It's almost summer vacation!
Whether you yea or nay, it's gonna happen. The things that cross my mind, not in any particular order, are:

1. Do I have enough wine?
2. What will I do when the "I'm bored!" mantras start the next day?
3. Do I have enough sunscreen?

Well, okay, it is in that order.
While most families concentrate on vacation plans, the doctor's office is quiet (enter crickets breaking silence) and serene. As serene as a doctor's office can get, anyway. They know in less than two month's time it'll be chaos.  The late summer rush of immunization updates will come in as well as record requests to make the school nurse happy and allow your child entry into another year of academia.  Their schedules will be jammed.
Think ahead and beat the rush. By now every child who has a medical condition, daily meds, or allergies has been given the forms your doc has to complete. Does your child need a physical? Shots? Authorization for having meds at school?  Schedule your appointment now. Get the papers in order before the first week of July and relax the rest of your summer with your kids (oxymoron).
If you're like me and can't remember which well-child visit is what, call the nurse line or whatever will get you in touch with someone who knows. If a physical is needed bring all your papers with you for them to fill out while you're there (some offices charge for this, some charge for copies of their record, so ask first). If it's a matter of just calling to have a written note, do it soon while the nurse has some time to catch your doc in a good mood and send it back within a day or two.
Having that task out of way will clear room for you to concentrate on shopping for school clothes and the ever daunting task of the School Supply Scavenger Hunt (hints and tips on that to follow soon) by September.

This post is taken from my July submission for Family Times.
http://www.familytimes.biz/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=736&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01returnid=16


A baby’s journey through childhood leaves a lasting impression.  He also leaves behind mounds of outgrown clothes and accessories.  Some people save everything hoping to reuse for subsequent children, but eventually it all has to go.  If you have a basement full of stuff that can only be used with a time machine, a yard sale may be in your future.

     There are very simple rules to follow to ensure a successful sale: time, organization, presentation and advertisement.  Investing a few dollars will also increase the odds for a profitable clean-out.

ADVERTISE
     First pick a date. Typically, avoid having yard sales on holiday weekends.  They aren’t successful unless you receive heavy traffic from vacationers. Run ads a week or two beforehand. Choose whatever media you’re comfortable with such as Craig’s List, Facebook, or the Sunday paper. Don’t forget old-fashioned signs at busy intersections and at the ends of your road. Increase foot traffic by inviting neighbors to participate in a block sale. My parents open their ultra-organized garage each year for the town-wide sale in Mexico and advertise as a four family stop (or however many family members participate). They consistently bring in several hundred dollars. Keep in mind our ever changing weather so have a backup plan.

     Highlight a theme to attract the right customers (baby items vs. antique furniture). In my experience Friday and Saturdays are the best days as Sundays yield fewer visitors. And say ‘no early birds’ if you truly don’t want people showing up at 6am while you’re still in PJ’s.

TIME
     Most people overlook the amount of time it takes to pull together a good sale. I’ve never tried to count this time as an overhead expense but as an investment. Like anything, due diligence pays off. No one, especially busy parents of young children, have time to paw through a cardboard box full of random clothes.  Take a few evenings after dinner or a weekend to go through each room, bin, or closet to see exactly what stays and what goes.  Think seasonally.  The winter gear that’s just been shed may not fit the little one next fall so don’t hang on to it. Still not sure?  If it hasn’t been used in over a year it’s probably safe to sell.

     Bundling is important to maximize a sale and clear space (more on that later), so choose items that are in good condition. Some kitchen items we pulled were wedding gifts we never used. I needed a few weeks on the clothes alone even though they were separated into totes for newborn, 12-24mo, and 2T-3T. The more diverse the items advertised the more potential buyers so check those boxes in the attic or garage, too. Start saving plastic grocery store bags for purchases.


ORGANIZATION
      Ah, my favorite. Think department store layout and keep everything together: house wares area, toys, bedding. Baby toys and baby clothes are top sellers as they are used briefly and usually outgrown in very good condition.  These need to be broken down further and separated. Imagine a mom of a 12 month daughter seeing everything you have for a 12 month girl on one rack as opposed to circling a picnic blanket, table, or box looking for that size. Allow her to see not just one item, but all of them. The majority of shoppers don’t like the bartering system, so use black markers on signs to identify and state the cost.  It’s ok to have groups of items for the same amount with one price, and it eliminates unnecessary marking. Customers who know this up front are able to browse in their price range. For those with storage options and DIY talent making your own wooden clothing rack is a good investment (see side bar). Don’t forget to make a trip to the bank to have lots of small bills and change!

