mom2mom

I am pregnant and want to quit work when my baby is born. BUT with so much debt; I need my income just to make the monthly payments. What can I do?

2006-09-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

While it may be fun to spend money you don’t have, debt can quickly become a major burden. Hopefully, once you pay it off – you will keep that in mind whenever you want to dip into that credit again! Luckily, there are some things you can do now to help get you closer towards your goal of staying home with your baby.

You may be able to lower your payments by consolidating your debts with a second mortgage or a home equity loan. Basically, debt consolidation involves taking out a low-interest loan that will pay off all your current debts, leaving you with just the one loan to pay off. Be aware that these loans require you to offer your home as collateral, which means if you can't make the payments on time; your home could be forfeit. Also, the costs of consolidation loans can possibly include interest and “points,” with one point equal to one percent of the amount you borrow. However, consolidation loans may carry some tax advantages that are not available with other kinds of credit. If you’re thinking about hiring a credit counselor or financial planner to stabilize your financial situation, do some homework first. Find out what services a business provides and what it costs, and make absolutely sure to get everything in writing. When all else fails, personal bankruptcy is generally considered the debt management option of last resort. Be aware that the results are long lasting and far-reaching and not an ideal way to begin a family. A bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, and can make it difficult to obtain credit, buy a home, get life insurance, or sometimes get a job.

We are going to Hawaii for our 20th Wedding anniversary – without the kids! We want to make this an extra special trip – any ideas?

2006-09-01T15:28:00.000-07:00

For such a special occasion – I recommend avoiding the plush all inclusive resort like places and instead find a classy luxury home instead. That way you receive royal treatment and can focus on enjoying time with each other.

I recently heard of Gebhart Properties (www.gebhartproperties.com), as they have just launched a new website featuring premiere Hawaii resort and ocean front vacation homes for rent on both the Big Island and Maui. Since Gebhart Properties owns and manages custom homes in some of the most exclusive resort locations in the Hawaiian Islands, you are sure to find something perfect for your trip. On their site you’ll find incomparable amenities in their outstanding Hawaii vacation homes. Luxurious and convenient features, spacious living areas, custom furnishings, and artwork not found in even the finest of hotels. For example, if you want a taste of Old Lahaina, you want to book a stay at their incredible 2BR/2BA corner-unit condo located on the third floor of the Mahana at Kaanapali Resort in Maui. This resort, the only property in Kaanapali that runs parallel to the ocean, is located a mere thirty feet back from the beach! That and much more is available at to see at their website. Gebhart Properties has selected and furnished their Hawaii vacation rentals to meet your every expectation and give you the luxury, convenience and comfort not found in most other vacation rentals or standard hotels. Browse their Hawaii vacation rentals at http://www.gebhartproperties.com/Resort/Hawaii.html and see for yourself why their Hawaii vacation homes are incomparable to others or call 1-800-545-5151.

Be sure to savor this special celebration together – Congratulations!!

I am obviously an older mom – as my daughter is about to be married. I have been put in charge of the wedding favors – any ideas??

2006-09-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

What fun!!! Not only do you have a daughter getting married, but you get to help make personalized wedding favors as mementos for all those involved. Although, it sounds fun, I am sure it also puts some extra pressure on you – the mom!

Here are some ideas I have found:

1. All About Almonds - There's a reason Jordan Almonds are the quintessential wedding favor: they're steeped in tradition. You can learn more about this favorable treat by reading all about Jordan Almonds, but how are your guests supposed to know about their significance? Be sure to attach a little card with a note explaining the almonds' meaning: Provide five Jordan Almonds sugared almonds for each guest to eat - to remind us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new husband and wife -- Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life!

2. Special Seating Cards - Looking for something a bit more memorable than tented, paper place cards? Make your favors and your escort cards one in the same. From mini picture frames to Christmas ornaments, tag your favors with each guest's name and table number and place them on the escort table.

3. Pair Up - If you wish to give more expensive, high-end favors but need to find a way to skim the fat, give one gift per couple by placing the favor between their two dinner plates, and tagging it with the couple's names. For your single friends, stick with one gift per person.

