text:
With Alaskan winters stretching interminably through March and April, spring break is a critical time. Anchorage becomes a ghost town, the entire population of 300,000 moving to warmer climates for that week school is out. Should you attempt to purchase an airline ticket out of the city you'll find every seat on every plane filled unless you have enough foresight to book your vacation eight months in advance.
Hawaii is five hours away, California four--one of the benefits to living in Anchorage is air travel is easy and plentiful--and if you can escape for one or two weeks you too can survive an Alaskan winter. One week of sun gives you enough vitamin D to make it through the rest of the year.
As a child Maui was our favorite place to go. For two weeks a year we became beach bums, spending so much time in the ocean we developed permanently wrinkled fingers and toes. Human prunes with lots of sunblock on our pathetically white little Alaskan bodies. I still think it's my favorite place in the world to be if I really want to relax--Andrew and I swear we're going to retire in Wailea with his and hers home offices overlooking Po'olenalena Beach.
Andrew and I honeymooned in the eastern Caribbean, a five-day trip worthy of a post (what a nightmare) and recently returned from a cruise of the western end that was much better--as in "best ten days of my life so far" better. We've done the Disneyland thing and will probably take the kids to Disneyworld next year. After that it's India. Yes, you read that right, India. As in Ganges, Gandhi and gazillions of people. My parents are moving to Bangalore for the next three years starting in July so we're planning on making India the family vacation for 2009 because hey, when are you ever gonna get around to seeing India? While we're at it maybe we'll take in Nepal too.
So I'm asking where is your favorite vacation spot? Where have you gone and found that elusive piece of heaven? Have you ever had a vacation? Not a visiting-Grandma-in-Panguich trip but an honest to goodness, mints on the pillow, lose the cellphone trip?
How do you decide where to go? With kids or without? Summer or winter? Driving or flying? Close to home or far away? Have you any sweet tips to share? Help me get through this long dark winter.
Technorati Tags: favorites, vacations, Maui, Hawaii, India, holidays
Saturday, March 10, 2007
What's Your Favorite Vacation Spot?
With Alaskan winters stretching interminably through March and April, spring break is a critical time. Anchorage becomes a ghost town, the entire population of 300,000 moving to warmer climates for that week school is out. Should you attempt to purchase an airline ticket out of the city you'll find every seat on every plane filled unless you have enough foresight to book your vacation eight months in advance.
Email this post Labels: travel
33 comments:
- Addicted to your Blog said...
Wow! Thsi Blog seems to be a good one. ALASKAN adventure.
- scribbit said...
I had friends who visited the Outer Banks in North Carolina last summer and after hearing about their trip I thought it sounded amazing. Only problem is, no one should leave Alaska in the summer--that's what you survive winter for, so you can enjoy the summers--and the only time to see the Outer Banks would be in summer.
- Miscellaneous-Mum said...
Nothing beats a week at any given of our Aussie beaches, eating battered fish and chips, fighting off the seagulls, getting tanned (or burned, in my case) and just soaking up the fact that life can truly be grand.
But I'm biased ;)
- The Tour Marm said...
I design trips and travel for a living so my favorite vacation spot was home!
But my happiest times were in the Canadian Rockies, British Columbia and Alaska/Yukon! (I conducted tours there for several summers, based out of Seattle and Vancouver, BC.)
I haven't been back in over ten years and I miss Peyto and Maligne Lakes in the Rockies, white water rafting down the Nanana, finally getting a glimpse of Denali, the northern lights, the endless days, walking on glaciers, and roaming Butchart Gardens.
My dream is to find Mr. Right and spend part of my honeymoon in a lighthouse off either the Maine or Oregon Coast.
I like Australia and New Zealand as well.
And England.
BTW Several friends in Anchorage are remaining there during spring break because of the airfares. Unbelievable!
- amanda kathryn said...
I would have to say my best, most relaxing vacation was a trip to St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. The beaches were extraordinary and surprisingly not packed (b/c there are so many of them.) And I hate to admit, I am all about vacationing without the kids.
- Melissa R. Garrett said...
Hmmm . . . vacations? When I was four, we took a daytrip on a little ferry from Washington State to Butchart Gardens in Canada. Even at such a young age, I remember how spectacular the gardens were. The only negative was when my uncle (who was 16 at the time) threatened to throw my beloved blankie overboard. The trauma! I visited the Bahamas in highschool. And a few years ago we rented a cabin upin the Adirondacks (one of my favorite vacations yet).
- MotoMom said...
Growing up we never went on vacation. Long road trips to visit family, yes, but no vacations. When I married my husband his family always took the RV and boat and camped for a week at Detroit Lake. So those first few years of marriage we joined them. Truly it was a vacation for me after I had kids. We slept in the tent and the baby slept in the RV bathtub. MIL did all the cooking and cleaning (there is only room for one in a RV kitchen, grandparents took the kids for walks, rides on the boat, to the playground. I got to nap, read, enjoy the peace and quiet.
These days we have a truck/camper, so during riding season we can just hook up and go whenever we want. We love riding in the Tillamook State Forrest, 20 minutes from our home. Get up early for breakfast, ride, lunch and naps, kids playing in the stream and exploring the woods, ride, dinner, ride, campfire and then bed. My in-laws also have propery in Diamond Peaks, we also love to camp and ride there. Eventually they will build a cabin there so we can go year round. Then it will be riding, fishing, skiing, etc. Can't wait!
- JAM said...
I like vacations, period. As a kid growing up in north Louisiana, we'd usually go to northern Arkansas/southern Missouri to the Ozarks. I loved every single minute.
As an adult, I have always favored the beach. I've been to Hawaii (Oahu) which I LOVED. I had such good times at the ocean, that when I earned my engineering degree, I looked for a job in Florida. Been here ten years.
We go to the beach semi often, but now dream of vacations in the Smoky Mountains or Colorado. I've never been to Colorado, Lovely Wife loves it there.
Our section of Florida, central Florida, is nice. The beach isn't astoundingly beautiful like up in the panhandle, but it's pretty enough, and we don't have quite the amount of tourism here that would make summer miserable. Plus we're only an hour from the Disney/Sea World thingys, so that's an easy shot when we get the urge.
Anyhoo, people in Florida want to go to the mountains for a different kind of break.
- crystal said...
I'm gonna say it. I've never been on Vacation. Oh sure, I've been on scads of "road trips" but never a true "mint on your pillow" vacation. All of our trips generally involve pitching a tent and come complete with a history lesson. I don't mind these trips, I like to camp but "accomodations" would be really SWEET!
- chelle said...
So far we have had one "true" vacation! Sadly :( Nah not sadly really, we are always on an adventure while moving :)
Our one vacation was our honeymoon which I won at a bridal show ... to Vegas! Talk about Lucky! hehe! We are so not gamblers but there was so much to see and o we had a blast and look forward to escaping back there someday (once we figure out how to ditch the kids! heheh!)
Alaska is somewhere I have ALWAYS wanted to see ... I have been to Northern BC and the Northern Lights were amazing.
- Kelly said...
Like you, I love Hawaii, although the flight from Chicago is a touch longer than 5 hours. I'm all about beach vacations. The hubby and I took some fantastic beach-bum vacations before our twins were born. I'm looking forward to hauling the kids on their first beach adventure. I think it'll be Mexico -- Playa del Carmen, perhaps.
- grnidlady said...
while i'm a native californian i spent part of my childhood in northern idaho. i love going there and hope to be able to go again this summer. i live near the beach and mountains here is so cal so i feel like i am on a mini vacation when i go there.
- Lisa Milton said...
I hate to admit how long it has been since we have had a bonefide vacation - our trips tend to be family-visit related. My husband's company hosts glorious award trips each spring, and my husband would be in line to go, EXCEPT that his new position is ineligible. So bummed. Greece. Wah. Ok, I'm over it. We did take a long weekend away to the Oregon Coast not too long ago. I think we are due a big family, let's-take-oodles of pictures vacation. That's what I am lobbying for.
