|
|
|
Better Aging
My friend who retired last year from years on Wall Street tells me, “I have to watch very carefully how I spend my money. I don’t know how to do anything.”
One of the reasons people find retirement challenging, is also the solution to the...
Dockers - For that Professional Casual Look
When Levi Strauss began manufacturing the riveted pants we now call “jeans” in the 1870s, they were originally made from a material then known as “jean”, a cotton, linen and/or wool blend material that had evolved somewhat since it was imported to...
Fish Cookies Pet Food
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine 1/2 cup dry milk and 1/2 cup wheat germ; drizzle 1 teaspoon honey on top. Add one 3 1/2 ounces of mashed and boned mackerel, either canned or freshly cooked and stir until everything is well mixed. Form...
SHARED RENTAL AGREEMENT FOR ROOMMATES
SHARED RESIDENCE AGREEMENTS A roommate agreement is made by two or more people who are sharing living expenses. All roommates should have a clear understanding about their individual responsibilities for rent and other living expenses. Without a...
Whiskers
Growing up, I recall discussions about how it was impossible for animals to go to heaven, being that they don't have a spirit. How could they have one, being that they don't talk and, thus, can't understand or communicate with God? Or, at least,...
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valentine's Far From Home
"What shall we make grandma and grandpa for Valentine's Day?"
This is an oft-repeated question as February 14th draws near; and despite being another highly commercialized holiday, it is still a nice way for geographically separated families to touch base.
Although e-mail is invaluable, homemade cards from grandchildren - gluey, misspelt and smudged, delivered in crumpled envelopes with upsidedown stamps - are the wishes that will be caressed by gentle hands, hung on the fridge under hatted cow magnets, and proudly shown to passers-by.
My own daughter knows that her grandma is a jigsaw puzzle expert, so she glued a teddy bear picture to a red construction paper heart, with little messages of love written around the periphery. With great care, tongue tip protruding to steady her hand, she then cut the artwork into several large pieces. Proudly, dumping her homemade puzzle into an envelope, we went to the post office hand in hand.
We press flowers, collected on warm walks and
summer picnics, haphazardly collecting them in any book on hand. It's always a lovely treat when fragile petals float from a page we're reading, and sometimes we glue these decorations of nature to homemade Valentine's Day cards sharing colorful memories of spring.
Children grow up fast, and grandparents miss the little things - like a first lost tooth, a new smile. One fun way to send pictures is to decorate cards with sunshines and flowers, replacing round centers with cut-out faces of the grandkids. There's no better way to wish the folks Happy Valentine's Day than to have a garden of your children's faces beaming up at them.
About the Author
Stephanie Olsen, published writer, homeschooling mother of two and ESL teacher currently residing in Europe, is also owner of the expatriate site, Family Life Abroad http://www.familylifeabroad.com where you'll find humorous and informative articles by experienced expatriates on all aspects of living abroad, with lots of links and travel tips.
|
|
|
|
|
|