When life imitates reality

A recent news story released by a Albuquerque New station KRQE showed two Children, Youth and Families employees being photographed flashing gang signs and holding up guns. These photographs were not in display during a training session or to show what types of crimes gang members commit, but rather were used in a mocking manner with smiles.<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cobject%20type=%22application/x-shockwave-flash%22%20id=%22video%22%20width=%22640%22%20height=%22520%22%20data=%22http://www.krqe.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=11212"><param"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="b-hbp-video b-uploaded" frameborder="0" height="266" id="BLOGGER-video-dbc9e758447692b5-19907" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyjs02GdqAX_-IwQtxkztdeAusqK_AgRKkEehZ0eyGUFh1gK5JbUnKJh_MlRMmZl_fxQODejHAWhTx1UZCegbEpIEYqXk-XzEg0vAZfvSa4Ip8uaxXahc8wNWFsqU1jZFB3EPYK" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The pictures were discovered after one of the women photographed was recently released from her position with the agency. The other women photographed was Heather Faverino, who is the head of the Farmington Office of CYFD.  What is so shocking is that Faverino sits on a handful of youth gang task force boards, aimed at keeping this very type of behavior out of young teens hands.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>This behavior has always been something I have worried about, it takes into question the dedication and naivete that some will take when it involves gangs, guns and drugs, when it comes to teens. You can view the entire store here.<br /><br />What is your opinion? We would like to hear from you!

When life imitates reality

A recent news story released by a Albuquerque New station KRQE showed two Children, Youth and Families employees being photographed flashing...

Read more »

Spring is is the air?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Well I certainly hope so! It has been a lot warmer for the last few weeks but our weather will sneak up on us and the next thing we'll have snow again. The days are really wonderful as it is warm and sunny. We have, so far, had a lucky fire season this year as there have not been many runaways. The grass in the block-burnt areas is quickly turning green and the lawn mower will soon be taking strain on our lawn.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTbLi2ay0oQQaeny94F7Vi-tpw3kZMdHJN0S4qi2XONoweLJidzg0fAd6qryH_XzXa2QeaxgqQ1n4uq248BQAkgpzBLH1kCtUD_8KE-9TqQVx4cBtW_Jbgs6mfBgl9cl4nboiPgVt8Lk/s1600/Sangwana+Mountain+burning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihTbLi2ay0oQQaeny94F7Vi-tpw3kZMdHJN0S4qi2XONoweLJidzg0fAd6qryH_XzXa2QeaxgqQ1n4uq248BQAkgpzBLH1kCtUD_8KE-9TqQVx4cBtW_Jbgs6mfBgl9cl4nboiPgVt8Lk/s400/Sangwana+Mountain+burning.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Block burning on the farm next door</div><br /><br />Family spent a few days with us and so we caught up on news and all had a pleasant time. Nev took some fantastic photo's and has added to his vast collection of pix.<br /><br /><br />"The Country Wagon Company" has produced the first wagon and material (plus a mountain of sawdust) is being prepared for the production of lots more. They will be available in several colours and I'm sure kids will enjoy them. Take a look at the picture below.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9wdwtQZCsyzb7Qmztjr0c5EoWIpqqywouOMSrs8xw3vwP7sEid0eVlQ09VmYmTSH3QvaLjfURlSHbOJYxr4EBrTWo0Ijd1akXr8akQJaiqwTYXT5Urb_9SWJtdp-OLp3dfJU7t2S56M/s1600/Wagon+pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie9wdwtQZCsyzb7Qmztjr0c5EoWIpqqywouOMSrs8xw3vwP7sEid0eVlQ09VmYmTSH3QvaLjfURlSHbOJYxr4EBrTWo0Ijd1akXr8akQJaiqwTYXT5Urb_9SWJtdp-OLp3dfJU7t2S56M/s400/Wagon+pic+1.jpg" width="400px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Number 1 wagon off the production line</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have a Longcrested Eagle that patrols our telephone line every day.  He is one of our most beautiful birds on the farm.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nev's pic of the Longcrestad Eagle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOVA8RG3Lb6OzSCoYx0BWGrSqU-6wVMXyGnAeTo7Fo2CXLr_4jNFgxOTWKpLvVgawowfE4UyyvzKeqk4_0q8dCPLw3e40WRvW4iUEZNP93TnDe6kxMjRrbdlUESGyIPd1JqFeOgd4xBo/s1600/Longcrested-Eagle-PhotobyNev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOVA8RG3Lb6OzSCoYx0BWGrSqU-6wVMXyGnAeTo7Fo2CXLr_4jNFgxOTWKpLvVgawowfE4UyyvzKeqk4_0q8dCPLw3e40WRvW4iUEZNP93TnDe6kxMjRrbdlUESGyIPd1JqFeOgd4xBo/s320/Longcrested-Eagle-PhotobyNev.jpg" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div>

Spring is is the air?

Well I certainly hope so! It has been a lot warmer for the last few weeks but our weather will sneak up on us and the next thing we'll h...

Read more »

Interior Design Week-end projects 3: Use Plants

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://dhomeinteriordesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/comfortable-and-fresh-beds-collection-with-green-decoration.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://dhomeinteriordesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/comfortable-and-fresh-beds-collection-with-green-decoration.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 251px;" /></a><br /><br />Nothing says tropical more than tropical plants. The most well known tropical plant is in fact the Arecaceae, more commonly known as the palm tree. There are in fact many thousands of different varieties, such as the well recognised coconut palm or date palm. However for indoors you may wish to consider much smaller varieties - of which there are also many. In fact there are a number that do not grow beyond five feet, ideal for indoor use.<br /><br /><br /><br />In addition, rich brown leathers are very commonplace, as are other animal designed fabrics. Leopard spotted fabric can often look cheap and tacky, however, when combined with a tropical feel it eases in very nicely and actually looks much more refined . The same is true for zebra stripes and the like. You still need to be careful not to use too much of it, but small areas such as on cushions or floor rugs is ideal.<br /><br /><br /><br />Plants come in all shades of green, and you will find that using contrasting shades will help you room look elegant and modern. In order to make the perfect green coloured bedroom, you will need the majority of the room to be a light, pale green. You will, however, need to have a few items of dark green in the room, such as a number of plants or dark green highlights on the patterns of the wall and <a href=http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/cat/bedding/printed-duvet-covers/>duvet cover sets</a>. Complete the green theme with dark brown or grey furniture and you will have the modern décor of class nature.

Interior Design Week-end projects 3: Use Plants

Nothing says tropical more than tropical plants. The most well known tropical plant is in fact the Arecaceae, more commonly known as the pal...

Read more »

Parent Tips: Competing with your child's friends!