- Kristin said...
Our favorite spot WITH KIDS or WITHOUT KIDS is Destin, Florida. It's becoming everyone's favorite spot, which means it may not be my favorite spot anymore. But, for now - the whitest beaches you've seen in America, plenty of family friendly activities, plenty of secluded non-touristy places. It's beautiful and easy to get to.
- An Ordinary Mom said...
Hawaii, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, the US. I haven't been to a lot places so I will take any place I can afford and any place where my husband and I can have a break from the kids :) !! And then after that I would love a family vacation. I am not asking for much :) !!
- Susan Helene Gottfried said...
I'm just drooling at the thought of Hawaii being so close... I've never been and boy, would I like to change that!
In a few years, we'll be able to do some really cool vacations with the kids. Right now, the little one's just a shade too young. And man, am I looking forward to exploring the world with my kids... Right now, I don't care where, so long as it's fun.
- girlymama said...
i go to hilton head island every year, which is a little slice of heaven.
hey - we're going to india too! this thanksgiving. we can swap tips ;-)
- K T Cat said...
My favorite place is Maui. Stay in a condo in Kihei to save $. Early in the morning, go to the Star Market and get frozen peas, then snorkel at Ulua Beach until the tradewinds kick up the waves and the visibility goes down. Be sure to feed the peas to the fish. In the afternoon, drive over to the wet side of the island and hike in the jungle. Come back to the condo for a steak on the grill.
Repeat as necessary.
Maui no ka oi!
- scribbit said...
Ah yes, Star Market. The only place in the free world where you can buy a gallon of milk for the price of a Buick. We tend to go the Costco route with our crew but yes, love that place.
- Babystepper said...
Our family had one big family vacation. (Lots of camping trips and going to see Grandma, though)
We went to Houston/Galveston for our first visit to the "ocean". It was an interesting trip. We came back from that trip with my dad saying that we were getting either new kids or a new car.
- Sara said...
Sorry, our vacation seems to be going to SLC, Utah for visits with gramma and grampa. We're not much for travelling and THAT'S an understatement.
I do, however, enjoy seeing other pix from other people. As long as it wasn't me travelling. Still, when the transporter is safe and in vogue, you just KNOW I'll be a travel bunny!
- Jenn in Holland said...
A No-kids best vacation was the trip we took to Maine and did a Windjammer cruise on an old clipper.
The with-kids best trip has to be 3 days in Paris, or possibly the week we spent in the French Alps over Christmas. It's hard to say. I didn't sleep well on either of those trips because the toddler among us doesn't fare well in hotel rooms, but still the daylight adventures made up for the deprivation.
All things considered, I am a real advocate of 'No Kids' vacations...
- Robin said...
What a difficult question to answer. My hands-down favorite has to be Thailand (we went to Bangkok, then east and north, never made to the islands). So incredible in so many ways... Closely following though would be France and Italy.
I'd LOVE to get to Hawaii someday, but it's just SO darn far from Israel...
- My Marrakech said...
Hawaii sounds like heaven. We love India and used to live in Nepal. We have traveled as a family with our young children many places but for now we are staying put while we save pennies to build our house. Last Summer we rented a beach house for the entire summer in Essaouira in Morocco and went every weekend. It was perfect.
- Makita said...
Love your prompt...My favorite is Moloa'a beach in Kauai. I posted photos on my blog. :)
- Pass The Torch said...
We toured several European countries a couple of years ago. Our kids were just seven and five at that time, but it was still great. Our favorite spot was Carinthia in southern Austria. Not many American's know of it, but it's where the Germans vacation. Beautiful! Warm weather, with gigantic mountains leading directly to deep lakes.
- Leslie said...
My husband took me away to a private cabin at Indian Bear Lodge here in Ohio (not too far from the little one at home) and I'm still dancing in the clouds from it.
- Melkhi said...
I remember with fondness visiting Ouray, CO as a child and now my children love it as well. I think it is the most beautiful area in CO: the rugged San Juan range, the carpets of wildflowers on the mountainsides in July, the kid-friendly hot springs pool, the awe-inspiring Box Canyon Falls...
- Jen said...
My favorite place in the whole wide world is Victoria, B.C. Sorry, not terribly warm, sunny, or south, but it is breathtaking. It helps that we honeymooned there and I went to many a flute masterclass there as well. Lots of wonderful memories.
- Sheela said...
not had one single vacation so far that i look back longingly hoping to relive... but, one that sticks in mind fondly is spending a few days in beautiful Goa beaches in southern India
p.s: am curious about the India trip you mentioned - my parents living in India and all...
- Bradley & Liza said...
you're invited to come by our place when you come to Maui :)
- Liza's Eyeview said...
Oppsss..I used a wrong sign-in for my comment. It's me Liza. I'm the one who commented earlier and invited you to come visit us on Maui. My blog is Liza's Eyeview (and I'm still learning a lot about blogging especialy the tech stuff - ugh!)
- croatiagals said...
My favourite spot would be China, The great wall of China is the spot to be. I love it.


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Tuesday, January 6, 2009
An Angel Earns His Wings
Today the world may have cried a river of tears for a little boy's life that ended way too soon, but we believe Heaven is REJOYCING over Coleman's job well done.
Coleman was an amazing child of God and we were so honored to be chosen as his parents.
He left this world at 10:45 last night- he fought HARD until the very end, not wanting to give up, but finally letting go. He was a warrior and a hero our hearts will forever miss. We had the most glorious five years together- a gift we will never forget.
A quick story. :)
One day Coleman heard someone say they were mad at God. He didn't say a word, but later came to me with this complete look of disbelief on his face and asked, "mommy? did you hear them say they were mad at DOD? WHY would they say that?" He couldn't even fathom the thought. Then he raised his little eyebrows and said, "well, I hope they don't say that in PUB-WIC (public)!" and walked away. He knew there were some things he could not change, but HIS faith never wavered.
Lots of people have mentioned their anger toward God …how can He let this happen when so many people have been praying for Coleman? Why didn't he answer our prayers?
I just can't be angry at Our God who sent Coleman to us in the first place. Coleman was a child of God, WE were chosen to be his parents- and how blessed we were. Maybe my feelings will change, but like Coleman, I can't imagine being angry at God. Would we have loved to have had more time with Coleman? YES! I want him back right now, but I know that's the selfish part of me talking. I know I will hurt more than I can ever imagine in missing him…and I know I will have MANY days of heartache and anger, but my anger is over the fact we live in a world where we can do so much, but still do not have a cure for this horrific disease. Children are paying the price for that. More on that will come-
I guess what I'm saying is I know for a fact, Coleman would NOT want us to be mad at God. He taught us so much in his time here. His lessons will go on for a very long time. He knew where he came from and he knew where he was going. My heart aches for more time, but I'm SO thankful for the time we got with him, and we know we WILL be with him again. God doesn't always answer our prayers in the way we want him to…HIS ways are not ours, and that's hard to accept, but true. It doesn't mean I don't question it- it's hard to understand, but one day we WILL know.
Many people have asked how Caden is doing. Now that's a long story, but we have assured him that we love him. He is dealing the best way he can- just like us.
I turned my desk Praying Parent calendar today, and thought I'd share what it said…
"We are dependent on God to enable us to raise our child properly, and He will see to it that our child's life is blessed. One thing I have learned is that I should not try to force my own will on my child in prayer. I have found it is better to pray more along the lines of "Lord show me how to pray for this child. Help me to raise him Your way, and may Your will be done in his life."
I believe God's will was done through Coleman. I know it.
For those inquiring:
We will celebrate Coleman's life on Saturday, Jan. 10th at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Callender. Visitation will also be at the church on Friday the 9th after 4:00p.m.
