ArchivesNovember, 2009

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year?  If so, it's time to make sure you have all the tableware and serving pieces you'll need for the meal.  My sister inherited our grandmother's collection of flatware.  It's not fancy, and it's not valuable.  But to us, it's priceless.  And it's fitting that my sister has all Continue Reading

In the winter, it's not just important to keep your hands warm.  Your feet have to be warm as well. I wear shoes all day, every day, year-round.  I cannot stand to have cold feet.  I like wearing thick, textured socks and fleece-lined clogs in winter. This is why I totally can't understand the way Continue Reading

by Robin Fiedler What's the big deal about Cyber Monday and online shopping? Since Cyber Monday sales are by and large the same as the brick-and-mortar retail sales, the attraction is online convenience sweetened by online coupon codes, free shipping, no sales tax, easier comparison shopping, and more recently unique-to-online shoppers' discounts.  A few years Continue Reading

My son has been looking around for a few good horror movies.  This is surprising, because he usually wants to watch BAD horror movies.  You know the type:  they involve teenagers, disappearances, other teenagers who are stupid enough to pursue their lost friends (at night, without a flashlight), abandoned houses, dark forests, or summer camps, Continue Reading

If you had visited my house on the last few Friday nights, you would have heard some pretty good music. No, I didn't buy any new CDs.  I didn't download any tunes.  I just allowed my teenage daughter to invite a few friends over for pizza, snacks, and a movie. After they ate, they abandoned Continue Reading

by Robin Fiedler More than 6 airlines launched drastic sales for cheap flights last week to fill seats for non-peak travel dates during the holiday air travel season. Most of the sales were for only a 72 hour window and ended on Oct. 30, according to FareCompare.com. But there’s still hope for a cheap holiday Continue Reading

I don't know about you, but I hate it when my hands are cold.  If the temperature dips below 50 degrees outside, I'm looking for my gloves.  In the basement, we have a dresser that holds seasonal stuff like snow pants, scarves, hats and gloves.  I've already raided the mitten drawer to find my microfleece Continue Reading

I don't know how other parents do it, but I've always had a tough time shopping in advance for holiday gifts for my children.  It's not that I don't know what they want--but what they want today is not necessarily what they'll want two months from now.  I blame the commercials.  Sure, I know I Continue Reading

by Robin Fiedler In 2009, the United States' official Thanksgiving Day falls on Thursday, November 26. It's a tradition originating some 400 years ago when European settlers and American Indians had harvest celebration feasts before the beginning of winter. But how do we celebrate the American Thanksgiving holiday in the 21st Century? Watching TV takes Continue Reading

And it might just kill my kids. Because this is the kind of thing they do to indulge their scientific curiosity. 1. Get a "punching balloon" (the big kind, with the elastic band that ties around one end) and attach the end to the garden hose. Turn on the hose and see how big the Continue Reading