How as a parent can you compete with what “cool” friends dictate? Peer pressure can impact many areas of your child’s life, from how to dress, what brand of clothes to wear, or what new electronics are must haves. The potentially harmful peer pressure such as drug, alcohol, gang activity and other criminal activities is something everyone from teen to parent will have to deal with.<br /><br /><br /><div></div>Complications to the experience for parents can occur when they do not understand the depths to which these pressures go.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><strong>The use of Cigarettes and Alcohol</strong><br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Cigarettes and alcohol will most likely be some of the first areas in which a teenager will face peer pressure. The constant exposure facing teens through media which glamorizes smoking and drinking in movies and television can cause a desensitization of the stigma associated with smoking and drinking. Because of this imagery bombardment many teenagers are shown only the more enjoyable, sometimes fun sides of these habits, rarely are they exposed to the negative sides of alcohol and tobacco. 40% of high school students have tried cigarettes.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMllqv0-SbldkFUdrum9kyzAIIoV7dusBGLl85yLOh-A8EmuhrYfjdlz7LhQaHprPBOh-6IDHTW46VOjn2BTAOrrWPxyb2J1T5zLdrFp6v_jh4qZRLxt9ikpvwfm3RK8qk58oEpvncyH7/s1600/teenager-smoking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeMllqv0-SbldkFUdrum9kyzAIIoV7dusBGLl85yLOh-A8EmuhrYfjdlz7LhQaHprPBOh-6IDHTW46VOjn2BTAOrrWPxyb2J1T5zLdrFp6v_jh4qZRLxt9ikpvwfm3RK8qk58oEpvncyH7/s200/teenager-smoking.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div></div>High school years are very competitive and where your teenager stands on the “it” scale with the rest of his/her peers is very important to any teen. To be considered a “loser” is one of their biggest fears.<br /><br /><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8tDpHfs-Hl5491Pil2X4jYq5EdoHUEG7_aeHOt3V-VE4o02mkMkkrC918Sj1holWuInA88PjA14TxfPZ-66Ggx9nsGX6ZrcZIOAc-Mp9jS1co8xEm3_fWAJpW7NyrD28yprSIbbDDxq1/s1600/teen-drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8tDpHfs-Hl5491Pil2X4jYq5EdoHUEG7_aeHOt3V-VE4o02mkMkkrC918Sj1holWuInA88PjA14TxfPZ-66Ggx9nsGX6ZrcZIOAc-Mp9jS1co8xEm3_fWAJpW7NyrD28yprSIbbDDxq1/s200/teen-drinking.jpg" width="200" /></a>To avoid this label, teens sometimes will portray an image of being tough, rebellious, and uncontrolled by their parents, and smoking and drinking are the easiest ways to declare their independence.</div><br /><strong>Sexual Activity</strong><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTew1d2IAKGlakN7dG5lq3vIZjyCXtbbm3suHY_hyphenhyphenqFbheEJqFN89QnYL7A50RSZYpXe_GqmFgaDwg-DalHkoHXobbRt-Ny1unooptXzPXV3pfq1_7sbk7-cfmXa-85JYXFMkViFkEyur/s1600/sex_ed5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTew1d2IAKGlakN7dG5lq3vIZjyCXtbbm3suHY_hyphenhyphenqFbheEJqFN89QnYL7A50RSZYpXe_GqmFgaDwg-DalHkoHXobbRt-Ny1unooptXzPXV3pfq1_7sbk7-cfmXa-85JYXFMkViFkEyur/s200/sex_ed5.jpg" width="200" /></a>Every year the age at which teenagers begin having sex gets younger and younger. A recent report released by the <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/news/7280420-418/survey-has-disturbing-stats-about-suburban-teens.html">Cook County Department of Public Health</a>. Showed just how active sexual activity is in teens, some 37% of teens say they have tried sex. Of that number 61 % were African Americans, 49% were Hispanic and 24% were Caucasians. What is even more shocking is that 7% report that they were physically forced to have sex against their will. Some girls feel pressured into having sex in order to be popular or liked by boys. Boys who are not willing to have casual sex with several girls are considered weak.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Oral sex has become very popular among teens due to their belief that oral sex isn’t serious because there is no risk of pregnancy.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Be open with your teenager about all forms of sexual intercourse. Explain that there are other reasons not to become sexually involved too early. Besides worrying about pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS, remind your teenager that he/she also needs to consider pride and self-respect.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Drugs</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A more dangerous and potentially life-threatening pressure teens face is drugs. Teens have recently been bombarded with the issue of Marijuana. The question of Medical Marijuana has created a state of ambiguity amongst teens. If it is safe why can’t they try it? In fact, in the last two years that this debate has occurred over Medical Marijuana it directly coincides with two years of flat reduction in Marijuana use by teens. Marijuana is an inexpensive drug in today’s society, and most teenagers do not consider it harmful. Some believe it does not cause addiction, and teens don’t realize that it is the gateway to other drugs like cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7j21FQQAGY1JEBx8LLmWk5X-4AXBmNLiy8iRsdiuPWu0DvuY5zSSFFrNCMrAEHd-RSVBrN4bfNQyGR7zxKzWCM0BGLiBJeVwhJqqSqd9b1VKnTkV888WG7Ty4YSDcy5TJ3dTVONR0YKV/s1600/s-TEEN-DRUG-USE-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM7j21FQQAGY1JEBx8LLmWk5X-4AXBmNLiy8iRsdiuPWu0DvuY5zSSFFrNCMrAEHd-RSVBrN4bfNQyGR7zxKzWCM0BGLiBJeVwhJqqSqd9b1VKnTkV888WG7Ty4YSDcy5TJ3dTVONR0YKV/s200/s-TEEN-DRUG-USE-large.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">One of the biggest issues facing teens when . Teens don’t understand that one does not have to be a regular user in order to become addicted, especially when it comes to cocaine.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Parents need to be able to recognize signs of drug use in order to protect their child from becoming addicted to drugs, or to intervene if necessary. The longer a teen is using drugs, the harder it will be to stay sober after treatment.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Reasons that put your teen at higher risk to give into peer pressure:</div></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Low self-importance</li><br /><li>Lack of confidence</li><br /><li>No particular interests or hobbies</li><br /><li>Feeling isolated from family</li><br /><li>Curiosity</li><br /><li>The need to “Fit In”</li><br /><li>Being made fun of or called a “loser”</li><br /></ul><br /><div>  <strong>Combating peer pressure</strong></div><br /><div></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQd8zulIFinFf2-bDUwfoQE2Dd-rVnuEM5eXXTGycQXteD5KyaqGRTdgSSaqd6FGrwm22Yx7pojLWlIaT7lWObaFXvXq2qbcfxC-foptEA9bWE8h-FZ1mqFFF89pYrMaI6XxcC0uDB4_a/s1600/imagesCADL1VJ9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQd8zulIFinFf2-bDUwfoQE2Dd-rVnuEM5eXXTGycQXteD5KyaqGRTdgSSaqd6FGrwm22Yx7pojLWlIaT7lWObaFXvXq2qbcfxC-foptEA9bWE8h-FZ1mqFFF89pYrMaI6XxcC0uDB4_a/s200/imagesCADL1VJ9.jpg" width="200" /></a>Teenager’s may need encouragement to get involved in activities where he/she can find friends whose outlook and character are in line with your family's values. Do not be afraid to suggest activities or groups to them. Many teens are hesitant because they are not sure that they will enjoy it, sometimes they need coaxing.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><br /><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Together, your teen and his/her friends can give moral support to each other which will make it much easier to resist negative peer pressure. Helping your teen learn to stand up for themselves and saying "no," will give them the courage to do the same thing and help others.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Discuss events, actions and their consequences often. Taking the time to help your teen work through these events will help your child to make the right choices when the situation arises.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><br /><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVlScJStutraREo7fGf-e3p7VjPNRgU_C0SyW7e1kPoepTjNBfeTdt0SPhfNBHWq7nbIBsMqkqwghQKKMncxE-0ZfP3lSGHreLwCym3IYwAdnygcVyrVIXoef-_zPq3VtfBE_I3gZQ79p/s1600/peer_pressure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVlScJStutraREo7fGf-e3p7VjPNRgU_C0SyW7e1kPoepTjNBfeTdt0SPhfNBHWq7nbIBsMqkqwghQKKMncxE-0ZfP3lSGHreLwCym3IYwAdnygcVyrVIXoef-_zPq3VtfBE_I3gZQ79p/s200/peer_pressure.jpg" width="200" /></a>As parents we sometimes do not believe our children value our opinion, but the opposite is true, they do place a high value on it, however, how we apply it is usually where the message gets missed. Your teen is well aware of what you consider acceptable behavior, your value system, and the rules and limits you have set for your teen.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Telling your teenager not to give into these peer pressures will have little or no effect. Threats and punishment by parents put additional pressure on teenagers. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">  </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Tug-of-War</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><br /><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Teens are faced with a constant tug of ware between parents and peers. This can be a harrowing time for a teen. As a parent try to avoid or ease the stress of this tug of war by conveying to your teen that you understand the pressures he/she is facing. Offer open discussions about situations and incidents - without the threat of punishment or judgment. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Telling your teen you care about them is paramount. You should try to foster a strong relationship based upon trust and respect. It is important that if your teen feels uneasy or unsure about doing something their friends suggest, he/she is probably about to do something that is wrong, maybe illegal and could possibly have a lasting negative effect on their life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div><br /><div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> Helping your teen realize that the desire to fit in and not being called a loser is important and you understand that, but that they need to set a limit to how much influence his or her friends will place on your teens actions and potentially their future.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div></div>

Parent Tips: Competing with your child's friends!

How as a parent can you compete with what “cool” friends dictate? Peer pressure can impact many areas of your child’s life, from how to dres...

Read more »

Interior Design Week-end Projects 2: Go Wild!

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://blog.westernpassion.com/files/2011/03/western1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://blog.westernpassion.com/files/2011/03/western1.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 375px;" /></a><br /><br />If you're looking for a quick week-end update to one of your rooms why not consider using a specific theme? Themes are a great way to inject a new look to dull and tired looking rooms, it's just a matter on choosing the theme that suits you and your home the best.<br /><br /><br /><br />You also need to consider how full on you wish for the theme to be. What is meant by this is that some themes, such as the Wild West, can be very 'in your face' if you want them to be. With saloon doors, horse shoes and leather everywhere!<br /><br /><br /><br />Some people may find it a little obnoxious to go so strongly on a theme, yet for many of us it is perfection! So if you are inspired to go full out John Wayne, western to the maximum, then go for it! At the end of the day it is your home, and therefore your tastes that matter.<br /><br /><br /><br />This applies very much so to Wild Western themes due to the fact that most films did use their artistic license to the extreme! Look for <a href=http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/cat/curtain-fabrics/>curtain fabrics online</a> to find colours and designs to suit the theme, such as gingham and checks which can be made into curtains, blinds, cushions and throws, also consider having wooden blinds rather than curtains to 'get the look'.<br /><br /><br /><br />Image: Blog – Western Passion

Interior Design Week-end Projects 2: Go Wild!

If you're looking for a quick week-end update to one of your rooms why not consider using a specific theme? Themes are a great way to in...