Instead of flowers, we'd love donations made to
The Hospice House of Fort Dodge, Iowa
The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City
or curesearch.org
We'd like to thank EVERYONE who has helped our family along this journey the past two and a half years. We will never be able to explain how much we appreciate the support for our Team. Our carepage family is the BEST!
To the hospice house- you will always have a special place in our hearts. You made the most difficult time of our lives one filled with love. Nadine and your staff, God bless you. I know Coleman would like us to thank you as well for making his last days as comfortable as possible for him- and for us all.
Here is one of my favorite pictures of Coleman…
God bless you baby. Coleman said long ago, "some day I won't need NO more meds or pokes, wight mommy?" No more sweetie. You are free.
One more story to share…thanks again Nadine.
The Parable of the Twins-
Once upon a time, twin boys were conceived in the same womb. Weeks passed and the twins developed. As their awareness grew, they laughed for joy, "isn't it great that we were conceived? Isn't it great to be alive?"
Together the twins explored their world. When they found their mother's cord that gave them life, they sang for joy, "how great is our Mother's love, that she shares her own life with us!"
As weeks stretched into months, the twins noticed how much each was changing. "what does it mean?" asked the one. "It means that our stay in this world is drawing to an end, said the other. "But I don't want to go", said the other, "but maybe there is life after birth." But how can there be?" responded the other one. "We will shed our life cord, and how is life possible without it? Besides, we have seen evidence that others were here before us and none of them have returned to tell us that there is life after birth. No, this is the end."
And so the one fell into deep despair, saying, "If conception ends in birth, what is the purpose of life in the womb? It is meaningless! Maybe there is no mother after all?" "But there has to be," protested the other. "How else did we get here? How do we remain alive?"
How you ever seen our mother?" said one. "Maybe she lives only in our minds. Maybe we made her up because the idea made us feel good?"
And so the last days in the womb were filled with deep questioning and fear. Finally, the moment of birth arrived. When the twins had passed from their world, they opened their eyes and cried for joy. For what they saw exceeded their fondest dreams.
Author Unknown
OH OH OH I have to say too-
Dr. Woods from Des Moines and Dr. Gilheeney from NY who called us personally- GOD BLESS YOU! Our world needs more doctors like you. It means so much to us. We will never forget your compassion. Thank you.
Blessings to you all,
Nev-va Div up-
Team Larson
UTUBE is going to pull this video because of the song used, so I thought I'd try to post it and see if it's still viewable...Cman and his bunny foo-foo. That bunny helped him through many hard times, and he still twirled the ribbon even on the high doses of morphine. This is Cman's second bunny after he lost his beloved first. A story of LOVE...
And while I'm at it, Dante earned his wings this morning too.
And Joe's grandmother fell yesterday and broke her femur pretty badly. She needs surgery on her leg, but they haven't been able to do anything because apparently she'd been taking too much Coumadin and her blood is too thin. She also hit her head when she fell and has bleeding in her brain. They're trying to determine if she had a stroke which caused the fall.
Thank you for your prayers and good thoughts.
Posted by Dawn at 9:17 PM
58 comments:
- bb1983 said...
I'm a long time reader but rare commenter. After this post (and watching the video), I had to comment.
Thanks for sharing the story of this little warrior. Tears are flowing for that family but prayers of God's all-surpassing comfort and love flow even more. And my prayers are for Joe's grandmother and family as they deal with such a traumatic situation.
Bethany Pearce
- January 6, 2009 at 10:22 PM
God bless you C'man and Dante.
- January 6, 2009 at 10:23 PM
Thanks for posting. These families are real heroes. I have been praying for both of them.
Will be praying for Joe's grandma too.
Thanks, Dawn.
- January 6, 2009 at 10:38 PM
- Michelle said...
Oh I am so sorry to hear about Coleman. And Dante. And Joe's Grandmother.
Last year was a year of turmoil, financially and otherwise for so many. This year... honestly, this year I have had more death in the first week than in all of 2008. I can only hope that everything starts to turn up for everyone.
God Bless.
- January 6, 2009 at 10:43 PM
- Feisty Irish Wench said...
Thanks for sharing. I was glad to read that prayer Cman's mom found because I needed it since I'm struggling with the challenges of a teenager. I don't see the cute little boy he was as much anymore, and I see someone moving into becoming a man, and I am having a devil of a time loosening my grip so he can fly eventually. But then I learn of someone becoming an Angel Mommy and I count my blessings that I have a teenager to cause me stress.
- January 6, 2009 at 10:57 PM
- Vicki said...
So sad to see this sweet little people getting wings at such a young age. Just not fair.
Many prayers for Team Larson and Dante's family. Also prayers for Joe's grandmother.
Vicki in GA
- January 6, 2009 at 11:04 PM
Ok Dawn. I SOOO want to drive the almost 5 hours from Kansas City to attend the services for Coleman. (although I have never met the Larsons) But then I realized, the BEST thing to do, would be to get Mimi there for the services. I checked airfare (I think Mimi is in/near Dallas) and it is more than I can afford. Do you think we could take up a contribution to get Mimi to Iowa? That is, if Mimi is available to go? What do you think? I will be watching your blog for ideas and I'm ready to contribute.
- January 6, 2009 at 11:16 PM
- Dawn said...
That is so very sweet of you! I'm talking to Mimi right now and she's going to Iowa. Some readers of her Carepage were really generous and helped her out to get there. :)
- January 6, 2009 at 11:22 PM
- Lisa said...
I had subscribed to Coleman's Carepage a while back. The last couple week or so, I've been almost scared to look at the updates, wondering if this would be "IT".
I can't fathom what they are going thru, but the grace at which they are facing this is so incredibly inspiring.
- January 7, 2009 at 12:11 AM
- Jolene said...
Gosh...I just bawled watching that videa. Prayers to the family :(
- January 7, 2009 at 12:25 AM
- Candace said...
I am looking through tears while typing this. I can't even imagine the loss they are suffering. They are truly inspiring people to be handling this with such grace. Coleman was a sweet wonderful and brave child. My prayers go out to the family and to Dante's family as well as yours for Joe's grandmother.
- January 7, 2009 at 12:43 AM
- Our Family's Spot said...
I have been following Coleman's journey for a while - my heart aches for the Larsons. Cancer stinks!
We will pray for Coleman and Dante's families. We will also pray for Joe's grandmother and your family as well.
- January 7, 2009 at 12:57 AM
- beagle said...
I am bawling. Prayers for everyone.
- January 7, 2009 at 1:04 AM
- Amanda said...
It took me two times to read through your post Dawn, because I could not see through the tears.
I am so sorry for the family's loss. :( God Bless them.
- January 7, 2009 at 1:17 AM
- Mum - Mainly Upbringing Monsters said...
I opened up your blog, read the title and cried. Last I read little Coleman was airlifted to hospital. I can't belive he is gone. Such a sweet little boy & SO strong. We need to find a cure for this beast.
Our thoughts are with you. xoxo.
- January 7, 2009 at 2:08 AM
- Susan (5 Minutes For Mom) said...
It is so heartbreaking!!! But yet, reading about his courage and is faith is amazing... what a little hero!
- January 7, 2009 at 2:38 AM
- Martha said...
I cried twice yesterday when I learned that Dante and then C'man had earned their wings. My heart aches for their families.
I will continue to pray for the families, and Joe's grandmother as well!
- January 7, 2009 at 5:27 AM
- Karli said...
I was so sad to read about Coleman this morning. I have no words other than I'm so sorry for his family and will keep them in my prayers. Thank you for originally introducing me to Coleman and his story.
Im sorry about Joes G-ma as well! I hope she gets well soon!
- January 7, 2009 at 6:33 AM
- Kim said...
Oh wow! That really brought a tear to my eye! I'm sorry for your lost! Prayers are with me.
- January 7, 2009 at 6:37 AM
- noexcuses said...
