2013-05-24T07:22:51-04:00 Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/author/index.php?author=jenna-em Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Jenna Em Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.3241104 2013-05-12T17:51:37-04:00 2013-05-12T17:51:49-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/ no gift whatsoever -- as long as I remembered to write her a heart-felt note.

Check out this list of Top 10 Gifts for Mother's Day 2013! Whether you say it with flowers, chocolates, a laptop, or a letter of appreciation, you can't go wrong--just set some special time aside for you and your mom to make her day complete!

1. Laptop Computer & Printer! For this year's Mother's Day I'm giving my awesome mom the HP Envy x2 touchscreen laptop, which converts into a stand-alone tablet! My mother's previous computer was a dinosaur with a memory in the kilobytes, and a total console weight like a baby elephant. Contrast that to the Envy, which weighs 3.1 lbs like a kitten! I'm also giving her the HP Envy 120 e all-in-one wireless printer which will allow her to print from her smartphone or new tablet. Pretty cool!

2. Netflix! My mom's all about movies, so I decided to get her a Netflix subscription too. If you think that I'm such a generous daughter, I have to admit that the first month is free. After that Netflix costs $7.99 per month, and will allow her to watch unlimited shows and movies. She'll be able to watch from her smartphone, tablet or laptop, and of course her tv. All that's missing is the popcorn!

3. A Day at the Spa! Here's a fantastic gift idea for moms that love to relax and be pampered: Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario. It's a scenic drive from Toronto, and a typical itinerary will include a Swedish massage, 3-course lunch, access to their pool, Jacuzzi, and sauna, as well as an afternoon tea! Not for the faint of wallet.

4. Jazzy Jewelry! Jewelry is an excellent present for Mother's Day, if you know mom's taste. Take a look at what type of jewelry she wears everyday, and you have a window into her soul. Try Pretty Thingz of Unionville, Ontario, who carry beautiful and inexpensive costume jewelry. For a personalized touch, Etsy sells birthstone pendant necklaces, with stones symbolizing each of mom's children.

5. Fresh Flowers! Giving flowers to mom for Mother's Day is a bit of a cliché, but they do brighten up the house, smell beautifully, and show that you remembered her special day. Select your mom's favourite flowers, and display them in a glass vase (you can buy an inexpensive vase at the Dollar Store). If you're not sure what kind of flowers to buy, roses are a safe choice, (just don't buy white ones, which are for funerals)! If you live far away from mom, you can have flowers delivered to her. Just Google "Flower Delivery" and 4.8 million choices pop up!

6. Mother's Day Brunch! It's not Mother's Day without a Mother's Day brunch! Many upscale hotels host such a brunch, often with multiple seatings from which to choose. Try Essence of Unionville restaurant, located inside Hilton Suites in Markham, Ontario. It offers a high-quality buffet including lobster, shrimp, sushi, carving, omelette and waffle stations, sausages, eggs benedict, high-end desserts and more. Just like buying a wedding ring, budget 3 months of pay to dine here (kidding)!

7. For Bookoholics! If you're mom is a bookaholic, an e-reader would make a great Mother's Day gift for her, even if she's a low-tech mom (there are many choices)! However, if she already owns a tablet, she can download a free e-reader app from either the Apple or Android store. Load your mom up with an e-gift card from Amazon or Indigo, and she can enjoy the latest books beamed directly into her device. The virtual gift card is perfect if you're looking for a last minute gift, and can be e-mailed directly to mom!

8. For Chocoholics! Nutrition is so important, but shouldn't chocolate be in a food group of its own? If your mom loves chocolate like mine does, why not get her a special box of chocolates all for herself? The Ultimate Truffle in Thornhill, Ontario carries many different flavours of truffles, including rich and chocolaty ones. My mom loves the "champagne" flavoured ones the best!

9. Mom Makeover! Moms are great, but they have a tendency to put themselves last. So why not get her a mom makeover? Inquire at a local salon about a cut, style, and make up session to complete the look. Gauge mom's interest to see if she'd also like a colour or perm! Don't forget to tell mom how ravishing she looks!

10. Family Portrait! For the mom who has everything, arrange a family portrait to commemorate Mother's Day. Have the picture blown up and mounted in an elegant frame. We moms love marking the growth and progress of our beautiful families, and this gift is like gold to us. Wal-Mart has decent portrait packages à la cheap.

How are you celebrating Mother's Day this year? What characteristics do you think make a great mom?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2972732 2013-04-02T17:39:19-04:00 2013-04-02T16:55:18-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/ Is this the year the Toronto housing market deflates?" In brief, the article discussed how we "lost" a home we loved in November 2010, due to an irrevocable deposit clause that we wouldn't accept. We've now been hunting for a home for 28 months in the Toronto housing bubble! However, last night was the first time we placed an offer in over two years -- and was the first time ever we participated in a home bidding war!

Whether you're in Ontario or in a different province, you've likely heard about Toronto and GTA housing prices. Simply stated, it's not uncommon to pay $850,000 or higher for a typical family home. I'm not joking when I say that a fixer-upper in a great area of the city is sometimes fetching over a million dollars! And this has been the way of the road for the past few years.

And with inflated housing prices as stated, would you believe that many real estate agents are also "holding offers." In essence, holding offers means that all potential buyers (through their agents) present written offers on the same specified time and date. So envision this: oodles of agents and their clients -- and cars -- descending on the same street at the very same time, fighting over the very same house! Sheer insanity!

We're very cautious with our money, and had avoided house bidding wars for years. The logic is simple: housing prices are already outrageous to begin with, so why add to the madness by competing with other potential buyers, and pushing prices further upwards? After all, the object of "holding offers" is to greatly increase the house's final selling price -- and ultimately to receive well above asking. Therefore, "holding offers" and resulting bidding wars only benefit the seller and not the buyer.

There's also a popular real estate tactic to price a home well below market value, thus creating hype and mass hysteria regarding the property. Without fail, this strategy creates a multi-offer frenzy and the home in question usually sells for well over fair market value. Some properties can sell for hundreds of thousands thousands above asking!

Anyhow, we'd avoided participating in bidding wars for over two years. As we already own a home and moving is not an urgency, we were able to delay the perhaps inevitable. Until last night. A humble family home presented itself within walking distance to our kids' school. It was a little bit more spacious than our current abode, but you wouldn't call it luxurious.

