Don't Say "I'm Sorry"Written by Arleen M. Kaptur
The Holidays are a great time of year. People just seem friendlier and nostalgia permeates celebrations everywhere. It is also gift-giving time - an opportunity to show others how much you care and what they mean to you, as a family member or friend. The decision on what to give is all part of festivities. You decide on a gift that you will make - whether you knit, quilt, paint, cook, bake, etc. You pull out your very favorite recipes or patterns and think about recipient of this gift as you work. There is no limit to time and care you take - quality of ingredients (food, material, yarn, thread, paint, etc.). You want it to be your best work - and you want that person to know that you cared enough to create this "gift" because nothing else would do. You lovingly wrap your gift and when time is right - you give it. Now, two things can happen. One, "getter" is so pleased that tears of gratitude, appreciation, and love brim over and there are hugs, smiles, and heaps of "thanks." It is either proudly used or displayed for everyone to see. The second thing that could happen is that it is received politely, but with a lukewarm reception. Never you fear, you did very best job and you have a right to be proud. There are feelings in every stitch, tuck, and stroke, and "what you see" is just cover for a whole lot of feelings and emotions. This particular gift is packed - it is filled to breaking point with care and love. But - you say - they just didn't seem to like it. You also say - did they think I was cheap or money was a problem? Whether money is a problem or not is not of concern here. Cheap - not in your wildest dreams - this gift is lavish and royal with all trimmings that really count. They didn't like it - not correct either. While, yes, some beleagured individuals have become slaves to advertising campaigns and manufacturing giants' every whim and idea. These "wayward souls" are to be treated with concern. They are, as you can see, in need of some therapy, and your gift is that therapy. If you could be a flower on wallpaper in home of where your gift will reside - on that day when everything went wrong - when bad news followed more bad news - or when there was no particular reason to feel blue but you are - that quilt, blanket, afghan, sweater, etc. will be cherished, held, and be comfort and hug that you can't give personally at that particular moment. That painting or ceramic will be traced with a finger hoping to find answers to present problems, and each line and corner gives glue to a life that is falling apart. That hand-made gift, while not fully appreciated at time of giving, will be hand to hold, smile to grace a face, and lilt of joy that only precious care can bring.
| | 5 Ways To Help Your Kids Do MathWritten by Murdo Macleod
===========================================================5 Ways To Help Your Kids Do Math (c) Copyright 2003 by Murdo Macleod =========================================================== Uh oh. Your kids arrive home with their school reports and it's poor marks from math department. Now what do you do? You may not be a math teacher, but thankfully there are ways you can help your kids improve their grades. Studies have shown that children are much more likely to perform well in a subject that interests them. So here are 5 ways to get your kids excited about math and actually looking forward to next math class: 1. Inspire them. Some kids don't enjoy math because they just can't see point of it. Unlike reading or painting, all those mathematical symbols and numbers don't seem to mean anything. What you need to do is show them how important math is in real world. Tell them stories about great engineering feats throughout history. From building great pyramids of Egypt, to Hoover dam, to latest space missions to Mars, nothing would have been achieved without mathematics, and mathematicians. 2. Get practical. Involve your kids in some real world math away from classroom. Find something your child is interested in and relate it to math in some way. For example, do they like baseball? Terrific. During a game, ask them how many points losing team has to score to beat other one. And how many games do they need to win before they have enough points to win league? If they enjoy helping around home then let them do "clever stuff". Ask them to work out sizes for that wood you're going to cut. Or get them to measure out ingredients for cake you're about to bake. When you're in a store, ask your kids to add up prices and keep a running total while you shop. Then ask them how much change you should expect at checkout. 3. Take life "step-by-step". Success in math - as in life - is largely about breaking large projects down into manageable, bite-sized pieces.
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