Thanks for posting Team Larson's incredible tribute. The video is so touching, and is so much more now. It almost takes on a double meaning.
I've left comments on both Coleman's and Dante's care pages, but I would never have been introduced to these wonderful families had it not been for you referring me to Julian's care page and Mimi, one of the most awesome prayer warriors of all time!
God Bless you, Dawn.
- January 7, 2009 at 6:41 AM
- Amanda said...
Oh this hurts my heart! I feel close to Caden and Coleman, as I have twin boys the same age. I cant imagine how Caden feels, I know my boys cant make it a day without each other.
Prayers going up for the Larson family, Dante's family, and your family, Dawn!
- January 7, 2009 at 7:26 AM
- Andrea said...
Poor Coleman's and Dante's families. Our prayers and thoughts are with them. Thank goodness they are in a better place than we are! :)
- January 7, 2009 at 8:03 AM
- Noah's blog said...
I feel just horrible, I read about Coleman last night after I got home from work. I cannot imagine the pain and grief his parents and his brother must feel.
- January 7, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Dawn, I read Coleman's obit in the Ft Dodge Messenger (my hometown paper) and immediatley came over here. Here's the link if you'd like
Thank you for sharing his story.
May he rest with God now.
Prayers going out to their family at this time.
Jennifer (Boone, Iowa)
- January 7, 2009 at 9:45 AM
- Randee said...
I just had to comment...I follow both Dante and Coleman's stories and that they earned their wings within 24 hours of each other is heartbreaking. I pray both the memory of Dante and the memory of Coleman are only for blessings.
- January 7, 2009 at 10:01 AM
- MaBunny said...
Oh wow, I just saw this post on Michelles blog too, and I am still crying. Hope all goes well in your family too Dawn. Prayers are being said too.
- January 7, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Like others here I am a daily (OK, many times daily) reader of your blog, but have never commented. I have been following the Larsons as well, and cried and cried last night when I read Peggys update. What a strong & brave family! The bunny video was so precious and I am sad beyond words for the loss of Coleman. Prayers for Dante & his family as well...
Life often seems so unfair.
I hope Joe's Grandmother comes through her medical crisis,and that you guys aren't stressed out too much by everything. Your fanastic family will also be in my thoughts.
Kristen in California
- January 7, 2009 at 10:20 AM
- Theresa Rose said...
As a recent follower of Dawn's amazing blog, I had never heard of Coleman before today. What a beautiful child.
After reading this blog and watching the video, my heart is full, my eyes are wet, and my faith is strong.
Coleman is a lucky little boy to have taken his brief journey with such an amazing family.
God bless you!
- January 7, 2009 at 10:21 AM
- Julie Sturgeon said...
Sigh. Sometimes life isn't funny, is it? That's when we all learn the real meaning of trust in God.
My condolences to the family and everyone whose lives Coleman touched.
- January 7, 2009 at 10:43 AM
- Polly & Steve said...
I am new to your blog, I found it round about.....I was so touched by Coleman's story, I would like to know more. I will pray for his family and for you. I am sorry to hear about Joe's Grandmother, it is hard when you get older.
God Bless you and yours.
Polly and Steve
- January 7, 2009 at 10:58 AM
- Emilee said...
Dawn, thank you for posting this. I usually come to your blog for a good laugh but today this was the perfect message. I am currently pregnant with twin girls and just learned that one of the twins will not likely survive long after birth. It was good to read about another mother of twins who lost one but was grateful for every second she had with her special angel and somehow is able to keep going. Thank you.
- January 7, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Oh my...
My condolences to Coleman's family and Dante's family. God Bless them all. We're praying for you guys and Joe's grandmother, too. I wish you all the best.
Jen from IL
- January 7, 2009 at 11:32 AM
- Ashley said...
I'm so sorry for their loss of Coleman. That video was truly touching and brought tears to my eyes. May he now be at peace.
- January 7, 2009 at 12:03 PM
- Denise said...
I lost my husband almost 3 years ago, which was SOOO hard to go through. But to lose your child...
Her faith is amazing, yet I found in the midst of tragedy faith is all you have left.
God bless Coleman's family.
- January 7, 2009 at 12:25 PM
I am always so in awe of the strength of the mothers who have just lost their little ones. Coleman's mother is amazing. Her faith is admirable. God is good.
I am reminded of something a friend once said, that helps me keep perspective in the good and difficult parenting times: These children of ours belong to God, not to us. It is our privilege and responsibility to take care of them and help them learn to know, love, and serve Him, until He sees fit to call them home.
My prayers are with all who are grieving.
- January 7, 2009 at 12:54 PM
My heart aches for the Larson family and I continue to hold them in my prayers, yet there is Joy for the wonders Coleman is experiencing at this very moment. To be painfree and in the presence of the Lord all at the same time must be nothing short of exhilarating. God Bless you little man for the courage you showed all us old fogies! We will miss you, but you left us something we will never forget - we will never "div" up.
- January 7, 2009 at 1:03 PM
- Robin said...
Thank you for keeping us posted on this amazing fighter and his family. So sad.
I hope Joe's grandmother is okay soon. Please let us know how things are going.
- January 7, 2009 at 1:04 PM
- Valerie said...
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Larson. I am so inspired by the family and the strength of their faith.
- January 7, 2009 at 2:20 PM
- marythemom said...
I read recently (no idea where),
God is not taking him, God is receiving him.
I have not lost anyone close to me, but I found great comfort in this distinction.
Mary in Texas
- January 7, 2009 at 2:26 PM
This post just broke my heart a little more last night. See, yesterday we buried my sister-in-law who had lost her 5 year battle with cancer at the age of 29. Knowing in my heart what this mother is feeling tears me up. It's such a hard fate for such a little person. But he sure sounds a lot like Tracy. An unwavering faith in the Lord until the very end. May he rest in peace in the arms of our Savior.
- January 7, 2009 at 3:08 PM
- AlaneM said...
Dawn thank you so much for introducing me to these families. You first sent me to meet Jullian & through his journey I've met many other kids fighting this battle. I've found my cause with these kids, I'm committed to telling everyone I know about them & what they go through. I'm so passionate about getting awareness about the research funding issue & that September is childhood cancer awareness month.
God bless you!
- January 7, 2009 at 4:02 PM
- plainprecious said...
Its stories like this that make me realize jsut how lucky I am. I have 5 children ages 20 to 4 and I face daily struggles with raising them. I sat last night crying so hard after reading your post and thanking god for my beautiful wonderful kids. Thank you for sharing these stories of the brave little souls and their parents. My prayer is that God continues to bless them in knowing that those kids are now part of heavens angels. Thank you Dawn for setting me straight!!! Love ya Elisabeth
- January 7, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Thank you for these precious stories. I know, that if such a time may come for me, I will find comfort in these words and Coleman's laugh i will always remember. I will include him in my prayers as well as Dante and Joe's Gran and I hope that God's Blessing may reach all of them.
- January 7, 2009 at 5:25 PM
- Vivian M said...
What a sad post, may Coleman and Dante rest in peace and may their families find comfort. I cannot fathom outliving my child.
I hope Joe's grandma gets well soon, how scary.
- January 7, 2009 at 5:52 PM
My thoughts and prayers are with all the families. I cried just reading the header. I am inspired by their testimony to our Lord and the fact they can give one in their time of grief. Truly amazing. My heart aches for them.
- January 7, 2009 at 8:55 PM
- Amy said...
I couldn't post a comment after reading this because I was so filled with emotion. I feel for the parents of Coleman and Dante over the unthinkable loss of their children. Our prayers are with them.
What a sweet video...such sweet innocent love. Such a nice tribute to Coleman, too.
Thanks for this post. Love ya,
- January 7, 2009 at 9:24 PM
My heart is breaking for Coleman's family. I have no idea the strength it takes to go through this. It seems so unfair to take one so young. At least his test is complete, and I have no doubt that he passed with flying colors.
