Holiday Ch…Ch…Changes

Holiday Ch…Ch…Changes

Robin @ Kids Matter

Thanksgiving is one of the few times each year that my whole family gets together.  Add to that some good food, fun game playing, and Black Friday shopping, and you have my favorite holiday of the year.  Or, I should say, had.   Over the years it was my favorite holiday, but things are changing.  Have you noticed that Christmas preparations start earlier every year?  Black Friday shopping has also started earlier and earlier.   Some stores are open all day on Thanksgiving.  Last year, almost all Black Friday shopping started on Thanksgiving Thursday!  You may be asking, “What’s wrong with that?”  It takes away from family time.  And family time is very important, especially since families have less and less of it in the hustle and bustle of everyone having different schedules and priorities.  Some people say, “But we can shop together.”   Sure, you could, but do you?  Does everyone in your family like to shop?  Is everyone looking for the same item?  Are you able to communicate and have meaningful interaction in the middle of the shopping crowd?  I don’t think so…

Personally, I miss the challenge of Black Friday as it used to be.  I fondly remember those years of getting up at 3:30 AM to be at the store and in line by 4AM.  Sure, it was cold and exhausting, you don’t always get that sale item you are looking for, but, many times I got the great deals and had fun with whomever I was able to talk into shopping with me that year.  Now, with shopping starting so early, the lines are a lot longer.  Last year, I went to one store and found the item I wanted, but the checkout line was too long.  After standing in a line that wrapped around the entire store for 30 minutes without moving, I gave up and left.  I am not willing to give up 8 to 10 hours of my Thanksgiving to go stand in line.  That time is too valuable to me! 

Enjoy the time you have with family, because you may lose them before you know it.  My mother passed away last year, and believe me, it does make a difference.  I miss her every day, but I especially feel her loss during this time of the year.  I remember the fun we had of planning the menu together.  I was the cook and she was the organizer.  She was a terrible cook, but loved talking to everyone to make sure they were coming, what they were bringing, and just generally organizing it.  Every year, there would be an unexpected twist, whether it was a neighbor joining us who had no family to celebrate with, or helping cook and serve at a homeless shelter.  I would always go to her home the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, to start the turkey process.  We really enjoyed that time together before the rest of the crowd arrived.  One year, we ended up with 10 pumpkin pies and no other deserts, but that was ok because it gave us a good memory to laugh about. 

So, how do you deal with changes like this?  Last year, the loss of my mom was very fresh.  My family got together, but we had pizza instead of the usual Thanksgiving fare.  However, we were more focused than ever before on the thankfulness aspect.  This year, my first thought was to cancel the holiday, but that didn’t work.  So, we are planning Thanksgiving at my sister’s house this year.   She has started the menu planning, much as I tried to avoid it.  It’s not the same, but I’m sure that it will still be a good time with family and friends. 

As David Bowie said, “Pretty soon you’re gonna get a little older.  Time may change me.   But I can’t trace time.” I leave you with a plea.  Thanksgiving is an important holiday.  Please don’t skip over it!

Black Friday… The Mania

Black Friday… The Mania

Belinda @ Kids Matter

I have to say, up front, I am NOT a Black Friday shopper. I try to keep as far away from the hysteria as possible. In all my life, I have only done the Black Friday thing one time and that was not by my own choosing. About 14 years ago, I was one of the few people working that day. My supervisor insisted I take one of my co-workers to get a TV she had seen in the Black Friday ads. That was 10:00AM and we finally made it back to work at 1:30PM. Now mind you, the store was only 10 minutes away from work! I hauled this crazy lady, amped by the mere thought of grabbing a small TV for $25, to the shopping complex. Traffic was horrendous and parking was absolutely ridiculous! We had to park about two miles from the store, it seemed. By the time we got close to the door we could hear the screaming. People were yelling, “Watch where you are going!” Carts banging into each other... kids running amuck… My coworker darted through the doors. Barreling over people, hollering over the crowd to me, “Come on! Come on!”