4. Have a Heart - More couples are forgoing favors for charitable donations instead. But you want to make sure the charity is legit. Research your chosen charity to find out how they spend donations -- and make sure you receive a receipt for tax purposes. Find out more about many charities to support at IDoFoundation.org or JustGive.org.

5. When to Give - If favors aren't a part of your tabletop decor, pass them out to guests as they are leaving the reception. Put the favors in small shopping bags with pretty tissue paper and have a waiter hand one to each guest. In cold weather, the coatroom attendant may hand them a bag with their coats.

6. Clean Your Cans - Looking for a festive favor that'll never go out of style? Try homemade jams and jars filled with penny candy. But be sure to sterilize the containers before use. Detergent residue may cause unexpected flavors (yuck). First, wash the empty jars with hot water and detergent. Then, soak them for several hours in a solution containing 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of water.

7. Match Don't Mix - Whatever your favors may be, pick packaging that matches your wedding colors -- and your table decor. Visit a neighborhood fabric store for ribbons to match your wedding-day palette (if you have one, bring along a swatch of your table linens) and personalize the gift with a monogrammed sticker or unique favor label.

My teenager hates her nose (and to be honest, it is rather distorted) – she really wants a nose job – what should I do?

2006-09-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

I would discuss this with an expert – as I am sure they see this sort of thing everyday. Take a visit to the Rhinoplasty Specialist at www.rhinoplastyspecialist.com. Although it is a Los Angeles rhinoplasty website it is available worldwide and owned by Dr. Paul S. Nassif, a Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon, a world-renowned expert in revision rhinoplasty. Maybe you could view the site with you child and at least provide them with some accurate information about this type of procedure. Rhinoplasty Specialist caters to those looking to find useful information about rhinoplasty surgery, most especially to those planning to try out rhinoplasty surgery to enhance their facial appearance. In fact, the website dares to unveil the realities of rhinoplasty surgery fearlessly, with in-depth details and photo galleries to prove its point, no holds barred. One amazing feature of the website is its rhinoplasty tutorial page. Here readers can learn more about facial analysis, nasofacial relationships, and other technical and medical tidbits associated with rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty in Los Angeles also specializes in ethnic rhinoplasty to African American, Hispanic and Asian patients. As part of Rhinoplasty Specialist’s information campaign on cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills, those who are interested in rhinoplasty and plastic surgery can get loads of up-to-date information straight from Dr. Nassif through the website’s Media Page. This web page contains articles written by Dr. Nassif that have been published in famous plastic surgery journals and books. The Media Page also contains actual rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty surgery captured on video (maybe this alone would change your child’s mind – or not!). These videos were aired in Discovery Channel, ET, and other shows, so they should be relatively appropriate for a teenager. Patients who want to know more about Dr. Paul Nassif can check out his curriculum vitae in Rhinoplasty Specialist. Whether you decide to attempt this procedure or not, at least this site can give you an accurate perspective.

Where is a good place to find information on drugs for my family?

2006-08-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

Great question! Even a drug as simple as acetaminophen can have side effects or cautions that you may not think of. Try Epocrates - which recently announced that clinicians and support staff – even the average web user - can now access an online version of its free and trusted mobile drug and formulary guide, used by more than 500,000 healthcare professionals. Epocrates Online (https://online.epocrates.com) provides clinicians with access to critical information about more than 3,300 drugs, including dosing, pricing, potential drug interactions and Medicare Part D formulary coverage from any computer with an Internet connection. Epocrates products are designed by practicing physicians to deliver the most clinically useful and relevant information that healthcare professionals need at the point of care. This enables clinicians to focus on their patients rather than having to reference multiple websites or search through medical texts for information. Many clinicians report that they rely on Epocrates products as their primary source for all clinical reference needs and save up to 30 minutes a day using the solutions. In addition to an extensive drug guide, the product includes formulary information for more than 130 health plans and hundreds of Medicare Part D formularies. Healthcare professionals or patients can easily obtain formulary status, drug coverage and alternative and generic drug options for their health plans with Epocrates Online. For more information about Epocrates the company, please visit www.epocrates.com.

