The Juggling Act of Multigenerational Living

Buckle up, buttercup, and dive headfirst into the chuckle-fest that is multigenerational living! It’s like being stuck in an unaired TV show where the cast is your family, the script is made up on the fly, and every day’s antics are worthy of an Emmy. Forget the straight and narrow; life’s a wild ride concocted by your lovably eccentric clan, with more twists and turns than a whodunit written by a gang of jesters on a sugar high.

Via Pixabay

Mixing Masterclass: The Family Edition

Imagine, if you will, a bold soul attempting the unthinkable: marrying a dignified, aged whiskey with a zesty, neon-blue energy drink. Sounds like a recipe for a night to remember or a morning to forget, right? That’s just a regular Tuesday in the multi-gen household, where merging sage wisdom with youthful exuberance is the name of the game. Think of yourself as the world’s most ambitious mixologist, serving up generational cocktails at a time-traveling soiree!

Breakfast Buffet: The Ultimate Challenge

As the sun peeks over the horizon, the kitchen turns into a battlefield, reminiscent of a culinary game show where the grand prize is satisfying a motley crew of taste buds and dietary needs before the clock strikes breakfast o’clock. From sugary-cereal aficionados to fiber-worshiping elders, whipping up the morning feast is like competing in the breakfast Olympics with a ticking timer.

Emotion Commotion: The Family Funhouse

Strap in for the rollercoaster that is family feels, where the peaks of joy are sky-high, and the drops into drama are lightning-fast. One minute, granny and the teen might be giggling over their shared tech troubles, and the next, World War III, breaks out over the TV remote. It’s a whirlwind of chuckles, sniffles, and the odd “what’s it all about?” moment, all blended into one delightful chaos.

Work-Life Circus: The Juggling Act

Trying to balance professional duties with family shenanigans is like walking a tightrope in a tornado. Picture this: you’re trying to ooze professionalism in a Zoom call while, in the background, someone’s belting out a ballad about the baffling internet router. It’s a madcap dance of mute buttons and desperate signs, where every day is an audition for the “Keeping It Together Champion” award.

Guilt Trips Galore: The Emotional Rollercoaster

Sailing the seas of family duties and personal dreams is like navigating an ocean with a map sketched in lemon juice. The guilt trips are complimentary, adding an extra layer of emotional acrobatics as you strive to distribute your time and affection evenly. It’s an adventure where every stumble is a learning curve, and every triumph is a saga-worthy milestone.

Midnight Snack Skirmish

Just when you think the house has settled for the night, the kitchen turns into the arena for the ultimate secret snack showdown. Amidst the hush, a lone figure’s quest for a humble PB&J becomes an epic saga, entangled with a ceremonial tea brewing and a countdown to pizza. These nocturnal nibbles add that extra zest to the family sitcom, proving it’s the medley of characters that conjures up the real magic.

Casting Call: The Caregiver Chronicles

Thinking of introducing a professional caregiver into the mix? 24-hour in-home care can bring you, and the grandparents some good peace of mind, especially if you’re trying to juggle work, family, and, well, life. It’s like holding tryouts for a new character on your family’s sitcom. They’ve gotta have the skills, for sure, but they also need to vibe with the current cast. Brace yourself for a slew of quirky “audition tapes” as you search for the perfect addition.

Grand Finale: Hug the Mayhem

At the close of the day, transforming your abode into a multi-gen sanctuary is akin to directing and starring in your personal reality extravaganza. Sure, you’ll hit sitcom gold now and then, like when Grandpa mistakes the printer for a futuristic cooking gadget, but it’s these snippets that make the whole shebang priceless. Treasure this moment cause we don’t have many of them in life

Encore! Keeping the Laughter Alive

To all you daring adventurers already knee-deep in this wild journey, remember: a juggling mishap here and there only adds to the intrigue and the giggles. What’s a top-notch show without a dash of suspense and a heap of heart, after all? So take your well-deserved bow, keep those juggling balls airborne, and never forget, in the wacky circus of multigenerational living, it’s the love and laughter that are your true safety nets. Who knows, you might just snag a standing ovation from the toughest crowd around—your very own family!

 

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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DIY Crayon Hearts and Valentine’s Day Cards Craft for Kids

Originally posted 2/6/2014

Valentine Crayon Art

I was talking to my physical therapist two weeks ago and we were talking about crafts and kids. She told me o a craft she has done twice with her daughter for Valentine’s Day. I decided to try it out and am so happy I did!

 

Basically you will need:

CrayonsSharpieCardstock – Heart shaped silicone mold ( I found mine at Joanne’s) – Glue Dots ( I got Elmer’s medium thickness.)

 

Supplies for Valentine Crayon Art

Everyone has broken crayons laying around. Okay maybe not everyone. But if you have kids you most likely do. This is a great way to recycle and reuse those crayons. Just peel the paper and break into small pieces. After I did mine I read that if you soak the crayons in water the paper comes off easier. My nails wish I would have know that before…At least my daughter helped me!

Recycle your old crayons

 

Valentine's Day Crafts

I did end up cutting some of the crayons with a knife. We tried to get a red and pink crayon in each heart. Then make sure to read the directions on your silicon mold. I put my mold on a cookie sheet and baked 15-20 minutes at 250. Let cool on rack or place in the freezer to cool. Then the hearts just pop out of the mold.