     If the sale is large be sure to have a few extra hands available. Extra helpers deter dishonest people from pocketing goods. We invite a favorite aunt or cousin to keep us company and help out.  Playing some good music and springing for donuts and coffee doesn’t hurt. If they have items to sell simply put their initials on the price sticker to keep the profits separate. Keep the cash box tucked away from visitors.  Wearing an over the shoulder bag with the money inside is safer.  

      Include the immediate family in this event and encourage school aged children to have a lemonade stand. There are life lessons in marketing and management they’ll learn firsthand that they won’t learn in school.  


PRESENTATION
     Yard sales that are neat and clean with reasonable prices are profitable. If a garage is used for part of the sale set up as much as possible the night before.  Use plain colored plastic cloths to keep the attention to your wares.  Large or brightly colored items closest to the road attract drivers’ attention.

     Here is where bundling pays off.  Maximize a sale by putting outfits together if possible, then use a clothing rack or improvise for something similar and mark each size by a separator. If a buyer can’t see it they won’t know they can’t live without it. The goal is to have nothing left to bring back inside, so spend a little money on a couple dozen plastic hangers and package of safety pins. Baby clothes are the easiest since most are complete outfits. Include bonnets with sundresses and ball caps and jackets with denim. For toddler sizes and up, pin a top and bottom together. My last sale listed all outfits at $2.00 each.  Sometimes putting a stray skirt with a coordinated onsie gets rid of both faster.  Put loose items, such as socks, hair accessories or tights together in baggies and discount them. We put all small crib toys in a box with a general price of 50ȼ each or 3 for a dollar.  Be open to hagglers.  A shopper offered a larger bill for the whole box and we happily took it.

     As sales are made reorganize so everything appears fresh and orderly. Lower prices if items aren’t moving. Make them rock bottom if they are not destined to return to the house, but please consider donating gently used items to local thrifty stores instead of pushing to the curb.


Do it yourself clothing racks For about thirty dollars and a little tool time make these reusable clothing racks that can be broken down for storage against a garage wall or under a work bench.

2- 2x4x12 wood
2 wooden dowels (1” wide x 6’)
4 castor wheels
Assorted nails and screws
The top piece is 22”, the sides are 4’ and the bottom is 26”
Using a hole drill cut out 1 ¾” holes
Attach the frame together by screws and nails with castors on the ends
Repeat for the other side
Put the dowels through the top for 12 feet worth of clothing racks in 6 feet

Summer vacation is only a few short weeks away.  Be prepared for the 'I'm bored!' mantras to begin minutes after that last bell is rung. Here are a few ideas to keep kids busy while keeping mom's sanity.

It's been a month already since I became a redhead.  Here are my thoughts on going permanent with henna:

PROS                                                                           CONS

*The color is steadfast, still red                                      *I got nothing. The color lasts

*The hay smell isn't as strong as the first time                 *The hay smell is still slightly there after washing 

*My hair is thicker and shinier                                        *Thicker and shiny is good, but the                

                                                                                    pleasant perfume of products doesn't hold

*I'm able to 'touch-up' whenever I want, and do              *Mixing and curing still takes time. Touch-ups at the

                                                                                     roots aren't perfect unless the amount used is

                                                                                     generous and you have a friend to help

*Touch-ups blend seamlessly with previously                   *I got nothing. Box mixes can't advertise that

  henna'd hair                                                        

*I'm now able to henna my brows to match my hair          *No con here. I'd go blind if I tried with chemicals

*Left over cured henna that's been frozen  and thawed      *No complaint. There's no waste, saving me $$

  works is just as good as freshly cured




OVERALL OPINION: I'm happy I made this decision. I wish my hair retained that 'just washed' smell a little longer, but it's not a bad trade-off. If I know I have to do a touch-up I take my frozen henna out of the freezer in the morning before work and it's ready to go when I get home. Knowing I'm chemical free is a great feeling too. 