Help – I just found out our whole family has to move to Orlando because of my husband’s job transfer! Any advice??

2006-08-31T22:06:00.000-07:00

Well – at least the kids should be excited because of all the theme parks! I am sure you are also wondering what else Orlando has to offer your family too. Well, Orlando’s settled history is not much more than 150 years old, but a lot has happened in that century and a half. Cattle farming was the primary way to make a living and there were Indian wars, cattle rustling, gun fights, gambling and other interesting pursuits. Then came the railroad and Central Florida’s fledgling Citrus Industry would rapidly expand with easy access to Northern markets. Of course we all know of Florida’s oranges – at least you can rest with the thought that everyone will get enough vitamin C! With the Citrus industry, Orlando changed dramatically. It gladly took on its roll of county seat and became the hub for commerce and business in Central Florida. By the mid-1920s Orlando was a bustling city and for the first time tourism became a major industry.

Now that you have the city’s background – what you have to look forward to after you settle in is that currently Orlando welcomes more visitors each year than the population of California - which makes Orlando the number one tourist destination in the world. The current population of Orlando is approximately 185,000 and the Metro-Orlando population is over 1,500,000. Orlando continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Florida as well as the United States. It’s no surprise that your husband has found a good job there, but beyond the employment opportunities, Orlando is a great environment to enjoy your leisure time and raise a family. The area offers a wide range of life styles for all ages. Take the time to explore the area to find the best environment for your individual family. From real estate in upscale gated neighborhoods; golf course communities; charming, old-fashioned towns, rural communities and areas with excellent schools – plus the urban lifestyle in downtown Orlando, there is something for everyone.

If you need a recommendation for an Orlando real estate agent consider Exclusive Buyer Agency Office - Buyers Broker of Florida as they only represent the best interest of the homebuyer, never the seller. As full time Buyer Agents they understand contracts, house values, options, negotiations, 1031's, creative thinking, and will do their absolute best to negotiate the most favorable terms only for you the buyer. They provide a friendly partner who knows what they are doing that you can always trust all the time.

Good luck on your new family adventure!

What advice do you have for a trip to Disney World?

2006-08-11T09:15:00.000-07:00

So you want to take a trip to Disney World with your family – an excellent idea! Before you go, consider making it a complete vacation by enjoying the whole Central Florida area and contemplate a vacation home Orlando style.

Orlando continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Florida as well as the United States. Beyond the theme park area, Orlando is a great environment to enjoy leisure time with your family. The Central Florida area - all 7 counties - offers a wide range of life styles for all ages. This includes opportunities to find a rental home in upscale gated neighborhoods; golf course communities; charming, old-fashioned towns, and rural communities. If you are looking for an urban lifestyle, downtown Orlando is a mixture of historic homes and luxury condominiums with great views of the city. You can enjoy vintage homes in the historic neighborhoods of Thorton Park, Lake Eola Heights, Lake Lawsona, Lake Cherokee, and Lake Copeland. Downtown is trendy with diversity of restaurants, retailers, discos, and bars all within walking distance. With close access to beautiful Lake Eola, you can enjoy festivals, outdoor concerts, or a gondola ride on the Lake. The sports complex, theater, and opera are all centrally located making your entertainment venues easily accessible. The focus on family living also spurred residential development on the edge of downtown called Baldwin Park, a traditional neighborhood with architecture reminiscent of the pre-1940's era.

Think of Florida and you will probably imagine theme parks and sunshine but there is so much more to this southern state. The Central Florida area truly offers something for everyone in the family - exciting theme parks, glorious white sandy beaches and a warm welcome from the year round sunshine. A 45 minute drive from the theme parks takes you to countryside with rolling hills and oak trees. Here you are in horse breeding country – a great opportunity if you have a daughter who loves horses. Travel south and take an airboat ride across the Everglades or take advantage of some of the best shopping opportunities in the USA. So, include the rest of Florida in your plans to visit Disney World and make a trip of a lifetime for the whole family.

