Hobbies & Leisure

Arts and Crafts Projects for Elderly Seniors

2013-01-10T18:09:18+00:00

Keeping elderly seniors active and engaged with hobbies can help their overall health. Hobbies can help keep the mind active, fight off depression, and help seniors sleep better. While health limitations can inhibit or limit certain activities, arts and crafts is one area where limitations can be worked around and tailored to fit each individual. In addition, arts and crafts can cater to many areas of interest.

Mosaics

Mosaics are much like puzzles where different pieces of tile are arranged to create a picture or design. Creating mosaics is a fun process and seniors at different levels of mobility can do them. Depending on the mobility of the seniors you are working with, they can do each step of the process themselves, or just the steps they are able to do. For instance, you may want to break the tile and/or apply the grout for a senior who may not have the strength to do so.

Items Needed:

* Mosaic Surface
* Tile
* Hammer
* Adhesive
* Grout
* Scraper
* Damp Cloth

Directions:

Each person should choose a surface to mosaic. Options include flat pieces of wood, flower pots, picture frames, small boxes, plates, mirrors, or other items of interest. Mosaics can be created on almost any surface – large or small.

Place pieces of tile into a pillowcase. You can use one color of tile, or many different colors. Next, use a hammer to break the tile into smaller pieces. Remove the small tile pieces from the pillow case and place it into a container.

Use the scraper and apply adhesive to the chosen surface piece.

Next, place pieces of tile onto the surface to create any pattern or design that you wish.

After the designs have been created, allow the project to sit overnight so the adhesive can set-in.

The following day, spread grout in-between the tiles. This can be done by hand or with the scraper. It is fine if grout gets on the tiles. Allow the grout to sit for five minutes, then wipe and clean the surface with a damp cloth.

Let the project sit and dry overnight.

Jigsaw Puzzle Piece Wreath Ornaments

Making ornaments out of jigsaw puzzle pieces is a fun craft for seniors to do around the holidays. They can be made and given as gifts, or used to decorate a personal home tree or a community tree in an assisted living center or nursing home.

Items Needed:

* Jigsaw puzzle
* Green spray paint
* Red paint
* White paint
* Pencil
* Small brush such as an eyeliner brush
* Red ribbon
* Glue

Directions:

Take an old jigsaw puzzle and lay all of the pieces out on a flat surface.

Spray paint the puzzle pieces with a holiday green color. Let the paint dry.

Draw a 3 to 4 inch circle on a piece of paper with a black marker. Place a sheet of wax paper over the paper.

Lay puzzles pieces around the circle so they barely touch each other.

Use glue to add a second layer of puzzle pieces on top of the first layer of puzzle pieces. This second layer of puzzle pieces should extend past the first layer to make the circle larger. Allow the pieces to dry.

After the puzzle pieces have dried, dip the eraser end of a pencil into bright red paint. Dab the paint onto the green puzzle pieces to create clusters of holly berries. Allow the red paint to dry.

Next, use a very small brush and dab tiny white dots on each holly berry. Allow the white dots to dry.

Lastly, run a red ribbon through the center of your ornament. Make the loop large enough at the top so that it can be hung on a holiday tree.

Glitter Domes

Making glitter domes is a fun project that many seniors will enjoy. Glitter domes can be made for personal keepsakes, or they can be made and given as gifts on special occasions.

Items Needed:

* Jar (Any size jar will do from baby food jars on up)
* Glitter
* Plastic figure of choice that will fit inside the jar.
* Small shells, rocks, or other small items
* Ribbon
* Superglue
* Water

Directions:

Place the jar lid flat side on a table or other workable surface. Glue the plastic figure of choice to the underside of the jar lid. Set it aside to dry.

Next, fill the jar with glitter and small shells or rocks. Use roughly one teaspoon of glitter for every inch of jar.

Fill the jar with water leaving ½ inch of space at the top of the jar.

After the plastic piece that was glued to the jar lid has dried completely, place superglue around the rim of the jar. Screw on the jar lid.

Tie a ribbon around the rim of the jar lid.

Turn the jar upside-down and it is complete.

Keep it Fun

These are just three arts and crafts projects that seniors will enjoy. Any project that you think would be fun, the chances are high that elderly seniors will too. If you want to take it a step further, ask the seniors what types of projects they’d like to do. Whether it’s working with flowers to wood, there are projects to suit almost any interest.

