For All The Dads Out There...

No doubt you have heard this first one before, but it is still so true!

4 years: My Daddy can do anything!
7 years: My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.
8 years: My father does not know quite everything.
12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.
14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man-he is out of date!
25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
30 years: I must find out what Dad thinks about it.
35 years: Before we decide, we will get Dad's idea first.
50 years: What would Dad have thought about that?
60 years: My Dad knew literally everything!
65 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more. - Unknown

A father is someone that holds your hand at the fair makes sure you do what your mother says holds back your hair when you are sick brushes that hair when it is tangled because mother is too busy lets you eat ice cream for breakfast but only when mother is away he walks you down the aisle and tells you ‘everythings gonna be ok’. - Unknown

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. - Jim Valvano

I've had a hard life, but my hardships are nothing against the hardships that my father went through in order to get me to where I started. - Bartrand Hubbard

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. - Clarence Budington Kelland

When a child is born, a father is born. A mother is born, too of course, but at least for her it's a gradual process. Body and soul, she has nine months to get used to what's happening. She becomes what's happening. But for even the best-prepared father, it happens all at once. - Frederick Buechner

Summer Safety for Dogs in Cars

We often hear about putting together earthquake emergency kits for our home, and emergency kits for our car, but we seldom if ever hear about putting together an emergency kit for our dog(s) in the car.

Summertime holds the greatest danger for dogs in cars. More dogs die as a result of being locked in cars on warm days than by any other means. It may seem obvious that the solution to this problem is to never leave your dog locked in the car. Having said that, sometimes situations arise that are beyond our control.

Rather than simply relying on never being in this predicament, or in any other situation where your dog may overheat, why not take some time to gather up a few items toss them in your trunk in case this unplanned situation should ever occur.

Building a summer smart kit for dog car safety only needs a few items and can be done without much expense.

Essential Items: Water, Dish for water, Bandana or scarf (This can be soaked and wrapped around your dog's neck to cool him.)

Timer (These can be found at the dollar store and will help you to keep track of how long you are gone from your car. It's easy to get distracted, to run into an old friend or be otherwise delayed and not realize how long you've been gone from the car. A matter of minutes can literally save your dog's life. A timer can also be used to limit the amount of time you spend outside in the sun with your dog). As little as 15 minutes in a hot car can cause your dog to have irreparable brain damage or result in death. Sunscreen, your dog's nose. It is sensitive and can easily get sunburned.

Leash and Collar (Sometimes dogs are left in cars because the owner didn't think to bring a leash to use to tie him up outside of a store).

A card with your vet contact info, including after hours emergency contact numbers. If you suspect your dog has heat stroke contact a vet immediately.

Optional Items: Sunshades for the car windows. Lastly, as responsible dog owners our duty doesn't end with ensuring only our dog's safety and well-being. If you see a dog in a car on a hot day, take the time to do an assessment of the situation. If an owner has popped in to a store, he or she should be back within moments. Take the time to look and see if the dog has water, if the window is open offer the dog some water from your safety kit in the trunk. Maintain caution as you would when approaching any unknown dog however don't let this caution override a potentially fatal situation. If you cannot get water to the dog, continue to monitor, see if you can locate the owner. If the dog is exhibiting signs of distress, take down the make and model of the vehicle and call for help. Remember, only 15 minutes can mean the difference between life and death. Adopted from http://EzineArticles.com/6331006

Recipe Of The Month - Chicken Fingers on a Stick

This is a fun & easy to do recipe. Finicky eaters usually like breaded chicken, and this variation, grilled and served on a skewer, makes it even more appealing to kids. Add your child's favorite dipping sauce, and there might not be any left for the adults!

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick
• Salt and pepper
• 24 (10-inch) bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
• 3 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1 1/4 cups plain dried bread crumbs

Instructions

1. Cut each chicken breast lengthwise into 1/2-inch-wide strips and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Fold the chicken strips slightly and weave them onto the skewers.

2. Prepare a charcoal fire or set a gas grill to medium-high, close the lid, and heat until hot -- about 10 to 15 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the oil and the barbecue sauce. Spread the bread crumbs on a sheet of waxed paper. Lightly brush the sauce mixture over the chicken strips and then roll them in the bread crumbs.

4. Grill the chicken fingers uncovered until they're no longer pink inside, about 2 to 4 minutes per side on a gas grill.

5. Serve with the dipping sauce of your choice. Serves 6 to 8.

Cheap Fun Things To Do With Your Children This Summer.