Random Olympic History Fact

2006-08-10T22:54:00.000-07:00

Nancy Burpee is an amazing swimmer who will not receive the chance to show her talents in an Olympic format due to a bizarre incident. The United States Paralympics team, that included Ms. Burpee, was selected at the United States Olympic trials. During these trials, Ms. Burpee set world records in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle. However, at the Paralympics trials, Ms. Burpee was disqualified by an Australian referee on a procedural technicality. After her disqualification, Ms. Burpee telephoned Kevin P. Simmons, a partner at Simmons, Jannace & Stagg, and asked the firm to intercede on her behalf to have the disqualification overturned. In addition, Ms. Burpee requested that the firm commence an action against the United States Olympic Committee requiring the committee to name her to the Olympic Team. The law firm of Simmons, Jannace & Stagg represented Nancy Burpee on a pro bono basis in her attempt to participate in the 2004 Paralympics Games. The firm commenced arbitration under the United States Olympic Committee Rules and live testimony was taken from swim referees in Canada and Australia. Simmons, Jannace & Stagg argued that the Australian referee showed bias against Ms. Burpee by making various comments indicating that he did not want Ms. Burpee competing against an Australian Paralympics swimmer. Simmons, Jannace & Stagg also demonstrated that the United States Paralympics swim trials were not held in accordance with the Paralympics rules. Despite these efforts, an independent arbitrator ruled against Ms. Burpee and declined to force the United States Olympic Committee to name her to the Paralympics Team. As a symbol of her commitment, Ms. Burpee has still continued her swim career and will compete in the World Championships in the upcoming year.

Now that is a great story to show your kids that even the best don’t always get all the breaks – but, they also don’t let it get them down!

An Interesting Development in Car Insurance

2006-08-10T10:16:00.000-07:00

Overseas in Europe, NORWICH Union has launched a new type of policy known as Short Term Car Insurance. It is a temporary comprehensive cover, allowing users to choose insurance for up to 28 days. It covers users to drive a new car away from the dealer, a family member or friend to borrow someone else's car, or when traveling. It is my guess that US car insurance companies may soon follow suit on this type of service. Everyone has loaned a car out to a friend or family member for a short period of time and wouldn't you want to be covered if something happens, I surely would. If this type of service sounds interesting, you may want to check out CarInsurance.com. They provide auto insurance rate quotes for all 50 states and offer a convenient way to comparison shop for auto insurance. Shopping for car insurance is the only way to save money on car insurance. Their online car insurance quotes take just a few minutes and then they provide rates from companies that suit your needs. You can then finish online or our professional call center is available to help you purchase car insurance. In some states you will be directed to one of their trusted partners for a rate in your area.

My older child has already been told about the secret of Santa, but now he wants to know how the tradition originated… any ideas?

2006-08-09T13:04:00.000-07:00

How did the kindly Santa Claus become a roly-poly red-suited American symbol for merry holiday festivity and commercial activity? Well, it all started with the first Europeans to arrive in the New World who brought with them the concept of St. Nicholas. However, St. Nicholas had a difficult time during the 16th century Protestant Reformation which took a dim view of saints. Because the common people so loved St. Nicholas, he survived on the European continent as people continued to place nuts, apples, and sweets in shoes left beside beds, on windowsills, or before the hearth. After the American Revolution, New Yorkers remembered with pride the colony's nearly-forgotten Dutch roots. John Pintard, influential patriot and antiquarian, promoted St. Nicholas as patron saint of both society and city. On St. Nicholas Day in 1809, Washington Irving published the satirical fiction, Knickerbocker's History of New York, with numerous references to a jolly St. Nicholas character. This was not a saintly bishop, but rather an elfin Dutch burgher with a clay pipe. These delightful flights of imagination are the origin of the St. Nicholas legends: like that of St. Nicholas coming down chimneys to bring gifts. The New York Historical Society held its first St. Nicholas anniversary dinner on December 6, 1810 and the first American image of Nicholas was created for the occasion. Nicholas was shown in a gift-giving role with children's treats in stockings hanging at a fireplace. The jolly elf image received a particularly big boost in 1823, from a poem destined to become immensely popular, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," now better known as "The Night before Christmas."