We asked our agent to put in a fair offer on the home, but then she uttered the dreaded words: "holding offers." This would mean that we'd not be able to make an offer on the home until a specified date and time. This also meant lots and lots of competition from eager buyers, as the home was priced fairly. The situation worsened when a lawn sign was erected in front of the house, advertising a weekend-long open house. Lots of house traffic to generate lots of interest!

Next, the listing agent upped his game and offered a house inspection report of the property in question, for review by all prospective buyers. The report wasn't perfect, but the home was rated "above average" in most respects. This was clearly a strategy for all bidders to put their best offers forward, and possibly waive the essential housing inspection clause. This strategy worked.

It was the morning of offer presentations and we consulted again with our real estate agent. All offers were to be registered by 5 p.m., and there was already one offer on the home. Our contract was signed and ready with a more-than-generous security deposit and above-asking offer of purchase. It was a very clean offer, even agreeing to the seller's closing date of "120 days."

My husband and I felt good about the offer, until our agent received a text message asking for a certified cheque for the security deposit -- upon presentation of offer. We couldn't fulfil this condition on such short notice, nor did we wish to. As the day wore on, there were a total of four contesting registered offers. My heart grew heavy.

The night they were accepting offers, my husband and I sat in front of our prospective home. Ten cars lined the street belonging to the five real estate agents and the five families placing bids. It truly was a spectacle, as we all sat in the dark, freezing for hours in our cars.

As we sat out in the cold, our agent received a text message from the listing agent. There would be two rounds of offers allowed for all bidders, and in both cases, we would not know if we were the high or low bidder, as per Canadian law. All bidders would be in the exact same boat. Our agent presented our offer inside the house, and then returned to our car saying that the listing agent had not provided any feedback, so we were bidding blind.

Given the favourable home inspection report, my husband and I decided to remove the house inspection clause. After the first round of bidding, we could see lights turning on in the agents' cars as the same clause was also being crossed out. Before the second round of offers, the listing agent came outside to our car and asked for some minor revisions to our offer. We asked how our offer looked compared to the others, and the agent stated "somewhere in the middle." This was the feedback we'd been seeking.

An hour later, it was time to present our second offer. Our agent went into the home with the paperwork and returned quickly. There was nothing to do now but to wait. Suddenly, some of the competing bidders and their agents drove off the street and left! The listing agent was texting those whose offers had been rejected. We were beginning to feel hopeful! Shortly after, our agent received a text message from the listing agent with the news: our offer had not been accepted. The house had sold for more than $40,000 above asking.

Although we were disappointed to have "lost" the house, another decent property turned up today in the real estate listings! There are already three offers on it, so I think we'll pass this time...

What do you think of the Toronto and GTA housing situation? What advice would you give to prospective buyers?

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2833667 2013-03-08T11:36:36-05:00 2013-05-08T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
This pain got me thinking that I was quickly becoming heavy due to poor eating habits and inactivity. The practical part of me calculated that I would soon not fit into standard sized clothing if I continued on my current path.

I began to think of our five young children, all the proper body weights--but with a frequent propensity to eating desserts and exercising too rarely. They also learned by example, and noticed when I would snack. Naturally, they also wanted to partake in the goodies being consumed by their mother. I was setting a very poor example for them, and I was ashamed.

I started by taking radical action and emptied our cupboards of candies, chips and sweets. With five kids you easily collect junk food at all special occasions, including Easter, Hallowe'en and birthday parties! My kids were not pleased that I was clearing out their stash, but I made it clear that I would not be eating sweets either. Somehow, this made it better for them.

Next, I did a healthy shopping that consisted of lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes and unprocessed poultry and meats. I decided that we would make all of our meals at home and read every food label that was to come into our home. It is uncanny how much salt most processed foods contain--and preservatives. In a past article, I mentioned how I would add a fruit and add a veggie to every single meal that I would serve my family.

Then I set out to get one hour of exercise with my family each and every day, regardless of our harsh Canadian weather. On days where it was clear of snow, we would walk. On snow days, we would toboggan. I wrote previously how I lost 15 lbs just by tobogganing. It helped tremendously that my husband was onboard with my plan, and was also an active participant in getting active and eating nutritiously.

In mid-February, I decided that I needed a more intense workout--and more structured activities for the kids. My friend suggested that I purchase a family membership to the YMCA. There was one nearby which I hadn't visited in many years.

I went to check it out and was really impressed with all the scheduled activities for both adults and kids, up-to-date amenities, and the cleanliness of the facilities. The monthly membership fee for my family of seven was only $110 per month. For my husband and I, the price included access to the extensive gym, pool, scheduled activities, and fitness classes. Swimming lessons, martial arts and dance lessons were included for all five of my kids with this membership!

The "Y" offered a 2-week free trial so we could see if it suited our lifestyle. I really enjoyed it from the very beginning and found the staff and patrons friendly and welcoming. On Family Day, the YMCA ran a promotion that waived the sign up fee--and my family decided to become members at that time.

I like that I have been able to try new things at the "Y" such as yoga, spinning class, step and arriba classes. Although I am new to these types of fitness, I have tried to keep an open mind and just do my very best each and every time. I have challenged myself by doing 30 minutes of elliptical and treadmill during my workouts, as well as stomach crunches and weight-assisted chin ups. It has made me feel empowered. My kids have enjoyed swimming at the "Y", the sports classes, and the bouncy castle that gives them a trampoline-style workout. I like that we are together as a family and active.

And now nine weeks have passed since I first embarked upon healthier eating and more robust physical activity for my family. So far in this short time I have lost one clothing size just by eating more nutritiously and becoming more active. My husband is looking well-toned and lean, and is almost at his target weight. I can see great improvement in my kids too: not only have they all toned up, but they are not asking for junk food very often. I am pleased of the decision we made to get our family on track, and look forward to continuing on this journey together!

Are you at your target fitness level? What do you do to try to stay active? Do you need to make any changes to your eating habits or physical activity level?

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2762657 2013-02-27T17:14:46-05:00 2013-04-29T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
My husband and I really wanted to take our own five young kids to Walt Disney World. Although we had wanted to wait until our youngest was about three years old for the trip, we decided to go early when our youngest was two and a half years old. My husband really got the itch to go, and who was I to say no? It turned out that all five of our kids were a great age to visit Disney: from ages two and a half to seven!

We planned our trip for early December 2012, right before the rush of Christmas break. This turned out to be a good strategy, as the Disney parks were lively, but lineups for rides were reasonable! As we were travelling as a large group of eight family members (including my mom), we opted to rent a house about 10 minutes away from Disney. Of course, with lodging outside of Disney, we had to rent a van, which was an additional expense. But we did like the freedom that our vehicle afforded on non-Disney days.