My thoughts and prayers are with them during this hard time.
- January 8, 2009 at 12:41 AM
Thank you for "introducing: me to Julian and Mimi last year, which has in turn brought me to so many other wonderful children and families. I have cried more this past year then ever before, the journal entries are all so moving. C'man was incredible, as is Peggy, Scott and Caden, and I recently came to Dante's site, and that darling boy won my heart, too. Hard to believe they've both moved on in the journey of life. Thanks for posting the info here, and opening my eyes to others' suffering and needs.
Laura G, , C.O.L.E. PRAYER TEAM
- January 8, 2009 at 1:43 AM
- Kristi said...
I am so saddened by the loss of these two beautiful boys who died well before their time and I didn't even know them. I followed their stories on their carepages and cried when I heard they both died so close together. God Bless and Rest in Peace Dante and Coleman. You will forever be angels to us all.
Prayers also going out to Joe and his Grandma.
- January 8, 2009 at 10:17 AM
Mimi is the reason that I found Coleman and you. These sweet families have changed my life & made me more aware of the awful beast that roams our country stealing these babies. So unfair--it must be stopped!! My prayers are with the Larson family & Dante's family. May God wrap his loving arms around them and comfort them.
- January 8, 2009 at 1:46 PM
- Heather said...
So sad for Peggy, Scott and Caden. I'm weeping and I only knew Coleman through his Carepages, so I can't imagine how his family are feeling.
But such joy and release for Coleman!
Emilee - praying that there might be a miracle for your little baby girl, and that you'll have strength and grace and peace.
Heather (in Scotland)
- January 8, 2009 at 2:33 PM
My prayers are with Coleman and Dante's families. May God rest their souls and watch over all of them.
My prayers are also being sent to your family for the quick recovery of Joe's grandma. I hope everything works out okay. Please keep us posted.
Donna in PA
- January 8, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I have been reading your blog for a long time. I don't really comment much though, but this blog really hit me hard and makes my heartache. My 2yr old son has cancer. He's doing well now, but it is still so very scary. It makes me even more thankful each day for how well my little Bubba is doing.
These families are in my thoughts and I totally get the "no more pokes and no more meds." My son asks the same things all the time and trys to tell me he doesn't need his chemo because he is feeling good. He knows so many medical terms that no 2yr old should ever have to know.
- January 8, 2009 at 11:47 PM
- * TONYA * said...
Absolutely heartbreaking. What a brave, determined and beautiful little man Coleman was though.
Rest in peace boys. You definitely earned your wings.
I hope Joe's grandmother will be okay. My grandmother had a fall about 12 years ago and hit her head. She also had bleeding of the brain and they didn't expect her to make it through the next couple of days. She did and is still with us today. It was a long road to recovery including intensive therapy to learn how to do EVERYTHING all over again but she made it.
- January 9, 2009 at 1:01 AM
- Ragdoll Billie said...
Being a close follower, and growing friend of Peggy, I still was not ready to get the news, and when I told my husband, it caused him to stop where he was, what he was doing, and he said, "What? No!"
I invite you to read my tribute to Coleman because my very first thought was picturing in my earthly mind, my forever 16 y/o son who should be 40 now, welcoming Coleman into Heaven. Robert always took time with the little kids, and I've wondered if God wanted him there to welcome and play with them. Whatever. It makes a mom's mind and heart feel at ease, and I've read here that moms are wanting, are needing a way of fitting the horrors such as this into their lives with their children. It had always been a fear of mine, and I found peace.
A Warrior gets his wings
Prayers, Dawn for Joe's grandmother. I did not see this the first time through, and I understand completely as you know.
Ragdoll Billie on the Road to Remission
- January 9, 2009 at 9:22 AM
- Shellie said...
I just can't stop thinking of poor Caden right now. Not that I don't think of their parents, but pulling the rug out from under a 5 year old twin and making him a singleton? My heart just aches for him.
- January 9, 2009 at 10:37 PM
- B.L. Ochman said...
Thank you for sharing this story - and for letting his mom tell it in her words.
What a beautiful little guy Coleman was!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family, and especially with Caden. d I hope he will find some comfort in seeing these photos and videos one day when he's older.
- January 10, 2009 at 2:42 PM
- reesesob said...
Dawn, I read your blog as often as I can and today I am trying to do a little catch up. When I came across this part of the blog, my jaw dropped. It is shocking to me how small this world really is. I have been following the carepages for Coleman and Dante through my son's classmate Nicholas' carepages. It make me so sad to see these kids having to go through so much! Thank you for sharing and celebrating Coleman and Dante's lives!!
- January 12, 2009 at 10:30 PM

subset: commoncrawl


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When I was growing up, other than a bowl of grits or oatmeal, my favorite breakfast was a bagel. We ate LOTS of bagels. I'm not sure how my parents came to love a bagel. They certainly didn't eat them growing up, but somewhere along the way, they became dedicated bagel fans!
My favorite bagels were the savory type: Garlic and Onion, Poppy seed, Sesame seed, the "Everything" bagel, etc... I liked the sweet bagels okay... but I LOVED the savory. And I slathered them with cream cheese.
It's safe to say since I've been gluten free, I have not encountered one store bought gluten free bagel that I have really enjoyed. Not once.
But this weekend I felt bold! I've been a member of the Daring Baker's for several months and one thing these fab bakers have taught me is not to be afraid of a challenge!
So, we made bagels! We made LOTS of bagels! And they are GOOD my friends! If you have missed a "soft,chewy on the inside, and hot, crispy on the outside" bagel.... these are for you! They do take a little time and effort, but are really fun to make! I hope you will give them a try! Here is my step-by-step tutorial!
Make sure your water is still at a rolling boil. (My water actually should have been hotter than this picture shows!!) Work with ONE bagel at a time. Using a slotted spoon, gently place the bagel into the boiling water bath.
These 2 bagels are from my first batch made with xanthan gum. The dough was much more sticky and harder to work with than the dough made with chia seed meal, and therefore it was much harder to shape like bagels.
- Both types of bagels are very good! Michael said that he preferred the taste and texture of the bagels made with the xanthan gum. He said they reminded him more of a regular wheat bagel to him. I really liked the bagels made with the chia seed meal and the flax seed meal. They were much easier to work with while shaping, and I thought they tasted very similar to a regular wheat bagel.
- I also like knowing that I can make a yeasted bagel both with xanthan gum and another alternative binder such as chia seed meal.
- I also made a batch of these bagels using a mixture of chia seed meal and psyllium husk powder. We did not like this batch of bagels as much. The psyllium husk powder has a stronger flavor and affected the overall taste of the bagel. I think I will use psyllium husk powder only in baked goods that have already have a strong distinct flavoring, such as a chocolate muffin. That way, the flavor of the psyllium husk powder wouldn't stand out as much.
- ** For more information on chia seeds and psyllium powder (what they are, where to buy them, why I'm using them, etc.. ) please visit this post. **
Some readers had trouble opening the PDF link to this recipe at the top of the page. Here is the text version of the recipe just in case, you couldn't print the PDF!
Ginger Lemon Girl's
Gluten Free Bagels
Wet Ingredients:
2/3 cup milk (or milk substitute)
2 Tbsp. yeast
2 tsp. sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp. agave nectar
½ tsp. apple cider vinegar (ONLY if using xanthan gum)
Dry Ingredients:
½ cup tapioca flour
½ cup cornstarch or arrowroot flour
½ cup brown rice flour
1 cup millet flour
½ tsp. baking soda
1 TBSP. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
Binder (To be added to dry ingredients):
2 tsp. xanthan gum
1 TBSP. chia seed meal
2 TBSP. flax seed meal
Additional Ingredients:
• Cornmeal, for dusting on baking sheets
• Sweet Rice Flour, for shaping dough
• Egg wash = 1 egg white mixed with 1 tbsp. warm water
• Toppings = poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic granules, dried onion, parsley, etc…
2. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper or non-stick cooking spray.
