TACKLE South Carolina Family Vacations

You will love South Carolina! The Palmetto State won our vote as the place for our second home over 5 years ago.

Our southern paradise, Surfside Beach, is in south Myrtle Beach.  Highlights include an affordable pier home with a view of the ocean, no mosquitoes, mild winters and a golf cart ride to the old fashioned downtown. "Just down the road" is a fishing pier with live music, an oceanfront cafe and bar and pristine beaches to swim and surf.

The locals welcome tourists and outsiders. They will come visit "for a while", wave and say "Howdy" and recommend their favorite Calabash style restaurant.

Fishing, crabbing, boating and eating are all favorite pastimes, especially in nearby Murrell's Inlet's Marsh Walk. Ten minutes away, "y'all" can enjoy the nightlife at Broadway on the Beach with shows, music and shopping. If you are "fixin" for the 4th of July experience of a lifetime, go to the beach and experience a war zone display of fireworks.

Our family members unite in the Lowcountry by car or by the cute, nearby airport. My city slicker daughter, a designer in Manhattan, even loves this place. Last week she plopped on the sleeper sofa and gushed, "this place just feels good".

We all need a getaway where the family can reconnect and make new memories.
Visit this website for more great ideas in South Carolina: http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/
Reasonably priced rentals and houses:
http://www.rose-real-estate.com/

TACKLE Sun Poisoning

Spring break is the first official exposure to the sun when you live in the north.  Our family travels down to the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach, SC every Easter. 

This year was no different.  Fun in the southern sun, until you forget the sunblock.  We preach to our children until we are red in the face to protect their skin from the rays.

Our fair skinned teen daughter (green eyes, pearly white skin) snuck out without the Coppertone.  After falling asleep on the beach for four hours, she reappeared with, you guessed it,  a severe sunburn!  At first, she was giddy with excitement hoping that the red would turn to tan by morning. 

Unfortunately, her skin rejected that idea and turned to sun poisoning instead.  Half of her face was bubbling and the rest of her body had a severe hell-itch.  She hid indoors for the rest of the trip to avoid the high school baseball team that were in Myrtle.

We treated her, after much research, with oatmeal bubble baths, benedryl, vitamin E and ice packs.  One week later and now owning a big brimmed sun hat, she is thankful there is no scarring and appreciates sunblock.

TACKLE Google for Seniors

My father, a  mechanic, has owned an auto repair business for over 50 years in a small city in Pennsylvania.  His "solid as a rock" shop has always generated ample revenue to support his family.

My dad turns into an accountant during tax time.
During a random, "How are you doing, Dad?" call, I noticed he was stressed.

The customer count was down and he was worried.  I reminded him that it was a bad economy and asked him how he was marketing. His business was generated with old-fashioned techniques; word of mouth with a good reputation.

I told him to fire up his old dusty PC in the back of the auto parts office so we could check google.  My dad can perform a computerized 4 wheel front end alignment with Hunter Equipment, but he has little interest in the informational technology world.

Twenty minutes later, we tried to google "car repair" in his city. Commands like "www" were perceived as "double u?", the "F5" key were "F" and "5" and when we had to "delete cookies", he refused to throw out his Oreos?  

 Finally, twenty businesses popped up in the search engines, but not my dad's shop.

     "My buddy, Sam's Tune Up is listed, but where am I?" he asked.

Sam was grabbing customers because he had a webpage.   My dad said that he also had a bunch of webpages with Yelp, Merchant Circle and Superpages.  After explaining that they were free listings, I told him it was time to have a have a webpage so new and old customers knew his shop existed.

I called the website builder listed on the bottom of Sam's Tune Up's page.  Within one day, carrepairwebsites.com had my dad's shop popping up on google.  My dad was tickled pink when I told him he had website.

Next hurdle is to convince him to activate the voice mail feature on the shop phone system.
  

TACKLE Piercings and Body Modification

Many parents fear the day that their legal aged 18 year old comes home with a tattoo or an odd body piercing.  A pair of pierced earrings are considered acceptable with most parents.

When we recently went to our daughter's military graduation, we couldn't help but notice all of the girl's faces with scars from closed piercings.  When you join the military, jewelry piercings are removed and tattoos must be approved.  

Many civilian jobs also require professional appearances.  If your child won't conform, they don't get the job or the opportunity in that field.