When Christmas does roll around this year, consider honoring this tradition with a Christmas Gifts basket idea. As Santa Claus originated with the ritual of placing fruits and nuts by the hearth, why not send a gift basket as a symbol of this custom. A holiday gift basket set is the perfect gift for clients, colleagues, office parties, housewarmings or for any other occasion! Each and every gourmet Christmas basket is filled with the finest products offered in the gourmet industry. If you have a certain design in mind, they offer custom wrap for holiday gift baskets to fit any holiday or theme.

What are the key tricks to staying safe in the summer?

2006-07-30T15:52:00.000-07:00

Summer is the most dangerous time of the year for kids based on emergency room visits. By following some of these simple tips you can easily avoid most summertime risks.

1. Always use a correctly installed car or booster seat for you child.
2. Supervise all children near water including pools, spas, toilets, bathtubs
and buckets.
3. Be sure children wear a kid sized life jacket on all boating trips.
4. Have kids wear the proper helmet and protective gear when riding bikes,
scooters, skates and skateboards.
5. Never let children under the age of 10 play near or cross streets alone.
6. Check that all playgrounds have safe surfaces like mulch, gravel, rubber or
sand.

Lastly, as adults it is always important to learn First Aid and CPR for our whole family’s benefit.

What investment type gifts do you recommend for children?

2006-07-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Buying a specific treasure item for your children while they are young is not only a special gift, but a potential investment in their future. A fun and potentially profitable example is buying silver coins. Long ago our dollars were actually backed by real money, real silver and gold. At that time gas was only 25-cents a gallon and you could buy 4 gallons of gas for a dollar – imagine that with today’s prices! Translating the relationship back then into silver, the same amount of silver today still buys that four gallons of gas. While the dollar has been devalued, real money like gold and silver has held its value far better than our current currency. Most people feel that prices go up over time, but actually it is the value of the dollar that goes down. Some investment experts recommend a portfolio should contain tangible assets such as gold or silver. Silver coins are a fun investment particularly for children because they can actually relate to the concept. While stocks and bonds are only pieces of paper to a child, silver and gold are fancy metals. If you are unsure how to proceed with buying precious metals, a company like Monex can help. They have been in business since 1967 and have helped more than one hundred thousand people with this type of transactio

As a stay at home mom, I need some tricks to save money - any ideas?

2006-07-20T21:42:00.000-07:00

I know this may sound a little backwards, but if you are a good money manager consider using credit cards as a way to save money. Let me highlight being a good money manager though, as credit cards are also a great way to get in trouble. If you truly think that you can stay on top of your expenses with a credit card, then take the time to conduct a free credit card search that will inform you about the various terms and conditions of each individual credit card, along with its online application link at bizjournals.com.

A credit card is a great way to enhance your life and actually make money in the process. When used responsibly, credit cards help to purchase goods and services, and to pay for them on an affordable timeline. They also allow you to carry less cash, and to order out of catalogs or find deals online. Additionally, credit cards allow for emergency repairs, health care problems or any number of contingencies when access to savings or checking accounts is not possible. No matter whether you're traveling across town or across the country, it is usually easier and safer with a credit card as you are also protected against theft. Many major brands also now give you multiple advantages, like 0% intro rate, low APR, cash back rewards and other benefits. Use your credit card to manage your budget, protect your cash, delay your payments a couple of weeks and even earn you money in the process – if you play your cards right!

Do you have any quick thoughts about child discipline?

2006-07-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

When you are frantically angry at a young child, remembering the concepts in a book you read last week for discipline may be difficult. Therefore, here are ten quick tips to keep top of mind for those heated moments:

1. Be consistent.
2. Listen carefully.
3. Instantly stop any dangerous behavior.
4. Don’t ridicule or use sarcasm.
5. Avoid nagging.
6. Be firm.
7. Set realistic expectations clearly.
8. Redirect misbehavior.
9. Don’t accuse.
10. Reward good behavior.

Oh, and don't forget to take a deep breath!

What is the best art for preschoolers?