Finally, I was through the door! No time to breathe a sigh of relief! I looked up and there she was across the store, arms waving like a mad woman. I caught up to her eventually after many “excuse me, pardon me, and I’m sorry” exchanges. She grabbed a hold of my arm and just pulled me through the crowd. I was bumped, pushed, cursed, and all the while she gripped my arm with a fist of iron. “TVs… I see TVs!” she yelled. We got to the TVs and low and behold there was not a single $25 TV in the store. She started yelling and screaming for a store clerk. A guy walked over to us (he looked as if he had been trampled in the crowd) and asked her what she was looking for. He confirmed what I had already told her, “sold out”. I closed my eyes and held my breath. Sure enough… she had a meltdown, right there in the store! Full blown meltdown with big ol’ crocodile tears and mumbling of words no human could understand.

I reassured her that her love was greater than any TV and the kids would be happy with anything she gave them. The closer we got back to the car the deeper those words began to sink in with her. I opened her door, she got in, and before I had walked around the car, I heard her screaming. She had seen a sign in another parking lot with TVs for $25. Oh my! We started the game over again three more times at three more stores, all with the same conclusion, “sold out”. I hauled her back to work 3 ½ hours later without a TV. In my mind… there never was a $25 TV! Oh, there were probably five in each store and if you were one of the lucky first five in the building, you got that $25 TV.

Like I said, that was 14 years ago. Today, Black Friday (November 29, 2013) shoppers have a bigger advantage. Some of the larger stores are now open Thanksgiving evening. There are websites where you can go and find coupons, store hours, secret sales, and much more. So, let me give you some info to spare you some of the havoc of which I got to partake in all those years ago. Go ahead and bookmark the sites and keep ahead of the game.

1.     http://www.theBlackfriday.com/

2.     http://Blackfriday.com/

3.     http://bfads.net/

4.     http://www.walmart.com/cp/Black-friday/1076614

5.     http://www.Blackfriday.fm/

But don’t stop here! In addition to Black Friday, we now have Cyber Monday (December 2, 2013) which is the Monday after Black Friday and is the time to make all your online purchases!

1.     http://www.cybermonday2013.com/

2.     http://www.walmart.com/cp/546840

3.     http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Misc/Cyber-Monday/pcmcat309500050010.c?id=pcmcat309500050010

4.     http://www.coupons.com/cyber-monday/

5.     http://www.amazon.com/b/?node=5550342011&tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=19448362568&hvpos=1o1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=1988960045904113510&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_31r3covcmj_b

And… if you haven’t been introduced to Small Business Saturday (November 30, 2013), please allow me the honor… as per Wikipedia, “Small Business Saturday is an American shopping holiday held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year. First observed on November 27, 2010, it is a counterpart to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature big box retail and e-commerce stores respectively. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize brick and mortar businesses that are small and local.”  View these links for more information:

1.     http://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba_initiatives/small_business_saturday_2013

2.     https://www.facebook.com/SmallBusinessSaturday?fref=ts

3.     https://www.americanexpress.com/us/content/small-business/shop-small/about/?linknav=us-open-shopsmall-homepage-readmore

Happy shopping! But… remember to be safe in your travels and be guarding of your credit card purchases. Shop smart! Support your local small business merchants and your community! Shop with at least one buddy, strategize and make a game plan prior to your journey, and be prepared for the weather as you camp out and stand in long lines. One last reminder… please be courteous! That person you are banging with your cart may not even be there by their own choosing. They mean you no harm. J

Veteran’s Day 2013

Veteran’s Day 2013

Belinda @ Kids Matter

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" ~ President Wilson

Originating as Armistice Day, November 11, 1919, Veteran’s Day is, “A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good” as per The U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs. This national holiday is not only a tribute to our fallen soldiers who paid with their lives for the freedoms we, as U.S. citizens, are afforded, but also the superior men and women who have chosen a life of honor and selflessness for which their lives are on the block in order to protect ours. These self-sacrificing service personnel are put through rigorous training every day in order to keep them prepared and motivated for the protection of our country. They endure sleepless nights, harsh weather, and intensive conditioning of which, if you aren’t a soldier, you could not possibly fathom. They see and experience tragedy that a civilian would never comprehend. These men and women have such a great respect for authority and chain of command that in return, they deserve the same. 