Although we were staying in Orlando for one week, we decided to visit Disney for only four of these days. Travelling with five little kids, we thought that we should set aside a few days to rest, or anticipate that one of those days someone might get sick. Although none of the kids ever got sick, planning days to rest was a good strategy. And this was essential for my mom, who on a fluke fell and hurt her knee. (She attended only three out of four Disney days, as a result. She's OK now!)

Once we were at Disney, we decided that we would do Disney in this order:
Day 1 - Magic Kingdom,
Day 2 - Animal Kingdom,
Day 3 - Hollywood Studios, and
Day 4 - Magic Kingdom again.

Looking back, I was pleased how this schedule worked out. The Magic Kingdom was completely targeted toward my kids' age group, and there was enough to see on two separate days. In fact, I think there was only one ride that we ended up repeating, due to personal fondness (the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride)!

My family had such a great time at Disney, that my kids are still talking about it two months later -- and constantly asking to go back! I was surprised by how many "adult" rides the kids could go on. In the Magic Kingdom, my youngest was permitted on the Barnstormer roller coaster, and my four-year-old went on the Space Mountain roller coaster. In Hollywood Studios, my four-year-old went on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror drop elevator ride & the dinosaur wild time rover ride! My seven-year-old went on his first roller coaster ever: the Aerosmith rock band upside down roller coaster that reaches 4.5g! Disney does big fun.

There is so much to say about Disney, including the awesome rides, the exciting shows, the thrill of the parks, the parades, the fireworks, how clean the park is, and how customer service is a priority of each and every staff member at Disney. I could say this all, but I will sum it up at this: we had originally planned to go back to Disney in 2014, but our family had such a great time, that we will likely be coming back to Disney this year in 2013! It's that good!

MY 10 TIPS FOR DOING DISNEY!
Here are some tips I will pass on to you, if you are planning a Disney vacation!

1.STROLLER -- Bring a single stroller (or double stroller), even if your kids are too old for it. Your kids will get hot and tired and need to rest. The stroller also doubles as a great place to hold your water, extra clothing and souvenirs.

2.EARLY -- Get to Disney early, and plan to have parked BEFORE the gates open. The parking lots fill up quickly, and this will guarantee you a good parking spot. If you are taking the Monorails, still arrive early, and you will have your choice of rides with NO line-ups!

3.MAP -- Study the Disney map BEFORE you go to Disney, and decide which rides and shows your family cannot bear to miss. When you are at the gate, get a paper map of Disney and bring it with you throughout your visit.

4.PLAN -- Some shows and events are offered at only certain times and only on certain days, so plan your trip strategically and you can see everything. For example, the Star Wars live show in Hollywood Studios requires that you line up at ABC Studios to secure your child a position in the show. By 9 a.m. when my family went, all the spots were filled up until the 3 p.m. show. Get there early to avoid disappointment.

5.PHOTOPASS -- Get the Disney PhotoPass. It's free and will collect all the photos together that were taken of your family at the parks in Disney. Even if you don't end up buying any of the photos, you can create greeting cards and send them with your Disney photos.

6.CAMERA -- If you opt against the Disney PhotoPass, your family can still have photos taken with the Disney characters using your own camera. It's a great way to get a photo of the entire group, so don't forget your camera!

7.CHARACTERS -- Get your photos taken with the Disney characters, easily found on the Disney map that you can pick up at the front gates. Yes, there are often line ups, but your kids will be thrilled by meeting their favourite characters, and the photos make an incredible souvenir. The characters will also sign your child's autograph book! My husband wanted to skip the characters throughout the parks, due to the wait time, but now he is so enjoying looking back at the photos that we collected. Such great memories!

8.BRING -- Bring lots of water as you'll get thirsty, bring lightweight raincoats just in case it rains ($1-$2 at the Dollar Store), and don't forget to bring a few sun-protective hats and sunscreen for the whole family (it can get hot at Disney)! As stated above, bring a camera of cellphone with good camera. And of importance, bring cell phones along for your group, in case you need to communicate. Arrange a good roaming plan with your cell phone provider before your trip to Disney.

9.STICK TOGETHER -- Watch your child at Disney, as the parks get busy and a child could wander off and become lost. If you have a toddler, keep your child buckled into a stroller between rides or shows. Dress your child in brightly coloured clothing so they will be easy to spot in a crowd (ie: florescent yellow, green, etc). You can dress your entire group in the same colour, so you're all easy to spot in a crowd! Have a meet up plan in case members of your party get separated, and ensure your whole group knows the plan. Tell younger children if they go missing to find a staff member at a ride, restaurant, boutique, etc. Keep a paper photograph of your child in your wallet, in case they get lost.

10.MY BEST TIP -- FAST PASS! You can skip the line ups without paying for it! Simply insert your Disney pass into the Fast Pass kiosk, and it will spit out a ticket telling you to return at a later time. During this time, you can eat lunch, see another show, or even go on a completely different ride! This is a little known fact, but when you return at the designated Fast Pass time, you completely skip the line and go straight on the ride. BONUS -- Sometimes when you go to the Fast Pass kiosk, it will spit out a second Fast Pass ticket as a bonus! So, when my family went to get a Fast Pass for The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh ride, we got a second Fast Pass for the Dumbo ride! There was next to NO waiting involved! I believe you can only request Fast Pass for one ride at a time. Once your Fast Pass expires, you can request a new Fast Pass again.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2726832 2013-02-21T07:23:44-05:00 2013-04-23T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
Meanwhile in the kitchen, multiple pears and apples had been removed from the refrigerator. All had bites taken from them, and yet none were finished. This was the handiwork of my sons, two- and three-years old. A memory was instantly called up of a new puppy I once owned, who ate my shoes, jewelry and baseboard -- also in only five minutes. There was definitely a commonality between the dog and my boys.

Suddenly, I began putting together the pieces of the puzzle: new toys broken -- no, decimated -- in under 60 seconds; clothing cut up with scissors; unfinished food smashed with a toy "hammer"; scribbles on my wall and ripped down wallpaper; purposely torn pages in books, and the painting of the house with bright pink nail polish. It then became clear that my children had been displaying destructive behaviour, and if I did not put my foot down, my house would become a zoo!

Here are some steps I put in place to get my house back, which I call SCABS for short: Supervision, Consequences, Activities, Boredom and Segregation.

