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    As a kid, I can remember always having a pet growing up. Dogs and cats of all kinds. My favorite dog was a Pug called “Nina” after the song, “Nina, Pretty Ballerina” From the group ABBA. I loved that dog all the way up until I got married and then, sadly, we had to put her down due to her epilepsy. I was heartbroken but also excited for my upcoming wedding. There were always kittens in the house, too, and my older sister, Jeannie, would often be the one to take care of them. I had no idea, until I was older, that she was actually allergic to cats.

For years, I have been planning out our family’s meals with a meal plan.  It has saved me countless trips to the grocery store, frustration, and given me peace of mind knowing I have the food on hand to prepare. 

I recently found a dry-erase magnet board at the dollar store and now I write down what we’ll be eating each week.  This has been especially helpful for my kids!  They no longer ask that inevitable question, “What’s for dinner?” And if they do, I can just tell them to look at the board!

The Double S Ranch has been a big part of our life the last few months. Spencer and Lori are working with many different kids and adults with equine help. Spencer prefers the Fox-Trotting Horses for the guidance they are giving the horses and riders where the horse does the therapy.

I remember when my Mom gave The Tale of Despereaux to my oldest daughter when she was only 12 years old. She read it and then put in on the bookshelf for a long time until I discovered it. A book about a tiny mouse?  What could be so interesting about that, I thought? I decided to open the book to read for myself. 

The Tale of Despereaux is written by Kate DiCamillo who is a #1 national bestseller.  Illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering. This book has also been turned into a major motion picture.  It is the story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread.

When it comes to your health, the body always sends signs that something is off balance long before a serious condition appears. Sometimes, a symptom in one part of the body may be a sign of a problem in another part of the body. Early signs and address them early can significantly improve overall quality of life.

You may have sat next to one on a plane, or you may have heard your neighbor, a friend, or a colleague has one. To you, they look just like your usual household dog or a cat. But to someone else, they may be their emotional support animal, aka ESA.

You may also have heard stories and seen news items about a bunch of animal species referred to as ESAs. Some of which have included peacocks, pigs, ducks, and even kangaroos. Not exactly your typical type of furry friend, so what’s with that?

Homeowners who “fly south” for the winter are familiar with the idea of winterizing to guard against freezing while they are gone. However, with weather patterns shifting, homeowners who stay home for the winter are finding there can be issues with freezing pipes, even though they are living in their home and running water daily.

Teaching kids to dial 911 isn’t merely emergency preparedness. It could one day safe your life. Most importantly, kids must learn that dialing 911 should never be part of a game, a joke, or a prank.******

SO WHAT SHOULD YOUR CHILD DO AND SAY IN THE EMERGENCY?

*If possible, dial 911 from a house phone and not a cell phone. Tell your children that 911 is actually spelled 9-1-1 on the phone keypad and not 9-11. Have them practice on a pretend keypad or inactivated phone. Tell them never to practice on a real phone.