3. Sprinkle cornmeal onto sprayed baking sheets.
4. Put hot water on to boil, add several tsp. of salt. Keep the water boiling while you are preparing your bagel dough.
5. Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature. To quickly bring eggs to room temperature, place them in a bowl of warm water and let sit for about 5 minutes.
6. Warm milk to 120 degrees (this takes about 1 minute and 10 seconds in my microwave on high.) Make sure to measure temperature with a cooking thermometer.
7. In a small mixing bowl whisk together warmed milk, 2 tbsp. yeast, and 2 tsp. sugar. Set this mixture aside to proof.
8. While waiting for yeast to proof, in a medium bowl add the binder you prefer (either xanthan gum or chia seed meal and flax seed meal -- with these bagels in particular I used chia seed meal and flax seed meal). To the binder, add baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
9. Add flours, one at a time by using a dry measuring cup. To properly measure the flour, overfill the measuring cup. With a butter knife, level off flour, until it is even with the rim of the cup. With starches such as cornstarch and tapioca flour, you may have to add more flour to the top of the measuring cup several times and level off with the knife, before it is properly even with the rim of the cup. Using your knife, tap the flours out of the measuring cup into your mixing bowl. When you have added all flours, whisk mixture together thoroughly. If it makes you feel better, feel free to sift all the dry ingredients together. I'm too lazy to sift. Whisk away baby! Set dry ingredients aside.
10. Now go back and check on your yeast mixture. If it has proofed, it will look puffy and have lots of bubbles like this! If it doesn't look any different than when you started, you need to start the process over again with fresh yeast and fresh milk. But our yeast is proofed and ready to go, so let's continue!
11. Whisk in eggs, one at a time, to proofed yeast. Add agave nectar. If you are using xanthan gum as your binder, add apple cider vinegar as a dough enhancer. (If you are using chia seed meal and flax seed meal as your binder LEAVE OUT the apple cider vinegar, as it can lesson the gelling and binding properties of both these seeds!!)
12. In your kitchen mixer bowl, add the egg and yeast mixture. Start mixing with your paddle attachment on medium speed.
13. Continuing with the paddle on medium speed, add the flour mixture 1/3 cup at a time to the wet mixture, until you have added all the flour.
14. Continue to mix on medium speed for 5 minutes. A thick dough will form. If you used xanthan gum as your binder, this dough will be extremely sticky! The pictured dough uses chia seed meal and flax seed meal, it is less sticky and much easier to work with.
15. On a large flat plate or clean surface generously sprinkle sweet rice flour for shaping the dough.
16. Spray a wooden spoon or rubber spatula with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
17. With the wooden spoon, scrap dough from the sides of the mixing bowl into a large ball.
18. Dust your hands with sweet rice flour and place the dough onto the floured surface. Continuing to use your hands, gently shape the dough into a large ball.
19. Gently pull off a small handful of dough and shape it into a disk. Then using your finger, push a hole up through the middle of the disk. Continue to shape the disk until it looks like a bagel. Place the shaped bagel back on the floured surface. You should have enough dough for 8 medium sized bagels.
20. At this point, you can preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Once it has preheated, cut the oven OFF immediately. We will let the bagels rise in the warmed oven after we have boiled them.
21. Make sure your water is still at a rolling boil Work with ONE bagel at a time. Using a slotted spoon, gently place the bagel into the boiling water bath.
22. Boil the bagel for 20 seconds (ONLY) on each side. Use the slotted spoon to flip the bagel in the water. Because these bagels do not have gluten holding them together, they can fall apart in the water if you let them boil longer than this!!)
23. Pull out the boiled bagel and place it on your prepared baking pan. When you pull the bagel out of the water, be extra gentle! The bagel is very fragile now that it has been boiled and almost looks like wrinkled hands after a long warm bath!
24. Brush the boiled bagels with an egg wash (a mixture of one egg white with 1 tbsp. of water).
25. Add the toppings you desire. I added poppy seeds, dried onions, sesame seeds, and garlic granules. Place the bagels in the oven to rise for 40 minutes. The bagels will probably not double in size during the rise, but they will puff up slightly and appear larger than before the rise. Take bagels out of the oven after 40 minutes of rising. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place bagels back in oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. They will appear golden and crisp when finished baking.
26. Cool the bagels on a wire rack for 30 minutes before eating (if you can wait that long!)
27. Slice the bagels in half and spread with cream cheese, or use for sandwiches or mini-pizzas! At this point, you can slice all the bagels and freeze them for later use.


text:
Vitrioli of
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Terpstra and Demare triumph on the Doha Corniche
Like two years when he captured his first ever professional victory on the Doha Corniche, Arnaud Démare flew to a fantastic sprint victory on the final stage of the 2014 Tour of Qatar. The Frenchman managed to beat Daniele Bennati and Bernhard Eisel to the line. In the bunched pack, Niki Terpstra wins his first ever Tour of Qatar ahead of Tom Boonen and Jurgen Roelandts.Read more Key moments
Tour of Qatar 2014 route
Tour of Qatar 2014
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Jersey wearers after the stage 6
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- teamOMEGA PHARM.OPQ
Key moments
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Never expires if used once a year
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Bugaboo wheeled board elastic corditem code
This item contains an elastic cord for Bugaboo wheeled board model which is compatible with all Bugaboo strollers. You can recognize this wheeled board by its white swivel wheel. The older wheeled board has a black swivel wheel.
Please note that this elastic cord is only compatible with the Bugaboo Wheeled Board that is shown on the right. This elastic cord is not compatible with the Bugaboo Comfort Wheeled Board.


text:
The Crowder Lady 'Riders have lost four games all season. One of those losses came at the hands of the Iowa Western Lady Reivers back on Jan. 9 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. So when the foes hooked up again on Wednesday at Bob Sneller Gymnasium, the Lady 'Riders weren't ready to allow their seven game winning streak to come to a halt.
The Crowder Lady 'Riders have lost four games all season. One of those losses came at the hands of the Iowa Western Lady Reivers back on Jan. 9 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. So when the foes hooked up again on Wednesday at Bob Sneller Gymnasium, the Lady 'Riders weren't ready to allow their seven game winning streak to come to a halt.
It didn't.
Despite trailing at halftime, the Lady 'Riders built an 11-point second half lead and held on to knock off Iowa Western in a thriller, 67-63, to extend their winning streak to eight games.
Really, there hasn't been much separation of either team on the court. A month ago it was the Lady Reivers coming out on top, 65-64, in a back-and-forth tussle that resembled Wednesday's showdown.
"That's something we talked about before the game and at halftime too, was that it's going to be a battle for 40 minutes," Crowder coach Tina Robbins said. "Neither team is going to give up after someone makes a run. It's going to be back and forth.
"We've got to give them credit, we had an 11-point lead there at one point and they came right back at us. That's very characteristic of their team, a very well coached team."
Iowa Western led 29-28 at the half, but the Lady 'Riders (21-4) came out on fire in the second half and built an 11-point lead. They later held a 60-53 advantage with 7:10 remaining in the game before Iowa Western began chiseling away at their lead and cut it to 60-58 with 3:48 left.
On Crowder's next possession, sophomore guard Sarah Sagely drained a huge 3-pointer from the wing to push the lead back to five (63-58). That shot would loom large the remainder of the way as Leah Scott would later score on a layup to make it 65-63 Crowder with 26 seconds to go.
After a quick timeout, the Lady 'Riders got the ball in and managed to break the press as Sagely weaved around defenders in the backcourt before finding Camila Lacerda open down the floor for an easy layup with eight seconds left to seal it.
"We talked to our kids that we needed that one defensive stop, and after we got it we didn't have to have a shot," Robbins said. "We have some intelligent kids, and they realized that and they ran the clock out. We had some key possessions before that where we were able to hit some big shots."