Four out of our seven children have had body piercings.   I cringed and yelled at all four.  Now, they only have scars.  My son has two tattoos and I had to control myself when I saw them on his skin.  He will probably have them his whole life.
I know people want freedom of expression, it is art, it is cultural and all of that stuff, but instead, try non piercing jewelry or paint a shirt and wear it.  They can be removed and changed as your life changes.   Piercings and tattoos are so permanent.  If you remove them, you are left with scarring.

When my children came home with the piercings and tattoos, I had nightmares that they would become extremists like the "artists?" on the website listed below.
Very scarey; click here:

                                                      http://www.oddee.com/item_96602.aspx

TACKLE Grandchildren

There is truth to the saying that "grandchildren are different".  Yes, you can give them back to their daddy or mommy when you are exhausted.  However, when you have them in your possession, you don't want to give them back.

Grandparents get joy in every milestone.  Smiling, sitting, crawling and walking are amazing because this innocent being is a part of your own child.

There is also something special about seeing your own child emerging as a parent.  That is when they suddenly have flashbacks of your parenting skills and are grateful for what you have taught them.  



TACKLE Old Age

Survival Skills: World’s Oldest Man

I loved this article. This gentleman is adorable. Our senior citizens can provide a wealth of wisdom based on experience.


Walter Breuning, age 114, on heartache, neckties, and death


http://www.mensjournal.com/survival-skills-worlds-oldest-man

 

TACKLE Continuing Education

You can't succeed without brain stimulation. Your body needs exercise to stay healthy and fit and so does your brain.

We have children who are being educated in the military (hefty college GI bill) and in a traditional college setting. Three daughters are still in high school. We have their graduations for the next 3 years.

To continue education, they will work, save, go to in state schools, get aid or scholarships or consider the military option. Student loans will be avoided, because they can financially cripple our children when they graduate college.

Education and work experience are critical to a successful career. Whether it is traditional college, specialty school, the military or online classes, it is important to keep on learning.

My husband and I attend seminars and take online courses. I have recently tackled 6 college online courses while raising a family and working full time to keep the brain conditioned.

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA www.odu.edu/ offers a four year degree online. Ed2go www.ed2go.com/ offers a variety of online credit and non-credit courses. Both programs are accommodating to a busy lifestyle.

Great sites for college and future planning include: "Petterson Guide" www.petersons.com/ and "CollegeBoard" www.collegeboard.org/

Today, there is little excuse not to continue your education, because there are so many options available.

TACKLE Air Force BMT Graduation: The Parade

Our daughter casually mentioned that she was one of the top squads graduating from US Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX. The Airman's Run and Coin Ceremony were on Thursday. She had to prepare for the final graduation event on Friday.

The Graduation at the Parade Ground is surrounded by a proud display of military aircraft ranging from the SR-71 Blackbird to the C-118 Liftmaster. Our daughter's top squad had the honor to march with the color guard and the state flags in the parade. She smiled as she waved the flag representing California, "the Golden State."

Over 700 Airmen stood at attention, marched and beamed with pride that day. The Air Force acknowledged Women's History Month during the parade. Women Technical Instructors led all of the squads including about 100 women graduates.

Our family used a flipcam to make videos of the weekend. The camera created a "magic movie" (see below)with the filmed footage to create a quick clip of the event. It is very simple to use, especially if you are technically challenged. Check out their website: http://www.theflip.com/en-us/

TACKLE an Air Force Graduation: The Coin

To a civilian, it may be just a coin. To a United States Air Force trainee, the Airman's Coin symbolizes an accomplishment.

Our daughter had started her US Air Force Basic Military Training 9 weeks ago. We were anxious to finally celebrate the end of this journey.

The graduation parade was the big event on the traditional weekend of celebration at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. The day before the parade was the Airman's Run and the Airman's Coin Ceremony.

The squads did the Airman's Run through the base for their families to cheer as they glimpsed their taller, leaner, confident child. Hours later, the sea of navy blue figures marched in cadence with their Training Instructors to the cermonial site to receive their Airman's Coin. The Pledge of Allegiance and the American Flag folding concluded the event.

We rushed to the grounds to find our daughter for a hug. Her initial comments included, "Do you want to see my coin?" It was a proud symbol of the challenges she had survived in the past 2 months. She had been nervous for the following day's parade, but the pressure was eased now that she had her family and her coin.

TACKLE Athletic Scholarships

I was one of those mothers that groomed my child for a college athletic scholarship. The years of mapping out that goal can cause unnecessary aggravation and stress between child and parents.

My 1st child, a son, was a standout athlete. He could play any sport well. I thought he was a perfect student for a scholarship. His senior year in high school he was the starting quarterback in football, won the highest honors as offensive player of the year and the Iron Eagle Award. His dad even helped coach the team.

