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So what do you use to keep your house safe? We use two big dogs. Jack London is 85 pounds and his son Padfoot is 100 pounds. The are huge dogs and look very scary. They even have a scary bark. The problem is that anyone that really knows them also knows that the only way either of them even gets off of their butts is if food in involved.

We probably have the laziest dogs ever! Padfoot will not even stand up while he eats and drinks. As soon as he gets to a food dish he does this strange sliding maneuver with his back paws and ends up laying down cuddled around the dish.

In the past we had moved very often so people did not really get to know the dogs. We have now lived in this town for a year and a half so people know that the dogs are not really scary.

Since we have lived here longer than normal we have also accumulated a lot more possessions. Add in the bad economy and I start to wonder if maybe we should look into getting an alarm system.

I looked at a wireless security system at Protect America and found some interesting packages. I really like the Platinum Package. It includes a garage door sensor. Our garage is full of expensive things because of James' work. There is no way that we could replace everything.

If anyone else is also looking into home alarms I have learned of a special offer through Protect America. If you call this special number 877-470-2751 you get 2 free keychain remotes with their order.

Summer is in full swing and I am loving it. I have gotten so much work done! Of course I am nowhere near caught up but it has just been a week of no school after all. I have been posting a lot more which makes me very happy.

I really got behind there for awhile so I am feeling good about how much I have gotten done. My garden is really suffering but it is still better than the garden last year. We have started to go through the girls toys so I have hope that we will get rid of a lot of clutter by the end of summer.

There has been talk of having a garage sale but I really hate having them.

Bilaal Rajan is not your average 12 year old boy. He is the youngest ambassador that UNICEF has ever had anywhere in the world. He started at the young age of four by selling clementines, cookies and hand-made decorative plates in his neighborhood in Canada. From then until now he has raised over 5 million dollars for various causes.

Bilaal has written a book entitled, “Making Change: Tips from an Underage Overachiever”. I think that book would be a great read for anyone but especially children. What an inspiration this young man is.

Children have that flame in them that makes them want to change the world. When they see the wrongs in the world they want to take action. It is the adults that tell them there is nothing they can do, because adults get complacent and lose hope. Hope is still alive in our children and this young man proves that children can make a difference.

Bilaal recently had a Barefoot Challenge. From April 19-25 Bilaal went barefoot. Often times people say that you never truly know what others are going through until you walk a mile in their shoes. Bilaal saw that many children can not afford shoes so he went barefoot and asked others to join him in the challenge.

What a neat idea. This young man really makes you think about what you can do to make a difference. You could even do something as a family to teach your children about the less fortunate and about helping others.

If you do not know where to start or do not have money to give to charity just think locally at first. You could volunteer your time to local charities.

Summer vacation has begun so we are all looking for more outdoor activities for our kids. An all time favorite among kids is blowing bubbles. Parents can often get frustrated though because they run out so fast or get spilled. So here is my recipe to make your own bubble blowing solution

Making your own bubble blowing solution can save you lots of money and it allows you to keep an almost endless supply. It is easy to make your own bubble blowing solution so now you can be ready anytime a child runs to you saying that they are bored.

YOU WILL NEED

• 2 Tablespoons liquid dish soap
• 1 Cup water

*Optional for added strength

• 1 Tablespoon liquid corn syrup - Many people use this to strengthen their bubbles but remember that bees and wasps like sweet liquids.
• 1 Tablespoon glycerin - This is a better option. It can be bought at pharmacies very cheaply.

Have fun this summer and blow lots of bubbles!

As summer begins, I start to think about organizing the house and getting rid of clutter. It seems like having more room does not help. The more room you have the more clutter you have. When we lived in Arizona self storage was something that was used a lot. There are no basements there so you had to put your things somewhere.


I learned how to live with less things when we lived in Arizona, but there were still things that we did not want to get rid of. Before we moved we had somethings in a storage place like All State Self Storage. It really helped us get everything packed and ready to go without having a house full of boxes.

I can not believe how advanced some places have gotten. There is even an option for arizona wine storage. State of the art storage of your wine so that it is always the right temperature and does not get damaged. What will people think of next?

I really need to get going on organizing my house. Some how even though I now have a huge garage and basement, I still do not have room for everything. That just goes to prove my point. The more room you have the more clutter builds up.

It is way too nice outside to be sitting indoors. It is time to get out there and have some fun. Once it gets warm out we spend a lot of time outside playing together. Here are some activities that require things you usually have around the house.



BALLOON or BEACH BALL VOLLEYBALL

Everyone turns into a kid when there are balloons or blow up balls. Adults and kids alike will have a blast playing this game. It gets everyone outside. It gets everyone active. Most of all it will get everyone laughing. Even the most sporty person will not have much of an advantage in this game. It is all just about the fun.

SCAVENGER HUNTS

This one can be fun and educational. By choosing what goes on the list you can make it simple, silly, or educational. If you want to make it harder give clues instead of just a list. For younger kids you can do colors, rhyming words, or shapes. For the older ones use things they are learning about at that time. It will still be fun and they can work their brains at the same time. You can also do it all about nature since you are outdoors.

OUTDOOR BOWLING

Dig in that recycling bin and see what you can find. Fill some empty 2 liter bottles or milk jugs with enough water to keep them from blowing over and start bowling. Just about any ball will do.

FLASH LIGHT TAG

Why let the fun stop just because it got dark. Grab some flash lights and have some fun. This one ends up being a combination of Hide & Seek and Tag. Younger kids and older adults have an easier time with this one since less running is needed.

**Today's generation does not know the fun games we played outside as kids. It may take a little coaxing to get them away from the video games but once you do they will love it. Get your kids outside and have some fun. It will also be a great chance to talk about when you were a kid.

Summer is almost here and I am soooo excited! We have put off so many things and maybe by the end of summer we will get it all done. I need to make doctor appointments for the girls very soon. It is about time for them to go to the dentist and eye doctor. I could probably use some prescription eyeglasses too.

I have not worn glasses in years. I know I should take my contacts out every night and let my eyes rest but life gets crazy. I really should get some new glasses so I can take better care of my eyes. Eyewear has changed so much over the years and mine look very out of date now.

Neona really needs new glasses. She loved her's so much that she never wears her newer ones. She has worn the same pair for two years. This year they are getting too small so I want to find a pair that she will actually wear.

I think I might get her some prescription sunglasses too. I feel bad that her sisters get to wear sunglasses and she never gets to. It would also help out over the summer. I know I hate being outside without sunglasses. Squinting in the sun makes wrinkles after all!

I better get a move on and actually get some things done this summer. If it is anything like last summer I will still have a huge to do list at the end. I really want to get things done this time.

I want to get rid of a lot of clutter in the house and do some painting. I really need to take better care of the garden this year. The far end of the yard needs some work too. I want to clear out a lot of brush and make the yard longer.

If all goes well I will get at least half of that stuff done.