It’s been just about a week since I dyed to be red.  The day after my big reveal I used a very small batch to do detail work around my hairline and scalp areas.  This time it was more controlled as I was able to use a comb and fan brush just like a regular touch-up.  I’m not sure why the initial henna didn’t ‘take’ to those areas.  The best I can surmise is it mixed with the grapeseed oil I used on my face and neck to avoid the henna from staining.  Anyway, I re-henna’d and had it wrapped for only about 2 hours.  It was bright after I washed it but it blended in well with the rest of my hair color.

Overall, in line with what I’ve read, I’ve noticed less hair shedding.  The color is even and natural.  My hair is thicker, too. The only downside to this experience has been the faintly lingering odor of henna which is a bit like hay.  Even shampoos and conditioners that have a strong perfume are neutralized.  My hair doesn’t stink, per se, but it doesn’t retain that clean ‘just washed’ smell.  When I think about how healthy I’m keeping my hair, and that I’m chemical free, I’m happy with my decision to go henna.  In three weeks I’ll post another update on my opinion of retention of color.

Yeah. Scary stuff first.  This is what it looked like after I undid my wrappings.  Kinda greenish and definitely the aroma of a fresh barn. There was a few moments when I was convinced every site I researched was a prank. My hair would be green and gnarly forever.  The last time I had a moment like that was when I was in labor the first time and was absolutely certain there was no way a human could be born the natural way and everyone had been lying to me.  Like I said, it's unnerving and I needed to keep the faith. The picture below really shows that nattiness. There is no way a comb, pick or barn fence is going to go through this so be sure when adding the henna the sections are saturated because there's no going back.

I used our utility sink in the basement to wash it out. Don't forget gloves here too, it's important as the henna is activated and strong.

I tried to put a little water in my hair to massage it evenly in the same manner the box mixes suggest.  That was really messy and the entire sink was covered with gritty brown goo (henna will flake into grit when it's dry).  Keep rinsing the hair, and sink, until everything is clean. Be sure to wipe off your ears and neck.

Looking at this Medusa-style do I came to the realization that although several sites advised not to use shampoo or conditioner it was necessary.  My hair was a huge heavy knot otherwise.  And it still smelled strongly of hay. So I used the conditioner that comes with the box mixes.  It was a very pleasant coconut.  As soon as I applied the conditioner my hair immediately went "Ahhh!" and relaxed.  I re-wrapped it in a clean towel and kept in on for about 10 minutes. I would have kept it on longer but truthfully I couldn't wait to see my new look.

It was now almost 8pm and all the natural light was long gone. This was what it looked like inside.  It's good to keep in mind it will take a few days for the color to settle down so if you do it and it's crazy, give a little time.  I'm pretty happy with the color it is. I'd compare it to the boxes that show the vibrant reds. It is a little softer and it is definitely shiny. Maybe the henna strips the buildup of products to allow the light to bounce off it.

Good morning!  Actually it's about 10 minutes after I rolled out of bed so I'm not ashamed to say I feel pretty good about myself. Sorry friends, I'm not much different when I go to work. I can't really tell if the color is noticeably more red by my window, but it is definitely different than yesterday afternoon.

Now to be nit-picky I can tell the hair along the sides of my face and temple aren't as colored as the rest.  Whether this is from getting a little grapeseed oil on it when I put it along my hairline I'm not sure. The good thing about henna is the frequency in which it can be used.  I might make up a very small batch tonight with water to do a little touch-up tomorrow. From everyone else's testimonials it'll blend in with what I did last night.

I'm not claiming to be an expert but I'm confident I'll be using henna from this point forward despite the time and mess.  But then again, that's what happens when your dye-ing to be red.

Ok, this is something new for me.  I'm posting this online as I go. I've decided to take the permanently permanent plunge to red with natural henna instead of boxed chemicals. Follow along if you're ready for a field trip, 'cause here I go.

Ok, the picture to the left is my Before picture today. It is also a Friday afternoon following a week of work, karate, groceries, my daughter's 18th b-day, etc. You know, the usual. So, give a girl a break if I'm not at my best (and I didn't bother with make-up this week either. Sue me).