Recommended Reading

For more craft project information, advice and ideas, take a look at the following books:

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts
Craft-a-Day: 365 Simple Handmade Projects
GIANT Encyclopedia of Arts & Craft Activities

More in Hobbies & Leisure: Arts & Crafts

Soap Making: Good, Clean Fun For Everyone

Read article or view all Arts & Crafts Articles

How to Book Hotels for the Handicapped

2012-07-06T18:28:58+00:00

If you or a family member has a physical disability, don’t let it hinder you from traveling. You can find handicap accessible hotels that are really handicap accessible. Most hotels will say they are handicap accessible, when they really aren’t. While these hotels may think they are user-friendly and they feel they meet the needs of the handicapped, they truly don’t understand the unique needs of the handicapped. Here are some things you can do to ensure that the hotel you are considering will meet your unique needs:

Talk Directly With the Hotel

When you are making travel arrangements you are generally talking to a booking agent that has never visited the hotel. For this reason, do not depend on these individuals to give you accurate information about the handicap accessibility of a particular hotel. Before you book your hotel visit, call the hotel directly. Ask to speak with someone who has direct information about the rooms that are being advertised for the handicapped. This person is usually the hotel manager. Do not depend on the information that is given to you by anyone unless they have personally been in the rooms. While calling the hotel directly may seem like a bother, in the long run its well worth the time.

Ask the Right Questions

When talking to people about specific hotel rooms, try not to ask questions that can be easily answered with a simple yes or no. Ask more detailed questions. For instance, instead of asking if a bathroom in a hotel room is handicap accessible, ask the person to describe the bathroom to you. If the room is truly handicap accessible you should hear things such as the bathroom has a roll-in shower, the sinks are lower to the ground and the toilets have handrails around them.

Other questions you can ask include the following:

* Does the main lobby and check-in area have a ramp from the outside leading into the facility?

* Does the hotel offer elevators?

* Is it possible to get a ground-floor room?

* How wide are the doorways to public areas such as the dining room, bar, gift shop or vending machine area?

* If the hotel advertises free transportation to local attractions, is the transportation equipped to transport individuals with wheelchairs or walkers?

You may also want to inquire about the distance from the hotel to the nearest hospital.

Making the Reservations

Once your questions have been asked and you are satisfied with the answers, it’s time to make the reservation. You should always use a credit card to make your reservations and only pay the minimum required to reserve the room. You should confirm with the person making the reservation that you are indeed being booked into a handicap accessible room. Call the hotel 48 hours before your arrival to re-confirm that you are getting a handicap accessible room.

Arriving at the Hotel

When you finally arrive at your hotel, request to see the room before you complete the payment on it. This will give you the chance to see the room and to verify that it meets your needs before you commit to it. While asking to see the room may make you a little uncomfortable, a hotel staff is usually very friendly and they should have no problems showing you a room before you commit to it.

If you are shown a room and you find that it is not handicap accessible, request that you be given one and ask to see it. If you are told the handicap accessible rooms are already taken, don’t get nervous. The hotel took your reservation and they are obligated to find you handicap accessible room. Sometimes this may mean that you will have to travel to another hotel. If that’s the case, the hotel will be required to make all the arrangements.

Miscellaneous Traveling Tips

If you are traveling with a handicapped individual, call ahead to restaurants, shows and events and inquire about their handicap seating. If necessary, reserve your spots in advance.

Avoid booking rooms at a hotel that has a reputation for a party crowd. This can make someone using a walker, wheelchair or other assistive device nervous. An easy way to determine if a hotel has a party crowd is to inquire if the hotel has an on-site bar/lounge or if there will be any groups or conventions going on at the hotel during your visit.

Happy Traveling!

Recommended Reading

For more information and advice on handicap travel, take a look at the following books:

Access Anything: I Can Do That! - Adventuring with Disabilities
There Is Room at the Inn: Inns and B&Bs for Wheelers and Slow Walkers
101 Accessible Vacations: Vacation Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers

Just Beachy: Checklist For A Perfect Day At The Beach, With Kids!

Read article or view all Travel Articles

Fun Games for Older Adults

2012-03-29T23:18:18+00:00

When you are hosting a gathering for a group of older family and friends, games can get a bit tricky. Many adults may not be able to run around and do all of the antics that are required for most party games as they are tailored for younger folks. Here are some fun games you can play at your next gathering that is sure to be a big hit with the older generation.

Name That Candy

This game is very fun and people enjoy playing it. To prepare, purchase the candy listed below and place it in a box. When the time comes to start the game, read the candy hint. The person who guesses which candy the hint is for, wins. Toss them that candy as their prize.

A crackling noise made with your teeth - Crunch
A dried up cow has these - Milk Duds
A famous baseball Player - Baby Ruth
A popular street in New York City - 5th Avenue
A very happy nut - Almond Joy
Bees make this - Bit o’ Honey
Famous trio from the past - Three Muskateers
Here kitty-kitty - Kitkat
Laughing quietly - Snicker
Someone who can’t hold on to things has these - Butterfingers
Something wet you give someone you love - Kisses
The best day of the work week - Payday
These float and can save your life - Life Savers
They are twins - M&Ms
This planet is red - Mars Bar
Two pronouns for females - Hershey
Where some Indians are buried - Mounds
Where we live - Milky Way

You can use whatever candy you would like for the game, as long as you can make up a good hint for it.

Who Is This?

This is a very fun game to play with a group of people that know each other very well. It requires time to prepare for this game, as you will have to enlist the help of others.

