How Do You Get Your Kids Into a Good Summer Routine?
X-Box and Snacks
My kids think eating, watching TV, and playing X-Box is a good summer routine. I beg to differ.
Television
Not that any of this should come as a surprise. When I was a kid, most of what I knew came from Gilligan’s Island and Love American Style.
The Conversation…
I guess the real question is how to make sure your kids get the most out of their summer. Please let me know what works for you in the comments section.
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
The Printer Ink Dilemma
Future Ink Shock
You buy a printer for ninety nine bucks, and you’re convinced that you just got an amazing deal. Then you run out of ink. (Is there such a thing as “ink shock”?)
Too Many Choices
These days you can buy a printer that advertises lower ink costs, but how do you know they’re telling the truth? You’ve also got those ink cartridge refill services – but are they worth it?
The Conversation…
Let us know how you handle “the printer ink dilemma” by entering your thoughts in the comments section…
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
What Does A “Newbie” Vegetable Gardener Need To Know?
Free Salad!
I planted my first vegetable garden this year. I didn’t over think it: I just hit the seed kiosk at Lowes. A couple ‘a months later, free salad.
The Inherited Garden
I have the garden because the guy who lived here before me was an avid gardener. Now that I’m in residence, the care and feeding is charged to yours truly. Unfortunately, the terms “avid” and “gardener” do not belong in any sentence containing my name.
The Conversation…
What are the first things a neophyte gardener should know? (Scarecrow building?) Please share your thoughts in the comments section…
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
The Job Interview That Gets You Hired
Never Let ‘em See You Sweat
In a good economy, a job interview is stressful. In a bad economy, it can feel like a “make or break” proposition. (Can’t you just feel that knot in the pit of your stomach?)
Time To Step Up
Whether or not you feel any pressure, the interview is one of those “on stage” moments that are both inevitable and terrifying.
The Conversation…
Was there a job interview you participated in – either as an applicant or as a prospective employer – that made you stop and think, “THIS is how it’s done!”? Please share your thoughts in the comments section…
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
How Do You Deal With Insomnia?
It’s a Big Problem
Insomnia drives a lot of people crazy. Me, I usually sleep right through it.
What’s Up With The Sheep?
I’ve always wondered who came up with the concept of counting sheep to fall asleep. Why not, say, monkeys? Sheep just sound so… trippy.
The Conversation…
So, as you can tell, I haven’t got a clue. If you have any thoughts or experiences you’d like to share, just visit the comments section and have at it!
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
What’s The One Thing Every Newlywed Should Know?
A newlywed once asked me for advice just after she returned from her honeymoon. I came up with something about the importance of “communication”.
It’s Work
What I should have told her is that a relationship is work and if you don’t put in the effort – which, paradoxically, also involves working on your own crap – you’re headed for trouble. The problem is that no one tells you this stuff before you get married, so you better learn to be brutally honest with yourself first, and only then should you consider getting involved in a serious relationship.
The Conversation…
What would your advice to a newlywed be? Join the conversation by clicking here.
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
What’s The Best Way To Get Fast Home Internet?
Family Network
An Internet connection is the life’s blood of any modern home. You should see my kids freak out when there’s an interruption to our Internet service – you’d literally think the oxygen supply had been cut off. (When the Internet goes off in our house, I see kids I didn’t even know I had.
The New Kid
There always seems to be a new service in the (pardon the pun) pipeline. In our case, it’s AT & T’s U-verse, which should be available in our neighborhood soon, although they’ve been saying that for a while now.
The Conversation…
In your experience, which service provides the fastest and most reliable Internet experience? I invite you to join the conversation in the comments...
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
What Should You Do When You Get Into A Fender Bender?
Your Day Has Just Taken A Turn For The Worse
I’ve been in fender benders, and the accident itself can be the least of your worries. For starters, you’ve just signed up for a new part time job, and it’s not a job you want: you’re about to spend a lot of time in a “rental”.
And Then There’s The Phone Calls
You’ll also be calling insurance companies, the local police department, and your new best friend, the guy at the repair shop. He’s got the power in the relationship, so sooner or later he’ll stop returning your calls.
The Conversation…
So, cautious driver, what say ye? Should you speak with the other driver? Should you move your vehicle before you call the police? You can share your experience and advice by clicking here.
The Podcast…
Podcast: Download
How Do You Cope With The Loss of a Loved One?
The Real Life Survival Guide is dedicated to solving “life’s little problems”. The thing is, there are big problems too, and the death of a loved one is among the biggest.
A Trip on De Nile
A natural first reaction is “this isn’t happening”. (I guess that’s the “denial” that everybody’s always talking about.) Nah.
Grief
At first, I usually try to think about death philosophically (“he/she lived a good life”) but in the end it just sucks for the people that are left behind.
The Conversation
So, how do you cope with the loss of a beloved friend or family member? Please share your experiences by clicking here.
Which DIY Home Improvement Projects Make The Biggest Difference?
I like things that look nice. I also spend a lot of time at home, so I devote a lot of psychic energy trying to figure out how to make my surroundings look nicer. As as result, I’m a bit of a home improvement junkie.
Limited Funds
Home improvements are like potato chips; there’s no stopping at one. The limiting factors end up being time and money, and we don’t have much of either these days.
Too Many Choices
“Do It Yourself” projects end up being the best option, but it’s easy to get into a “where do I start” mindset.
The Conversation…
It seems to make sense that painting and lighting would be good places to start – and that painting would be less dangerous – but I’m trying to figure out which exact projects make the biggest difference. You can help me out with this by clicking here.