I have been diligently studying henna.  If you're one of my followers you already know I love body art with henna. This however, is a big step as dying one's hair with this doesn't just coat the shaft of the hair, it seeps in. From what I've read there is little oxidation and fade-out. Re-coloring is an average of every 4 months.  Well, we'll see.

Here are the background details. Henna is a plant. The leaves are the only part that has pigment. Ground into powder this is called red henna. It will dye only red and is true henna. In a nutshell, nothing else is real henna. Black henna is made from the root and is also called indigo. This powder, when used as a dye, will come out black. Neutral henna doesn't have any pigment in it at all. Using this will condition the heck out of your hair and make it luxuriously soft and smooth but won't do anything to the color. Any retail box dye that says it has different shades of henna has other things added, such as metallic salts. These are bad. So finding a powder that is honestly red henna is going to be the first problem encountered.  I bought mine at a local health food store, (www.natur-tyme.com) . It's organic so somewhere someone's certifying that the powder I brought home is the right stuff. It also smells like hay which is what red henna should smell like. It was also only $1.08 an ounce. For those who like body art, stop buying whole kits for thirty bucks a pop and invest in what you need: just the henna powder which only costs pennies.

Next, I needed to mix it up with water and a splash of lemon juice 12 hours in advance. Remember, this will stain any porous surface. I kept mine in a wide-mouth glass mason jar and kept it at room temperature to 'cure'. Today I got my supplies together. Gloves, newspaper, comb, clips, oil, wet wash cloth, shower cap and old towel. I thought it would be a better choice to put a large plastic trash bag over me to protect my clothes. This was one of my mistakes. More on that later.

I used a cotton ball to put a little grapeseed oil around my hairline, ears, and neck to protect them from the henna. I tried to section off my hair with the clips. I double-gloved (I am a nurse first if not anything else). I had my room covered in newspaper so I looked like a homeless person, but I didn't have a friend to help. This was mistake #1.

I started in by spooning the Greek yogurt consistency, hay smelling mixture over the section of hair at the root. I read to glob generously. I tried. With gloves on the sensitivity of your fingers is dulled so it was hard to tell what I did and what I missed. A friend would've made this easier. Once this stuff's on it's like rolling in a mud pit, your hair will knat together into an unfriendly (and quite scary) greenish mess. My hair kept swishing like a horse's tail on the plastic garbage bag (mistake #2) and then subsequently, my face got in it as I turned and continued to apply. There was some other splattering but it was kept to a minimum. I tried to use the wet washcloth on my face and neck but my henna smeared gloves got the cloth covered as much as I was wiping off. So I moved quicker and tried not to hyperventilate my OCD into overdrive.

The picture to the right is me after I've cleaned up. Once the henna was applied and coated as evenly as I could, I covered it with a shower cap (plastic wrap works just as good), and an old towel circa 1988 from my college days. Now it just needs to stay warm and do what it needs to do. After a good 3-4 hours I'll take it off and accept my new fate. My friends at work are already prepared for a turban or scarf combo if this turns out badly, but I'm pretty sure it'll turn red. If you look closely my jawline on the right side has a few orange marks where some henna splattered. Regardless of the outcome, I'll post it here. Wish me luck!

     I know what makes you scared.  I can feel the shadowy veil of fear slithering over your shoulder already.  Don’t be intimidated; be prepared—to have fun.  It’s almost Halloween!     

    There is no other holiday more perfect for a party because everything from the menu to decorations is wrapped in a seasonal bow of themed convenience.  Hosting the ultimate costume party is not difficult if you allow your imagination to run wild.  I have a wonderful reason myself.  One of my daughters was born on Halloween so I know firsthand how to have a great get together without the stress, despite a busy household.  From my experience children of all ages can help out and enjoy these activities and games. Get them busy creating and celebrate the joys of being safely scared and sweetly sugared this crisp fall season.

     A day or two before the party: Since the retail people have been selling their Halloween items since July it can be difficult for the little ones to wait.  Have them work their fine motor skills with molding clay such as FIMO that, when baked, turns into practical art. Just about all craft stores have this dough that doesn’t cost a lot of dough in every imaginable color.  Make spiders, pumpkins and witch’s hats freehand or use Play-Doh molds and even cookie cutters. They can be proudly displayed just about anywhere.  Mold the clay to their upturned palms to make creepy disembodied hands that hold candy.  This also keeps their little mitts preserved for years to come better than finger painted projects from school.