A few weeks prior to your event, make a list of everyone that is going to be at your gathering, then find out random-information of a funny or quirky nature about each individual. You can ask those closest to the individuals for help on the quirky-fun fact you will use. These facts should not something that will humiliate or truly embarrass the individual, but it should be something that no one would suspect. If you have a large group, one fact per person will work fine. If you have a small group of less than 10, try to have two facts for each person.

Once you have fun and quirky facts about everyone, list them on a sheet of paper. At the top of the page include a list of all the people’s names. Then, make copies of the paper so everyone at the event will have a copy.

At the party, hand out the papers to everyone and give them pencils. Give everyone time to list beside each fun-fact the name of the individual they think the fact belongs to. This will make for a very fun time and laughter will no-doubt erupt as people read the facts to themselves and try to guess who they belong to.

After everyone has filled out their papers, read the fun-facts aloud and announce who it belongs to.

The person who guesses the most correct will win a prize.

Candy Jar

Because people arrive at events at different times, the Candy Jar game is a good game for people to do when they first arrive. It will keep them busy while waiting for other guests to arrive.

Fill a large jar with small edible items such as lemon drops, bubblegum balls, or M&Ms. Place currency in the jar so that it is visible. Depending on the event, it could be a $5 bill, a $50 bill, or a $100 bill. Or, if you don’t want to use money, place a visible gift card in with the edible items so that it is visible.

Place the jar in a central location with a piece of paper and pencil beside it. Have your guests write their names on the paper, along with their estimation as to how many edible items are in the jar.

When all guests have arrived and made their guesses, announce who guessed the number of candies the closest. That person is the winner. The prize is the jar of candy and the money or gift-card inside.

In the Basket

Choose 20 to 25 random things and place it in a basket. Items can include things such as pencils, lip balm, a ketchup pack, a key ring, a matchbox car, and other random small items. Place a towel over the basket so no one can see what is in the basket.

When the time comes to start the game, give each guest 30 seconds to look in the basket. They can touch the items, if they wish, and move them around in the basket. After each guest has viewed what is inside the basket, immediately give them a piece of paper and a pencil and have them write down everything they remember.

The person who remembers the most items wins a prize.

Recommended Reading

For more information and inspiration for fun games and activities, take a look at the following books:

Great Games! 175 Games & Activities for Families, Groups, & Children!
The Games Bible: Over 300 Games - the Rules, the Gear, the Strategies
Great Group Games: 175 Boredom-Busting, Zero-Prep Team Builders for All Ages

More in Hobbies & Leisure: Activity Ideas

Book Exchanges: Your Own Personal Library

Read article or view all Activity Ideas

How to Throw a Fun and Appropriate Office Party

2012-03-01T01:36:15+00:00

Organizing a party in an office environment can be pretty tough. There is always a balancing act between fun and appropriate office behavior. This article will give you some great office party ideas that should get everyone involved and having fun while without disproving looks from your Human Resources manager.

Office Party Theme

Make sure the theme does not exclude anyone. Have a winter party or holiday party instead of a Christmas party. This will avoid leaving out those who do not celebrate Christmas or who celebrate other holidays as well. Decade costume parties can be great fun as well. Pick a decade such as the 1980s and have everyone dress up in the fashions that were popular.

For summer parties, you could go with a Hawaiian luau theme. Have everyone wear silk flower pattern shirts and wear khaki cargo shorts with sandals.

Office Party Food

You can save on food costs by having a potluck and having everyone bring a dish. It is also important to make sure you have something for everyone. Be aware of dietary issues such as allergies, religious restrictions, lactose intolerance, vegetarians, and vegans. Make sure there is at least one dish that each person can eat. It is also a good idea to make sure there is at least one store bought dish, as some people are wary of home cooked dishes due to unknown food preparation practices.

Office Party Games and Events

It is not a party without games and events. Here are some office friendly ideas that will add some fun and competition to your office get together.

Office Party Awards Show

An office awards show is a great way to make people feel appreciated and noticed. The awards do not have to be based on work related accomplishments or performance. It can be fun to give out awards for things like “Most Organized Desk” or “Best Dressed”. Keep the subject light and fun and be sure to include everyone.

Video Game Tournament

Most people these days play video games at least casually. Take an office poll and choose a skill based video game. Then create a head to head bracket and let the competition begin. One or two matchups per day over lunch is a good way to schedule game time. Give prizes to the champion and finalists.

Casino Night

If you have money to spend, you can rent slot machines and gaming tables for your next office party. Everyone can have a great time “gambling” together. The poker table is a great place to see just how well you know your coworkers and call their bluff. You can award prizes to those who have amassed the most winnings at the end of the night.

Office Family Feud

This makes a great office game. Send out an email with ten or twenty questions for everyone to answer. Collect all the answers and find the most common three responses for each question.

Then divide everyone into teams and have them each attempt to guess the top answer to the question. Award three points for each top answer, two for the second most common answer, and one for the third most. Tally up the scores at the end and the team with the most points wins. Some sample questions are listed below:

What is your favorite lunch restaurant?
When do you wake up on a work day?
What is your favorite breakfast food?
How many miles over the speed limit is it “ok” to drive?