Read more »

Safety Tips for your teen going to College

The last several years Colleges all across the country have been exposed to some very high profile criminal cases. No college is immune to crime. College campuses are like most small or medium size cities they all have crime. Going away to college means a new mile stone of adulthood and adult responsibility. <br /><div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">For the first time in life, new college students are going to be wholly responsible for their own personal safety. Taking the time to teach your college bound teen common sense safety tips will help make them safety on or off campus. College students are surrounded by many inexperienced young people, they may face locals who hang around the edges of campus looking to prey on vulnerable young students. Although nearly 98% of the crimes committed on college campuses are related to theft, violent crimes are also a rising concern. Being a prepared college student can significantly reduce their vulnerability to violent crime</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Here are some valuable tips for college bound students safety.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /><strong><u>Do’s:</u></strong> </div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42yrygFAjV_Sro4bmv1CLqLNGGn7dhy0rcc1Hb4pf_fPrZxBjCdlmYiuQkouRfJz27nhyphenhyphengwgvu0rMSJoO_mvdKn1BgXxV52O9F5HddYhfD6bZtlvVgyL8gZXrPYdEXAoD6B4pS7f_1awj/s1600/College-Campus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42yrygFAjV_Sro4bmv1CLqLNGGn7dhy0rcc1Hb4pf_fPrZxBjCdlmYiuQkouRfJz27nhyphenhyphengwgvu0rMSJoO_mvdKn1BgXxV52O9F5HddYhfD6bZtlvVgyL8gZXrPYdEXAoD6B4pS7f_1awj/s320/College-Campus.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong>Familiarity</strong> - Get familiar with your surroundings as soon as possible Colleges disclose information about violent crimes on campus. This information is usually available from the campus police department or safety office. Visit your College Campus Police Department. Ask around to find out where the trouble spots are on campus and neighborhood. Many colleges offer basic training in safety techniques during new student orientation, take advantage of it.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <strong>Awareness</strong> - Know where you are, where you are going and what is going on around you. Pay attention to people, events and potential exit routes. Especially at times when you might be under the influence of alcohol. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Preparation</strong> – Simply things like having a fully charges cellular telephone, an extra house key and money for a cab handy if something goes wrong.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Travel as a group</strong> – Whenever possible, travel with another person, especially after dark.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Plan ahead</strong> – Good planning keeps you safe. If possible avoid activities at night as much as possible. Regardless of your activities, tell someone what you are doing and whom you are doing it with. Especially if you are going on a date. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>On Campus</strong> – When walking around on campus travel on well-lighted and well-traveled streets at night avoid unlighted areas, avoid short cuts through areas near water and wooded locations. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Exercising</strong> - If you exercise outdoors, stick to well marked path ways and routes. Better yet find an exercise partner to go with, there is safety in numbers.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Act Confident</strong> - Pay Attention to everything around you, and stand or walk confidently like you know where you are going even if you don’t. Walk with your head up, Look around, Notice everything. Always scan your immediate surroundings. In addition, keep your distance when walking past strangers on the street or in dark areas. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Exiting Your Dorm</strong> - When leaving your dorm or apartment, make sure that all doors and windows are locked – including the main building entry and exits.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be Leary</strong> - For those people who approach asking for directions or the time of day, be polite but keep a safe distance. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Hide valuables</strong> - When walking in a bad neighborhood or at night, do not wear valuable jewelry. Keep your purse inside your coat or tucked close to your body. Do not carry a loose bag or backpack. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be Observant</strong> - Keep an eye out for anyone who is loitering or hanging out around your home, campus, after school work. College students are much more likely to be stalked. If you feel someone is following you, go to the nearest occupied residence or building and ask for assistance.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Entering your Dorm or Apartment</strong> - When you get home, particularly after dark, do not hang around at the entrance of your residence. Make a quick check for mail and go in right away. If you feel something wrong, do not go in, go to a friend or neighbor’s house and call for police assistance.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyyLwY4ldm4NxWiRZSpnAspqP_FNMargn70pXvma2dzsEq6cBcbw1d0Ky80DXbQt0U-qPHH0BUdmFH5AC6RA2Jrd6TZSKuualrEv_tWStJUIWes58lux7trvwfR-7iogOMOPhYCAUU4o9/s1600/large_campus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbyyLwY4ldm4NxWiRZSpnAspqP_FNMargn70pXvma2dzsEq6cBcbw1d0Ky80DXbQt0U-qPHH0BUdmFH5AC6RA2Jrd6TZSKuualrEv_tWStJUIWes58lux7trvwfR-7iogOMOPhYCAUU4o9/s320/large_campus.jpg" width="320" /></a><strong>Trust your intuition</strong> - If a house party or a dorm room study session starts to make you feel uncomfortable, pack up your stuff and get out of there. Your safety is more important than being polite.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Call the Police when you see something that does not seem right.</strong></li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Copy Important Documents</strong> - Make copies of important papers, credit cards, health ID cards. Place them in a safe place, give a copy to Mom if your credit cards are stolen you can call mom and she can give you the information.</li><br /></ul><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong><u>Some Don’ts</u></strong></div><ul><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Distracted </strong>- Don’t walk with your MP3 player volume up to high. You should be able to hear what is going on around you. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Distracted Redo</strong> – Don’t text and walk or read your cellular telephone while you are walking. Being distracted allows a predator to get closer to you than if you were not distracted. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Go to a bad neighborhood</strong> - If you do not know about the safety of a neighborhood, ask someone you trust before you go there. Reconsider walking or driving alone while in a potentially bad neighborhood especially at night. </li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Don’t go to ATM at night</strong> – Predators see people getting cash from an ATM and they look to target those people. Instead do it when you are with the group, during the day time.</li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Don’t carry large sums of money.</strong></li><br /><li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Don’t be a moving target</strong> - Do not give an attacker time to plan an attack. When going somewhere, keep moving. If you are in a parking lot that is potentially unsafe, get in your car, lock the doors and leave. </li><br /><li><strong>Keep in mind that safety is the first priority</strong>! These safety tips are helpful to not only college students, but also all of us at any time. be safe!</li><br /></ul><br /><div></div>

Safety Tips for your teen going to College

The last several years Colleges all across the country have been exposed to some very high profile criminal cases. No college is immune to c...

Read more »

a giveaway- a ruffly tote & some greek loveliness...

<b>we are outa here...</b><br /><b>Rhodes here we come..<i>.</i></b><br />sun...<br />baklava...<br />sun...<br />salt air...<br />sun...<br />greek wine...<br />sun...<br />&<br />sun-kissed kids...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNvgzMVNeovTijoC4n9frS_jgcf0WSxduR6zyvhOfWfoG8M2_-Zoap8aihnKja-Na6qCW7_gtxx5xnPGLx86wbulCbWZZW6eblaG3NuUps5YRnUJQwbQaRdpHI0G1CDQ1oS2p2-0TvGTv/s1600/frenchbag1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNvgzMVNeovTijoC4n9frS_jgcf0WSxduR6zyvhOfWfoG8M2_-Zoap8aihnKja-Na6qCW7_gtxx5xnPGLx86wbulCbWZZW6eblaG3NuUps5YRnUJQwbQaRdpHI0G1CDQ1oS2p2-0TvGTv/s640/frenchbag1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>are you getting how much this aussie gal...in the english countryside is missing some <i>real </i>sunshine...</b><br />i want to smell sunscreen...& salty air...& have beach towels over the balcony...<br />i want to see sun-kissed noses & happy faces under sun-bleached hair...<br />i want to hear *<i>yasseau* </i>& shop for big chunks of feta...<br />i want more of what we do whenever we hang out in greece with the kiddos...<br /><br />more of  <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2010/06/some-more-greek-lovliness-blog-thoughts.html">*this*</a> & <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2010/06/greek-italian-stone-house-in-olive.html">*this*</a> & <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2010/06/my-first-giveaway-of-summer-from-greece.html">*this*</a>.... </span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">(<a href="http://1060bliss.blogspot.com/">Alima</a> the pickies are all to tempt you sweetie!!)</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVAy2GrZIkDMxC_02_5mCCGWrDPFUkmhkgjbSoyhLh-j2qhOBo8IZgyvgbNlzG1hHC-_wv4YN3S5SIM1mmv95wuYoIJLe4k8YQYCxWlwNvUMIrElIkqPSVoQGcW7x1qwH3dQHky2peBom/s1600/frenchbag2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVAy2GrZIkDMxC_02_5mCCGWrDPFUkmhkgjbSoyhLh-j2qhOBo8IZgyvgbNlzG1hHC-_wv4YN3S5SIM1mmv95wuYoIJLe4k8YQYCxWlwNvUMIrElIkqPSVoQGcW7x1qwH3dQHky2peBom/s640/frenchbag2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>anyway this time it will be all about the kids, the weather & a pile of lovely books (thanks sweet gorgeous <a href="http://www.thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;">friend</span></a> x)...</b><br />so...because the sunshine will make me want to smile...& share my holiday & to sew...<br />i'm thinking a little give-away is in order gals...<br />see this ruffly lovely tote i've made to carry greek bread & cheese in...a bottle of retsina & some sunscreen in...<br />well...i'm thinking i could make another ruffly lovely one...& stick a little bit of greek goodness in it...<br />& post it over to one of you bloggy friends...<br />what d'ya think?<br />you in?<br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbQpDBNPzIAOeAui0Th1HMt_j_CEhQNTmZu0qHrVL3ZTIOy3XZ_g_xjultBcHw7zyyHu7736RHx7uz1EkubrcRGNqEBd-9lk1H1Yz3T2SOnJToRc8Azt3RSu83oJHNLljvax9Z4ZKdxnG/s1600/frenchbag4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbQpDBNPzIAOeAui0Th1HMt_j_CEhQNTmZu0qHrVL3ZTIOy3XZ_g_xjultBcHw7zyyHu7736RHx7uz1EkubrcRGNqEBd-9lk1H1Yz3T2SOnJToRc8Azt3RSu83oJHNLljvax9Z4ZKdxnG/s640/frenchbag4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>so the thing is...whilst i'm away sunning & doing *kid-in-the-sun-kinda-things* between reading a pile of books & sipping ouzo...</b><br />i want you to tell me your thoughts on the tote...& ruffles on totes...<br />my old jeans could've been hidden i s'pose-but this is me in all my mid-week glory gals!!<br /><br /><b>so..to be thrown in the greek pot for the ruffly tote & the greek loveliness it's pretty simple...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br />a. be a follower up there...<br />b. *like* <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><u>miss sew & so</u></span> on facebook <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-Sew-So/230143973690957">*here*</a><br />&<br />c. tell me your thoughts on a ruffly tote worn with old jeans...<br /><br /><i>yep ladies- that's summer in ol'blighty- i may have almost bare feet...but i still have my old jeans on!!</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdkeJXKgtHb578InTU99EGvAOlws2pvqyB34e9NsoB0Vgd4y8fQZAKD9nz3V-6fXxurylLJkg4kumLxPRNiE_QQgsOtFRVyo_xaX4Y4eICGfwda5ezW9b9hQ5InkP7Uk2Ttynjkjp0ZxQ/s1600/frenchbag5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdkeJXKgtHb578InTU99EGvAOlws2pvqyB34e9NsoB0Vgd4y8fQZAKD9nz3V-6fXxurylLJkg4kumLxPRNiE_QQgsOtFRVyo_xaX4Y4eICGfwda5ezW9b9hQ5InkP7Uk2Ttynjkjp0ZxQ/s640/frenchbag5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">i gotta go finish throwing sunscreen & </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">cossies </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">into bags</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">happy summer whilst it lasts all</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">~~~</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">the giveaway is open all week </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">every comment counts</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">& </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">every comment makes me smile 'cause i really loved making this bag!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">see ya in a week</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">xox</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">melissa </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">xox</span></b></div>

