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7 Father’s Day Gifts That Don’t Cost a Penny
Dads are such special people in our lives, so when Father’s Day rolls around we no doubt want to give them the best day ever. If your budget is tight, you might be concerned that a fantastic Father’s Day isn’t possible, but the good news is that even on the smallest of budgets, you can make Dad’s dreams come true! Look below at 7 Father’s Day gifts that don’t cost a penny, and see how simple it can be to give Dad the ultimate Father’s Day he deserves. 7 Father’s Day Gifts That Don’t Cost a Penny 1. Give him the gift of laughter. Dads love to laugh and truly…
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Stupid Tears and Being a Special Needs Parent
I’ve become a spectacle. The crazy Mom sitting in the grocery store parking lot crying stupid tears in a minivan. You don’t want to know her. She’s pathetic and cliche. But too many times lately she’s me crying in the parking lot at Sobey’s, No Frills or Food Basics. Look away. Perhaps you are new here and you don’t know me, but I am not a cryer. In fact crying is something I typically do once or twice a year maybe. Like a thing I allow myself very rarely in controlled situations at home. Nobody needs to see me crying in the parking lot at the grocery store. Or anywhere…
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Social Media Issues – How Ontario Teachers Navigate the Waters
Social media issues can be challenging. It’s a field that is in a constant state of flux. Facebook changes its algorithm. Twitter offers a new feed. One network wanes while another jets off into the stratosphere. And just when you think you have it all figured out, suddenly your high schooler comes home talking about some new chat service that nobody over the age of 20 has EVER heard of before. Social media issues can be a real danger to both children and the teachers responsible for their education. Teachers are the people who spend 5 to 6 hours a day with your child. They need to know how to navigate the…
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Five Must Haves for Sleep Away Camp #giveaways
Are you ready for sleep away camp yet? Are your kids counting the days until the end of school and the start of a week of freedom? I will admit our summer planning is a bit less orderly than previous years. My oldest daughter has taken a job at the end of August and she’s asked to do a sleep away camp that is two weeks long at the start of August. That is a bigger commitment for us, and for her, and I imagine we’ll be packing a fair bit more this year as a result of the two week stay, which also means more stuff that can potentially be…
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My Top Six Mother’s Day Gifts From Hallmark #Giveaways
Mother’s Day is a hard time of year when you are missing your Mom. Three years ago I lost my Mom. I miss her every day and this time of year I miss her so much my heart hurts. We did things together on Mother’s Day most years, but there are many moments now I wish I had hugged her tighter, and called her more frequently, and brought her flowers every time I saw her. That’s why I want to remind you that it’s a special time of year and you need to take time to spend it with your Mom. Buy all the Mother’s Day gifts or give her…
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5 Handmade Gift Ideas for the Preschool Teacher in Your Life
5 Handmade Gift Ideas for the Preschool Teacher in Your Life Preschool teachers do so much to help our children grow and learn. They are the educational force that helps prepare our kids for grade school, high school, and beyond. In the context of my younger daughter’s entire education so far, the preschool teachers might have had the greatest impact. My younger daughter, as some of you know, has some special needs. I talk about that here from time to time. When my daughter was very small she had a lot of trouble with socializing, so all of her helpers, the therapists and doctors and social workers too, stated clearly…
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So What is a Timeshare? Mini-series Part 1 #Travel
What is a timeshare? Know the Answer Before Investing Timeshares have been around for a long time, and everyone seems to know that they’re used for vacations, but people still often ask the question, “‘What is a timeshare?” If you’re thinking of investing in a timeshare, you need to know the answer to this question before making a decision. What is a Timeshare A timeshare is a property which is owned by multiple people or parties. Typically resort condominium units, timeshares are owned by several parties with each party being entitled to use the property for an allotted period of time. This period varies, but it is generally one week,…
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It’s almost Back to School Time. Hold Me.
shutterstock Is that the sound of my sanity snapping? I think it could be. Here I am ALMOST at the end of August. In denial? Sure. Freaking out? Absolutely. WHERE DID MY SUMMER GO? So here it is, almost back to school time. The most wonderful time of the year. Right? RIGHT?? You know that commercial with the “That Was Easy” theme. Press a button and send them back to school with new supplies and then do a little happy jig that summer is over. Well, I kind of wish they had a version of that for special needs parents. This is my back to school for special needs…
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Infertility Community Reacts to IVF Funding Announcement for Ontario #ivf4ON #onpoli
Ontario’s infertility community reacted with many emotions this week to news that IVF will soon be funded. That’s long awaited for many who took two or three jobs and sometimes used credit cards and second mortgages to be able to pay for health care treatment needed to get the health care treatment prescribed. Last Thursday, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Longterm Care Deb Matthews announced that public funding would be made available for in vitro fertilization. IVF funding is part of the draft budget officially. The funding will take place starting in 2015. An advisory committee or board will be appointed to help roll the program out. There will be…