Paintball

Having the whole office go out on a paintball excursion is a great way to have some fun while getting dirty. It is also a great way to blow off steam and is a great team building exercise as well. Consider mixing up your departments so people have a chance to interact with coworkers that they do not often have much contact with at the office. You can give awards for things like “best team name”, “best outfit”, and “most times shot”.

Water Balloon Fight

In the summer months, a great office outing that is fun and cheap is to have a water balloon fight in a local park. Fill up the balloons beforehand and transport them down to the park in bins and buckets. Set up your ammo receptacles in strategic places and let the water fly. This is a good activity to pair with a picnic lunch.

Ropes Course

A ropes course is a great opportunity for team building and a bit of exercise. Ropes courses are designed to encourage teamwork and boost employee moral as they struggle to complete the course together. These courses often have activities that cater to many levels of physical ability as well.

This article was written by Emma Rae Curtis. Emma is a party enthusiast who also writes and researches everything Halloween. Costumes, party ideas, baby costumes, and makeup.

Do you want to write an article for us? Submit your article for consideration.

Recommended Reading

For more tips and advice on party planning, take a look at the following books:

Fabulous Parties
Party Like a Rock Star: A Celebrity Party Planner’s Tips and Tricks
Do It for Less! Parties: Tricks of the Trade from Professional Caterers

Super Summer Soirees

Read article or view all Entertaining Articles

Must-Have Arts and Crafts Supplies for Children

2012-01-11T22:54:54+00:00

If you have children, grand-children, or nieces and nephews, having arts and crafts supplies on hand is a must. These items can take a boring, rainy, or cold day and turn it into hours of busyness and fun. Here is a list of the must-have arts and crafts supplies that you should keep on hand. Keep them in a plastic bin or on a closet shelf so they’ll be readily available when you need them.

Paper

Paper is at the top of the must-have art supply list. While white copy paper will work, you really should have tablets of construction paper, too, as it will make arts and crafts more interesting. If you are into scrapbooking, toss in any scraps of this specialty-paper that you have leftover from your pages. This sturdy stock of paper will be put to good use by the little ones.

Chalk

Chalk comes in many different colors and it is really cheap—whether you buy the fat chalk or the thin blackboard chalk. Chalk is a great arts and craft tool for little ones who are not ready to tackle markers and paint. Chalk can be used on colored construction paper, as well as white paper. One of the best things about chalk is it doesn’t stain and it washes off of little hands and clothes easily.

Paint and Paint Brushes

What would arts and crafts be without paint? Kids love painting with their fingers and with brushes. It is best to read paint labels carefully before purchasing them. You should avoid oil paints and opt for paints that are washable. Before you let the kids go crazy with the paint, make sure you put down newspaper and protect the crafting area from spills. You should also have the kids dress in older clothes. No doubt their clothes will see as much paint as their papers.

Markers and Crayons, Pens and Pencils

Markers, crayons, pens and pencils are a must-have when it comes to art. All of these can be used on white paper and construction paper.

Almost all children love crayons, even older children, and they should be a staple in your art supply collection. You can purchase a jumbo box that has a crayon sharpener for the older children and a box of chubby crayons for the younger children.

The choices for markers are nearly unlimited in colors and can be purchased in thin pencil sizes for older kids, or chunky, fat sizes for those very small hands. Some markers are scented which takes using them to a whole new level. If you are nervous about letting the kids loose with markers, be sure to purchase the washable ones.

Colored pens and pencils are also a favorite with children. These work well, even on dark construction paper. You can give the small children the colored pencils and the older children the colored pens.

Glue and Tape

Besides coloring and using markers and painting, many art projects will require either glue or tape. Be sure you have both on hand. You have the option of the general white glue that can be squeezed out of the bottle, or glue sticks. If you are nervous about glue getting everywhere, supervise closely when it is being used, or opt for glue sticks.

Ordinary clear tape will work fine for almost all children’s arts and crafts projects. But, you may want to make things more interesting by also having masking tape on hand. Masking tape can be written on with markers and children like working with it.

Scissors

Scissors have come a long way in the last couple of decades. In addition to child-safe scissors and scissors for ‘lefty’, there are now scissors that have special blades. These scissors will cut patterns, fun angles, and designs in paper. No matter what type of scissors you stock up on, make sure the scissors a child uses is age-appropriate and supervise scissor-use at all times.

Craft Sticks and Pipe Cleaners

Crafts sticks and pipe cleaners are cheap and children love making things with them. Craft sticks are simply wooden sticks, sometimes called Popsicle sticks. They can be painted on, colored on, glued to paper, and things can be glued to them.

Pipe cleaners are long, fuzzy, bendable and thin. They are fun to play with and children can make many different things with them. Pipe cleaners come in many different colors. Your best bet is to buy a jumbo pack that comes with all different colors of pipe cleaners. If your children need help shortening a pipe cleaner, show them how to bend it in half, or snip it in half with a pair of adult-scissors yourself.

