Three steps to a fun family Day

Experiences Make Lasting Memories

A bonding experience with your family does not have to be expensive or elaborate. However, I do believe they should happen regularly. As children get older activities get harder to plan. Carve out a time that works for everyone and set it in stone. Nobody gets a pass. I also believe this should be a family only time. Be creative a few hours stolen here and there add up.

Plan an activity that everybody likes or no one has done before. A family hike, a walk in the park, tossing the football could be some examples. Game night, monopoly, cards, life or get mom on a video game you might besurprised. My family loves playing charades. It does not matter as long as everybody is involved.

Food is always a good way to keep things interesting. Let every one help cook a simple meal. You could put together something simple that does not keep one person locked to the stove. I like one pot dishes, roasted store bought chicken with sides is also a good choice. Take out. Food is not the star the family interaction takes center stage on this night.

So set a time, choose an activity and make some memories.

My Last Family Night

With three boys I usually start fun days with food. This time I picked up a few kayaking voucher on Living Social so I thought a picnic would be perfect. The picnic was mostly prepared foods except the sandwiches.

Because my hubby works most weekends we gathered after school and headed to Town Lake Rowing Center. This venue is close so we did not waste time getting to the fun. We rowed for about an hour pulled into a picture perfect inlet and ate our dinner. We laughed and looked at a hawk, teased and had a great time. It was a windy afternoon not perfect for rowing and we apologize the team we cut off in the lanes but we won‘t forget it. And we found another fun family activity we will do again.

Picnic
Tuna sandwiches
Chips
Strawberries
Baby carrots
Water/soda
Small cooler
Freezer bags

Daring Rescue

Daring Turtle Rescue

A turtle crossing a four lane road in Austin, Texas was rescued by a man in Honda Accord. I was turning left from Manchaca to Davis when I notice something  large in inside south bound lane crossing Manchaca, a Turtle.   I paniced in the left turn lane next to the turtle.  Suddenly  a dark colored Accord, going south,  stopped and a tall, bald man stopped in front of the turtle.   He  picked up the turtle and  ran across three lanes, moving north,  to deposited the turtle on the other side of the road. I stayed in the left turn lane waving to on coming traffic hoping no one would rear end the good Samaritan's car. Two cars swung by hooking not knowing of this daring rescue.    I’m glad I witnessed it. Thank you, and I’m sure the turtle thanks you too.

A real hero does  the right thing even when no one is looking.

stock photo Bob Moul May 4

Barton Creek Farmers Market

I like to supplement my shopping at the local Farmer’s Market. I go with a pocket full of small bill and my shopping bag. I picked up okra, egg plant, natural cleaners and breakfast on a recent trip. Further, it’s a great place to find unique gifts. Bird feeders, by Dan Baker, caught my attention for birthday gifts. You can see Dan’s work on face book. Barton Creek has a tiny but extra special petting zoo too. Bunnies and chicks were my favs. Well, I’ll see you are the market.

Austin with No Air Conditioner

Austin is fabulous however with no AC it is miserable. My air conditioner motor blew out on the 4th of July! Yea! I’m so blessed to have only had two nights without air. I can not even imagine living before air conditioning. And Victorian dress may have been lovely if you live in a cooler climate but there are precious few months Texas women would be fresh in all that material. Well, if I did not have fans I would not have gotten the few hours of sleep I managed. Today I wake up refreshed and God Bless Air Conditioning! I’ll fall in love with Austin all over again.

I have a dream...

Years ago sitting in a field with my best friends in Alief, Texas we looked into the future and said we wanted our children to be raise there. It's not the same place anymore; the Norman Rockwell picture of my youth has disappeared. But last night I realized though I am not in Alief I have capture the idealized feeling of Austin, Texas. Last night we went to our regular haunts, pun intended, and had a really fun Halloween. My oldest (13) went out with a few friends, some of his last trick-o-treat fun, maybe. My youngest arranged to meet a friend. The crowd was familiar and the streets safe as the homes welcomed the children and adults alike. My husband I escorted from a safe distance and made sure the kids were polite. They got a respectably haul of treats with no tricks. And I am happy to say though miles away I have lived up to that childhood dream after all.

McKinney Falls

We had a hike today at McKinney Falls, it's a beautiful place. It was a bit weird because REI sponsors the hike/walk so they show off cool stuff for hikers. A big commercial. Everybody wants to sell me something. That's OK I'm into the capitalist thing. It makes the world go round.

So,I'm a helper on a Science Fair Project and I'm off to help shoot objects across a football field. Yea, I love it.
Go do something cool, with ya bad self.

badartworld.com

Shop is open

Wow. I have my web site up and now I have original stuff on Etsy. It is a great site.
I've got a little view of my original stuff here.



If you check out http://badartworld.com you can get reproductions of orginals on Tees and posters. I'll be putting more art work on Etsy daily. I've got baby and toddler tees, and some cool adult mystical stuff. I hope you like it or pass it on to someone you know who would like it. This is a major journey. I'd love to get your feed back on the site and what you like or, gulp, don't like about it.

Peace D Badart

http://badartworld.com

Bike, and Change your Comfort Zone

Those of you who have lived overseas or in major cities with good mass transit can laugh or cry when they read this. For the last 18 days I have made due without a car in Austin, Texas. I have enjoyed riding my bike, walking my kids to school and taking the bus.

Years ago I worked downtown and took the bus because of horrible parking. The bus schedule was hap hazard at best. I am impressed, today, with the buses on time record and cleanliness. Further, the Drivers offer advice on reaching destinations and are very friendly. That being said we do have major issue to address before more Austinites ride the bus.

The largest problem is the infrastructure. If we are not comfortable walking to or standing at the stop we won't ride. Sidewalks need to be clear; some places need sidewalks period. We can improve our city's quality of life by improving the transportation options.

Every city employee, City Council and the Mayor should ride the bus for at least one week and give feed back. The bus stop as well as the bus should be clean and well lit. The path to the bus stop needs to be clear. Brodie lane has weeds as high as an elephants eye. It is dangerous. The stop at Eskew and Brodie is filthy. By requiring City employees, transit workers to get out of their comfort zone and take mass transit we would affect real change. Citizens all over the city would give input for the betterment of our city.

Those of you who think it is a waste of time and money, think of this, for every person who takes the bus that's one less person on I-35, Mopac and one more parking space. If you whine about waiting while a train passes imagine that being 10 to 40 more cars passing. Business owners out side the Automobile related industry will see spending for homes, dining, cloths, education. The possibilities for growth are endless

Not to mention our reliance on the car has surely lead to Americans obesity, declining health and stress.