things I like

npr: postgraphics: High heels can be a pain in the feet Often...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:16:50 -0400

postgraphics:

High heels can be a pain in the feet

Often painstakingly selected to complete outfits, high heels put stress not just on feet, but on ankles, knees and backs, contributing to the approximately $3.5 billion spent annually in the United States for women’s foot surgeries, which cause them to lose 15 million work days yearly.

Ouch.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/travel/how-i-fell-for-lisbon.html?pagewanted=all

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 07:00:11 -0400

http://travel.nytimes.com/2012/05/27/travel/how-i-fell-for-lisbon.html?pagewanted=all

humansofnewyork: I asked her for a piece of advice. She reached...

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:38:49 -0400

humansofnewyork:

I asked her for a piece of advice. She reached in her purse, pulled out a piece of paper, and handed it to me. It said this:

Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good. Life is too short— enjoy it. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present and the future. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. If a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

Take a deep breath, it calms the mind. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else. When it comes time to go after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer. Burn the nice candles, use the nice sheets, wear the nice lingerie, wear the nice clothes. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

Over prepare, then go with the flow. No one is in charge of your happiness but you. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: ‘In five years will this matter?’ Always choose life. Forgive but don’t forget. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and we saw everyone else’s, we’d grab our’s back. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need. Yield. Friends are the family we choose. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.*

*Some Google sleuthing revealed the author of these tidbits to be Regina Brett: www.reginabrett.com

Siblings’ love :)

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 09:51:56 -0400

Siblings’ love :)

This is a moment, captured after breakfast, when my youngest has...

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 08:52:46 -0400

This is a moment, captured after breakfast, when my youngest has a full tummy and is ready to conquer the world, or in another words, ready to terrorize his siblings. :)

The Conversation: Why Summer Isn't That Much Fun

Wed, 29 May 2013 15:43:02 -0400

The Conversation: Why Summer Isn't That Much Fun:

Brooks and Collins talk about why this isn’t their favorite season, politically speaking. Or really in any other way.

Clouds by Zach Sobiech - Lyrics Video (by Leslie Tranchell)

Mon, 27 May 2013 12:15:26 -0400

Clouds by Zach Sobiech - Lyrics Video (by Leslie Tranchell)

World's Best Hikes: Epic Trails - National Geographic

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 07:49:32 -0400

World's Best Hikes: Epic Trails - National Geographic:

Places I would like to go

Lo que necesitabamos, palabras de union.

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 21:14:00 -0400

“Como muchos de ustedes no pertenecen a la Iglesia católica y otros no son creyentes, de corazón doy esta bendición en silencio a cada uno de ustedes, respetando la conciencia de cada uno, pero sabiendo que cada uno de ustedes es hijo de Dios”. Papa Francisco. Marzo 2013

http://www.elnuevodia.com/papafranciscocomomegustariaunaiglesiapobreparalospobres-1471013.html

Latin America After Chávez

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:06:38 -0500

Latin America After Chávez:

No matter his flaws, Hugo Chávez’s passion for lifting up the poor is a lasting legacy.

pbsparents: Make roads, train tunnels AND caves out of one...

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 22:23:04 -0500

pbsparents:

Make roads, train tunnels AND caves out of one cardboard box. This craft is essentially free, made of recycled materials and toys you already have at home and will keep kids occupied for HOURS.

Head over to PBS Parents to get the how-to!: http://www.pbs.org/parents/crafts-for-kids/tunnels-roads-cardboard-caves-playset/

Cesar Kuriyama: One second every day

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 20:59:41 -0500

Cesar Kuriyama: One second every day:

I need to learn to do this. I need to learn how to capture my life one second at a time.

parenting: Fighting the good fight I hear you!

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 20:27:40 -0500

parenting:

Fighting the good fight

I hear you!

pbsparents: An ice rink in Chicago posted this for the parents...

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 22:24:28 -0500

pbsparents:

An ice rink in Chicago posted this for the parents before a game… think it worked?

npr: nevver: What happens Modern interpretation of “life is...

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:02:59 -0500

npr:

nevver:

What happens

Modern interpretation of “life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.” -L

Children and conflict - From The Way to Peaceful Parenting

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:20:38 -0500

Your children will tend to respond to conflicts with you, with siblings, with their friends and even with themselves (their inner conflicts) using the same language and strategies that have been modelled in the family.

When parents shout, children shout;
when parents threaten, children threaten;
when parents reject, children reject;
when parents use sarcasm, children use sarcasm;
when parents gain cooperation through guilt trip or demanding, children attempt the same;
when parents respect, children respect;
when parents listen, children listen;
when parents soften, children soften;
when parents give from the heart, children give from the heart.

Expressing boundaries, saying “no” and being assertive do not need to be enforced through aggression. Instead seek engagement before expressing serious or important messages, give reassurances verbally or non-verbally that you’re not being threatening. If your child resists, rebels or disconnects it’s not symptomatic of a need to raise your volume or demand respect or response, instead see that it may be symptomatic of them being in a stress response and needing reassurance of emotional safety, warm connection and respect.

Their lack of response may also be due to their engagement with their play, which is their work and is just as important as our work, so maybe enter their world inviting connection with you before gaining their attention, rather than expecting them to snap out of their world to enter yours.

When parents respect and engage in their child’s world, children are more interested in engaging with their parent’s world, both worlds join ♥ Genevieve

pbsparents: It’s GOT to be more than 44%… Exactly how I feel...

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:10:20 -0500

pbsparents:

It’s GOT to be more than 44%…

Exactly how I feel when I go out with a teenager, 2 toddlers and an infant…:)

escapekit: Best Friends Born in Africa to French wildlife...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:25:01 -0500

escapekit:

Best Friends

Born in Africa to French wildlife photographer parents, Tippi Degré had a most unusual childhood. The young girl grew up in the African desert and developed an uncommon bond with many untamed animals including a 28-year old African elephant named Abu, a leopard nicknamed J&B, lion cubs, giraffes, an Ostrich, a mongoose, crocodiles, a baby zebra, a cheetah, giant bullfrogs, and even a snake. Africa was her home for many years and Tippi became friends with the ferocious animals and tribespeople of Namibia. As a young child, the French girl said, “I don’t have friends here. Because I never see children. So the animals are my friends.”

theweekmagazine: Dear Abby: My boyfriend is going to be 20...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:23:00 -0500

theweekmagazine:

Dear Abby: My boyfriend is going to be 20 years old next month. I’d like to give him something nice for his birthday. What do you think he’d like? —Carol
Dear Carol: Nevermind what he’d like, give him a tie.

Dear Abby: Our son married a girl when he was in the service. They were married in February and she had an 8 1/2-pound baby girl in August. She said the baby was premature. Can an 8 1/2-pound baby be this premature? —Wanting to Know
Dear Wanting: The baby was on time. The wedding was late. Forget it.

Here, 13 of Dear Abby’s best zingers.

eluciav: Loved the bluntness!

Chicken stew - Indian style

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 23:20:00 -0500

I made this chicken stew thinking about the puertorrican chicken stew i grew up with. I didn’t have onions so I had to improvise. I came out delicious.

1 tsp mustard seeds

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ginger paste

1/2 cup tomato sauce

vegetable soup

dried red peppers

seasalt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 green pepper

chicken breast

4 small red potatoes

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp vegetable oil