I’ll be helping kick off the Relay for Life at Bedford Community Stadium Saturday morning. Come join us. I hope to post a few pics of the event on Sunday. See you there!
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The Lion King Meets the Chicken Tender King
Friday, May 9, 2008
The phrase is when “in Rome do like the Romans do” or something. Whatever the phrase the philosophy is how I try to enjoy vacation eating. If you’re at a seaside resort order the fish. At the global fusion buffet order whatever that rice thing is. I’m a grown up and I enjoy a little culinary adventure now and again. Disney’s the perfect venue for this type of adventure since you can have the best of foreign dining combined with rigorous health and cleanliness standards found in a Disney Kitchen. I advise all grown ups headed to Disney to mix it up and try a new taste.
But no matter where we go one of my children will always find the chicken tenders on the meal. It is that 
kid’s go to order. We could be dining in the finest Italian, Greek, French or Mexican restaurant and the child will ferret out the chicken tenders.
I try to nudge the Chicken Tender King toward something new when we dine out. When in Epcot do like the Epcotians do! The chefs know their international cuisine. I enjoy pushing myself away from old food favorites and I ask what the waiter/waitress recommends. I’ve never been lead astray.
But there’s still the Chicken Tender King. After a day at the park The Chicken Tender King had walked for hours, patiently stood in line, and had laughed ot the point of crying on a ride called Star Tours. It was time for dinner.
The Chicken Tender King was cooked, pretty tired. This was a tired born of great fun , but the kind that could lead to tears and tantrums. You know the drill. You can see when your kid is nearly as fried as the items on the menu. Respect that.
When it was The Chicken Tender King’s turn to order we didn’t protest the selection of chicken tenders. Normally we would nudge a little. But we gave in. Why? Were we allowing the kid to run all over us? No. It’s just a little bit of comfort after a day of adventure can be just the ticket. Really, on vacation why argue over dinner? Save that for Christmas. The rest of the year you can make the case for variety, healthy choices, vegetables, but at a late night Disney dinner, whatever floats your Steamboat Willy.
If you can get the kids or grandparents to get wild in their food choices at some of the restaurants I guarantee you’ll be satisfied. But if someone really just wants a little familiar taste of home, by all means, chicken tenders, macaroni and chees and yes peanut butter and jelly are on the menu of just about every Disney restaurant.
It is after all the land of The Lion King which is the perfect habitat for your little Chicken Tender King to rule over his dinner feast.
Happy Birthday Harley Davidson
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Here’s a link to a story about Harley Davidson motorcycles that I did with 106.5 The Zone’s Murphy in the Morning! Kind of fun for a chuckle. Especially if you want to see me in total “fish out of water” mode. We did the story because the Harley brand is celebrating its 105th Birthday this summer.
Story Problems
Monday, April 28, 2008
This story appeared in The Toledo Blade on Friday it came from a New York Times article. But here’s the deal, it explains how story problems in math classes don’t really teach kids anything. They don’ t really help students learn math. I think this falls under the category of we could have told them this. Right? Anyone with me?
As an adult I am reasonably awful at math but that wasn’t always the case. I took honors math all the way through 10th grade. But when I finished the math requirement I was out of there.. no more math for me. Back then I HATED story problems or word problems. I could do the standard abstract math fine and then they’d ask me to calculate when the train was going to ram into the station or how many orange slices the train could cut an apple into and I’d be stumped.
The theory used to be that the “real world” applications of cutting an apple in half and giving it to 3/4 of a person would help you learn math concepts. But it was fine, I graduated high school and college and my story problem days were over. Plus I’m a journalist, no math to worry about whatsoever careerwise this was a smart move for me: math-free journalism.
Then of course the minute you think you’re free of story problems you become a parent of a fourth grade child who needs help with the math homework. My husband took that area of parenting over after he saw me grab chunks of my hair and yell “IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHEN THE TRAIN IS SUPPOSE TO LEAVE AND ARRIVE AT THE STATION GET A SCHEDULE AND LOOK IT UP MRS. CRABAPPLE!!!” I was yelling this to an innocent worksheet mind you.