Men and women of the military (past, present, and future) be it Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard (fallen, retired, or active duty) deserve and command respect and appreciation from all of us. It doesn’t matter if you agree with the political factors involved in the military actions. What matters is that these service personnel are ready, able, and willing to give their lives to protect and serve YOU! It doesn’t matter one iota if these soldiers are on full-time active duty, Reserves, or National Guard. Each serves this country in a way that non-service people can only imagine. They are the top quality, front lines, of our country! They are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, sons, daughters and friends. They protect us at home and abroad, near to our hearts yet far away. 

At this time I would like to take this opportunity to present a heartfelt thank you to my own friends and family who are or have served this country proudly.

Words can never express the respect and admiration I have for my son-in-law, Mason, who proudly represents the Army. Thank you! To my brother, Allen, and friend Dave, who boldly and bravely served our country through the Air Force, thank you! To Army Vets John (step-dad), Mike (brother), and Kim (friend and co-worker), thank you for your patronage and the services you contributed to our great nation. To my father-in-law, Gerald, brother-in-law, Jeff, and Uncle John, for the protection and services you provided through the Navy, thank you. In remembrance and honor of those passed; my Grandpa John, step-dad, Jimmy (Army), and Uncle Roger (Navy). Respectfully, I would also like to acknowledge and say thank you to all the military wives, husbands, and family members who support their soldier every breath; every minute of every day!

To all soldiers, on this Veteran’s Day, we salute you with a Bravo Zulu OORAH HOOAH HOOYAH and a sincere THANK YOU!!

If you would like to thank a soldier please see the information below. Don’t wait until Veteran’s Day 2014! There is no time like the present to say THANK YOU!

·         Write a letter or send a card to the service member.

·         Send a care package: through someone you know … the USO (https://www.uso.org/Donate_Operation_USO_Care_Package.aspx), 

Any Soldier (http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm), or Give 2 The Troops (http://www.give2thetroops.org/)

·         Send a handmade craft item such as a bracelet or a scarf.

·         Pray for them.

·         Thank a family member of the spouse who is here in the U.S.

Proudly display and honor the American Flag.

Memories of My Daddy

Memories of My Daddy

By BA @ Kids Matter

I grew up during a time when people were, “dodging the draft” and protesting war. I have never spent a lot of time thinking about freedom.  I don’t know about you, but I kind of take it for granted. 

Recently, a simple request to write a paragraph about Veteran’s Day prompted me to think about the men and women who serve our country every day who are willing to give their lives so that we can keep our freedom. Would you be brave enough to enlist in the armed services during war time? My father was one of those brave young men who did that very thing.

At 17 years old, my father was too young to enlist and had to have parental permission to join the U.S. Navy.  Times were different then.  It was World War II and young men were longing to “march off to war” and protect those they loved.  The world was in turmoil as my father begged to be allowed to enlist.  His mother would have none of it.  After all, he was an only child and he had not been drafted.  Why would he want to do something so foolish?  He was just a child, she argued.  Over and over he pleaded and argued his point.  His mother was adamant that he was not going. After several days finally my grandfather signed the necessary paperwork and he was off to join the Navy.  My grandmother was devastated.

Underage, young, and impulsive, he quickly realized that he would have to pass the necessary requirements to become a sailor.  One of those requirements was that he would have to be able to the read the colorful signal flags that were flown on ships.  Not so hard you say? My father was colorblind but that was not going to deter him!  He simply memorized the flags (not by colors) and passed the test. 