Supervision -- It's inevitable that when the cat's away, the mouse will play. So, if you're a parent with young kids, then that private shower or bathroom break will have to wait until the kids are in bed. An unsupervised child will find all kinds of ways to entertain himself, which is why supervision is essential to ward off destructive behaviour!

Consequences -- Newton's third Law of Physics states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. So, if my kids are displaying destructive behaviour, I will find a fitting punishment to match the infraction. For example, a child shredding copious amounts of paper and throwing the shreds onto the floor, will have to pick up all torn remnants. In addition, there will be no more paper offered the next day. The same would ring true for a child caught drawing on a wall: the perpetrator will have to scrub down the desecrated wall with a magic eraser -- and no crayons will be available the following day.

Activities -- As a child, my parents never scheduled activities for my brother and I, and yet we entertained ourselves happily. However, as the mother of children who will destroy the house when left to their own devices, scheduled activities are important -- if I want to keep the house in one piece! Some great activities to keep the kids happily engaged include outdoor play, drawing, reading, writing and problem solving (ie: jigsaw puzzles).

Boredom -- From my Ph.D in Parenthood, I have learned that a bored child is a destructive child. Watch for boredom, as it is your enemy. When my kids get bored, they like to stick pencils through my kitchen chairs, tear up my bedroom, and stuff entire boxes of Kleenex into the toilet bowl. Combat boredom with some of the activities, listed above.

Segregation -- If you have kids that are three years old or younger, a safety gate that divides off sections of your home is a great way to set boundaries -- and keep personal possessions safe. After three years old though, all bets are off -- as the little darlings then learn to open or climb over the gate. Regardless of age, all kids should be taught what areas of the home are off-limits, and where they are allowed to play. The same can be said for what they may play with.

Have your kids ever demonstrated destructive behaviour? How did you manage it?

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2673329 2013-02-13T17:39:22-05:00 2013-04-15T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
I began getting active with my kids by taking one-hour daily walks, regardless of the weather that January blew my way. I got my kids bundled up in snowsuits, and this worked well until our first major snowfall in the Greater Toronto Area. Then, with sidewalks obstructed by snow, I decided to take my exercise to the toboggan hill!

Did you know that you burn 476 calories per hour by sledding? It sounds unbelievable, doesn't it, as it's a recumbent sport enjoyed on your derrière! And I wouldn't have believed it either, until my clothing began to fall off me due to a 15-pound weight loss! The sled ride downhill is simple, a piece of cake, but the walk up a snowy hill on an incline is a workout for leg and butt muscles. Even the repetitive motion of standing up and sitting down on the sled works abs, quads, hamstrings and butt combined! I did this sledding exercise routine five days per week, an hour each day, and started seeing results in just two weeks.

The kinds of results I began to see were slimmer legs, a disappearing backside, a leaner-looking face and an overall slimmer look. In addition, I noticed an increase in my flexibility -- and a decrease in my hip and waist size. Now, at the six-week mark, friends and family alike have noticed a change in my physique. It's a great feeling knowing that this change has been due to my increased activity level and improved nutrition.

With respect to my kids, they've enjoyed our time tobogganing together! For them, it has been a thrill-packed morning of outdoor play, laughter and fun! For me, it has been a great time to bond with my kids, enjoy the snow -- and regale in exercise disguised as play.

To parents of young kids, I know it's not easy to find time to be active. As a parent, it's easy to put oneself last and quickly lose sight of personal health and fitness goals. Although being sedentary can become a habit, it doesn't have to be. And finding a way to being active with your children doesn't have to be difficult.

For those who want to try my "Sledding Workout" I should note I also cut out junk food from my diet, and ate nutritiously and moderately throughout this timeframe. Although my diet definitely went hand-in-hand with my exercise regime, it's definitely the sledding that has toned and shaped my body. On days where there was insufficient snow to toboggan, I substituted my routine with a one-hour walk instead. Although I sometimes used a five-seat wood toboggan for my workout, I eventually streamlined to red Crazy Carpet plastic sleds.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2618178 2013-02-08T12:46:26-05:00 2013-04-10T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
1.Shaken, Not Stirred! If there's anything that James Bond has taught me, it's that every classic cocktail tastes better when shaken, never stirred! This includes a vesper or vodka martini, scotch and soda, vodka and tonic, Americano, Old-Fashioned, Stinger and Mojito! So please make mine shaken, not stirred!

2. Spot the Villain! Contrary to my politically correct upbringing, James Bond films have taught me that you can always spot the bad guys just by looking at physical attributes. To uncover a villain, look for bleeding tear ducts and heterochromia iridis--eyes of two different colours (Skyfall's Le Chiffre), a face full of embedded diamonds (Die Another Day's Zao), or a bald guy in an oversized leather, chair stroking a fluffy white cat (You Only Live Twice's Ernst Stavro Blofeld)!

3. Well-Dressed! James Bond has taught me to always be well-dressed, whether driving a motorcycle across rooftops, clocking a bad guy on top of a moving train, or plunging to my near death in a river below (Skyfall). Of course, a dinner jacket and bowtie are à propos for gentlemen at the casino, or as a prelude to a love scene!

4. Cool Cars! I owe my cool car vocabulary to every James Bond film I ever saw: Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Octopussy), Aston Martin DB5 (Goldfinger), Bentley Mark IV (From Russia with Love), BMW Z8 (The World is Not Enough), Jaguar XJ (Skyfall) and Lotus Formula 3 (Casino Royale). Of course my own car does not turn invisible or shoot rockets like Bond's Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (Die Another Day), but hey, I drive a minivan!

5. Gadgets! Without James Bond films, I would've never heard about a garrotte wristwatch that can strangle villains (From Russia With Love), or a Walther PPK 7.65mm gun for personal protection (Dr. No). Needless to say, I'd rather take an AMC Matador flying car any day, than wait an hour to go through airport security (The Man With the Golden Gun)! Okay, I could've used a pair of Jaws' metal teeth to bite through our overcooked Thanksgiving Turkey (The Spy Who Loved Me)!

6. Bond Girls Are Expendable! I've learned that bodacious Bond Girls have the survival rate of say, a mouse inside a boa constrictor's mouth! And if you sleep with James Bond, or cross one of his enemies, you're going to end up dead and naked, sprayed from head-to-toe in gold paint (Goldfinger); get shot in the head before your honeymoon (On Her Majesty's Secret Service); be dead on a bed covered in an oil slick (Skyfall); or be found dead and strangled in a beach hammock (Skyfall). For Bond Girls, the prospects are kind of slim!

