Lifestyle

(Style on a Dime) Keeping school skills sharp in summer

Thursday, 02 July 2009 15:00 Marcia Humphrey

I have truly enjoyed my first couple of weeks of summer vacation --the sleeping in, the slower pace, and no homework. I feel like I did nearly as much homework as my children this past school year (although they probably wouldn’t agree). Our biggest challenge was math. My daughter struggled and my husband and I (mainly my husband) spent a lot of time helping her.

Arboretum presents ‘Waterosity’ Summer Exhibition

Monday, 15 June 2009 16:04

What’s bubbling up at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum this summer? Fresh thinking about people, plants and water! Waterosity: Go Green with a Splash, the 2009 summer exhibition, is running now and continues through October 4.

Bringing together the voices of artists, scientists and horticulturalists, “Waterosity” will celebrate this most precious, life-giving resource in thought-provoking and playful installations and exhibits for all ages.

(Style on a Dime) Give your place a summer facelift

Monday, 15 June 2009 14:20

My girlfriend recently moved into a new home and found out that her nearly new guest bed no longer fit into her spare bedroom which also doubles as her home office. That’s where I come in. For a while I had been thinking of replacing my youngest daughter’s twin bed with a full-sized one, but was in no real hurry. When my friend offered it at a price I couldn’t refuse, I jumped on it. My nine-year-old daughter was thrilled to have a new white four-poster bed (it sits so high off the ground that she has to take a running start and leap onto it!) and needless to say I was delighted by the price.

RethinkRecycling.com helps homeowners turn garbage into compost

Tuesday, 09 June 2009 16:30

Warm weather is finally here to stay, and many Twin Cities residents are embarking on the annual spring-time ritual of yard clean-up and planting gardens. RethinkRecycling.com encourages gardeners to compost fruit and vegetable scraps along with yard waste in back yard compost bins.

(Style on a Dime) End-of-school count down

Monday, 08 June 2009 15:47 Marcia Humphrey

Each night, for the last month or two, one of my three children has been keeping me current on the end-of-school count down. Little do they know, I’m keeping close track myself-I am as ready for them to be finished as they are. We ALL need a break. My oldest child will be an eighth-grader this fall, but lately I have been thinking about how quickly these 13 years have passed by-and how much faster the next five years will zoom before me.

(Style on A Dime) Earn extra cash doing what you love

Thursday, 28 May 2009 14:15 Marcia Humphrey

Like most young girls around 10 years old, I remember spending hours combing my doll’s hair, giving haircuts, and making her outfits. After a while, I became the self-appointed hair stylist for all my neighborhood friends. I was the best around (at least in my own mind).

(Style on Dime) Gale Woods Farm teaches kids agriculture-food role

Wednesday, 27 May 2009 15:14 Marcia Humphrey

Nearly two months ago, towards the end of my children’s spring break, I decided that I wanted to plan one last free or cheap outing before school resumed. My friend suggested that I consider visiting Gale Woods Farm. She described it as a place where you can have a hands-on type of experience with animals and farm life. To be quite honest, I am not particularly fond of being around stinky farm animals, but I thought, “It’s not about me; this is for my kids, and I want to expose them to a variety of encounters.” And my next thought was, “plus the price is right-around $25 for the whole family.”