Undeniably, Crowder's defense has continued to improve of late. Throughout their most recent winning stretch, the Lady 'Riders have allowed teams to score more than 55 points just twice in eight games — once in an 82-72 win against State Fair on Jan. 23, and again on Wednesday. But Robbins says her team isn't content with where they are, that they particularly need to improve on the boards, where they were out-rebounded 40-31, and that their drive to improve is a good sign.
"I think defensively we've continued to improve, and I think our defense has been pretty solid here as of late," Robbins said. "The one area that we challenged them with is we've got to get better on the boards. The old saying, 'offense sells tickets, defense wins games and rebounding wins championships' we've talked about that. So that's going to be a challenge for us the next couple of weeks, is that we've got to get better on the boards."
Terai Sadler led the Lady 'Riders with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Lacerda had 15 points, Sagely 12, Caprese Marshall 10, Chloe Nichols six, Dorian Briggs five and Megan Ritter three. Nichols added nine boards, Lacerda had six assists, and Sadler, Marshall and Seleena Neal tallied two steals apiece.
Scott led the Lady 'Reivers with 15 points, while Shaw-Nee Winningham had 11, Natasha Lebedeva 10, Bobbi Beckwith and Tyisha Smith nine, Ashley Prather five, and Blair Harding and Alise Karlsone two apiece.
Crowder hosts Arkansas Baptist at 2 p.m. Saturday.


text:
Who can teach tech these days, better than children? Kids are practically born with a wireless mouse in their hands. It starts in the early years with electronic educational games that teach kids their numbers and colors, states and presidents.
Next, the family PC replaces these "toys." By middle school, each child needs his or her own laptop. When kids hit the teen years it's all about smartphones and tablets, complete with expensive data plans and unlimited texting.
While most of us still have nicer cars than our kids, our young technocrats are loaded to the gills when it comes to technology, and it's all we can do to keep up. Much as we hate to admit it, our children are often more tech savvy than we are, and at times we have to turn to them for help. Turns out, in addition to doing chores, teenagers have another useful purpose: to teach parents technology.
As recently as 2008, teens were considered less tech savvy than their parents. A mere three years later, today's teens have been labeled the iGeneration, characterized "by their technology and media use, their love of electronic communication, and their need to multitask."
Teens have surpassed all other age groups in their use of connected devices (e.g., smartphone, Xbox, iPod and laptop). While the rest of us have adopted technology as a convenient new tool to make life easier, today's teens have embraced it as a way of life.
So who better to teach tech than teens?
Getting teens to teach parents technology is a great way to empower them. Here are some things that they can help you with:
Just because teens know so much about technology, it doesn't mean they possess the judgment required to always use it wisely and safely. Parental support based on nurturing, providing guidance and the wisdom of experience will never be replaced by advances in technology.
Parents' roles in their teens' lives are more important than ever as they try to navigate their way through the pitfalls unique to the iGeneration. There are still a few things mom or dad can teach them when it comes to their cyber welfare.
Cyber bullying is no joke and kids need to understand how to navigate problematic social situations online. Stress related to technology overload is also on the rise. Helping a child balance screen time with sleep time is another area in which parental guidance and authority are critical.
And everyone is vulnerable to malware and hacking - teens included - so they need protect themselves with security software.
Though kids can offer great nuts-and-bolts technology assistance, the bigger lesson they impart is an inspirational one. For most teens, their attachment to technology is not motivated by a desire to keep up with the Joneses or to leave their folks in the dust. iGeneration teens tend to be generous with their time and enthusiastic teachers. They instinctively understand that leveraging technology is one of the main ways to improve our planet.
So look forward to your teen hanging around the house this weekend. After you have her rake the leaves off the roof, she can fix the sound on your PC... so you can watch a few of those tutorial videos.
By Tracy Mardigian-Kiles


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We love dogs. So we can't resist passing along word that later today All Things Considered plans to catch up on the story of Andy, a tan and white Pembroke Welsh Corgi who has been missing since New Year's Eve.
Andy and his human companion, Jordina Ghiggeri of Plymouth, Mass., were visiting friends in Westport, Conn., when he got scared by some fireworks. He took off for the woods.
Since then Ghiggeri has used the old-fashioned approach — some 4,000 posters plastered all over Westport, according to the Boston Globe — and the wonders of technology and the World Wide Web in the effort to find Andy.
There's the Bring Andy Home Facebook page, which has more than 4,000 "likes." There's the Bring Andy Home blog and YouTube channel. Strangers, the Globe says, helped raise $11,000 to buy a dozen night-vision cameras. A pet detective has been enlisted. The missing dog's story has made it into The New York Times and on to the CBC.
Andy's been sighted, but not yet reunited with Ghiggeri.
Here's hoping it all works out.
Craig Lemoult from WSHU in Fairfield, Conn., is filing the report for All Things Considered. Click here to find an NPR station that broadcasts or streams the show.
Now, a search for a lost dog. This is not a story about putting fliers on telephone poles, or wandering the streets calling for Fido.
Craig LeMoult, from member station WSHU, has the story of a far more sophisticated and expensive search.
CRAIG LEMOULT, BYLINE: Karin TarQwyn walks Brodie the dog to a path in Cranbury Park in Norwalk, Connecticut. She holds out a dog collar for him to sniff.
KARIN TARQWYN: Find it.
LEMOULT: And Brodie takes off. He's a tracker dog, and TarQwyn is a private investigator who focuses on finding missing animals. She's a pet detective. They're looking through the woods of suburban Connecticut for a corgi named Andy.
TARQWYN: This is a missing family member. And it's as serious to them as, you know, as if it was a missing person.
LEMOULT: Andy has been missing since New Year's Eve. Jordina and Mike Ghiggeri, who live in Massachusetts, were visiting friends in Connecticut. They were outside by a bonfire and as usual, they had their corgi dogs with them. They're those cute, little dogs you see with the legs that just seem to be disproportionately short. Jordina admits their corgis are kind of like their kids. When a neighbor shot off some fireworks, Andy took off.
JORDINA GHIGGERI: I just kept thinking oh, he's just, you know, he'll be right back. And he'll just - he's just around the corner.
LEMOULT: But Andy didn't come back. And nearly four months later, they're still searching for him. Both she and Mike describe the little guy as having a look that's weirdly wise - like he knows all the answers, but he's just not going to tell you.
TARQWYN: I'm sure when I get Andy, he's going to be like, well, it's about time. Thanks a lot for coming to get me; like, I've been out there for quite some time.
LEMOULT: After so many months, you might think a coyote or a car might have gotten the best of Andy. But there have been more than 20 sightings of him.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: It was so quick. You know, it was like a flash.
LEMOULT: This Westport homeowner called the number she saw on a poster to say she'd seen something run by her house that could have been Andy. Suzanne Fisher Coroglian is one of a team of volunteers working on the case. For nearly four months now, she says she spent about five hours a day, five days a week, volunteering to look for Andy. And like a lot of the volunteers, she didn't even know the Ghiggeris before Andy disappeared.
SUZANNE FISHER COROGLIAN: And I still, to this day, sometimes say: Why am I so drawn to it?
LEMOULT: Most of the Team Andy volunteers say it's just become kind of a mission. They put up thousands of posters. They map out the sightings. They set up traps, one of which actually caught a different missing dog. And they put up digital video cameras. One of those cameras at an Andy trap filmed a raccoon and a skunk fighting over a rotisserie chicken hanging from a string, like it was a game of tetherball. And thousands of homes got this message...
UNIDENTIFIED MAN: This is a Pet Amber Alert for a white-and-tan colored, Welsh corgi dog in your area.
LEMOULT: So far, Jordina says the search has cost them at least $10,000. More than 4,000 people are fans of a Facebook page devoted to bringing Andy home. They make donations, and even held an online art auction to raise money. And that's helped pay to bring in the pet detective and her tracker dogs.