For a family with small children, a big family vacation in the summer isn't always an option. But just because your summer entertainment budget is small doesn't mean you and your kids can't have lots of fun this summer. Here are some ideas:

• Water + Kids = Lots of Fun: Put everyone in bathing suits & turn on the sprinklers. Fill the plastic pool that's been lying around the garage all year. Get some inexpensive water guns at the dollar store & fill up some water balloons. Believe me, your kids won't need any further instructions. Just keep plenty of towels around to dry off afterwards!
• Your Child on Paper: Get a large sheet of packing paper, or use some leftover wallpaper. Any big sheet of paper will do. Ask your child to lay on his or her back on the paper and use a pen or pencil to draw the outline around him or her. Let your child paint features, clothes etc. When the paint dries, cut the shape out and hang it up.
• Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk: Use the recipe found at http://www.kinderinfo.com/crafts/sidewalk-chalk.htm to make your own sidewalk chalk.
• Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Do you have a baseball team in town? It doesn't have to be a major league team. In fact tickets will be a lot cheaper if it isn't.
• Backyard Camping Trip: Don't have time to take the kids on a camping trip this year? Just camp out in the backyard or even in your living room. Your kids will enjoy it just as much as going out into the woods, and it will give you a great chance to spend some quality time with your kids. Check out Backyard Camping Trip at http://www.kinderinfo.com/articles/backyard-camping-trip.htm
• Game Night/Movie Night: Dig out some of the board games that have been sitting in the closet for ages and play games for a few hours. You can even share some games that you enjoyed playing as a child.
• Treasure Hunt: You can keep the kids busy for hours with a fun treasure hunt. The idea is to create a series of clues that the kids will have to follow to get to a little prize in the end. You can draw the item where the next clue is hidden on a note card, or give them a written clue.
• End of Summer Party: Invite the kids your child has been playing with all summer for an End of Summer Party. You may want to have their parents over as well, to give you a chance to get to know each other. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/53529

Last month we gave some helpful suggestion for making the moving process easier on your children. This month we wanted to let you know of something that could save you money and time when it comes to actually getting a mover.

MapDispatch.com is a business that you might find helpful when you need to find a mover. They handle everything from local mattress deliveries to cross country household moves. They’re different from moving companies because they let you name your own price for your move (although they suggest an amount).

Then they email your offer to dozens of moving companies, until they find one willing to do it for that price. So, instead of calling a couple movers yourself. You just tell them a and they contact dozens for you! Making an offer costs you nothing, and they only charge a small commission if they find a mover and you “confirm” that mover’s request. The amount you can save is substantial. I have been told that many users find they pay less than 50% than a quote received directly from a mover! Go to their site at www.mapdispatch.com for more information on the services they provide.

Vitamins For The Mind: What Is Your Motivation?

There are two ways that people are motivated. Positive motivation and negative motivation. Negative motivation is motivation that takes place because people are afraid of the consequences if they do not act or the if they do something that would cause them anguish or guilt then they would be negatively motivated not to do something. Negative motivation is good if you see an alligator and react to get out of its way. Negative motivation should not be used to get a group of people or a person to do something. If this happens in a work environment on a regular basis it causes poor morale, high employee turnover, and sometimes even retaliation by the employees in the form of theft or destruction of property. Negative motivation is not a way that will motivate any group of people for a long period of time.

Positive motivations on the other hand are factors that motivate people to do something out of reward, congratulations, feelings of acceptance, and adherence to values. During periods of positive motivation at a work environment, people are more likely to work longer, work for less money, work under harder conditions just because they feel appreciated and happier. Positive motivation works just the opposite from it's negative counterpart in that it retains employees, keeps morale high, and as a side benefit happy employees make for happy customers. After all would you rather eat at a restaurant for example where the employees are happy or where the employees appear stressed and agitated.

Therefore while negative motivation is a good thing on very rare occasions, such as the alligator sighting it is not very useful in everyday life. Positive motivation should be the reason to do just about everything. You give because it makes you feel good, you eat because it taste good and makes you feel satisfied, you smile because you enjoy life. Try being only positive for just one day. Block out all negative emotions and feelings. Avoid people and situations that cause you stress. After the day is over, you will feel so good that you may even try it for a second day and then a third. Being positive and using positive motivation will change your life for the better. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4158079

American Eagle Day June 20th, 2011

This day gives special recognition to the beautiful eagles that fly across our country’s skies! The American Eagle Foundation is dedicated to protecting the majestic Bald Eagle, the USA’s National Symbol, and the Golden Eagle and their habitats by supporting and conducting eagle and environmental recovery and educational programs.