7. Sometimes Hydrogen Cyanide Doesn't Work! I recently learned from Skyfall, that if MI6 sends you on a dangerous mission and it gets ugly, you'd better be certain that your secret tooth filled with Hydrogen Cyanide works. Otherwise, you might end up like Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), and have a face that looks like it's melting.

8. Never Use a Flashlight at Night (when pursued by bad guys)! Okay, here's another lesson taken from the recent Bond film, Skyfall. What child hasn't been busted by a parent, when the telling glare of the flashlight gives away nighttime reading? Same concept here when villains with crazy weapons are pursuing you: remember to turn the flashlight OFF, even if you're in a Scottish moor at night! Duh!

9. MI6!Okay, the James Bond series have taught me all about MI6, Britain's top secret spy agency. Which brought me to do a search of MI6, and by the way they're hiring! If you're a British citizen, you actually can get a gig as an "Intelligence Officer", and it pays about $100,000 per year! Try this quiz to see if you're well-suited to be a MI6 spy!

10. Laugh in the Face of Adversity! One of the greatest things I've learned from James Bond films is to laugh in the face of adversity! In Casino Royale (2006 version), James Bond is tortured by Le Chiffre. He has been stripped naked and is strapped to a seatless chair. Le Chiffre is using a thick rope to whip Bond's, uh...boys. Regardless of the discomfort that ensues, Bond manages to make light and instruct the villain how to whip him properly! Laughter is the best medicine!

Check out all of the 007 Bond Girls -- then and now.

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2568363 2013-01-31T15:04:25-05:00 2013-04-02T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
It took me several attempts to download the Vine app, but finally there was the emerald green icon with the white cursive "V" on my iPhone desktop. I registered a Vine account using my Twitter profile (you can also register using e-mail), and I was ready to go! (The app also works on iPad.)

The first thing I did after registering an account with Vine, was learn how to use it! To use the video app, you touch anywhere on the screen and it records. Remove your finger, the recording stops. This allows the user to film multiple "scenes" with Vine, or opt for one seamless video (if you don't remove your finger from the screen). There are no zoom in or zoom out functions on the Vine app.

Next, I checked out what other users had created using Vine. There was a lot of stop motion videos (teddy bears moving across a bed); hand-drawn animation video shorts, including "flip-book" type animations; time-lapse videos (a rose growing); how to videos (how to bake brownies, a soufflé, etc); before and after videos (showing the before and after of clearing snow off of a car), and videos that showed a sequence of events (dog sees ball, ball chases ball, dog brings back ball).

Ever the app junky, I set out to try Vine. My first movie was very simple, comprised of only 2 scenes of my computer screen--and me narrating in the background. With enthusiasm I completed my video, only to find that the app froze and would not progress to the next step of uploading it. Sadly enough, if the app freezes, then the completed video is lost. This happened several times, but I persevered and refilmed my Vine video.

Finally, my video uploaded and I was given the choices to share to Facebook, Twitter, Vine or all--and put a brief message to accompany my clip. I was surprised by how quickly the video loaded to all 3 networks, as I had heard that it had been taking 30 minutes to upload to Twitter. My video appeared immediately on all fronts.

Pleased to have my first movie on the Vine, I embarked on my second video clip. I encountered the same issues as previously mentioned: my movie would not upload and I had to refilm it about 6 times. Finally my video uploaded--it was a simple video of me flipping through kids' book titles--and the app would not allow me to add any text or tags to the clip. So I sent out the video through the Vine, an unlabelled, unsearchable video clip in a huge "Vineyard".

Despite some of the technical difficulties I've mentioned with Vine, (and the recent issue with porn appearing on Vine's home page as an "Editor's Choice), I found the app addictive and offering more potential than it may seem at first. Yes, some may argue that Vine is a dumbed down version of video as we've know it for eons, but I view Vine as a kind of game. The rules to Vine are to complete a video in 6 seconds exactly, but to create a storyline that is persuasive enough to get others to respond to it via Social Media. Whether that response be a comment, a "happy face" (akin to a Facebook like), a "follow" to the user account, or a share via Facebook--or retweet on Twitter--that is the kind of response I am talking about.

This is where all the advertising social media types will get excited and put their brands up on the Vine! After all, a 6-second clip for Coca Cola showing someone thirsty, and then refreshed with a Coke, is very impactual, and a perfect candidate for this media. Same if McDonald's were to put up a video at lunchtime, showing a hungry dude knocking back a Big Mac burger. Hey, give me the advertising dollars and I'll even make your brand a 6-second Vine video!

All joking aside, this kind of creative challenge with a 6-second canvas isn't easy, and it's definitely not an app for the uninspired. To create a persuasive storyline in such a small timescale requires thought and planning. If you're skilled, you can tell a multi-episodic tale in those few seconds and become a mini cinematographer (by multi-episodic, I mean you can tell the story of Lord of the Rings trilogy in 6 seconds)! Vine is a powerful tool and a slice of life; encompassing thought, emotion and mood--when used to its full potential.

What do you think of Vine? Have you tried it? Follow Jenna Em on Vine via SnyMed!]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2496594 2013-01-18T07:58:16-05:00 2013-03-20T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
1. Add a Veggie, Add a Fruit! -- This is such a simple step, but has been important in building my family's nutrition level. What this strategy entails is adding at least one veggie and one fruit to every meal that my family consumes. It goes something like this: boneless skinless chicken breast, with a side of green beans, and cantaloupe for dessert. Just by adding this strategy to each family meal, it ensures that my family gets at least six servings of veggies and fruit per day.


2. There's No Place Like Home! -- Any way you slice it, homemade food is healthier. Whether it's a homemade soup, stew, roast or simple sandwich. By making meals at home instead of purchasing heavily processed or take-out food, I control the salt, sugar, fat and preservatives going into the family meal! This strategy has allowed my husband and I plan out the nutrition of each family meal, and make it from scratch most days.

3. Foods that Pack a Punch! -- In my quest to make my family healthier, my strategy has been to regularly serve foods that "pack more punch" (those higher in vitamins and minerals than the average food). Some of these widely available foods have been broccoli, carrots, blueberries, mangoes, salmon, chicken, liver, and beans, to name just a few. I've had no objections from my kids, as I've been sure to offer a mix of their favourites!


4. Snacking Strategically -- I found that my kids would always gravitate toward sweets after supper time. They were programmed to believe that if they finished their dinner and displayed good behaviour, then they'd be rewarded with a treat. So I've changed that mindset by implementing dessert a few times weekly, and not necessarily offering it after dinner time. If the kids are still snack-ish in the evening, my husband and I break out healthier choices like a sliced apple or pear.

