All posts by Kirsetin

Why Do All The Cool Kids Have Allergies or Asthma?

February 2, 2009activities for kids, illnessKirsetin

Apparently, moms, it’s because we’re keeping our homes too clean. Or at least you are. My son has asthma, but that’s definitely not the reason.

Don’t know what I’m talking about? Go read this.

So, to be clear, I’m all for letting kids get dirty. Come on, I have three boys. We have a lot of dirt around here.

But, ummm, worms in the intestines? Gross. Seriously? Gross!

And how about this:

“Dr Elliott pointed out that children who grow up on farms…are much less likely to develop allergies and autoimmune diseases.”

I knew those farm kids had it going on.

Maybe my dirt-loving brother should’ve been a farm kid. When we were little, he made up this sing-song rhyme:

God made the earth,

Dirt don’t hurt,

Put it in your mouth,

And let it work.

Then again, maybe he should’ve been a doctor.

Simply Joy Sunday: 3 Things I’m Thankful For

February 1, 2009Facebook, friendship, sportsKirsetin

I’m feeling thankful today, so I thought I’d join Heather’s Simply Joy Sunday. Obviously, I’m thankful for my family and all things related—good health, good choices (mostlyJ!), and good relationships. So what are some of the other things in life that bring me joy? Here are today’s top three:

I’m thankful for friends. For someone who’s lived up and down both coasts, and in a couple of states in the middle, friends rank high on the list of things that bring me joy. Holly (Wisconsin), Kathy (Washington), Missy (California), Debbie (Massachusetts), and Samantha (Pennsylvania) could all be long lost strangers by now. Instead, they continue to fill my life with joy year after year. They rock. Not to mention the friends closer to home, whose names I don’t dare put on the Internet—you know who you are. You rock, too.

I’m thankful for Facebook (see number 1) Yes, you read that right! Although Facebook can be a huge time drain, it has allowed me to reconnect with friends I haven’t seen in FOREVER. Kara—from high school!—just friended me last night. Jen—who I haven’t seen since 1989—was one of the first people to find me. How cool is that? I loved these girls and life just took us in different directions. At least now I can peek in on them and see how they’re doing. It always makes me smile.

I’m thankful we have plenty of snacks for the Super Bowl. At first glance, this seems to have nothing to do with friends, right? Think again. I’m thankful both that we have the resources to be cooking up chili, and cornbread, and hot wings today, but also that we’re sharing them with our friends & our kids’ friends. Go Steelers!

That’s my Simply Joy Sunday folks. Hope you’re finding joy in life’s little things, too.

Inexpensive Family Fun

January 29, 2009family fun, finances, Midwest Parents, vacationKirsetin

One of the things I quickly realized after relocating to the Midwest, is that down-to-earth, fiscally responsible Midwesterners have an affinity for the state of Florida.

photo credit: Jenah Crump

But in this difficult financial year, even Midwesterners are re-thinking their annual pilgrimage south. Are you looking for inexpensive family fun closer to home? To find out how my family enjoys the winter months without breaking the bank, check out my article over at Midwest Parents today.