Glitter

There is something about glitter that excites children when they use it. Glitter comes in many different colors and shapes. Try to find glitter that comes in shakable bottles, much like salt and pepper shakers. This will help to cut down on glitter getting spilled all over the crafting area. In addition to—or as an alternative to—loose glitter, you can purchase glittery paints and ink pens.

Stickers

There is something about using stickers that makes children feel special. It makes them feel ‘big’ and ‘grown-up’ to handle and use stickers. Purchase a wide assortment of children’s stickers to have on hand the next time you are having arts and crafts time and watch their eyes light up.

Recommended Reading

For more information and advice on family arts and crafts, take a look at the following books:

The Big-Ass Book of Crafts
The Complete Book of Arts & Crafts
GIANT Encyclopedia of Arts & Craft Activities

More in Hobbies & Leisure: Arts & Crafts

Arts and Crafts Projects for Elderly Seniors

Read article or view all Arts & Crafts Articles

How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Traveling

2011-11-09T20:27:58+00:00

No one wants to discover they are sleeping in a hotel bed that has bed bugs, or that bedbugs have hitched a ride to their home after a stay at a hotel or resort. Getting rid of bedbugs is expensive and a major hassle—not to mention the creepy-crawly feeling of knowing these little blood suckers are feasting on your or your family while you sleep. It is best to avoid the problem altogether.

Bed Bugs – Appearance

Bed bugs are flat, oval, brown, and wingless. They are very tiny and generally measure 1/4” to 3/8” long. Once a bed bug has feasted, it will change color. It will go from brown to a purple-reddish color. It will be a bit larger and not as oval shaped.

Baby bed bugs are very small and hard to see. They are roughly 1/16” when they hatch and are almost colorless. After the babies feed, they will look more like their parents. As baby bed bugs mature, they will leave behind cast skins, or little shells, as they go into their next growth stage.

After bed bugs have eaten they will leave behind fecal spots that look like tiny tinged bloody spots. These spots can be seen directly in the areas where they feed, or in their hiding places.

Investigate Before You Book

Before you book your accommodations at a hotel, cabin, resort, or some other dwelling, go online and see what past guests have to say about the place. Check out a site such as TripAdvisor which will enable you to get an overall inside peek into the cleanliness, safety, and more of a hotel, resort, bed and breakfast, etc. Take it a step further and research the property at Bedbugger and BedBugRegistry.

Investigate the Room

Not all bedbug instances will be listed in online databases, as many infestations go unreported. Do not assume that the property where you are staying is free and clear of the little vampires because it did not show up in a database. You should investigate the property where you are staying as soon as you cross the threshold. It is best to leave your luggage outside your door until you investigate the room.

First, check for white residue that looks like powder around the walls of the lodging, as well as behind dressers or in drawers. If you see white powder, the lodging has a bug problem.

To inspect the bedding, you will need a flashlight and you will need to completely remove all of the blankets and sheets from the bed. Once the bed is free of bedding, check the seams of the mattress and the box spring for bedbugs. Be sure to check all four corners, top and bottom, of the mattress and box spring for shells, eggs, fecal matter, or the bugs themselves. You should also check around the bed rails, behind the headboard, and the tables and drawers beside the bed.

If the property you are staying at has a sofa, loveseat or chairs, thoroughly inspect them, too. Check along the seams of the furniture, the furniture piping or trim, and if you so desire, tilt the coach back and see if you see any evidence of bed bugs.

Be Safe, Not Sorry

If the room has passed your visual inspection and no sign of bed bugs are visible, bring your luggage into the room. Place your luggage on a luggage stand versus placing it on the floor or on the bed. If the room does not have a luggage stand, place your suitcase on a wooden chair. Be sure to inspect the chair or luggage stand for signs of bed bugs before placing your suitcase on it. If you are still feeling nervous about bed bugs, put your luggage in the bathroom. Very seasoned travelers sometimes opt to keep their luggage in the bathroom as bedbugs generally do not congregate there.

On a side note, there is a pesticide that you can purchase to spray on your luggage that will keep bed bugs from infiltrating it. Invest in a can if you want to go the extra mile to ensure that bed bugs don’t stow away in your luggage.

Any clothing that you wear while staying in a hotel or resort should be placed inside a sealed plastic bag after you have worn it. Keep the dirty clothes separate from the items in your suitcase. Once you are home, wash and dry all the clothing that is in the sealed bag in hot water. It is a good idea to also put your clean clothing from your suitcase into the dryer before you put it back into your drawers or closet.

Don’t let the thought of bed bugs ruin your trip. If you research before you book, investigate your room, and take the necessary precautions with your luggage and clothing, you should be fine. If you do happen to find bed bugs in your room, tell the management and switch hotels.