a giveaway- a ruffly tote & some greek loveliness...

we are outa here... Rhodes here we come.. . sun... baklava... sun... salt air... sun... greek wine... sun... & sun-kissed kids... are yo...

Read more »

Teens Starting High School – Tips for Parents

<div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lvIktawGIE97DRLLBLYFNakLwW6VhWnIyCCxG_rxRE6aE0NHrGvnAXoNEBCre7RGrhBpn4_3J_EKsQYETOMJVdZ8aKLOV37EFavZxPWgSJMKH9pYSpKR7NQ9QAvo0FYvqsXOH7n_WqYx/s1600/high-school-musical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_lvIktawGIE97DRLLBLYFNakLwW6VhWnIyCCxG_rxRE6aE0NHrGvnAXoNEBCre7RGrhBpn4_3J_EKsQYETOMJVdZ8aKLOV37EFavZxPWgSJMKH9pYSpKR7NQ9QAvo0FYvqsXOH7n_WqYx/s200/high-school-musical.jpg" width="200" /></a>Teenagers all over the world will take the leap from child to young adult this fall. They will be entering High School for the first time. This milestone brings a variety of feelings and emotions. They are beginning four of the most difficult, yet most memorable years of their life. If you think you are anxious and scared, try being your teen. Next year I will be experiencing this very thing with the entry of my daughter going into high school. Although I worry, my daughter is a well put together young lady. With that being said the stress experienced between my wife, my daughter and I should be minimized some. However, these tips are still helpful even for well prepared teens and parents. </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be Open and Understanding</strong> - Realize that your teen is going to be stressed and irritable for the first few weeks of their freshman year. There are many things that can contribute to your teen’s moodiness or withdrawn state. They are experiencing numerous changes in their life; all at the same time. Just like when you are pushed to your max with stress, your teen may experience headaches, stomachaches, or sleepiness. They need time and space to figure it all out in their own mind. Be patient and give them the time they need to sort things out for themselves.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Be Available and Reassuring</strong> - They may be young adults with a need to start making more decisions on their own and taking on more responsibility, but that doesn’t mean that they are full blown adults with minds that can handle all the stress and pressure of taking on those tasks. Reassure them that you are there when they need you and also how to “back off” when necessary so they can figure things out for themselves. Have you ever heard the phrase “Helicopter Parent?” It simply means hovering over your teens every decision, allow them to make some decisions, experience some failures and learn from them before you jump in to “save” </div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Your teenager is just that, a teen. You need to let them know that you trust them to make their own decisions. Let them know that you are always there should they get stuck and need a helping hand from someone they trust. Show them in ways other than saying things such as, “I’m here if you want to talk.” It’s not always easy for a teenager to start up a serious conversation, especially with Mom or Dad. There are times when you need to get creative. Depending on your teen that may mean writing a letter or taking them shopping and talking about what’s going on in their life while driving.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkTHNlRRAHavadckyOIKAQ3cTAozbtSZMTxVv4NoI6fAtft78b0lM9Oax9_N9xNSfpCJjVlpixR7xbVJuIJAf-z9IXNtBLxRQDWjv2wWsmvFwephefukmchI8FgtCeWJBsIdIEM4sq1LF/s1600/Aspergers+students+and+high+school+problems.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkTHNlRRAHavadckyOIKAQ3cTAozbtSZMTxVv4NoI6fAtft78b0lM9Oax9_N9xNSfpCJjVlpixR7xbVJuIJAf-z9IXNtBLxRQDWjv2wWsmvFwephefukmchI8FgtCeWJBsIdIEM4sq1LF/s200/Aspergers+students+and+high+school+problems.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong>Be Supportive and Loving</strong> - Your teenager is no longer the ‘big dog’, but instead a ‘newbie’. Teenagers need to know that Mom and/or Dad support their decisions. They may have a difficult time fitting in; therefore, the need to try new things is necessary and helps them to figure out who they are. As long as the activity is not detrimental to them or anyone else, let them try a new sport, club, or other extracurricular hobby.</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Support them in their decision, even if you know in the long run they will not participate next year. Give them the opportunity to find out for themselves if they enjoy certain activities. Remind them that family is something that will always be there. They are moving away from you as a parent but not disconnecting with the family completely and that’s OK.</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Set Routines and Limits</strong> - Yes, they may be growing up, but they aren’t adults yet. Even teenagers need routines and limits. It will help to make the transition to high school easier on both of you if make limits together before the first week of school. Sit down and tell your child what your expectations are and really listen to their expectations of you as well. Settle on certain guidelines and routines that make both of you happy with the end result. This not only puts your mind at ease, but will also show your teen that you acknowledge that they are capable of making sound decisions and taking other’s considerations into</div><div style="text-align: justify;">account.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being a parent of a teenager can be a trying time and high school can seem overwhelming for them. Share in the good times and be there to lean on for the bad. Before you know it, you’ll be catching that cap and tassel at your teen’s graduation.</div><br />

Teens Starting High School – Tips for Parents

Teenagers all over the world will take the leap from child to young adult this fall. They will be entering High School for the first time. T...

Read more »

Interior Design Week-end Projects 1: In The Dinning Room

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6B7SkefXD38/TX4vi7zIRBI/AAAAAAAAHoY/Cf41a2eWojM/s320/SM_6.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6B7SkefXD38/TX4vi7zIRBI/AAAAAAAAHoY/Cf41a2eWojM/s320/SM_6.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 270px;" /></a><br /><br />If you do have the luxury of a little bit of money to spend, repainting the walls of your dining room in a new shade can really change the appearance of the room. After all, colour psychology tells us that every colour gives off different feelings and emotions - so be sure your room is saying what you want it to!<br /><br /><br /><br />You could choose to use wallpaper instead, which would allow you to work in patterns and varied styles in comparison to just painting the walls. It can even work out a much cheaper option than paint, depending on how much is required. <br /><br /><br /><br />If you do go for the painting route however, you might want to paint one wall darker than the rest. This is because having one wall noticeably darker than the others creates an optical illusion. It makes the entire room look much bigger, which can often be a problem in a combined dining room.<br /><br /><br /><br />An easy to overlook, but fantastic way to renovate your dining area is to buy new place-mats, coasters and table cloths. While not everyone makes use of them, they are the perfect way to take care of your table, from stains or 'ring marks' from glasses. They also give you a great opportunity to bring splashes of fabulous colour in to the room. Buy <a href=http://www.terrysfabrics.co.uk/cat/curtain-fabrics/>curtain fabrics online</a> to create your own bespoke table setting which can be achieved as a simple week-end project.<br /><br /><br /><br />Image: A Life's Design

Interior Design Week-end Projects 1: In The Dinning Room

If you do have the luxury of a little bit of money to spend, repainting the walls of your dining room in a new shade can really change the a...

Read more »

i'm guest posting in a *gorgeous ironing basket*...a bit of sharing!