5. Portion control -- Serving large portions is not just bad for the body due to the excess, but it's also more costly, and can create food waste when the portion is too big to manage (especially among kids). So, I've cut down on portion size for my entire family, offering an extra serving for those who are still hungry after the meal. This strategy has been successful in combating overeating in my household, and has proven that moderation is key!

6. All For One, and One For All! -- It has been wonderful that my husband and I've embarked on this health and wellness journey together, so our vision of a healthier family is aligned. I'm aware that getting one's family onboard to eat better and exercise more regularly is not always easy, but having such a support system in place really helps contribute to the success of such a strategy!

7. The Family That Plays Together, Stays Together! -- The Canadian winter can be long and cold, but I strategized to get out and active with my family this year -- regardless of the weather. When we had snow, this meant tobogganing as a family; and with the milder weather we've taken long walks together, albeit bundled up in parkas and snowsuits! My aim has been to get 60 minutes of family exercise every day.

8. Housework Hijinks! -- Although this may not be the most popular option, one of my strategies has been to get my family more active around the house via housework. Don't underestimate the power of vigorously vacuuming, hefting laundry baskets up and down the stairs, and scouring the bathtub! For rock hard abs, get the kid's to pick up their toys and books off the floor -- standing in an upright position! Organize them into two teams, and it becomes a game -- with the added bonus of a cleaner house!

9. Mall Walking! -- I find that mall walking can be a good source of exercise for my family, especially in the colder winter months. My strategy has been to walk the mall's entire circuit, in order to stretch out the exercise. Did you know that many malls open early and have a Mall Walking Programme? It's a great way to stay fit for free in the extreme Canadian climate.

10. A Choice to Be Active & Healthy! -- It's a choice to be active or remain sedentary. Let's face it, it's easier for the family to be sedentary in the harsh Canadian winter, and choose to hibernate until the spring. It's also easy to choose unhealthy comfort foods during these cold, long days, instead of nutritious food choices. However, good health isn't just a number on the scale; it's an elevated mental and physical state. And with strategies like these in place, it's a choice you can "actively" make for your family!

Have you followed through with any resolutions this year to eat better and stay more active? Please leave a comment below!

LOOK: 10 of the healthiest (and tastiest) snacks to munch on in between meals
]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2438334 2013-01-09T17:23:52-05:00 2013-03-11T05:12:01-04:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
Little did we know that the seller of our prospective property had been burned before, and as a result would put unconventional clauses into the buyer agreement. We came in with a fair offer very close to the seller's asking price, and a closing date in line with the preference indicated in the sell sheet (90 days). But the seller wasn't pleased, and asked that we close instead within 60 days -- and waive the housing inspection entirely! (The proposed house purchase price was acceptable.)

My husband and I agreed to the 60-day closing, although we still had to ready our own house for sale, and offered a quick housing inspection within 48 hours. The seller still wasn't satisfied -- we'd kept in the housing inspection clause, after all. So the seller came back asking for a 30-day closing date and an irrevocable security deposit. (For those unfamiliar with irrevocable deposits, it means that if the deal goes sour, the buyer loses their entire deposit!) Unwilling to take such a big financial risk, we walked away from the house, heartbroken. The house was later sold to people who waived the house inspection, agreed to a 30-day closing -- and paid the seller less than we'd originally offered them.

There seemed to be no justice, as after we "lost" the purchase of the family home, housing prices in the GTA began to rise at an exponential rate. It wasn't long before houses originally priced at $650K ballooned to $850K! This included an identical home on the same street as the one we had bid on, which received multiple offers over its first few days on the market, and sold for well above asking. My husband and I couldn't believe that simple family homes in the GTA could sell at the same prices that mansions used to!

But we didn't give up: We kept looking through the house listings that our real estate agent e-mailed us; kept prospecting the streets in desirable neighbourhoods; and kept visitng houses of interest with our agent. No matter how hard we tried, we encountered three commonalities in the GTA housing market: the houses available were smallish, these same houses were priced very high, and said houses received multi-offers on the first day of listing the property.

My husband and I refused to participate in multi-offer situations, and more importantly, refused to pay an over-inflated price. After all, we already had a great family home that we'd purchased 15 years earlier -- and at a fantastic price! It didn't even matter that a neighbour had sold a house identical to our own for $300K more than we'd paid in the late 1990s. The truth became evident: There was just not an appropriate home for us in the current GTA real estate market. Well, not at our price point anyway.

Fast forward 26-months later, and my husband and I are still hunting for our family home. Although we haven't found one yet, there's good news: As of January 2013 there's been a gradual, but noticeable, drop in the GTA housing market prices, compared to prices at the peak of the housing bubble. There also seems to be more "house" for the money now, and a resale home may very well be in reach for my family in 2013.

And although it doesn't seem that 2013 will be the year that the GTA housing bubble bursts (as prices have not returned to those of November 2010 and prior), prices are definitely leveling out. And this will mean more equal opportunities for both sellers and buyers alike.

Do you think that 2013 will be the year that the GTA housing bubble will burst? Please weigh in by leaving a comment, below.






]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2013:/theblog//3.2395557 2013-01-02T08:56:12-05:00 2013-03-04T05:12:01-05:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
Truth be told, I like the way a book feels in my hands, as I am lounging on a hot sunny beach during winter vacation. I like the weight of the book, and that the thickness of the book diminishes as I dive deeper into the tome. And I like the reward of flipping a page to mark my progress, and the passage of time. And in terms of aesthetics, I love falling in love with the cover of the book that I am about to read for the very first time. I also like bending back pages, inserting a bookmark, cracking the spine, and the new book smell.

But does reading have to be tied into the tactile sensations that I've mentioned, even though it's meant to be a cerebral experience?

Reading on my smartphone, tablet or e-reader doesn't give me the same thrill as reading an old-fashioned paper book. I don't like that the thickness of the device never varies, or the feeling of being a hamster on a wheel, as I make unchanging progress in the book. Although I see that the page number is advancing as I read, the antiquated part of me wants to see and feel physical evidence, in respects to a thicker front half of the book, and a thinner back half! To me, these are the "perils" of an e-reader, which won't be faced by the newest generation -- born with an iPod, instead of a silver rattle.