Recommended Reading

For more information and advice on bed bugs, take a look at the following books:

The Bed Bug Survival Guide
The Bed Bug Combat Manual
The Bed Bug Book: The Complete Guide to Prevention and Extermination

How to Book Hotels for the Handicapped

Read article or view all Travel Articles

How to Start Blogging

2011-10-20T18:42:06+00:00

Responding to an email in my inbox made me marvel at the world in which we now live. I can instantaneously communicate with anyone, anywhere.

In this instance, it was another woman in her late thirties, except that she lives in China. Her name is Hui Zhong, and she studied in the U.S. back in the ‘90s. She loves writing in English, and she had expressed interest a couple years ago in writing for a blog I used to write for. During that time, we started a friendship that has now actually taken me all the way to China to visit her and see the beautiful part of the country where she lives.

I say all of this to paint a picture of the blessing that blogging can really be. For many, it’s nothing more than a public journal, a way to be accountable for your actions/thoughts or get others’ input into your life. For other people, blogging is a chance to practice writing, whether it is instructionally, academically, fictionally, or poetically. The opportunity to write for free and get practice, feedback, and exposure is invaluable (literally!) and something I highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their writing, meet other like-minded people, or simply spend their free time. It’s fun, free, and easy as pie. Mmmm pie.

To get started, you need to decide whether you’d like to start your own blog or just be a guest blogger on an existing site. The latter is far easier, but you are reliant on other blog owners you don’t know (yet!). We’ll discuss that first and then move to how to set up your own blog.

In order to become a guest blogger, first go look at your favorite blogs. Many of them may have a “Write for Us” or “Become a Blogger” link somewhere on them. Follow that link and read the requirements. If it sounds good to you, then email that blog owner and explain how much you love their site and that you’d like to write for it. If you have any previous writing experience (especially samples available on the internet), it would be a good idea to mention that. Your previous writing experiences can be thought of as your “references” for your application. Once you have established a relationship with a blog owner, then start writing! They will help guide you as to what topics are best and how best to fit their blog’s style. Once you get a post published, be sure to post it to your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts.

If you choose to start your own blog, you’re in for a bit more work, but it’s very rewarding once you start having people posting links to your articles and getting traffic. There are many different platforms you can set up – Blogger, WordPress.com, Wordpress.org, Tumblr, Posterous, Drupal, Joomla, Movabletype – though many of these require you to have your own domain name and hosting space (another whole topic for discussion altogether). My personal favorite is WordPress.org (and if I didn’t want to have my own hosting I’d use WordPress.com), as it is very feature-rich but also relatively simple to use.

Once you get your site up and running, you’ll want to install some plugins, most notably one to connect your blog to a Google Analytics account so you can track your site views. This information is fascinating,
and helps you measure your traffic, both by numbers but also by approximate geography. You’ll see some really interesting trends (especially as you write about different topics)!

Lastly, once you have some posts up, it would be a good idea to contact other blogs similar to yours and see if they would list your site on their blogroll, to help gain traffic to your site. In a suggestion similar to, but completely opposite of, the first idea, you can even offer to take guest bloggers on your own site, as they can also help drive more traffic to your site so that more people will read the interesting things you have to say!

Through your own blog or guest posting on another, you can gain opportunities to hone your writing craft as well as make connections who just might one day become real friends!

This article was written by Michael. He lives in the Midwest, loves all things Chinese, and is now trying to learn how to speak Spanish before going to Spain next summer.

Do you want to write an article for us? Submit your article for consideration.

Recommended Reading

For more information and advice on blogging, take a look at the following books:

Using WordPress, with DVD
Create Your Own Blog: 6 Easy Projects to Start Blogging Like a Pro
Blogging for Bliss: Crafting Your Own Online Journal: A Guide for Crafters, Artists & Creatives of all Kinds

More in Hobbies & Leisure: Activity Ideas

Fun Games for Older Adults

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How to Host a Housewarming Party for Yourself

2011-10-13T21:09:22+00:00

If you have moved to a new home, having a housewarming party is a great way to introduce your family and friends to your new place. It’s also a perfect way to meet all the people that live around you.

You can throw a housewarming party even if you haven’t purchased a house. These parties are for apartment and condominium dwellers, as well as those who are renting or leasing a home, too. You also don’t have to wait until your home is perfect to have a housewarming party. If you are undergoing renovations, your home is a work in progress and your guests will know it.

When to Have the Party

You do not have to host your housewarming party in the first few weeks following your move – unless that is something you want to do. It is perfectly acceptable to give yourself time to move in, unpack, and get completely settled in before having your housewarming party. After all, you want your house to look its best. The general guideline is to have a housewarming party within the first three months of moving,

How to Invite People

Housewarming parties are generally casual events and there are no set rules on how to invite people. You can do traditional invitations and send them through snail mail, or you can extend invitations via email. You can also invite people over the phone or in person. If you wish to invite neighbors you haven’t met yet or have trouble connecting with, slip a note under their front door.

However you opt to invite people to your party, extend the invitation at least two to three weeks prior to the big day. This will give people time to schedule your party into their lives. You should also have directions printed up and readily available to give, send, or read off to those who may ask for them.