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">hello lovely ones...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">today i'm spilling the beans on life & my thoughts on all things lovely over at </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://thebottomoftheironingbasket.blogspot.com/2011/08/tell-me-something-miss-sew-so.html">*the bottom of the ironing basket*</a><br /></span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">which happens to one of the most perfectly gorgeous blogs i know</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">merci simone...i heart you...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">& </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">your blog everyday...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkeSfBSOrAvYc0XBPeJhTHiLTJnPAQ0t1_VnJ7ROmIW3QhocMTgtFpKnl_Vvlgr8HoAXUhBEw8BpqNRSpaUpNPC0QbD0y7qZMJQffdNldaOJl-IVyk8Apw_T43UB94O-fTQwATtLz8mPx/s1600/aust1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkeSfBSOrAvYc0XBPeJhTHiLTJnPAQ0t1_VnJ7ROmIW3QhocMTgtFpKnl_Vvlgr8HoAXUhBEw8BpqNRSpaUpNPC0QbD0y7qZMJQffdNldaOJl-IVyk8Apw_T43UB94O-fTQwATtLz8mPx/s640/aust1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">head on over </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">&</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">let me know your thoughts...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">maybe...just maybe...you may be saying *me too* after  some of my answers!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">see you soon gals</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">melissa </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">xoxox</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>

i'm guest posting in a *gorgeous ironing basket*...a bit of sharing!

hello lovely ones... today i'm spilling the beans on life & my thoughts on all things lovely over at  *the bottom of the ironing bas...

Read more »

friday pretties on a saturday morning in a village...

<b>friday pretties...</b><br /><b>a gorgeously rare morning to myself...</b><br />i love school holidays...i truly do...<br />but every now & again...a day to myself is pretty heavenly...<br />i had the day, almost a <i>whole day</i>, to sew...catch up on orders...cook & pick up after my <s>divinely lazy</s> busy family...<br /><i>but before i did all of this i wandered through the village...</i><br />& drank coffee...<br />& hung out in second hand shops...<br />& just stopped for a moment on my own...yep...<i>on my own</i>...<br />i picked up this *lovely-shaped* pile of goodies from *oxfam*...<br />i wasn't looking for colour today- just shape & form...<br />& how perfect is that little muddy brown one...<br />colour- hmmmm...<br />shape- mmmm...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKlgC0o38QlV9hUNLWHDOe16s1tMivmkdJW5LZieFfmOFLKWKOnUBoBQFNjtHafA_pYJVGZhlXihTuBrbm2SRWWmTvlqmDdA60PMNK3Q0SoWzRS7v_S-xYxz-XzoKPfNPTE_IzwNJFEGK/s1600/vase2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKlgC0o38QlV9hUNLWHDOe16s1tMivmkdJW5LZieFfmOFLKWKOnUBoBQFNjtHafA_pYJVGZhlXihTuBrbm2SRWWmTvlqmDdA60PMNK3Q0SoWzRS7v_S-xYxz-XzoKPfNPTE_IzwNJFEGK/s640/vase2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>lovely shaped, <s>ugly old left on the shelf</s> *vintage* vases looking for a little colour...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i have been desperate to try the virtues of my new found spray-bestie on some ceramic ware...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.rustoleumspraypaint.com/">{go here for the details of my new obsession}</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i have a love affair that is border-line manic for all china, that started when i was in my teens on the beaches...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">where all my friends were saving for shopping spree's <i>to the mall</i>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i was working to fund a china/homewares obsession that meant when i eventually moved out, i was ready to have <i>my</i> space...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">no ikea box sets for my first house...no plastic cups...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but we also had no furniture...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">we literally covered outdoor furniture in calico slip covers that i made for our indoor dining table & did the same with moving boxes for bedside tables...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>but man...did we have great plates...& glasses...& bedspreads...we were young & very happy...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">so...having<i> just </i>discovered this *spray-virtually-everything* amazing paint-i can <i>very safely say </i>it would have been my paint bestie <i>way way back then too....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQpoUJ2sJxPCY0m2WwRLWyOl-RZooNt7cexASw9BRS7eCzX7yVrB3rROXzJmyQ6uAR-oYPKnmmQHFBp_ryCA_wpo98RkoCEo92D-PshGgvEU0F_q_HS5SQCLtAafXWiH2PMTCJ2bDgxJK/s1600/vase3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQpoUJ2sJxPCY0m2WwRLWyOl-RZooNt7cexASw9BRS7eCzX7yVrB3rROXzJmyQ6uAR-oYPKnmmQHFBp_ryCA_wpo98RkoCEo92D-PshGgvEU0F_q_HS5SQCLtAafXWiH2PMTCJ2bDgxJK/s640/vase3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>you know how much i love <i>chippy</i>...& worn & old...& dented & french...</b><br />but thrown in with all my authentically old vintage pieces, i do love me a bit of almost <i>modern</i> <i>simplicity</i>...<br />simple lines...<br />lovely shapes...<br />no patina or perfect chippy-ness taking your eye away from the *form* of a piece...<br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOuoeXd2N49eJK_fUUhuN81s9gRo9knxza-bXcG4ilwyIt1TxxlhK_hiGlEqx17oyfMnX7zlGsbiUr5HS9uJdqSYV1jQFF2y7N0e53Holgb81Vuo_CeR7TNLzTYSQfkT_HR6bGAgugMqG/s1600/vase4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOuoeXd2N49eJK_fUUhuN81s9gRo9knxza-bXcG4ilwyIt1TxxlhK_hiGlEqx17oyfMnX7zlGsbiUr5HS9uJdqSYV1jQFF2y7N0e53Holgb81Vuo_CeR7TNLzTYSQfkT_HR6bGAgugMqG/s640/vase4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>i could <i>never</i> have done this little experiment on any of my <i>so very loved, used-every-single-day-old china...</i></b><br /><b><i>but the experiment also needed pieces of a particularly interesting shape...</i></b><br />the little squat bud vase with it's beautiful blue insides...<br />stocky almost...but sweet with a rim wide enough for a teeny <i>bunch</i> of flowers...more than just a bud or two...<br />& that beautiful fan of a vase...muddy coloured & a <i>little too sadly unaware</i> of it's beautiful lines...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><b>a modern, simple take on some wonderful old cast shapes...</b></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeKqbF62xgJDJLTVcUU9D_KwBYXF5GmEsxCgULuOe0Fvp_PAzDL5OatWs2BHfJu5lzGc0NfaDvAonfOpvkKuWWmY2ihRG2RY4Rq82lXYLYb8lxjyg5IrYzzDfREmiZ11-0NgZlhyV1hg3/s1600/vase6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJeKqbF62xgJDJLTVcUU9D_KwBYXF5GmEsxCgULuOe0Fvp_PAzDL5OatWs2BHfJu5lzGc0NfaDvAonfOpvkKuWWmY2ihRG2RY4Rq82lXYLYb8lxjyg5IrYzzDfREmiZ11-0NgZlhyV1hg3/s640/vase6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i can now see a very cool, very sweet looking tea-party happening in our garden before the end of summer...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">my chippy old french garden table, wine, some nibbly bits & some lovely english girlfriends...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i'll get the B.B {british bestie} onto that...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>hear that janey- my front garden in two weeks sweetie...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>start thinking about it...& where we can *put* the kids ;)</i></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgsn7jvVfC-FPH4zNZynsg26RzPzJQ65i9rFalNZ3MKdHaNTulyD1WWK96h0OxrRpGLKC6utt0tShH-lj_5BHh-eIxMOs3iBRzSoc9m8mO1mwuLO44RuUyAb7179Hg84yD9F6la4_nsja/s1600/vase7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgsn7jvVfC-FPH4zNZynsg26RzPzJQ65i9rFalNZ3MKdHaNTulyD1WWK96h0OxrRpGLKC6utt0tShH-lj_5BHh-eIxMOs3iBRzSoc9m8mO1mwuLO44RuUyAb7179Hg84yD9F6la4_nsja/s640/vase7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>when i walk the village on my own...no kiddos...no bikes or scooters or drink bottles in tow...</b><br />i walk the long way...winding up & down past the houses i <s>covert </s>love...<br />aahhhh-ing over the fences at the garden's i wish i had the patience for...<br /><i>always pinching a few bits...a few friday pretties...</i><br />hydrangeas...are everywhere at this time of year...<br />beautiful colours...<br />beautiful shapes...<br />beautiful in these vases...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWF0ZNFnYrjVvTPmWCSC5QZfxm3bVhQMlbVQ0o2VaLcDNzZhUyb4PJNsYmebe3zGVz3Qx7CyOhxoHI9SksStnnfk_-rnh9VYip-7XPMQhz3Sf2Fi91cg-6ZUGdl_VqBhiJ2ZE5Pw2sRKR/s1600/vase8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWF0ZNFnYrjVvTPmWCSC5QZfxm3bVhQMlbVQ0o2VaLcDNzZhUyb4PJNsYmebe3zGVz3Qx7CyOhxoHI9SksStnnfk_-rnh9VYip-7XPMQhz3Sf2Fi91cg-6ZUGdl_VqBhiJ2ZE5Pw2sRKR/s640/vase8.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>that is one seriously shapely little vase....L.O.V.E  I.T!</b><br />& love my chippy chair ;)<br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL55tbnPvrrmPpXQmNQRFJJntaZZHm_YDCRUNubE1kd_z4wIrCarn7gWkO-8iNkeMJJhibyMq3EnKe4VlxZ1uGwOgYbavbX2JRhLi97OZyA6uiu_qfdE4Ozj6FM7-07pf2rCAibnIaJJ-k/s1600/vase9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL55tbnPvrrmPpXQmNQRFJJntaZZHm_YDCRUNubE1kd_z4wIrCarn7gWkO-8iNkeMJJhibyMq3EnKe4VlxZ1uGwOgYbavbX2JRhLi97OZyA6uiu_qfdE4Ozj6FM7-07pf2rCAibnIaJJ-k/s640/vase9.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">friday pretties</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><i>shared on a saturday morning</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">because when the storm of kids came home last night</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">there were endless stories of muddy stomping through the english countryside</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">&</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">pizza's to make!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">have a bloomin' great weekend gals</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">love me in spray paint heaven</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">xox</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">melissa </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><br />

friday pretties on a saturday morning in a village...

friday pretties... a gorgeously rare morning to myself... i love school holidays...i truly do... but every now & again...a day to myself...