He was sent to Chicago for basic training, where he trained on the Great Lakes.  After basic training, he was stationed on a large destroyer, the USS Rogers, where he served as a radar man. He was deployed to Hawaii sometime around 1943.  As the war progressed and the Japanese became more and more aggressive, my grandmother was in constant fear for his life. After Pearl Harbor, it became apparent that drastic action would have to be taken; the U.S. would have to join the war.  We all know from history what drastic measures were later used against Japan.  After the bombs were dropped it was days before Japan surrendered. 

My father was on one of the ships that went into Japan after the bombings.  He never talked much about the actual events.  There are a few souvenirs that he brought back: two Japanese rag dolls, old black and white photos, and his Navy picture in his dress blues, his white uniform, sailor hat, and his medals that are saved in a suitcase with his uniform. All of these are now simply memories of a young sailor who served his country alongside thousands of other young men, my uncles included, and women in all branches of the service. This suitcase holds a part of my father that I did not know but, having inherited these things after his death; it somehow makes me feel closer to that 17 year old.  I am proud to say that I am the daughter of a “Tin Can Sailor” who survived World War II.

Thank you, Daddy, and all of the other Veterans who will be honored on November 11^th.  We can never, ever, repay you.

From The Director’s Chair: How to Cook a Turkey

From The Director’s Chair: How to Cook a Turkey

Julia @ Kids Matter

          As we all know, fall has come! Mother Nature has certainly changed from her short shorts and flip flops and brought in some seriously colder than normal temps! It is October, but we are having November-like weather here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Naturally being a HUGE fan of colder weather, I find myself daydreaming of all things fall and winter!

          I am even listening to Christmas music…SHHH! Don’t tell anyone! I am a bit ashamed of it personally, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the holidays! Halloween is upon us and Christmas is 2 months away! But wait! There is a very important fall holiday in between... The ever popular and important Thanksgiving. The American ‘My Diet can sit on a tack’ holiday where we eat, watch football, fight with family, and give thanks for all of the above.

          Now, while you are sitting there flipping through the latest Paula Deen or Martha Stewart mag for new recipes there is a very significant recipe you need to bring to your classrooms. How to Cook a Turkey!

          Preschoolers and Pre-Kindergartners absolutely LOVE this Thanksgiving project. When I was in the classroom, I did this activity every year. We always did journal entries in my classrooms before lunch.  Every day I would give them a topic for their journals. They would draw what their story or entry was about. They would then bring the picture to me or my assistant and we would ask, “Tell me about your picture?” It is vital that you know to ask that question.  Never ask a child, “What is this?”  A child sees it clear as glass for what it is, and they expect you, their mentor, to know as well.

          This now brings me to the journal entry I looked forward to all year. “Class, today’s journal topic is, ‘How to Cook a Turkey.’ I would like for you to think very hard about what you will need to stuff the turkey, how to cook it, and how long it will need to cook. Begin please.”

          For ten minutes, they would color, draw, giggle, and change paper, until they had the best recipe they could muster. I would await their pictures like a kid at Christmas. And soon, I would be awarded with the first drawing. I did this exercise for many years, but one child stands out as being my favorite. I still, to this day, remember every word. I know I must have read it half a million times, and it hung on my bulletin board until Christmas. Now, put those expensive holiday cooking magazines down and follow this recipe to the “T” for turkey!

“How to Cook a Turkey” By Andy, age four

Me: Okay Andy, tell me about your picture. And let me just say, it look fabulous.

Andy: Thanks Miss Julila, I have a feeling about this one.

Me: You do? How so?  Walk me through it, if you please.

Andy: Well, you have to cook a turkey in the oven at 7000 degrees. Then you have to yell at Dad to get off his duff and vacuum the living room already because his mother will be there soon, and the Packers will probably win anyway. See, there is Dad watching the Packers. Then you stuff it {the turkey} with chicken nuggets, gummy worms, cupcakes, catsup, French fries, pizza, and a sundae that comes in a small baseball hat. Then Dad comes in and smells it and says it’s perfect and it’s done.