LEMOULT: The team chases the tracker dogs through the woods all afternoon, but no Andy. Mike Ghiggeri says, yes, people do think he's crazy to do all this.
MIKE GHIGGREI: All the time; it's like, what - you know - you're still looking or - you know, I'm like, yeah, what am I supposed to do, stop? I mean, I can't stop.
LEMOULT: And for now, they're not stopping. Because for all the months spent looking, for all the thousands of dollars raised and spent, they believe somewhere out there, there's still a corgi wandering around the woods of Connecticut, wishing he was home.
For NPR News, I'm Craig LeMoult. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.


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Nearly 40 percent of internet users between the ages of 18-35 have regretted posting personal information about themselves, and 35 percent have regretted posting personal information about a friend or family member.
57 percent of 18-35-year-olds think people share too much about their personal thoughts and experiences, and nearly that many feel technology is robbing them of their privacy.
Additionally, just over half of respondents worry that friends or family will post something personal about them that they don't want shared, according to a Euro RSCG Worldwide study titled "This Digital Life"[i] that surveyed consumers in 19 countries, including the U.S.
What's more, it's not just parents and grandparents that worry your privacy habits aren't strong enough; even other teens and twenty-somethings believe youth are particularly careless about protecting personal information online.
Young people also overwhelmingly (66 percent) believe that other youth have no sense of personal privacy and are willing to post anything and everything about their lives.
According to a survey conducted by Badoo[ii], American's overshare:
Beyond the potential for embarrassment, oversharing can have long-term consequences to your social life, your education and to your chances for employment.
While the personal information you share about yourself, your relationships and your family may seem harmless, consider the impact of sharing in these scenarios:
The examples could go on and on, but you get the picture. You've probably already shared your name, age, city and state. If you every said "today's my birthday" or had someone congratulate you on your birthday, then that information is available… and the profile collecting all your personal information continues to expand.
It may help to think of your internet profile – not the one you created but the one created by companies, crooks and creeps – as a bucket.
Companies, schools, peers, the parents of a girl or boy you like, insurance groups, the police, criminals and more – you have no idea who is systematically collecting your personal data and how they're planning to use it.
Take control of your privacy and your online reputation by following a few basic principles:
Lastly, it's important to not only remove personal information and potentially negative information, you need to also build a positive online profile that shows others the best of you – whether that be potential friends, colleagues, employers, schools or family members.
[i] http://www.prosumer-report.com/blog/study-highlights-this-digital-life/
[ii] http://corp.badoo.com/entry/press/54/


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Northeast Ohio's premier source for business news
Originally Published: March 8, 2013 1:30 AM
Updated: 3/8/2013
Foreclosed homes make Cleveland a bargain hunter's paradise
By Scott Suttell
This one will be quick:
Shoppers willing to buy homes in foreclosure will find
great deals in Cleveland
. "Nationwide, the average discount on homes sold in a foreclosure was 39% below conventional sale prices during the fourth quarter, while prices on homes sold in a short sale averaged 23% below market, according to
, the online marketer of foreclosed properties," CNNMoney.com reports. Cleveland was the hottest market among those looking to buy foreclosed homes during the last three months of 2012, with sales of bank-owned homes soaring 141% year-over-year, according to the story. The average foreclosed home here sold for $57,782, a 56% discount to non-distressed properties in the market. CNNMoney.com says sales of bank-owned properties in Dayton "jumped 121% during the fourth quarter, selling for an average of just $50,579 — 57% below regular market prices."
just can't get enough
of their new casinos. "Despite being three days shorter than January, February brought increases in overall revenue at Scioto Downs and Hollywood Casino Columbus, as well as at the casinos in Cleveland and Toledo,"
The Columbus Dispatch
reports. Overall, the state's casinos had revenue of $55.5 million, a 4.3% increase. (The total includes $227,752 from Horseshoe Cincinnati, which officially opened March 4. The revenue was from its controlled demonstration in February.)
The Dispatch
Horseshoe Casino Cleveland's
revenue in February was $22.1 million, a 6.7% increase from January.
Fast Company
magazine's design blog has
much praise
for the user interface design of revamped galleries at the
Cleveland Museum of Art
. The galleries, designed by New York-based
Local Projects
, feature cutting-edge interactivity, according to the
Fast Company
post, but the technology itself isn't the point. "We didn't want to create a tech ghetto," says David Franklin, the museum's director. Local Projects founder Jake Barton adds, "We wanted to make the tech predicated on the art itself."
Fast Company
says the museum's revamp of its galleries "bears a number of lessons that are broadly useful." Among them: "shaping the content to the medium," "finding a way for users to make narratives" and "lightweight interactions = fun interactions." There are helpful videos that support the points. The post concludes, "In the end, the exhibits that Local Projects have created for the Cleveland Museum of Art work because they're a kind of Trojan Horse. They're designed to elicit a certain amount of gee-whiz amazement. But they contain nuggets of real curatorial insight that go down easy simply because they're fun." Mr. Barton notes, helpfully, "Nothing ages worse than the newest latest gizmo. The tech experiences that last always tell a deep story or let people tell a story."
U.S. companies "are showering investors with a record windfall in the form of dividends and share buybacks, helping to propel the stock market's rally," according to
this story
The Wall Street Journal
. "Companies in the S&P 500 index are expected to pay at least $300 billion in dividends in 2013, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices, which would top last year's $282 billion," the newspaper reports. In addition, American corporations "announced plans to buy back $117.8 billion of their own shares in February, the highest monthly total in records dating back to 1985,"
The Journal
says, citing data from
Birinyi Associates Inc.
, a Westport, Conn.-based market research firm. The large payouts "are boosting investors' confidence in a stock-market rally that has pushed the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a record," according to the story. "Buybacks have an even more direct effect than dividends on companies' share prices because they can boost earnings-per-share, a closely watched measure of profitability, by reducing shares outstanding, although some companies use the stock they buy to deliver shares to executives who exercise stock options." Last month, 130 companies authorized buybacks, compared with 68 in January, the newspaper notes. "You're telling the market your stock is undervalued, and that is, on average, right," Michael Weisbach, an Ohio State University finance professor has researched corporate stock-buyback activity, tells
The Journal
. If companies are snapping up their own shares, he says, "things must be looking rosy for the companies and their balance sheets."
I loved
New York Times
of a pretty remarkable life. It's about Joseph Kelner, a lawyer who represented the student victims of the Kent State University shootings in 1970. He died on Monday in Manhasset, N.Y., at age 98.
The Times
says Mr. Kelner "was hired by the mother of Jeffrey Miller, a slain student who appeared in the widely reproduced photo lying face down on the pavement with an anguished young woman kneeling over him." He became chief counsel for the victims and their families in a civil suit that went to trial in 1975. In federal court, a jury exonerated Gov. James Rhodes; Robert I. White, who had been president of Kent State at the time; and 27 National Guardsmen. Mr. Kelner, who had accused the judge, Don J. Young, of suppression of evidence and other errors, said afterward, "This is a sad day in American justice." The verdict was reversed on appeal, and Ohio officials offered a settlement of $675,000, "which was accepted by the plaintiffs against Mr. Kelner's advice," according to the obit. "He remained outraged by the shootings and the outcome of the case." In 1980, Mr. Kelner was the co-author, with James Munves, of "The Kent State Coverup," in which he alleged that "one governmental agency after another had managed to suppress evidence and shield those responsible for the shootings in a monumental cover-up." He added, "The same process continued in the Cleveland courtroom." If that's not enough drama for a lawyer's life, Mr. Kelner also, for a time, represented Bernhard H. Goetz, the subway vigilante "who became a lightning rod in a national debate about crime, race and guns in December 1984 when he, a white man, shot four black teenagers who he claimed had tried to rob him in a subway car,"
The Times
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