Read more »

Teen Tips: Girls - Surviving Middle School

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagh7QJqrZTanRE7aNP2xXT56FB4qyBo5FZ6wAcZ2rumtXMiAswD-hHojM-6phkMaBVJERKnmG-2db_4990cPcmrcmMos5vd15lS20Q3KDw3H_sdv97Vf52IVGGuuF7c_00NygYNOJpvnM/s1600/508589071_7ff48a7ec6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagh7QJqrZTanRE7aNP2xXT56FB4qyBo5FZ6wAcZ2rumtXMiAswD-hHojM-6phkMaBVJERKnmG-2db_4990cPcmrcmMos5vd15lS20Q3KDw3H_sdv97Vf52IVGGuuF7c_00NygYNOJpvnM/s200/508589071_7ff48a7ec6.jpg" width="200" /></a>For parents sending your tween off to Middle school creates all kinds of anxiety for parents, but for your tween too! Middle school is a great time of a tweens life, including all kinds of new experiences and changes. The turmoil, emotion and hormones are all pooled together into the experience of growing into your early teen years. I think I heard it summed up the best by one of my daughters principals, for incoming Middle School parents. "Teens loose their minds for two years and by the time they come out of middle school they are normal again." . Here are some ideas about middle-school ups and downs and what parents can do -- and not do -- to help.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Middle school is full of really cool experience and stuff. While much of what goes on in school is normal and routine, there are the worries about the so called "mean girls"   But let me re-enforce that is important for parents to realize that this is a time when their daughters develop socially.While much is written about mean girls, it's important for parents to realize how much fun this time can be socially for their daughters. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Friendships</strong></div><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF8xxLHYdi7P_KjGWST8xOT2fziMBBDwXVVlwqPhQatDvBcMvinhsU1wa2D4xfsxm7s5WM240C9n2MqFWDRM-WCoZ0MZv5n5vphMGMuJ_HNVm5y_c5_ofoHuvSWn8eYeUdQOi4mbn0qr5/s1600/tween-girl-friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrF8xxLHYdi7P_KjGWST8xOT2fziMBBDwXVVlwqPhQatDvBcMvinhsU1wa2D4xfsxm7s5WM240C9n2MqFWDRM-WCoZ0MZv5n5vphMGMuJ_HNVm5y_c5_ofoHuvSWn8eYeUdQOi4mbn0qr5/s320/tween-girl-friends.jpg" width="320" /></a>One of the key issues is for parents is understanding how friendships change. At this stage, when girls get together what they mostly do is talk. They talk in person about music and clothes and boys -- and then they talk online. Communication breaks down for many parents at this time, which develops frustration for many parents.  This is a critical time for parents, not to create times of conflict but to open up lines of communication. Looking for ways to communicate or new ways to community are paramount. Most adults have embraced the texting. Take the time to text your daughter, if you are not on a social networking site, join one. Get added to a friend on your child's, its key to understanding their conversations, and pitfalls that they are experiencing. It is also a critical time to stay relevant in your child's life. Texting, instant messaging and posting on your child's social networking site make it a great way to stay right out in front of your child. Saying "here I am", "I can help."  </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><strong>The culture of media sets the tone for middle school. </strong><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA5WRIf2DdkxRUImeKpf6gKFTPz0ssSk-61o-dV86gV7k8UXBwjoR5XREf8P5eywUv9f8THP7yQU7A3Hn9RahpMiKRa5JaO-bWecLbFawDJmU0VjrV136QQE6MYUHep4Cu_5qhzIFG0V5/s1600/article-page-main_ehow_images_a04_r1_gj_summer-makeover-teen-girls-800x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA5WRIf2DdkxRUImeKpf6gKFTPz0ssSk-61o-dV86gV7k8UXBwjoR5XREf8P5eywUv9f8THP7yQU7A3Hn9RahpMiKRa5JaO-bWecLbFawDJmU0VjrV136QQE6MYUHep4Cu_5qhzIFG0V5/s200/article-page-main_ehow_images_a04_r1_gj_summer-makeover-teen-girls-800x800.jpg" width="200" /></a>Girls this age are thrilled that they are about to become teenagers. The entire pulse of what goes in middle school takes on its only feeling and way of thinking for them. Girls live their lives online, doing homework, watching TV, and talking to friends simultaneously. While they can use the Internet in wonderful ways, they can sometimes use it to flame and shame each other, spread vicious rumors, and post malicious information behind girls' backs. It is at the time, that by being involved, understanding the music, the shows and what is happening will help you keep those lines of communication open. This allows you to stay right in the mix with your tween, their friends and the issues they are facing.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Hormones can affect behavior in middle school. </strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's hard to be a girl at this age and stage, like my daughters principal said the Hormones make girls edgy, crabby, cranky and teary and their bodies are going through all kinds of changes. Because this is all happening at once and at different rates it can make girls feel uncomfortable with their own. Those same raging hormones and interest in boys can also disrupt the existing social order. If you haven't had the "discussion" about sex with your tween by 10 or 11, now would the time. Listening during this key phase of your tween is paramount, especially when it involves boys. When your daughter mentions a boy, don't immediately jump to the possible attraction between them. It might or might not be there. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>The social hierarchy intensifies in middle school. </strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAynAbakv9RjbmMSdhZPjniKlI15C43tRUR-n-wk8HyXD2jkVGnxXLpjTZNVcCN3iK7VJzCtfTO0UYaSqGpx2V_JRf5whe7PGhAsHp2OfIypdYm4KrIi2NpMC7CtHhPGL7psFqxCEaN4CZ/s1600/8627763-teen-girls-whispering-and-telling-secrets-in-school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAynAbakv9RjbmMSdhZPjniKlI15C43tRUR-n-wk8HyXD2jkVGnxXLpjTZNVcCN3iK7VJzCtfTO0UYaSqGpx2V_JRf5whe7PGhAsHp2OfIypdYm4KrIi2NpMC7CtHhPGL7psFqxCEaN4CZ/s1600/8627763-teen-girls-whispering-and-telling-secrets-in-school.jpg" /></a>Cliques get clique-ier, the need to be in power intensifies, and girls can get meaner and much of this behavior stems from the intense desire to belong, the need to feel powerful, and the conditioning that many girls have to not express their feelings directly. This sense of belonging can make a tween girl also ripe to joining a gang. Early recruitment is something parents should be concerned about, but if you are involved in your daughters  Some girls function as leaders, others as followers, and the rest live outside the groups. Some of these girls don't care, while others desperately want to belong. But don't worry to much about this, by eighth grade, most girls develop a certain sense of girls being mean to each other and they learn to steer away from those girls. By eighth grade they are focused their attention towards sex, but this does not mean they are ready to act upon it.<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Having a teenager is an extremely difficult time in both your teen and parent's life. But being involved in your teens life, you can help them navigate these turbulent times, lending them guidance and being a valuable resource to your teen. This will only set them up for success in their future into high school and adult hood.  </div>

Teen Tips: Girls - Surviving Middle School

For parents sending your tween off to Middle school creates all kinds of anxiety for parents, but for your tween too! Middle school is a gre...