I've concluded that despite the tactile experiences that I enjoy while reading paperbacks, I'd much rather peruse e-books and do my research online. The idea of visiting a library and treasure-hunting through stacks of books for information, just holds no appeal to me. I simply don't have the time or interest. After all, an e-reader fits an entire library of books, magazines and newspapers into the device itself -- and is just as portable as the average paper book! Why would I stop by the bookstore, or visit the local library, when I can download the latest books in seconds or minutes? And must we really chop down forests of trees in the pursuit of paper books?

So back to the original question: does society need paper books any more? Paper books are so ingrained in us and our collective unconscious, that I doubt that they'll ever fully disappear from society. As a people, we're sentimentalists and historians -- and books will live on, if only for a memory or a relic. However, in the industrialized world, virtual books are the tidal wave washing over our bookstores, libraries, workforces, schools and families. So to answer the question, no, society doesn't need paper books any more and they're quickly on their way out. And we've now arrived at their final chapter...

What do you think? Does society need paper books any more? Do you read e-books, paper books or a combination thereof? Please leave a comment below!

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2362465 2012-12-25T17:23:37-05:00 2013-02-24T05:12:01-05:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
1.Nair Who Wears Short Shorts? This commercial featured a singing group of young women who danced and pranced around with smooth, silky legs -- thanks to Nair hair remover! Beauty still sells products, but you don't see the singing so much anymore! "Who Wears Short Shorts? We wear short shorts! If you dare wear short shorts, get Nair for short shorts!"

2.Faberge Organics: I told two friends & they told two friends This was one of the earIiest commercials that I recall that featured the "screen-splitting" special effect. It started as a single frame of a beautiful woman on the screen, and her image kept splitting and multiplying into many of the same women. This woman liked Faberge Organics so much, that she told two friends about the product, then they told two friends, "and so on, and so on." Need I say that the commercial was parodied a great deal!

3.Be Very Careful Don't Cook Your Goose! Here's a child's game that I recently picked up again at a garage sale. The game was a cooking "pot" with a swinging board on which to balance little colored geese. The player who could keep their geese from falling into the pot was the winner. As the commercial panned to happy children playing the game, the jingle chirped "Be very careful don't cook your goose! Don't cook your goose! Don't cook your goose!"

4.Welch's Tired of Orange? Turn Purple! A bored little boy sat in an entirely orange kitchen. He wore an orange T-shirt, had an orange table napkin, orange kitchen fixtures all around him -- and a tall glass of orange juice. "Tired of orange?" a voice queried, "Turn purple!" Suddenly all the elements in the commercial turned purple, including the little boy's T-shirt and his kitchen. Of course, the glass of orange juice transformed into a glass of Welch's Grape Juice -- and the little boy's frown was corrected with a smile! Way to go, Welch's!

5. Eno: When indigestion is the burning question I was just a child, so obviously not taking antacid tablets, but I still remember the Eno commercial to this day. "When indigestion is the burning question, get fast relief with Eno! When your stomach says no, take Eno! Ahh!" My friends and I took turns making the "Ahh" sound!

6.Alka-Seltzer The market for indigestion products must have been really competitive when I was a child, because I also fondly remember one commercial for Alka-Seltzer. Various parodies also sprung from this one jingle. "Plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a relief it is!" The demonstrative nature of the commercial was also memorable: two white tablets were dropped into a glass of water and began fizzing impressively! I've always been a sucker for a demonstration! There were many different versions of this commercial, starting in the 1960s.

7.Zips Sneakers I can still remember this commercial, although my parents refused to buy me these sneakers. Zips claimed that "they make your feet run faster." (Try that claim today without getting slapped with a class action lawsuit!) The commercial showed children wearing their Zips sneakers as they participated in various fun activities. The signature of Zips was a child drawing a big "Z" in the sand using their Zips sneakers! Oh, how many times did my friends and I draw that very same Z in our sandbox!

8.It's Slinky! Most everyone has heard of Slinky, the metal accordion toy! I remember watching the commercial with fascination as the Slinky slunk down an entire flight of stairs. Meanwhile the jingle goes something like this: "It's Slinky, it's Slinky! For fun it's a wonderful toy! Fun for a girl or a boy!"

9.Life Cereal: he likes it! Hey Mikey! I had to look up the commercial to find out it was for Life cereal, but I do remember the rest of the commercial. Two young brothers sat at the breakfast table, and didn't want to try Life cereal because they heard it was good for them. So they decided to pawn it off on their little brother Mikey, who apparently hated everything. But surprise, Mikey immediately started eating and savouring the cereal. So one brother intoned in disbelief: "He likes it! Hey Mikey!" Another widely parodied commercial.

10. My Little Pony Pretty Parlour My Little Pony is still going strong to this day, but I remember when it was called My Pretty Pony. This commercial showed little girls playing with their My Little Ponies and dressing them and styling their hair in a "Pretty Parlour" -- kind of like a plastic toy stable. Don't quote me, but the jingle goes something like this: "My Little Pony Pretty Parlor! You can pretty up your pony there! My Little Pony Pretty Parlor! My Little Pony has pretty hair!"

]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2306495 2012-12-15T08:22:47-05:00 2013-02-14T05:12:01-05:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/ Newtown, Connecticut slaying of 20 primary school children aged 5-10 years old--and six of their teachers and principal. Although it's easy to be blindsided by the heinous crime that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School, let's ask ourselves if the same could happen at our child's school -- and what steps can be taken to prevent a similar tragedy?

Security - Is your child's school "secure"? By secure, I mean are all outside entrances locked (or gated) to visitors without security passes or security entry panel codes? Although such a measure may not have stopped the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School, it would definitely prevent some crimes from happening.

Screening - Does the school office have a live video feed of who is trying to gain access to your child's school? People who have a good reason to gain entry to the school could be buzzed inside, and others would be turned away. A live video feed, although not effective for concealed threats, would make apparent any obvious threats like unconcealed weapons.

Office View - Do all entrances in your child's school lead immediately to the school office? Does the office have a clear view of every person who walks through each entrance? If not, what system is in place to prevent a stranger from strolling and trolling unnoticed through your child's school? From all the schools I have ever visited, this seems to be one of the major weaknesses in the system.

Emergency Preparedness - Does your child's school have an emergency preparedness plan in place to lockdown the school if need be, and how effective is it? The same can be asked of an emergency evacuation plan? The steps that your child's school is taking in case of a threatening situation should be discussed with both parents and students -- and students and teachers alike should regularly have practice drills on the emergency procedure. There should be a special signal that teachers learn, either verbal (ie: Code Silver) and/or a special auditory signal to quickly classify and publicize the threat to the school body.