Now according to the New York Times article and researchers at Ohio State it turns out the theory of using real world applications is just that, a theory. People thought it would help you learn math. They didn’t have proof of this when they inserted it into math curriculums back in the free-wheeling 1960s. And after some research… it doesn’t! Recent data shows story problems just confuse the issue. Researcher found that kids are sitting in class pondering what color the trains are and forgetting how to do the actual math.
The study even says the benefits of things like “manipulatives” are also un tested when it comes to teaching the smallest kids begining math. Again, didn’t you already suspect this when you had a kid in first grade?
One of my kids spent the entire first grade stacking little blocks and then drawing them and then coloring them. We called it “art math.” This was all in an effort to learn addition. On one test the teacher asked the students to explain how they arrived at the answer to the problem 8-2=6. My child responded, “My brain told me it was the right answer.” Although the math problem was answered correctly the kid only received half credit because the explaination was deemed wrong.
And teachers I’m not criticizing you! These were and are the accepted theories and a teacher has to do SO MUCH when it comes to helping a kid get math. Any person who has the patience to spend hours and hours with 9 year olds and can inspire them succeed in math has my admiration. Most of the teachers we have encountered are real heroes to me and the kids. I couldn’t do it. So remember it’s not the teachers I’m kvetching about here, it’s the story problems and manipulatives. We just don’t get along.
The study doesn’t say get rid of story problems or “manipulatives” when it comes to learning it just says there isn’t any real research to suggest those actually help teach math. Cleary the study comes too late for my children and me but maybe if I’m lucky enough to become a grandparent I won’t have to help the little tykes figure out how to cut appples with a train that leaves the station traveling at 45 mph.
And by the way just a hello from the AWOL me. I am working a different schedule to fill in for Kristian Brown during her maternity leave. This is leaving me less time to blog but I do appreciate people checking in here as I juggle this little change.
Helena Laughs
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
This is a video of my first cousin’s daughter Helena. Does that make her my second cousin? Or is it first cousin once removed? Who knows, I just know she’s already a star. Her Dad Tom asks her who she likes best Mama or Dada. Mama, Crystal, is trying to get Helena to say Mama.
By-Product of Shift Work
Monday, April 7, 2008
Anyone who reads this probably knows I’m a morning news anchor. As a morning news anchor the question I get more than any other is “what time do you get up?” The answer: 2:45 a.m. Early call, true, but not too different than my neighbor who works first shift at Jeep.
I have many positive things to say about shift work especially when it comes to family life. When I started in news I worked night-side. That’s from 2:30 p.m. until after the 11 o’clock news. My kids were little then and it was great to be home until two in the afternoon. I only needed 4 hours of babysitting since the hubby worked a regular daytime schedule and got home in the evening. Essentially we both had full time jobs and only had to pay half time of childcare. Later I worked the weekend shift. That gave me two week days off. Again, it was nice because my husband was home the weekends so my kids had 4 days straight of at least one parent home.
This morning shift came at the right time in my life as my kids afterschool actitivies keep us going each afternoon and I’m available to do whatever they need from homework help (except math) to cheering in the stands. I get just under 5 hours of sleep a night but no worries, I catch up on Friday nights. Except…
Before I continue I will tell you that I enjoy flipping through decorating magazines. Not that my house is decorated in any sort of style at all but I like looking at the home decor magazines. So when I have a few minutes to wait, say in the parking lot as the kids are finishing up whatever they’re doing or on a Saturday night after go-go-going all day, I enjoy looking at the magazines.
I am talking about shift work and home decor magazines because of this.
I’ve purchased this magazine twice. Same issue. Something looked vaguely familiar. Oh well, I thought no big deal, I’ll just recycle one. (That’s why you’re only seeing the one in the picture.)
Then I did this:
I’ve purchased this same magazine 3 TIMES. (I threw one out because I scared myself when I discovered I’d bought it repeatedly.) Either I love Renovation Style Magazine so much that I can’t wait for the next issue or maybe I just love this fireplace mantel. But the more likely scenario is my short term memory is Swiss Cheesy. Big holes in it.
So shift work appears to be good for my family life but it appears it be REALLY good for these two magazine publishers. What was I saying again? I forget.
Having Fun at Disney - (Eeyore Encourages Me to Ditch the Plan) - Part Two
Sunday, March 30, 2008
So when last I left this blog I was about to ditch my kids in favor of a joyless shuffle through an itinerary that I’d planned from home three weeks before getting to The Magic Kingdom.