Read more »

Basketball Brawl! Again

<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdokvvQYf3v4TK5nXD_hqyNjxFMKnRcvuFXwkGO0vOI2M9C2E7-LnV3UexjIBEVMa0jX9qxePqaUOVaWFYk6NjLQ0CbUaFYyKz8s7fu88b7K2XlRqkkc0cI-6IbawJsdm0cXul5vTe_jQ_/s1600/georgetown-fight-china-intro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdokvvQYf3v4TK5nXD_hqyNjxFMKnRcvuFXwkGO0vOI2M9C2E7-LnV3UexjIBEVMa0jX9qxePqaUOVaWFYk6NjLQ0CbUaFYyKz8s7fu88b7K2XlRqkkc0cI-6IbawJsdm0cXul5vTe_jQ_/s200/georgetown-fight-china-intro.jpg" width="200" /></a>Beijing, China. A brawl between the basketball teams involving the Georgetown Hoyas and Bayi Rockets occurred during an exhibition game to foster good will. This was the second of two games that had been played this week between the two teams.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>The brawl which cleared both benches occurred during the fourth quarter while the score was tied. Players from both teams punched and kicked each other. The game was then called after the Georgetown teem walked off the court, video showed the spectator’s booing and were throwing cups at the players. <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vDDN5KRtXt9RsKC9UHPvJiG3au73JZlX0DRg3qvCAmFmzOwaCHVxNjwVywL1iPCgI_1pr5Mm8Tu5ZCm7An9Ersn_6H-UMZ1_XEsA4j1HKZF9Q7dk7qhqBxOKkDj4zC3tZCujW_PYiAtl/s1600/georgetown-fight6-300x208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vDDN5KRtXt9RsKC9UHPvJiG3au73JZlX0DRg3qvCAmFmzOwaCHVxNjwVywL1iPCgI_1pr5Mm8Tu5ZCm7An9Ersn_6H-UMZ1_XEsA4j1HKZF9Q7dk7qhqBxOKkDj4zC3tZCujW_PYiAtl/s200/georgetown-fight6-300x208.jpg" width="200" /></a>Amateur video footage showed a bench clearing melee in the fourth quarter with the score tied. Players from both teams punched and kicked each other. The game was then called off. As the Georgetown team walked off the court, video showed spectators booing and a few throwing cups at the players.</div><br />So what precipitated the melee? From reports it started with name calling, pushing and shoving, name calling and trash talking including a Chinese player getting in the face of one of the Georgetown coaches. <br /><br />Georgetown is a University team from Washington D.C. The Bayi Rockets of Shanghai play in the Chinese Basketball Association, China’s top professional league.<br /><br />Larmer notes that the Bayi Rockets is the People’s Liberation Army’s team and used to be the centerpiece of the Chinese government’s state-run sports system.<br /><br />Brook Larmer who wrote a book on China’s best known basketball player, called “Operation Yao Ming.” Larmer was not at the match but viewed video later and stated the Chinese team cleared the bench extremely quickly. <br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div>Larmer made comments while talking to the Voice of America Reporter Veronica Ho, who expresses concern by what he describes as “a disturbing trend” of more violence in Chinese basketball games - both within the national league and supposedly friendly matches with players from other countries.<br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JUiDEIKiLoM?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe>Last year, the Chinese players involved in a goodwill match against Brazil, in which the fight was even more violent than the recent on in China. However, China is not the only International Team that has had fights before. In August this year LA Lakers <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/player/matt-barnes/105063">Matt Barnes</a> was involved in a fight in San Francisco’s Summer <a href="http://www.mercurynews.com/other-sports/ci_18628018?nclick_check=1">League Pro-Am game</a>. Barnes allegedly punched a player in the face but the referee didn’t see it. Just in the last two years, a fight occurred versus Bahrain and Kuwait ended with shoes being thrown at players. In 2004 a fight between the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacers%E2%80%93Pistons_brawl">Pacers and the Pistons</a> is considered one of the worst fights in American Basketball History. A fight in 2010 at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acropolis_International_Tournament_2010">Acroplis International Tournament</a> between Greece and Serbia resulted in one of the Greek players having a chair smashed over his head by a Serbian player.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But this trend has been moving at an increasing faster pace since 2001 there have been an uptick of fights. Starting off as individual players and turning into brawls in which both benches and sometimes owners of the teams jump in as well. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">So what's the cause, there are few comments offered up by the experts. The sports detractors say it is because the league is full of thugs, gang members and criminals. The talking head's blame it on a group of men who have never been told "No". Either way it is a trend that sends the wrong measure to young basketball fans, teens and adults. Young people seeing professional athletes behave badly only impacts the future of sporting and their behavior as they play the sport.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What do you think? I would love to hear</div>

Basketball Brawl! Again

Beijing, China. A brawl between the basketball teams involving the Georgetown Hoyas and Bayi Rockets occurred during an exhibition game to f...

Read more »

chippy old boxes & plimsolls...

<b>so...the lovely miss.audrey got the plimsolls & i got the old box...</b><br /><b>if the rosey sandshoes had fit me, i have to admit gals...i would have got both ;)</b><br />that's the beauty of being six & seeing nothing odd about your mummy loving an old box the same way you love flowery rosey new shoes...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij88GuNNNhHII_xJO2Kss2zLGufJmB51p8B24h1nT3C_PPwCNf1bhbMRmWdIYOZVZWIBHtroMfQi7ncE6_O7kv_imfkjxNHQI8FqVCATBN0p5Ry8P5EYGe80B-qFx8Ka_1tRRQ8MxUe3NH/s1600/ashoes1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij88GuNNNhHII_xJO2Kss2zLGufJmB51p8B24h1nT3C_PPwCNf1bhbMRmWdIYOZVZWIBHtroMfQi7ncE6_O7kv_imfkjxNHQI8FqVCATBN0p5Ry8P5EYGe80B-qFx8Ka_1tRRQ8MxUe3NH/s640/ashoes1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>so...over our weekend at the <i>seaside, </i>a little welsh loveliness was thrown into the back of the car...</b><br />the locals giggled at me...<br />in fact, our dear, <i>unknowing</i> ;) welsh friends ribbed me quite a bit...<br />but i <i>knew</i> that this little box was a <i>hidden gem</i>...<br />actually they'll probably still giggle at it...& definately at me...<br />but i'm ok with that...<br /><i>cause i got the box...</i><br /><i>& my kid got the shoes...!</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgb5bjVq-mWYOAwZiHGqDkIqrlMnuj_j2JCom1MlckcXmjEg6m0aOewlBX6MYmnqu7EUOvNBEsMIqLrblPMK1AHdGPM9J2fBJZK4laZ_Hjc7I2upnvixcx4i3VEps-9RsGK1MrYFaPs8x/s1600/ashoes2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgb5bjVq-mWYOAwZiHGqDkIqrlMnuj_j2JCom1MlckcXmjEg6m0aOewlBX6MYmnqu7EUOvNBEsMIqLrblPMK1AHdGPM9J2fBJZK4laZ_Hjc7I2upnvixcx4i3VEps-9RsGK1MrYFaPs8x/s640/ashoes2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>remember my chippy ol' painted ladder with numbered steps that i {& quite a gang of you!} loved <a href="http://misssewandso.blogspot.com/2011/06/virtual-coffee-atop-chippy-vintage.html">*here*</a>...?</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">well i haven't had much use for the gorgeous swirly-curly french number *five* in the stencil set i used for this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but i figured...there are five of us...& since we drag out stuff to the front garden in various boxes & milk crates most days...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i thought i'd add this as a <i>very *make-me-happy-alternative* to an ugly plastic serving tray...</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">full of napkins, tea towels, <s>crappy kids plastic ikea cups</s>...& french kid cups ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqQYeqlfDStSV5mBpUC0ywpi6Nfr5nXVKREu323Yqz1XGktvK1YCJyDEiNvsLGa_Jx33KMyDbtAJG5fVwp3eG2WzCvt3bHzOnGnvZXqaBJlujs1UyCitxPFrFwWzuD8jiLsNR7olZbFRS/s1600/ashoes3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqQYeqlfDStSV5mBpUC0ywpi6Nfr5nXVKREu323Yqz1XGktvK1YCJyDEiNvsLGa_Jx33KMyDbtAJG5fVwp3eG2WzCvt3bHzOnGnvZXqaBJlujs1UyCitxPFrFwWzuD8jiLsNR7olZbFRS/s640/ashoes3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>i used the same french stencil patterns that i used on the step ladder & various other <s>battered</s> vintage french tins that i've managed to sneak into this old house...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">they are super simple to use & rinse off in warm water...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i bought them on etsy <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79759546/french-script-3-inch-numbers-reusable">*here*</a>...& use them pretty regularly round here...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxttwr5b-nUxB8zld6gv7HrEZBnie9HibXHRx3KFgObjDJualoNlqlA9YRkCViBZhLEWp0kxNzaXScQRxYP2mUWZ4CnH4i5W9bm_aV9x-XnRCt3WZ5-VR8wTKmHscFDa394wBuJPHrhjS/s1600/ashoes5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxttwr5b-nUxB8zld6gv7HrEZBnie9HibXHRx3KFgObjDJualoNlqlA9YRkCViBZhLEWp0kxNzaXScQRxYP2mUWZ4CnH4i5W9bm_aV9x-XnRCt3WZ5-VR8wTKmHscFDa394wBuJPHrhjS/s640/ashoes5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNcO34RS7YENqHB6u1ol5T-EchelLzU8bgUOUmtxmWcZYQMe7WQiYM104CdAihTQSptry51eixX4Mewx9fFNYdmcWOjB7IrdTUBTpYKC1bXsucsuQt32jJdtrRgPhX6zCs6clM6xwEoea/s1600/ashoes6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNcO34RS7YENqHB6u1ol5T-EchelLzU8bgUOUmtxmWcZYQMe7WQiYM104CdAihTQSptry51eixX4Mewx9fFNYdmcWOjB7IrdTUBTpYKC1bXsucsuQt32jJdtrRgPhX6zCs6clM6xwEoea/s640/ashoes6.jpg" width="610" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>so...sweet bloggy friends...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>my oh so humble words of wisdom are: if you see an old box for a fiver & your welsh friends start giggling...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">nab it...chuck it in the back of the car, under the kids feet with the sunscreen & that mountain of sand the kids felt a need to share...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">& then smugly come home & stencil it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">then invite them round for a corona & lime served from <i>that box</i>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">they'll still giggle...but they won't say no to the beer...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">& they may even try to smuggle home the box...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtThQhuaLQ3tHHg_vOxyeUIvxGhSQ0wuEQJuKu0yAtIB2x6ZKeLd94qyQJ_mSEX-W90AyaHwqWoSXp64w789S8PKRdVpos5PMsLe2DnOr4gFkWn4-iDI47UpQfRq6jPk8DRunocWxYzhyphenhyphena/s1600/ashoes7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtThQhuaLQ3tHHg_vOxyeUIvxGhSQ0wuEQJuKu0yAtIB2x6ZKeLd94qyQJ_mSEX-W90AyaHwqWoSXp64w789S8PKRdVpos5PMsLe2DnOr4gFkWn4-iDI47UpQfRq6jPk8DRunocWxYzhyphenhyphena/s640/ashoes7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">& </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">maybe even the kids plimsolls</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">the ones that were really meant to be mine anyway</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">do you ever do that?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">buy it for your babies <i>only</i> 'cause it doesn't fit you?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">i've been doing it for 13 years</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">&</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">i still haven't tired of it!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">go buy some frenchy stencils on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/79759546/french-script-3-inch-numbers-reusable">*etsy*</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">they are soo addictive</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">...enjoy...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">~~~</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">xox</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">melissa </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div>