2006-07-09T16:51:00.000-07:00

For younger children, art is a process and not simply a product. The process of gluing, painting, coloring is allowing children to develop key skills they will use as they grow into school age.

Create an art center in your home. Ideally, it should be an area that the children can choose to go to freely. Give them a box with scissors, glue sticks, paper, markers, tape, etc. For younger children, you will need to monitor some of this activity for safety. Allow them to create freely and practice their skills; enjoy this process as much, if not more, than the products they create. Comment on how well they cut with the scissors or how interesting the colors they select look together, rather than asking “what are you making?”

This type of art process will help your children to learn to think creatively and without pressure, leading to independent thinkers down the road.

How do I get my children to eat more vegetables?

2006-07-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

The following are five fun ways to sneak more veggies into your child’s food.

1. Substitute vegetable juices or purees, like carrot juice, for part of the liquid in soups or sauces (even put it in the Mac and Cheese!).

2. Mix in vegetables into your ground meat recipes. Whether it is a burger or meatloaf, a cup of mild vegetables like zucchini will hardly be noticed.

3. Make Brownies! Yes, to a standard box of brownie mix you can add 1 ten ounce box of frozen chopped spinach – thawed, finely chopped and squeezed dry. Plus, add a four ounce jar of squash baby food and bake according to directions.

4. Use spaghetti squash instead of the pasta in your recipes.

5. Create a fun dish of confetti with brightly colored veggies like peas or bell peppers into cottage cheese or rice.

What are the best tools for anger managment?

2006-06-25T13:19:00.000-07:00

Even the most patient parents have times when they are pushed to a wall. When you feel the tension begin to creep up your back, try these five healthy ways to relieve your anger.

1. Hit a pillow, bed or couch with your fist.

2. Tell someone your angry, even if it just your image in the mirror.

3. Move around, jump, dance or run.

4. Walk away to a safe place to get some space.

5. Get a hug and cry.

What is a fun kid activity that a parent can play with a child?

2006-06-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Pretend play is a great way for parents to have fun with their children. Make-believe games can work for a variety of ages and help children in their development of social and language skills. Make sure to get down on your child’s level, like sitting on the floor. Some great ideas to get you started are:

* Mimic your child’s natural tendency to pretend while playing. If they are sitting down to tea, join in and pretend to drink the tea too.

* Introduce new ideas by asking questions. “What should we do after we drink our tea?”

* Play with your child, but let them direct the flow. Back off if your ideas are not welcomed; remember this is your child’s drama, not yours.

* Collect a variety of dress up game materials to use like props in your play. Most items can easily be found around the house, or keep an eye out at yard sales.

Start a dress up box and fill it with various things to get those imagination juices flowing. Good examples are:

* Stuffed animals for a pet shop or zoo.
* Plastic food, play money, coupons, bags and cash register for a grocery store.
* Raincoats, boots, rubber hose, hats and wagon for a fire station.
* Books, index cards and rubber stamps for a library.
* Paper, pens, calculator, phone and envelops for an office.
* White shirts, clipboard, band-aids, scale and other items for a doctor’s office.

How do you make your own Bubble solution?

2006-06-11T17:52:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived… bringing more play time outdoors with the kids. What item seems to excite children of all ages… bubbles!! Blowing bubbles is an ideal lazy summer day activity. Why not also recruit your kids to help make some of their own special bubble mixture… the following are two simple recipes to try, don’t be afraid to experiment with the ingredients:

Bubbles
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons dish soap
1 tablespoon glycerin – helps to hold the bubbles together longer.

Combine in bubble container with top – you can even reuse old bubble bottles. Shake to mix well. For best results, let sit for a few hours before using.

Giant Bubbles
3 cups water
1 cup dish soap
¼ cup corn syrup

Combine in bowl and let sit for several hours. Pour into a flat pan and construct a giant bubble wand from a piece of wire. Enjoy.

Bubble Tips: Bubbles last longer and work better when used on a day of high humidity. Glycerin can be found at most supermarkets or pharmacies.

What advice do you have for a trip to Disney World?