911 - Does your child's classroom have a telephone to the outside world in case there is an imminent threat? Do both teachers and students alike have permission to dial out to 911 if there is a threat? It seems that many classrooms are merely connected to a Public Announcement system that leads to the school's office. A teacher's cell phone would not be considered sufficient in lieu of a classroom landline.

Safety Equipment & Safe House - Does all the safety equipment work properly in your child's school? This would include the Public Announcement system, emergency exit signs and lights, and the fire bell. Does the school have a "safe house" area, like a gymnasium with no windows and a door that can be fortified? Having a safe house area in the school is essential for a variety of situations, not only for a gunman on the loose.

Stranger Danger - People who are known threats to the school should be made public to all staff. This includes people with restraining orders, those who've had past negative confrontations with the students, parents or staff, and those with a history of unusual behavior. Students should also be taught about "Stranger Danger" and told to avoid all non-staff members that are present in or outside of the school--and to report strangers to a teacher.







]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2271641 2012-12-11T00:46:55-05:00 2013-02-09T05:12:01-05:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
BLOG CONTINUES AFTER THE SLIDESHOW



1. Don't Forget the Batteries! -- One of my favourite Dollar Store purchases during the Holidays is packs of batteries! For $1, you can buy four-packs of batteries in various sizes. I like to buy an arsenal of AA and C batteries to include with all the battery-powered toys that I gift. True, the Dollar Store battery life is less, but compare at 4 times more!

2. Licensed Disney Items! -- Dollar Stores like Dollarama carry LOTS of licensed Walt Disney items for $1 to $2. Some items include kids' Disney Princess and Toy Story notepads, pens, stickers, colouring books, and juvenile underwear. I love the metal Cars 2 and Disney Fairies waste baskets, which can be used as a Holiday gift basket and loaded with goodies! They are actually very good quality!

3. Holiday Greeting Cards! -- It's old news that the Dollar Store sells greeting cards for $1, but did you know that they also sell licensed cards for the same price? Your child will be delighted with a Transformers, Littlest Pet Shop, Backyardigans or Superheroes card! And just $1!

4. Festive Party Supplies! -- At only $1-$2 for plates, cutlery, napkins, streamers, wrapping paper, bows, ribbon and Holiday gift bags, how can you go wrong? You'll pay four times more at a party speciality store!

5. Seasonal Holiday Items -- Sometimes it's the little things that can really add up! How can you go wrong with a $1-$2 toque, mittens, scarf, ski mask, Christmas stockings and car ice scraper? Worry about Dollar Store quality? This will be our fourth winter season wearing a Dollar Store hat!

6. Holiday Treats! -- Chocolate bars and boxes of festive Life Savers make a great stocking stuffer at .50c to .67c each! Having an office party? Doritos chips and Smartfood popcorn regularly sell for about 50 per cent less at the Dollar Store!

7. Magic Erasers! -- If you're getting your home ready for the Holidays, use Magic Eraser Dollar Store knock-offs to get scuffs, crayons and pencil marks off your walls! They only cost $1 per three-pack and really do the same job as the real thing. The brand name sell for over $4 -- and you only get a two-pack!

8. A Christmas Surprise! -- Although I don't recommend these as I personally find them to be unreliable, yes, pregnancy tests can be purchased at $1 per stick.

9. Socks & Underwear for the Holidays! -- The Dollar Store has a decent underwear aisle for both women and juniors. The kids' undies are usually 100 per cent cotton, and can be purchased with licensed characters for the kids like Strawberry Shortcake and Sesame Street. Although most Dollar Store socks aren't 100 per cent cotton, there are many festive holiday patterns featuring Santa Claus, candy canes and in Christmas colours. Who doesn't need socks and underwear, and all for $1!

10. Holiday Craft Supplies! -- Holiday craft supplies at the Dollar Store are pretty inexpensive! Like to make your own cards and decorations? Load up on glitter glue, Bristol board, magic markers, felt material, popsicle sticks, paint, coloured paper, google eyes and more. And only $1-$2 per item!

Will you be shopping the Dollar Store this Holiday season? What have been your best Dollar Store Holiday scores?]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.2164917 2012-12-04T17:24:43-05:00 2013-02-03T05:12:01-05:00

Jenna Em http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jenna-em/
All Aboard! It may be common sense, but are both you and your spouse on board with the decision to have another child? If the answer is no, then you have some serious talking to do amonst yourselves. The decision must be made unanimously, or you risk spousal resentment -- or even worse -- resentment toward your child.

What Can You Offer Another Child? When I say what can you offer another child, I'm not talking about materialistic things. I'm talking about those rare, hard-to-find things like love, attention, respect, and life lessons that make a child grow into an upstanding citizen. But more importantly, are you able to offer this to two (or more) children? You can believe me when I say that children can sense when you have favourites, and notice when they have been left out.

What Can a Child Offer You? Often I hear that a deciding factor for having an additional child is so the firstborn child can have a brother (or sister). What makes you want to add another child to your family? Are you willing to accept unconditional love, friendship, humour -- and even great challenges, some of which you did not experience with your first child? Can you embrace a child that has you or your spouse's best (or worst) qualities? Can you accept if your second child doesn't have the same qualities that you admire in your first-born child?

Who Cares? If you're currently working outside of the home, who will care for your new addition? Government parental benefits do allow parents to stay home for the first year in Canada, but after this time-frame, childcare costs should be factored in. If you have two children requiring childcare, your costs will double.

Spread Too Thin? Will you have enough time to devote to two (or more) children? This is the same concern that my husband voiced, when we were deciding to grow our family from four to five children. It was very important to us that we would have lots of one-on-one time with each child, and be able to devote individual attention to each. As kids get older, they require individual help with homework, reading and extracurricular activities. More importantly, building a one-on-one relationship with your child is essential in order to learn about them as an individual -- and for building mutual love, respect and trust.

The Proper Care & Feeding of a Child! On a practical note, do you have adequate resources to care for an additional child right now -- resources to allow him or her to thrive? We've all heard expressions like "Things have a way of falling into place," or "God will provide." However, if you're having a hard time making ends meet right now, ask yourself if you should wait before taking on the responsibility of an additional child.

Health Matters! I believe that if a pregnancy will endanger you or your spouse's health -- or the health of your unborn child -- then you should not grow your family right now. If there's a permanent health matter, then there are definitely other ways to grow your family, such as through surrogacy or adoption. Or perhaps your family feels complete already, and you're happy with the family that you already have!

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