Elderly woman ditches nursing home for endless holiday cruise, saves money

Lee Wachtstetter is your average 86-year-old in most ways but one. Instead of living out her days in a nursing home, the widowed woman is opting for the road less traveled--a non-stop luxury cruise ! AZ Central said Jan. 20, that she's swapping the AARP card for a dance card and a senior home for endless holiday deluxe aboard her favorite Crystal Serenity liner. And it's not costing her that much more. It's less, probably than upkeep on her upscale Florida home or nursing care, when all the factors are considered.  Elderly woman ditches nursing home for endless holiday cruise, saves money

Advent good deed calendar craft, countdown to Christmas with charitable acts - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

So often we hear how selfish kids are at Christmas. That's not really fair. Marketing bombards them with images of stuff they "must have." KSL shared stories of holiday generosity on Dec. 15. Many kids would love to share like that. They just lack direction. Catholic Advent teaches generosity and giving in preparation for Christmas, says Catholic Online. How about helping kids count down to Christmas with a giving, not getting, Advent calendar? This lesson teaches math, writing, social studies and current events, too.Advent good deed calendar craft, countdown to Christmas with charitable acts

 

Skip ugly sweaters this Christmas and give one warm coat

 The "ugly sweater" shtick has become a popular, if kitschy, holiday tradition. What's an ugly sweater? It's a Christmas sweater with bright cheery holiday patterns. There are ugly sweater parties in which guest try to outdo each other wearing the most decorative, and ostensibly the ugliest, sweater. One woman makes her living designing ugly sweaters, reported the Daily News December 1. Menards sold ugly sweaters on their Black Friday sale. Skip ugly sweaters this Christmas and give one warm coat - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

West Michigan gets blustery Halloween, October 31 trick-or-treat times

West Michigan Halloween trick-or-treaters will be in for blustery weather, this October 31, 2014. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warns of winds of 20-30 miles an hour, with gust up to 45 mph and 50-mph winds along Lake Michigan. Snow is likely. Kids and parents should take care trick-or-treating, especially in communities along the lakeshore. Here's the run down of October 31 trick-or-treat events and times in the greater Grand Rapids area from WOTV.  West Michigan gets blustery Halloween, October 31 trick-or-treat times - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Free Printable Photo Frame Crafts, Picture Frames Kids Can Make

The holiday season is fast-approaching, with Halloween, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. Or maybe you celebrate another winter holiday--Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Epiphany? One thing these have in common is that they usually involve gift-giving. Parents, looking for gifts children can make for holiday giving? How about homemade photo frames for school pictures? Here are links for free printable photo frame crafts.Free Printable Photo Frame Crafts, Picture Frames Kids Can Make

 

Dieting, Losing Weight, Eating Less Helps Others, Too

I've lost 100 pounds that I put on in a long-term bout of depression. That's me right at my heaviest in 2010 and right is summer, 2014.  I'm writing a series of +How-I-lost-weight tips. I used an assortment of methods to get the weight off, the biggest being just plain eating less. And I realized that by dieting, counting calories, eating less, I'm not only doing myself a favor, I'm helping others. I have more money to share now that I'm buying less food. Here's a tip on how to eat less.Diet Tip Wait 10 Minutes Before Eating More

Free Printable Baptism Greeting Cards and Christening Greeting Cards

Many faiths celebrate the sacrament of baptism, be it infant or adult. Infant baptism is also called christening in some denominations. Baptism and christenings are usually followed by a celebration. To keep party planning costs down, use free printable invitations. To keep gift giving costs down, use free printable baptism and confirmation cards.

  Hoover Web Design (click here) has ten free printable baptism invitations that can be customized and used as baptism cards also. You can also choose from four free printable infant christening cards and invitations.

  HP (click here) free printable greeting cards, invitations plus announcements for baby shower or birth of baby. Use for baptism and confirmation cards and invitations by changed text. Hewlett-Packard also has free printable crafts and gifts that can be personalized with pictures. Scroll through.

  Free-Printable-Party-Invitations-Online (click here) has several basic baby themed free printable invitations and cards, suitable for baptism and christening.

  Blue Mountain (click here) has free baptism and new baby congratulations e-cards.

  For more free printable greeting cards, visit my blog at www.freeprintablecards4u.blogspot.com. For more party planning tips, including free printable activities, visit me at www.diypartyplanner.blogspot.com. For more Catholic and religious activities, visit me at www.catholicactivities.blogspot.com.

Free Printable Vacation Bible School Crafts Activities

Summer brings lots of great family traditions--4th of July, picnics, parades, beach fun. One very popular summer activity is VBS, or Vacation Bible School. Almost every church sponsers a week-long Vacation Bible School. And don't let the term 'school' intimidate you. At VBS, children learn about Christian Biblical teachings in fun-filled interactive ways. Students learn about Jesus, faith, Go, making crafts, singing, playing games. Are you a VBS teacher? You'll want these Free Printable Vacation Bible School Activities

Free Father's Day Gifts of Time and Talent-- Do for Dad

 Looking for free Father's Day gifts dad (grampa, uncle, husband, boyfriend)? Think do-for, not buy-for. Most dads I know have more projects than time to do them. Everyone who lives at home should participate in household tasks. But some just naturally falls to dad. Or, if he's an over-achiever, git-er-done guy, like my husband, he takes it all upon himself. Here are gifts of time and for Father's Day. Free Father's Day Gifts -- Do for Dad, Don't Buy For Him

Cheap, Homemade, Father's Day Gift Crafts Any-Age Kid Can Make

 We homeschooled four kids in a mobile home living on one income. I'm a DIY, frugalista, recycle mama. I'm also a special needs Montessori teacher. My mantra is "hands-on, child-centered." With that in mind, here are cheap, homemade, kid-friendly Father's Day crafts the whole family can help make. Cheap, Homemade, Father's Day Gift Crafts Any-Age Kid Can Make