Me: How long does it take to cook a turkey at 7000 degrees?

Andy: Ten minutes!

Me: Really? That’s it? Ten minutes?

Andy: That’s all buddy!

Me: What do you like to eat with your turkey for Thanksgiving?

Andy: Orange potatoes and eggs.

Me: Okay.

Andy: And pie.

Me: Do you have a favorite type of pie?

Andy: Apple is good, but only if it is cold.  I don’t want ice cream melting it.

Me: Well, is there anything else you would like to tell me about cooking a turkey Andy?

Andy: Yeah, it has to be ortantic {organic} or else my aunt will get fat.

Me: Awesome. You sir, are Awesome Sauce!

Andy: You are Awesome Turkey Miss Julila! Can I play Blocks now?

          Now, imagine that conversation about 24 times… It really doesn’t get much cooler than that. They have such a wonderful time with journals, but you have to write down everything they say! So, you must be able to write quickly! What they are saying is sheer gold!

          Next time, I plan on bringing a little décor and cooking tips. I love to cook/bake, and this time of year I start to try new recipes for T-Day. Until then, start journals in your classroom, get young minds creatively thinking, and ask a three or four year old how to cook a turkey. You will never laugh harder in your life.

Well, that is all for now from The Director’s Chair…

I Admit It… I’m An Addict

I Admit It… I’m An Addict

Belinda @ Kids Matter

Yes, I’m disgraced. I’m a broken woman, suffering the mortification of it all. I shamefully hide my face in embarrassment. How could I admit such a thing in a widely publicized format? Because, apparently, there are 46 million other addicts suffering the same addiction! Blast you Candy Crush Saga!! Has this sinfully teasing game cast its wretched net over you as well? Do you quickly burn through your five lives and spend the rest of the evening anxiously awaiting another addict’s gift of a free life? Do you curse the screen? The game maker? Scream in search of stress relief? Are you dreams filled with all those moves you could have or should have made? Do you lie awake for hours every night meticulously analyzing your next attempt at beating the demon that controls those tempting candies?

I have to say, I’m quite proud of myself thus far. I have made it all the way to level 86 and been stuck there for what seems like forever but I’ve never used a cheat or paid any money, whatsoever, to feed my addiction! I’m an honest and frugal addict! Yeah, that’s something to be proud of.  (Insert sarcasm there.) I do “woo-hoos” and “yeah babys” when I surpass a friend or family member. I’m just a tad bit competitive. Wink, wink! My heroes are those that have advanced far past me, into new and glorious territories of which I, apparently, can only dream.

According to Wikipedia, Candy Crush Saga was developed by King in April 2012, for those of us with yet another addiction… Facebook! Seven months later they found a new way to feed our addiction… the Candy Crush Saga smartphone app! Woo-hoo!! Thank you King, for helping us find a new stressor in our lives! Inside Social Games lists Candy Crush Saga as the number one Facebook game.

Rewind the clock 28 years… were you this hypnotized by Mario and Luigi when they debuted in 1985? How about 40 years back in the time traveler when Champion Ping Pong hit the world via Atari?  I have a hearty laugh now as I remember my Mom and Dad telling us to hush as they anxiously watched a slow moving white glip bounce across the TV screen while positioning their virtual paddle for a slow return. My, oh my, has the gaming world taken a huge leap in 40 years! One can only imagine where the next 40 years will take us, but I can bet you one thing… there will be many more addicts out there battling “gamer fever”!

To gamer’s everywhere I say this… you are more than just five lives in a virtual world. You are a genius carefully manipulating, analyzing, positioning, and vindicating strategic movements in both the virtual world and reality. When the two worlds meet, you either win or lose but never concede. Always strive to learn and aspire to bigger and better things. If we are going to spend this much time strategizing over the virtual world just think of the grand things we can accomplish in the physical world. Yeah baby!!! Woo-hoo!!