012 Valentine's Day Art

Then take the cardstock and cut into squares. Write whatever saying you like. We choose “You make my world colorful” But you can also use, “You color my world” or “Happy Valentine’s Day”. Then place a glue dot in the center and place the heart on top!

It’s that easy! I will use this again and again. It was fun and my daughter is so excited to give these to her classmates. I’m thinking I might make some for a craft fair…

                                                                     What Valentine’s Day Craft are you working on?

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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CURVD Earplugs

 

We recently talked about using technology to help with education.

One thing that I’d like to add is the ever changing environment my daughter studies in. As a teenager she is making the most of her portability while boosting her productivity by utilizing CURVD earplugs. She has noticed a significant improvement in her ability to focus and cut out loud distractions.
CURVD earplugs are comfortable, reusable and allows my daughter to maintain a calm environment even in a noisy cafe. I’ve also found them practical for myself when I have some time to read and unwind but also need to be aware of my home.
They don’t block out all sound but rather filter it out. In this way you can still hear speech and music clearly, just a lot more quietly.
CURVD earplugs come nicely packaged and have a quality look and feel to them straight out of the box.
Finding an environmental responsible earplug was a challenge when we looked at adding these products into our home. I had to dig a little deeper and found on the CURVD website they put in the effort with using 100% recyclable materials in their products as well as offering a silicone take-back program.
At CURVD, they are not just creating amazing products – they are working to build a better future for all.
Now I’m off to go try to read a book. When you do get the chance to find a little bit of peace and quiet you need to take it.
  – Nikki Valenzuela

Beyond NYC: Incredible Ways to Enjoy New York State

 

Image from Pixabay – CC0 License

 

New York City is one of the most popular tourist destinations for travelers of all kinds. It’s a bustling city with so much to see and do, so it’s understandable that so many people flock toward it. But NYC isn’t everything that the state of New York has to offer. There’s so much more to see throughout the whole state, whether you’re looking for other cities or more of an outdoor experience. You could miss out on a lot if you only stick to NYC and, believe it or not, the city actually isn’t for everyone. So where should you go instead?

Head to the North

New York City lies in the southeastern corner of New York State, so pretty much everything else is north of NYC. So by heading north, you’re going to discover somewhere new. But if you keep going to the northern part of the state, you could find yourself especially delighted by what you find there. Next year is the perfect time to visit because the 2024 total solar eclipse in the Adirondacks is going to be an incredible sight to behold. There won’t be another for 20 years, The region is full of stunning scenery and offers beautiful towns, ski resorts and much more.

Summer in the Hamptons

When you hear “the Hamptons”, you probably think of rich people and their second homes. And it’s true that a lot of wealthy people spend their summers here, but you don’t have to be rolling in dough to plan a visit there. You can find affordable accommodation for a comfortable stay, or maybe go for something a bit more luxurious if you’re willing to stretch your budget. The beautiful beaches of the Hamptons are definitely worth checking out. In Montauk, you’ll find so much happening during the summer too, including festivals, markets and more.

Explore Towns and Cities

Outside of NYC, there are so many different towns and cities to explore across the state. Places like Rochester, Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse all offer something different to anyone who wants to explore New York. You can discover history, culture, great food and much more by expanding your horizons and stopping at some of these places. Some might only be worth a day trip, while others have plenty to offer if you want to stay for multiple days. They can make great bases for exploring different parts of the state too.

Visit Wine Country

People might think of California more when they consider US regions famous for wine. But the east coast has plenty of winemaking too, and New York is no exception. Finger Lakes Wine Country offers more than 100 wineries, distilleries and breweries, making it perfect for wine lovers or even people who prefer beer, whiskey and more. Taking a tour is a good way to get a snapshot of the region and there are even wine cruises you can take.

NYC might be amazing but it’s not the only place in New York. Look beyond the Big Apple and you can discover so much more.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

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Adagio Tea – Holiday Gift Guide

Hello fellow readers and tea drinkers!

As we embrace Fall and prepare for the Winter/Holiday season I thought I would start our 2023 gift guide with a product we cherish from a company that has it roots in family.
Adagio Teas embodiments all that we love in a brand; a family story of making a dream come true, sourcing quality ingredients direct from the farmers, and producing a product that is affordable as well as delightful for consumers.
I encourage you to explore their website and read how they developed their business and read the stories of the farmers.
Ever since I was introduced to Adagio Teas, it’s been my favorite loose leaf tea brand. Adagio teas are known for their gourmet, artisan, loose leaf tea which can be purchased online.
I could spend hours shopping the Adagio Teas website. They have so many options for pure tea, blends, iced teas and more.
What I’ve found to be a lovely opportunity to sample the range Adagio offers is the yearly
Tea Advent Calendar. There are so many flavors I’d never even heard of as well as blends I wanted to sample but apprehensive to commit to.
One of my favorite teas that is included again in this year’s Advent Calendar is Pomegranate Grove.
It is full of vibrant color, scent & flavor. This is a perfect evening tea being caffeine free.
The spices and fruit are blended beautifully. The pomegranate is sweeter than expected. It is mildly tart, with spicy mulled cider vibe. I can make out the individual flavors, which are very well balanced. I added a small drop of palmetto honey which really brought out the cinnamon flavor. It is a very light, fruity, tasty tea that is quite brilliant.
I enjoy this blend hot however I can see how cold brewing this blend would also be a delightful option I may try next time.
You’re guaranteed to find something to make your taste buds dance with Adagio, now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got tea to drink!
  – Nikki Valenzuela