Home Tour

If you are hosting a housewarming party, expect people to want to go on a tour of your new place. Your guests should be invited to walk around your home at their leisure, or you can take them on a guided tour. Either way you do it, it is acceptable.

Food

The food that you serve at a housewarming party should be simple. Housewarming parties are generally light-hearted, casual get-togethers. You can get by serving basic hors d’oeuvres and drinks. On the other hand, if you have a large kitchen or your new place has a large backyard and you want to show it off, feel free to have a brunch or barbecue on the patio. The food and drinks you serve is up to you. You can get by with simple finger-foods or go all out.

Housewarming Gifts

Contrary to the myth, housewarming gifts are not mandatory, they are optional. Don’t assume you will receive them. You should never register for gifts and put your registry information on invitations. If you do, it will leave your invited guests with a feeling that you have invited them just so you can receive gifts.

If you do have guests that arrive with gifts, express your appreciation but don’t make a fuss over it. This will make your guests who did not bring a gift feel uncomfortable for showing up empty handed. It is best to warmly thank the gift bearer and set the gift aside to open in private.

General Housewarming Party Tips

If you are going to give your guests a tour of your home yourself, make sure you have someone available to welcome any guests which may arrive while you are giving your tour. Or, you can ask someone to show people around your home while you greet your guests.

Avoid party decorations. They will only distract from your home – which is what you want to showcase. To bring atmosphere to your home you can burn candles. If you have a fireplace and your party is in the fall or winter, burn a fire in the fireplace.

Make sure all the rooms in your home are clean. Even if you have a few boxes left to unpack, make sure things looks tidy and neat.

Have a place where your guests can put their coats and bags. If you don’t have a coat closet around your front doorway, direct guests to a bedroom closet or tell them they can put their items on a bed in one of your home’s bedrooms.

Have soft music playing in the background. This will help your guests feel comfortable.

Make sure you have plenty of supplies on hand. This includes food, drinks, napkins, toilet paper, trash bags, and all those other things that get consumed and used at parties.

Recommended Reading

For more tips and advice on moving into a new home, take a look at the following books:

The Home Owner’s Journal
How to Move Without Losing Your Mind—Or the Remote Control
How Your House Works: A Visual Guide to Understanding & Maintaining Your Home

How to Throw a Fun and Appropriate Office Party

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Flower Drying Methods

2011-07-01T12:00:20+00:00

Many artisans use dried flowers in their craft. Drying flowers is also a favorite pastime of many home gardeners. Whether you grow flowers or purchase them, drying flowers is not a difficult process and it is something you can do rather easily.

Before you dry your flowers, examine each one individually and decide which leaves and blossoms you wish to remove, if any. Removing foliage and blossoms is an individual decision. Some individuals like the look of dried flowers when most of the leaves have been removed. Others keep the leaves because they prefer the full appearance. Remove the leaves and blossoms you do not wish to remain with a snip of the scissors.

You are now ready to dry your flowers. The three top methods of drying flowers include hang drying, flat drying and upright drying.

Hang Drying

To hang-dry your flowers, first arrange them in the manner you want them to be in when they are dry. Next, use and elastic band and bind them together half-way up the stalks. Do not tie the flowers together with ribbon or string. Elastic is best. Elastic will constrict — or contract — around the flower stalks as they dry and shrink. This will prevent your flowers from coming loose and falling out as they dry.

All that is left to do is to hang your bundle upside down in an area that does not receive direct sunlight and that is well-ventilated. Hang the bundle on a nail allowing the elastic band to act as the support.

Flat Drying

Flat drying is an easy process. All you have to do is put your flowers in a cardboard box such as a shoe box and place the box in an area that does not receive direct sunlight. Keeping the box out of sunlight will keep it from heating up and becoming steamy inside — which could result in mold and mildew growing on your flowers. Boxes can be placed under a bed, on top of a closet, on a storage shelf or most any well-ventilated area.

Flat drying not only works for flowers, it works for other things that may need dried for craft purposes, too, such as seed pods, tree leaves, berries, ornamental grasses, mosses and more.

Upright Drying

Upright drying is an easy and popular drying method for individuals who use their flowers to make dried arrangements. The flowers will dry in most any type of container — from a metal can to an elegant vase. All you will need to do is arrange your flowers how you want them to appear when they are dried. Do not pack the flowers too tight when placing them in the container. If you do, they may become tangled or break.

Special Tips for Drying Flowers

If you will be using flowers that you grow yourself, the best time to cut the flowers is in the afternoon. This will ensure that the flowers you are working with are free of moisture and completely open.

Keep a few empty shoe boxes in your vehicle along with a pair of sharp scissors. If you spot an interesting flower or plant you’d like to dry, cut it and put it in the box to take home with you.

Check the flowers for insects before you bring them into your home. If you do not, they may invade your houseplants.

Drying your flowers in a well-ventilated area cannot be emphasized enough. If you hang them in a damp or moist area, your flowers will become mushy and they may start to mould and mildew.