At AEF’s sit located at www.eagles.org you will find all sorts of interesting information. There you will find a great video about the eagle named Challenger, a link to an eagle’s nest cam, and an “Eagle Extra” email newsletter that your kids might enjoy receiving! They also have suggestions on ways you can be of help to this great National Symbol of ours. Did you know that you can adopt an eagle?

Monthly Stress Reducer - Camper Comments

These are actual comments left on U. S. Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:

• “Too many rocks in the mountains.”
• “A McDonald’s would be nice at the trail head.”
• “All the mile markers are missing this year.”
• “Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.”
• “A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call.”
• “The places where trails do not exist are not well marked.”
• “Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands.”
• “Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals.”
• “Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.”
• “Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests.”
• “Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.”
• “The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.” Adopted from http://www.lovetheoutdoors.com/camping/

Money Saving Tips

• Get a crock pot. A crock pot is perhaps the best deal on earth for reducing cooking costs in a busy family. You can just dump in your ingredients before work, put it on simmer, and dinner is done when you get home. There are countless recipes out there for all variety of foods, and every time you cook this way, you’re saving money as compared to eating out.

• Don’t overspend on hygiene products. For most people, inexpensive hygiene products do the trick – for example, buy whichever toothpaste is the cheapest, and the same goes with deodorant and the like. The key is to use this stuff regularly and consistently – bathe daily, keep yourself clean, and you’ll be just fine. No need to buy a $40 facial scrub if you actually scrub your face properly.
• Use a brutally effective coupon strategy. Here’s the trick: wait a month before using the coupons. Save your coupon flyer out of your Sunday paper for a month, then bust it out and start cutting anything that might be of interest. For a bonus kicker, use the coupons in comparison with your grocery store flyer that week to find out ways you can use a coupon to reduce the cost of an item already on sale – you can wind up paying pennies for some things and, on occasion, actually get food free.
• Connect your entertainment center and/or computer setup to a true smart power strip. A device like the SmartStrip LCG4 basically cuts power to all devices on the strip depending on the status of the first item on the strip. So, if you have your workstation hooked up to this, every time you power down your workstation, your monitor powers down, your printer powers down, your scanner powers down, and so on. You can do the same thing with your entertainment console – when you turn off the television, the cable/satellite box also goes off, as does the video game console, the VCR, the DVD player, and so on. This can save you a lot of electricity and significantly trim your power bill. Adopted from www.simpledollar.com

Reel Partner Of The Month! - Hiles & Son Full Service Lawn Care

• This father and son team will provide you with the professional and personal landscaping services that you have been looking for!

• They have years of experience and lots of satisfied customers!
• If you have a residential or commercial property that needs the touch of a competent and competitively priced landscaping service give Hiles & Son a call.
• They service all of Johnson County and will gladly provide you a free estimate!

Call Them At 317 446-5651 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 317 446-5651 end_of_the_skype_highlightingToday!

Ask The Reel Team About Real Estate: What Is FHA Streamlining?

Do you have an FHA loan? Have you heard of how FHA Streamlining can save you money? Probably not! It is something that has been around for awhile, but not many people are aware of it and how it can possibly decrease their mortgage payments! This program came into existence because of President George H. Walker Bush who when advised that HUDS short term delinquency was on the rise and default could occur, signed into law this provision of the housing act. Let me give you the basics…

Borrowers with FHA loans can take advantage of downward movement in the interest rate anytime during the year. They have 365 chances to hit the market right! The most efficient way to streamline is without an appraisal, with no credit report required by HUD, no pay check stubs required by HUD and no bank statements required by HUD, closing costs may be financed into the loan as long as the new loan amount does not exceed the original loan amount. For those folks who wish to streamline with a new appraisal, they are required to furnish two years W2s, 30 days pay stubs and 3 months bank statements and the new loan is re-underwritten and closed. Many borrowers pay their closing costs in cash, thereby not adding a single dollar to their unpaid balance as they know they will skip a month without having to make a mortgage payment to anyone. This is what is referred to as a true streamline.

This program is saying, in effect, to any FHA customer, if rates fall lower than the rate you currently have, you may streamline to the lower rate. This was done to protect the FHA insurance fund, but it can result in a nice savings for anyone with an FHA mortgage!