He was accepted in 4 colleges without an offer for one penny in scholarship money. When I think of all of the money spent on sport's camps and travel teams, we could have had a well funded college savings account.

Now that my 5th and 7th child are making their mark on a lacrosse field, I understand the importance of playing a sport is to have fun and learn responsibility and team work.

My son burned out on sports when it was time for college. Now, he happily jogs and goes to the gym.

Parents should relax and enjoy watching their kids in school, inexpensive church and league sport teams. Be proud if they sit on the bench or hold the record for high jump. Sock away the camp and travel team expense into a college savings account.

Believe it or not, the best scholarship odds are in girl's golf and only 1.6% of high school girl golfer's land the money for college. The worst odds are wrestling at .3%. More details on athletic scholarship odds are at this website: www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6844161.html

TACKLE Air Force BMT Graduation

Her last plea was to give her cat named "Figgy" extra love while she was away from home. Five more days and the #3 daughter will do us proud! This is the child who challenged every rule and always argued her point of view in our household.

She is graduating from Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) at Lackland Air Force, TX on Friday, April 1, 2011. She left from the recruiter's office almost 9 weeks ago. There was not a dry eye in the parking lot. We knew she would finish, but only heard stories about what she would experience.

My son has been in the Air Force for 9 years. He clued us in on the challenges that she would endure. She toured his base and took almost a year to make a decision for her future.

The only contact with her in the last few weeks have been occasional phone calls and heartfelt letters. The communication ranged from nervous to energetic to proud.

The countdown begins...We fly to Texas this week and are anxious to chronicle our experience as "Proud Parents in the US Air Force". The big dilemma is how to smuggle Figgy to Texas to give her a victory purr!

The website listed below provided helpful information on the military:

http://usmilitary.about.com/

TACKLE a Marathon

Running 26.2 miles is beyond my imagination. However, my husband thrives on a challenge. Years ago, he started walking for exercise. Later he added jogging, 5K's, 10K's and now marathons to his schedule. When the marathon was on the calender, I thought he had lost his mind.

He trained and read about nutrition, goo packs, cramping and even barefoot running. He sucked the family into the race fever. However, a 5K is our running limit. I am the official "bag lady" for the marathons. I hold his clothes, phone, directions and running packet during his long races. Our daughters and even their friends have traveled with us to many races. The sponsors usually have family activities and food available for the spectators as well.

Today he finished his 2nd marathon in 5 months. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he vowed to never do another one. However, I know once the muscles feel better and the stats are posted online, he will enter another one.

Check out this site for healthy family activities.

http://www.active.com/

TACKLE Men

http://www.mydaily.com/2011/03/13/manning-up-kay-hymowitz-men-boys-pre-adults/

Interesting article. Some of the young women in my household have agreed with the concept of this book.

TACKLE Kids Growing Up

It was thirty years ago when I was eight months pregnant and only 21 years old. My water broke in the wee morning hours. The previous day the OBGYN said that the baby was in the breech or feet first position. This position could cause possible strangulation if the chord descended before the baby. My immediate reaction was to lay flat and call my mom, who knows everything. She said to call the doctor.

I was rushed to the hospital. It was a grueling 8 hour labor with women lined up in the hall to deliver. The baby flipped and was now in the head first position. The baby was delivered with forceps, a big no no in today's birthing suites. My boy was a healthy 6lbs 11oz and would have been a giant if he was born at full term!

 He is my only boy. He is the perfect son, a 6"2' outstanding athlete and sharp as a tack. He has a charming personality with eyes that will melt your heart. He is a brave American who joined the Air Force nine years ago. He has earned tons of medals and ribbons but is modest and genuine. He married a wonderful woman and together, they gave me my first grandchild, a son. Tomorrow my hero turns 30 years old. Happy Birthday, Son!

Thisisit

After fifty years of ups and downs and learning and living, it only makes sense to start writing about those experiences.  Life, especially parenting. doesn't come with an official handbook. You get a license to drive, own a business and even practice a profession, but zip to have children.

Googling, reading, shrinks and experiences are all great ways to compile your own handbook to TACKLE your life. My handbook looks like a bulky Bible. I had been married too young, had 4 children and lost a baby, opened a few businesses, survived a divorce and am now remarried to a saint.

He has 3 daughters and I have 3 daughters. My son, married with a son of his own, is in the Air Force and has been to war and back many times. He prefers war to living with 6 sisters. Pray for my brave husband who is assisting me in tackling life in the raising of 6 productive women who will not be a burden to society.