  So, yesterday I spent a chunk of time surfing the web for exercise gear, wrapped up in my Snuggi on the couch with my laptop in place, eating all of the unhealthy food left in the house so I wouldn’t be tempted once I got serious again.

There are so many great products out there, and great prices, that it is truly hard to decide. For now I’m focusing on which pair of sneakers to buy.  My choices are between Nike lunar glide sneakers and an Asics pair similar to those I had last year and loved.

Today is decision making day. There’s no more junk food in the house. The rain has stopped and the sun is out.  I’ve given myself until three o’clock and then I’m going to commit, not only to a pair of shoes but to my health. It’s time.  Spring is here.