Category Archives: Holidays

Road Games

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When we take the family on a long driving trip we have a variety of games to play together to help pass the time and to keep the kids from getting bored and restless.

One game that we invented involves reading the license plates of cars that we pass by to make poker hands. All you need is a notepad and pencil and a cup of pennies. Each person gets a turn at claiming a license plate – he can claim the next one we drive by or if he doesn’t want that one he can pass his turn and the next person has the choice of claiming that one or the next one. Once a license plate is claimed, you make your best poker hand from the letters and numbers on that plate and then you discard the unwanted numbers so you can draw more from the next and final round of claiming plates. Once you get your second plate you fill out your poker hand and either bet pennies on it (with a 10 cent maximum bet) or fold. Winner of the “hand” gets the cup with the pennies.

Unofficial Start of Summer

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One of my favorite holidays has always been Memorial Day, which in many parts of the country not only honors our veterans but also signifies the unofficial start of summer.

In our house, Memorial Day means taking the kids to a parade and then at least one full day on the water. which water was the question, as we were fortunate to have many water choices, with bountiful lakes and rivers close by and the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean just a short drive away.

The past couple years we’ve chosen to join my parents at their home on the river. Their summer house has plenty of extra beds and linens, and the boat dock has a variety of boats, from a kayak to a ski boat to a john boat to a sailboat. And this year my brother towed his 30′ cruiser to the public ramp and put it in for the guys to go fishing on Sunday.

Knowing that he was coming with the cruiser, I bought a special gift for him – or rather, his boat. I remember last year how we had taken the cruiser down the river one weekend and just slept on it over night with the intention of waking early and throwing in the fishing lines at daybreak. Well, it was a great plan but when we woke there was so much fog that we couldn’t see anything for hours and to be honest it was downright frightening to be out on the open water unable to see more than a foot or two in front of the boat.

Vacation Funds

Posted on by Unsigned Podcast
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I’m a firm believer in taking family vacations at least 2 or 3 times each year. Vacations are what keep people refreshed and motivated to deal with all the mundane aspects of life and a needed break from the stresses and strains of modern problems. Family vacations build memories and forge stronger relationships and introduce each member to new shared experiences.

With the country in a recession and the price of everything going up each day, many people may be inclined to postpone or cancel their vacation plans this year. I say, make the vacation a priority and find other ways to cut your budget if you have to.

Honoring Mothers

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I love the holiday, Mother’s Day. It is a great time to take some time out of your busy and hectic life and reflect on what your mother means to you, to thank her for what she’s done for you and to appreciate the sacrifices and efforts of mothers world wide.

My mother is a great woman with many talents and skills. She was always fashion forward and became an accomplished seamstress so she could wear the latest fashions and fabrics.

She believed strongly that everyone needs to start their day with a full, nutritious breakfast and she would rise early to cook for us every morning.

She also believed that the family needed to have dinner together every night. Dinner at our house was the most important hour of the day. we had to be home, cleaned up and ready to eat by 6:00 every night. We sat in the dining room and the best table manners were taught and expected. Conversation was restricted to pleasantries and discussion of news of the day. And we always had a dessert.

Thank you, Mother, for all that you’ve done for the family and for me! I hope you know how much I appreciate you!