2006-06-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

So you want to take a trip to Disney World with your family – an excellent idea! Before you go, consider making it a complete vacation by enjoying the whole Central Florida area and contemplate an Orlando vacation rental home.

Orlando continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Florida as well as the United States. Beyond the theme park area, Orlando is a great environment to enjoy leisure time with your family. The Central Florida area - all 7 counties - offers a wide range of life styles for all ages. This includes opportunities to find a rental home in upscale gated neighborhoods; golf course communities; charming, old-fashioned towns, and rural communities. If you are looking for an urban lifestyle, downtown Orlando is a mixture of historic homes and luxury condominiums with great views of the city. You can enjoy vintage homes in the historic neighborhoods of Thorton Park, Lake Eola Heights, Lake Lawsona, Lake Cherokee, and Lake Copeland. Downtown is trendy with diversity of restaurants, retailers, discos, and bars all within walking distance. With close access to beautiful Lake Eola, you can enjoy festivals, outdoor concerts, or a gondola ride on the Lake. The sports complex, theater, and opera are all centrally located making your entertainment venues easily accessible. The focus on family living also spurred residential development on the edge of downtown called Baldwin Park, a traditional neighborhood with architecture reminiscent of the pre-1940's era.

Think of Florida and you will probably imagine theme parks and sunshine but there is so much more to this southern state. The Central Florida area truly offers something for everyone in the family - exciting theme parks, glorious white sandy beaches and a warm welcome from the year round sunshine. A 45 minute drive from the theme parks takes you to countryside with rolling hills and oak trees. Here you are in horse breeding country – a great opportunity if you have a daughter who loves horses. Travel south and take an airboat ride across the Everglades or take advantage of some of the best shopping opportunities in the USA.

Do I Need to be Careful of Poisonous Plants?

2006-05-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

Now that spring has set in and we are spending more time outside with our family, it is important to review the potential hazards hidden in our gardens. In general, you should always talk openly with your children about the risks of eating any plant, except the ones in the refrigerator. For those of us with vegetable gardens, this lesson is particularly important as kids quickly learn that some plants are okay to eat right out of the ground. The best rule of thumb is to teach children not to eat any plant unless an adult they trust has specifically told them it was okay. Some parts of vegetable plants can still be poisonous, even if you world normally eat the fruit.

The following list is of poisonous plants that are commonly found in most backyards. Some are only irritating to the skin and others have the potential to cause death. For many of these it is best to avoid them in your yard and call poison control immediately if your child comes in contact with them.

1. Arum – potentially fatal.
2. Boxwood – all parts are highly toxic.
3. Calla Lily – irritant – causes burning in mouth, skin and eyes on contact.
4. Autumn Crocus – extremely toxic.
5. Daffodil – fatal in very large quantities.
6. Daphne – fatal especially if the fruit is eaten.
7. Delphinium – potential to be fatal if eaten.
8. Fox Glove – entire plant is poisonous, even if you just drink water from the flower cups. It has the potential to cause cardiac arrest.
9. Golden Chain Tree – seedpods can be fatal if eaten by small child.
10. Hellebore – potentially fatal.
11. Holly – berries can cause stomach problems if eaten.
12. Horsechestnut – toxic, but not fatal.
13. Hydrangea – can cause stomach problems if eaten.
14. Iris – entire plant is poisonous.
15. English Ivy – can cause severe stomach distress.
16. Lily-of-the-Valley – potentially fatal.
17. Mistletoe – potential for stomach upset.
18. Mountain Laurel – potentially fatal.
19. Nightshade – potentially fatal.
20. Rhododendron and Azalea – highly toxic.
21. Wisteria – can cause stomach upset.
22. Yew – toxic.

Find the best Auto Insurance for your Family

2006-05-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

As parents we have to be particular careful with our family in the car. Especially as our kids grow and we are carpooling with their friends or even beginning to teach them to drive, safety skills and insurance quickly become a big issue!

As your needs change with the growth of your family, shop around for car insurance. When starting your car insurance rate comparison process, websites like www.carinsurance.com help make the process of discovering the best insurance at the best price, fast and easy. They provide auto insurance quotes for all 50 states and allow you to actually buy your insurance online. The site is easy to use and will save you both time and money.