Flower buds will dry as easily as open flowers. However, if you want the buds to open before you dry them, place their stems in water until the flower bud opens. This can take a few days. When the flower has opened sufficiently for your needs, remove it from the water and begin the drying process.

When working with flowers and plants for arrangements, remember there really is no right or wrong way to make an arrangement. Color, size and flower types are personal decisions. However, in regards to color, there are some things you should keep in mind when drying flowers: white flowers generally will take on a tan or buff tone, while purple and red flowers generally dry a few shades darker than their original shade. Orange, yellow, pink and blue flowers generally dry close to their original colors.

Use an aerosol floral sealer on your flowers when they have completely dried out. The sealer will help your flowers maintain their original shapes and keep them from becoming brittle.

Recommended Reading

For more information and advice on drying flowers, take a look at the following books:

Preserving Flowers: Dried & Pressed Floral Designs for Every Season
Dried Flowers for All Seasons: Creating the Fresh-Flower Look Year-Round
Basic Dried Flower Arranging: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started

More in Hobbies & Leisure: Arts & Crafts

Must-Have Arts and Crafts Supplies for Children

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Staying Clean and Fresh While Camping

2011-06-09T12:10:29+00:00

You’ve never been camping before and your partner, friends or family want you to go on a camping trip with them. If you’ve never been camping before, how you will keep yourself clean and fresh is probably the first thing that will pop into your mind—after the thought of insects and sleeping in a tent, of course.

You can stay clean and fresh while camping. It isn’t that difficult to manage, but it will require some planning as you will not have some modern amenities that you are used to having. It will also require that you accept the fact that you may not look all fluffy and pampered while on your camping trip. Here are some tips that can help you look and feel your best when camping.

Tent and Sleeping Bag

While you may not realize it, having a quality tent and sleeping bag can go far in helping you look and feel good. Discovering that your tent isn’t water resistant, or that your sleeping bag isn’t thick enough to keep the rocks and pebbles from digging into you while you try to sleep, can make for sleepless, soggy nights. If you go without adequate rest, it will show up on your face. Make sure you purchase a tent that is weather resistant. You should also consider investing in a sleeping pad that you put beneath your sleeping bag. Or, if you want to go all out, purchase an inflatable mattress.

Water, Water, Water

If the people you are camping with tell you that they are taking plenty of water, you should still take your own water. The water that others will bring will generally go toward cooking and making beverages. Take enough water with you so that you can wash your face, brush your teeth and wipe your body down.

Hair Facts

If you are going camping, you should toss the idea of having good hair days out the window. While you may be able to wash your hair, you may not have the electricity to blow dry it or to use a flat iron or curling iron on it. Women who enjoy camping the most are ones who are not afraid to wear their hair in pony tails, braids, or buns—or ones who are comfortable tossing on a baseball hat.

Pack the Necessities

The necessities referred to her aren’t necessities for survival. They are hygiene necessities. Be sure you bring toilet paper, soap, deodorant, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, towels, washcloths, shampoo, conditioner, disposable razor, unscented lotion and anti-itch cream. Toss in your bathing suit, too. You never know when you’ll have to take your bath in a creek. In regards to makeup, you should plan to keep it a minimum while camping. Either plan to wear no makeup or go very light such as wearing only mascara, light foundation and lip gloss. You should also plan to take extra clothing. While you shouldn’t pack everything you own, knowing you have the option to wipe down and change into fresh clothes when you want is a good thing when camping.

Perfume, Insect Spray and Bugs

No one wants to get bug bit, especially from mosquitoes. The itching can be intense. If you are going to go camping, you are entering bug territory. Do not wear perfume while camping. It will only make you a target of insects that are curious about why you smell so good. Bugs will generally leave you alone if you leave them alone. However, no one can ever truly escape them when in the great outdoors. So, take along insect spray and spray yourself down. If you don’t like the thought of spraying yourself, they now have insect repellants you can hook onto the waist band of your pants.

Another tip about bugs, do not sit in your tent with the door open and have a flash light on. All this does is throw out the welcome mat for bugs and they’ll come inside your tent. Go into your tent, zip the door, then turn on your flashlight. Alternatively, turn off your flashlight, unzip your tent door, zip it closed, then turn your flashlight back on. You can also opt to spray the outside of your tent down with bug repellant.

It is possible to stay clean and fresh while camping. Go into the adventure with an open mind, make the best of things, and work with what you have. If you’re lucky, you’ll have access to a bathhouse, or at least running water. If you don’t and you have followed the tips above, you’ll have the necessary items to help you with your hygiene needs regardless.

Recommended Reading

For more information and advice on camping, take a look at the following books:

Tent And Car Camper’s Handbook: Advice for Families & First-timers
Lighten Up!: A Complete Handbook for Light and Ultralight Backpacking
Allen and Mike’s Really Cool Backpackin’ Book: Traveling & camping skills for a wilderness environment

How to Avoid Bed Bugs When Traveling

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