chippy old boxes & plimsolls...

so...the lovely miss.audrey got the plimsolls & i got the old box... if the rosey sandshoes had fit me, i have to admit gals...i would h...

Read more »

seaside village lovely...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>a life made lovely...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>a welsh seaside village...sand dunes...friends...happy kids...sandy toes...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">old stone buildings...crabbing...ships & salt air...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">giggles...trails through the dunes...fish & chips...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">stunning hills...beautiful estuary's...cobblestone paths...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">old pubs...antique shops...new old boxes stashed in the back of the car...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbFTrj6cTkDpR9r9Tm1_2DXtNMPGeewo3p3LUp9Ddep-qnQrqpG2t_ABz6KKbzw8MaK7Q4Bm5ScXcabR_HGc9YvyI7YwSwrrAbVkzv1AVTRso65zzXqYy5orJ5p4VBmTI72KXgQO6VnJ8/s1600/Barmouth1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbFTrj6cTkDpR9r9Tm1_2DXtNMPGeewo3p3LUp9Ddep-qnQrqpG2t_ABz6KKbzw8MaK7Q4Bm5ScXcabR_HGc9YvyI7YwSwrrAbVkzv1AVTRso65zzXqYy5orJ5p4VBmTI72KXgQO6VnJ8/s640/Barmouth1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBgOqlYQtLQ6ABz9mtUPW81no8HVba6D61zYgGW3rjsDIVnq-hZf0nfy4bvSX_vGsQL_Sz6eIzCuJwLVSrGvy-MwlpAfJGsIjcWbD_y1L3q_2UVGEYgvqEtQc8d1rYxOT692-syZgv8Ql/s1600/Barmouth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBgOqlYQtLQ6ABz9mtUPW81no8HVba6D61zYgGW3rjsDIVnq-hZf0nfy4bvSX_vGsQL_Sz6eIzCuJwLVSrGvy-MwlpAfJGsIjcWbD_y1L3q_2UVGEYgvqEtQc8d1rYxOT692-syZgv8Ql/s640/Barmouth2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86MmNLxjiUH_hGNjuJklM5LU4gx03lSLU7kak28i9qceDSbz9gCb1Qzj77Sqcp_Q1z6rsaSgt4FyRxtxUCpPB6mLcdubx8NFj_MGa8_wbeiI_aQwesHwLApO4i7DH9_5onOPnYg_4Rz6U/s1600/Barmouth3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86MmNLxjiUH_hGNjuJklM5LU4gx03lSLU7kak28i9qceDSbz9gCb1Qzj77Sqcp_Q1z6rsaSgt4FyRxtxUCpPB6mLcdubx8NFj_MGa8_wbeiI_aQwesHwLApO4i7DH9_5onOPnYg_4Rz6U/s640/Barmouth3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2lmvhPqqL1quFVkP62myrDNMmPqcQF2F_nGvv-kuOftJyRSDf8EOcO7T8ay07RhQytaC0MqYhqZIY9Gi9xJP_TTfS9ni_kuHbCHhPQeG0GwW45ozyYaDZ66-oO-nKdHkQ35gqz59x_I9/s1600/Barmouth4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2lmvhPqqL1quFVkP62myrDNMmPqcQF2F_nGvv-kuOftJyRSDf8EOcO7T8ay07RhQytaC0MqYhqZIY9Gi9xJP_TTfS9ni_kuHbCHhPQeG0GwW45ozyYaDZ66-oO-nKdHkQ35gqz59x_I9/s640/Barmouth4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4msjutubT0fTC7-C7HD-5qJTDTLJJlsBvaKKMi39GwJHpCJ91bzftumdfpMc0ziIyWLeomTGjvF1hkRrPdCOoxd5mPuKLdgF-bUmZPw6z4fzy3dTqfbmacPDVw0an9ZIoakcacJyCf31/s1600/Barmouth5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4msjutubT0fTC7-C7HD-5qJTDTLJJlsBvaKKMi39GwJHpCJ91bzftumdfpMc0ziIyWLeomTGjvF1hkRrPdCOoxd5mPuKLdgF-bUmZPw6z4fzy3dTqfbmacPDVw0an9ZIoakcacJyCf31/s640/Barmouth5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>there is absolutely nothing like time on the beach for our family...</b><br />we adore the sandy feet...<br />the knotty hair...<br />the sand dunes...<br />salty faces...<br />laughing kids...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4io8bIq0fd2IxJCDKBbz_qb5g8BPW60VHGquYAZ_zEbWkMkwXjYcs2ilXhGRJABySQOObfZ3m5M0F4GT4j0G31O3eB-0eB4OQwYiby4DZj_OlkEelbddfvwEut3qvRu6_eKTXxjMf7Rbp/s1600/Barmouth6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4io8bIq0fd2IxJCDKBbz_qb5g8BPW60VHGquYAZ_zEbWkMkwXjYcs2ilXhGRJABySQOObfZ3m5M0F4GT4j0G31O3eB-0eB4OQwYiby4DZj_OlkEelbddfvwEut3qvRu6_eKTXxjMf7Rbp/s640/Barmouth6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhH8aAQPt8iDZyiubslxw3PeX5zGKQ5ydLK4ZYW0w3SI5Vo_m-HENDzVedA_FZYvwbLWLG6trpwfUvPfDb0Xe8u-BduzhOuzpmPGQsP9IpjqqbDRm5fBrSVA0TbHqlpNwcwFOvlb1uLu7/s1600/Barmouth7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhH8aAQPt8iDZyiubslxw3PeX5zGKQ5ydLK4ZYW0w3SI5Vo_m-HENDzVedA_FZYvwbLWLG6trpwfUvPfDb0Xe8u-BduzhOuzpmPGQsP9IpjqqbDRm5fBrSVA0TbHqlpNwcwFOvlb1uLu7/s640/Barmouth7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouCcA-79dnNRw-UM1eysbXeOwP9A93saIt9rRKdFzv0IcWiBZkC0LFuE91OwpTVFYvOwRI7F04APmoCVSKfgaRiwHKxvMLius-ubWK8ehv9C1Z5cg_8ENIrFI1z-AiUywuPCrFTpjt5Eq/s1600/Barmouth8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhouCcA-79dnNRw-UM1eysbXeOwP9A93saIt9rRKdFzv0IcWiBZkC0LFuE91OwpTVFYvOwRI7F04APmoCVSKfgaRiwHKxvMLius-ubWK8ehv9C1Z5cg_8ENIrFI1z-AiUywuPCrFTpjt5Eq/s640/Barmouth8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>the welsh in the kids & their dad comes out in all it's glory...</b><br /><b>aussie welsh kids fishing, crabbing & hanging out with the locals...</b><br /><b>perfect...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36nS1UWhGqGDyJgAG8ZUSP-vhqHse37PpyeHLxfWkxalcpliKhjoRnmgkmqNP7BCgn2TPg-H6mgLTqIlGwv9ddWLlBU9yV8bOu3CG1_l9MZ8jJFPUkHeteBhNBNDp9bN4AxDZlG_9pgJK/s1600/Barmouth9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36nS1UWhGqGDyJgAG8ZUSP-vhqHse37PpyeHLxfWkxalcpliKhjoRnmgkmqNP7BCgn2TPg-H6mgLTqIlGwv9ddWLlBU9yV8bOu3CG1_l9MZ8jJFPUkHeteBhNBNDp9bN4AxDZlG_9pgJK/s640/Barmouth9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">hope you all had a wonderful weekend</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">nothing like a mini break</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">in another country</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">that you can <i>drive</i> to</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">...as australians we will <i>never</i> get over the excitement of doing this...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">xox</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;">melissa </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #a64d79;"><br /></span></div>

seaside village lovely...

a life made lovely... a welsh seaside village...sand dunes...friends...happy kids...sandy toes... old stone buildings...crabbing...ships &am...

Read more »