photo by jarrodlombardo

DEAR SARA: I teach at a middle school, and every year, we all give gifts to the other people on our team. When I first started there, the team consisted of seven teachers, including me. This year there are 14 of us — a frugal gift-giver’s nightmare! Anyway, I feel strongly about giving something, as we are really each other’s support system throughout the year. This year, when …

I’m sick of it! Yes. I’m completely sick and tired of manufacturers overpackaging toys. It seems everywhere I look, there’s a child or parent struggling to open a toy. It’s become dangerous. You’ve been there, or maybe you’ve heard me screaming for the toolbox to get my daughter’s doll out of the packaging. This was not a simple cut-with-scissors process. Oh no! This required a screwdriver and wire cutters, and …

photo by sassy gardener

First impressions are important when trying to sell your home. Extreme changes aren’t always necessary. There are simple steps you can take to prepare your house for the market while staying within a reasonable budget. The interior plays a big role, but don’t ignore exterior modifications, such as fresh lightbulbs, an attractive mailbox and welcome mat, shiny doorknobs, a silk door wreath and window boxes, to name …

photo by pilax

Whoever said getting there is half the fun hasn’t met my crew. “Fasten your seat belts, folks. It’s going to be a bumpy ride” is my motto whenever we drive long distance.
My husband is obsessed with our turn-by-turn navigational system, and someone obviously never informed him that the co-pilot controls the radio. The kids are barely buckled into their seats when they need to use the bathroom — …