     Another idea I’ve seen on Pinterest is ‘glowing eyes’.  Save a stash of empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls.  Have your helpers cut out scary shaped eyes and maybe a mouth or two.  Just before the party starts, break a colored glow stick (purchased from the Dollar Store) for each and place inside. Put these decorations in dark places such as outside in a shrub, by the front door, in the bathroom (like a holiday night light!) or in a dimly lit corner of the party room.

     The day of: Have the kids make pretzels wands.  Buy large pretzel rods and roll one end in chocolate frosting then in mini M&M’s or sprinkles. Set “loaded” side up in a heavy festive glass.  Just be sure these treats don’t magically disappear by the wand makers before the party starts.

     Deviled eggs, so aptly named this time of year, are simple enough for the most basic baker. I saw this recipe on the Today Show.  It was a delicious conversation piece the guests raved about.  Prepare the yolk mixture normally then add one or two drops of green food coloring before putting the dollop in the egg-white ‘cup’. Place a green or black olive slice in the middle and use a toothpick to draw the red squiggles with food coloring on the sides.  Instant gross and yummy at the same time!

     Once the party is underway it’s often hard to curb the little ghost and goblin’s enthusiasm while the big kids (that’s us, the parents) mingle.  Target has complete craft idea kits such as designing masks with foam stickers. Offer more options by buying different stickers at the Dollar Store.  Last year this kept all my kids, their cousins and friends, ages 3-15, busy for over an hour with no messy glue or scissors.  The only problem with this craft might be finding the little stickers on the bottom of your socks later.  I had them on mine for weeks, but it was totally worth it.

     Get them moving with a short M&M relay race and encourage the parents to join in.  Split the group into two teams and arm each with a plastic straw. Place two chairs about eight feet apart with an empty bowl on one end and a bowl with regular sized M&M’s on the other.  Have each person ‘suck’ up the candy at the end of the straw (it’s impossible to actually inhale the candy through it so no worries) and while keeping the suction, run to drop it into the empty bowl. Set a timer or have the teams race against each other. Keep prizes monetarily low key like Matchbox cars or hair accessories.

     Settle the monsters back down with another dose of inventiveness. If you choose to be daring, supply permanent markers (Sharpies) and have a ‘pumpkin’ decorating contest with small pie pumpkins or gourds. They make great canvases for creativity.  Just remember regular markers will wipe off on the waxiness of the squash.  Don’t forget ribbons or other door prizes for everyone.

     Halloween is a time for entertaining and enjoying the season with the kids.  Take off the grown-up mask for a little while and get your spooky on.

Menu:

Main dish: Pizza or subs
Side dish:  Deviled eggs
                  Brains, bones and body parts (veggie tray and dip)
Snacks:      Pretzel wands
                  Donut holes
Drinks:      Monster Goo (fruit punch and ginger ale)
                  Witches Brew (coffee, soda)
Dessert:     Spiders (cupcakes)
Originally published with Family Times magazine, October 2013

‘Tis the season for crafty, spooky and wowing others. 

Looking for a fun Halloween party idea that’s inexpensive?  I have just the one, or should I say ten.  It’s all about the nails.

My daughter, who just happens to be crafty and good at wowing others is into the popular trend of nail art, just like so many other girls these days.  Gone are the rigid rules of pinks or reds.  Today, it’s socially acceptable to do more than one color.  Add patterns. It’s vogue to put design that matches or complements a secondary shade. Every color imaginable is now in fashion.

Although some of her designs are way beyond my elementary school art level, some are easy enough for even the most basic beginner. Here’s how:

Items

Several bottles of nail polish, especially black, white and clear.  The more colors the more design choices

Nail polish remover and cotton swabs for ‘erasing’ mistakes around the nail line

Dotting tools and tiny nail brushes or tip of ball point pen and paint brushes

Pictures for inspiration

How to

Choose a color, theme or design

Have nail polish colors needed  

Starting with a clear coat on unpainted nails will help deter dark colors from seeping into the nail bed

Paint the ‘special’ nail first to allow it to dry for secondary colors to be added or put on base coat

Allow nails to dry between colors

Paint remaining nails or accents

Remember to have fun!