An important notification from your friends at GEICO, advises auto owners, "A big part of our job at GEICO is providing safety measures to protect our consumers and prevent fraud. Now more than ever, we're spreading the word about what people can do to prevent their vehicles from being stolen...." Nancy Pierce recommended these steps to help reduce the chances your car will be targeted by auto theives:

1. Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even when driving and in your garage.
2. Never leave your keys in the car for any reason.
3. Park in busy well-lit areas.
4. Avoid leaving valuables in your car.
5. Install an anti-theft system.
6. Watch for the “bump-and-rob” trick where thieves carjack your car after a minor accident. If you do get bumped and feel threatened, drive to a populated area before getting out of your car and call the police on your cell phone.
7. Keep your registration in your wallet and your car’s title at home.
8. Know where you are going and be aware of your surroundings.
9. If a carjacker has a gun – give them the car – as it can be replaced, but you cannot!
10. Etch your car’s VIN number on the windows

What is an extra special gift for a child?

2006-05-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Buying a specific treasure item for your children while they are young is not only a special gift, but a potential investment in their future. A fun and potentially profitable example is buying silver coins. Long ago our dollars were actually backed by real money, real silver and gold. At that time gas was only 25-cents a gallon and you could buy 4 gallons of gas for a dollar – imagine that with today’s prices! Translating the relationship back then into silver, the same amount of silver today still buys that four gallons of gas. While the dollar has been devalued, real money like gold and silver has held its value far better than our current currency. Most people feel that prices go up over time, but actually it is the value of the dollar that goes down. Some investment experts recommend a portfolio should contain tangible assets such as gold or silver. Buying silver coins are a fun investment particularly for children because they can actually relate to the concept. While stocks and bonds are only pieces of paper to a child, silver and gold are fancy metals. If you are unsure how to proceed with buying precious metals, a company like Monex can help. They have been in business since 1967 and have helped more than one hundred thousand people with this type of transaction.

Mother's Day Thoughts

2006-05-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

Celebrate Mother’s Day with these instant reminders of why it feels good to be a mom:

• The warm fuzzy head of a newborn snuggled in your arms.
• The excited giggle of your toddler as they play.
• Watching your naked baby waddle down the hall.
• The smell of your baby’s soft skin.
• Watching them walk off to their first day in kindergarten.
• The joy of when they make that first bike ride without training wheels.
• The songs they sing and make up as they go along.
• The silly things they say.
• The smiles and hugs at all the ages.
• Reading to your child all snuggled on the couch and later having them read to you.
• Hearing them sing in the shower.
• Watching their first performance.
• Overhearing the conversations with friends.
• Knowing that you have created the most amazing people on earth.

Happy Mother’s Day…. Enjoy!

Learning to Read

2006-05-07T23:40:00.000-07:00

One of the first steps in learning to read is teaching letters. Help your child begin these important steps toward early reading with the following fun child learning games.

1. Start singing the alphabet song to your baby. Before you know it they will be singing it back to you! While the song will not actually teach your child letters, it begins the process of recognizing their names.

2. Begin by teaching the first letter of their name. Young children are very self-centered and enjoy anything that belongs to them. As the first letter of their name could become their letter, utilize this to help them recognize the letter in other places and matching the sound.

3. Take this a step further by growing the first letter recognition into name recognition. Label everything with their name and point out the letters. This will surely be the first word they learn to read, and the most important one!

4. Begin to point out words and letters in the environment, along within books. Explain the STOP sign and the Exit sign, let them look for them with you. Help them learn to recognize their favorite places and the words associated with them.

5. Be sure to always show your child both lower and upper case letters to help them learn both versions right from the start.

6. Try a letter of the week. Make foods that start with that letter and look for the letter as your drive around town. Make a special sign for the letter of the week and hang it on the wall.

7. Create letters out of unusual mediums, like blocks, play dough or if your brave, even food.

Ultimately make learning to read fun and avoid testing or drilling your child. Think of the activities your child enjoys and incorporate learning to read within their own passions.