Don’t Quit
(Author unknown. Some verses attributed to W.J.A. Rowe)
When things go wrong,
as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging
seems all uphill,
When funds are low and
the debts are high,
And you want to smile but
you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won
if he’d stuck it out.
Don’t give up, though
the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering heart;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured
the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late,
as the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell
how close you are -
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when
you’re hardest hit -
It’s when things seem worst
that you mustn’t quit.
Family Time – The Glue That Holds Families Together
With our busy life styles, finding family time can be hard. Most homes these days are two income homes. Kids are booked with activities from school to church to sports. The older the children are, the harder it seems to schedule family time with everyone in one place.
Family time is an important bonding time. It helps parents stay in touch with what is going on in their kid’s lives. It helps the children bond with each other and their parents. It is a significant element in families that is often pushed off to another time.
What qualifies as family time is up to your family. Not every family can enjoy a trip to [nmslink:Disney, Disney] or fancy resort. While these are great getaways for the family, they are not the only way to enjoy time with your family. Look for opportunities for everyday family times.
Something as simple as a family dinner is great family time. Though it is often hard to schedule, do this as often as possible. If only a few times a week, it is a great time to gather your children around the table and talk about their day, what is on their minds or things that are happening in their lives or yours. Even if only one parent can be present, show the children that you care enough to share a meal with them. A bucket of chicken with the fixings, shared together at the [nmslink:picnic table, picnic table] in the backyard, is a great family time.
Find a hobby that parents and children all enjoy. It can be stamp collect or roller hockey, just something that you all enjoy doing. You can find a new activity or enjoy an older love that you haven’t found the time to enjoy lately. The point is to share that time with family. It can be a hobby that is done at home or one that gets you all out of the house together.
Start walking or working out together with your kids. Most parents have goals of getting fitter. This may include walking, running or working out at the gym. Make this a family activity. Walking and hiking are great activities for the family to enjoy together. It is a great time to talk to your children while you are hiking along. It has the side benefit of sharing and teaching the kids about living healthy as well.
Institute a family fun night. A night at home watching movies, solving puzzles or playing [nmslink:board games, board games] is a great time for all family members. Let the kids take turns picking out the games or movies each week. Kids really enjoy these activities and doing them with Mom and Dad is even more fun.
You can turn any activity into family time, if it involves family members. Make a shopping trip a fun family time adventure. Get the kids involved. These can be bonding experiences for everyone. Show kids that you are interested in them and who they are becoming.
Visit The Real Life Guidance to Finding More Family Time
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Spring is Here – is Your Grill Ready?
If you will be shopping for a new outdoor [nmslink:grill, grill] this year, here are a few points to consider.
What will power it? Charcoal is classic and imparts a distinctive flavor, but it takes time to get it started and clean up afterward. Natural gas is the most convenient, but it takes a plumber to install it. That leaves propane, which is the most popular choice.
While there’s no denying the snob appeal of a stainless steel grill, classic black will serve you well if you aren’t installing an outdoor kitchen. Stainless steel has one big advantage though. It won’t rust if left outside all year.
The cooking surface is an important choice, according to authorities featured on CBS News.
- Chrome cooking [nmslink:grills, grills] are harder to clean and will rust.
- Porcelain-coated grills resist rusting and are easy to clean.
- Cast iron holds the heat well and evenly, but must be seasoned with cooking oil to avoid rusting.
- Porcelain-coated cast iron has the benefits of iron and is easy to clean. Use a soft brass brush to avoid scratches.
- Stainless steel grills last a long time, but don’t hold the heat as well or sear as well as cast iron.
If you are buying a two-burner gas grill, pick one with the burners in an H shape rather than an I shape for more even heating.
You will notice a BTU rating (British Thermal Units) on most grills. They range from 35,000 BTU to 45,000 or more. This is the total heat the grill will generate with all burners on. A 35,000 BTU unit will use 2 pounds of propane per hour.
Other features to consider include a stainless steel warming rack which will increase cooking area for baking or warming; a sturdy handle, a side shelf for extra space, [nmslink:rotisserie burners, rotisserie burners] and side burners.
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