Fortun
ately my parents offer of enjoying the park while I marched through it snapped me out of The Plan. I realized that we were on vacation and we could could ALL wait for Eeyore. I sat and watched as Eeyore lumbered our way. Eeyore as you know is not speedy. though I had resigned to stay I still wasn’t “in the moment” yet. I was suffering through the delay versus anticipating a lovely experience with a donky. I’m sure my tense face and body language conveyed this. I probably looked as morose as the despondent donky form the 100 Acre Wood.
In good time Eeyore arrived. My kids hugged him. I snapped the shots and then, okay, let’s move on, Eeyore had other plans. He decided I was in need of some quality donkey time. Eeyore finished with the children and put an arm? Hoof? on me. I’ll go with fuzzy hoof on my shoulder. I smiled. But that wasn’t enough. Eeyore wasn’t leaving until I had some fun.
Eeyore ruffled my have and pushed me around in my chair. And I started to laugh.. really laugh.. double chinned don’t care if you look good in pictures… look at my fillings guffaw. That’s what happens when a donkey appears to be trying to kill you! It was just the kick I needed. This was no longer polite acceptance of my vacation detour. Eeyore helped me appreciate the walk to the attraction just as much as the attraction. Magic Moments happen when you use The Plan as a guide, not a bible.
Yes, Eeyore tried to smother me in the middle of the Crystal Palace. My kids were rolling on the floor laughing at the sight of me struggling against an attack donkey determined to push me out of my chair.
Of the entire day’s checklist I remember the Eeyore attack. It wasn’t on The Plan and I couldn’t tell you what else was on The Plan. Eeyore showed me how I’d been a real donkey.
So kick the plan. Just a little.
Having Fun at Disney - (Eeyore Encourages Me to Ditch the Plan)
Monday, March 24, 2008
So THE PLAN. First I advise you that to have a terrific trip to Disney World you need to research, develop, feed and nurture your Disney Plan. Then here in this very next section I’m going to tell you to ditch it. Now I don’t mean ditch it 
ditch it. Like don’t chuck The Plan in the nearest conveniently placed trash receptacle, no I mean if the kid wants to go on the Dumbo ride twice, go on the Dumbo ride twice. And don’t be Grumpy about it.
If you go on a vacation with the children to Disney then it’s reasonable for me to assume that you like your children. You want them to have fun. You want to have fun with them. That’s where I’m coming from when I go to Disney, I want to have fun with the kids.
Now some people criticise a Disney vacation as lacking spontaneity. I disagree. Even the most jaded and sarcastic (me) parent can have a magical moment. But if you are too rigid and adhere to the marching orders of The Plan you could miss the magic moment. As is true in life - if you don’t open yourself to the possibility of a magic moment you’ll miss them. Or worse you’ll march your kids right past them because they’re not a part of The Plan.
One Disney trip after a busy morning in the Magic Kingdom we arrived at the Crystal Palace for a nice buffet lunch. I wrangled my parents and my kids into the glass encased Winnie the Pooh themed venue. I’d budgeted time in The Plan for this experience. We had lunch with the characters, seconds, the ice cream buffet, a potty break and at just under an hour for lunch we were good to go. The Plan was working perfectly. But I was itching to get the army moving again, The Plan called for a hike to The Hall of Presidents. Then I heard, “but mom we haven’t seen Eeyore yet.”
At the Crystal Palace the Pooh characters rotate from table to table. We’d seen the biggies Pooh, Roo and even that whack job Tigger. We’d DONE the Crystal Palace. We could check it off The Plan and hustle to the next thing. But then again, “Mom, Eeyore, please.”
I was annoyed, if we stayed any longer The Plan would be shot to heck. My parents offered to wait at the restaurant with the kids if I wanted to get moving. My over-scheduled, not-on- vacation mind thought-yes! I can get to all the rides I need to vis-a-vis The Plan without slowing down for the kids! But wait….
Ooh.. this post is almost 400 words.. too much…this story will be continued… Wednesday where you’ll find out if anyone was injurred in the making of the above picture!
Advice for a Trip to Disney World-Travel and Lodging
Friday, March 14, 2008
I am an expert on going to Walt Disney World. There I’ve said it. I know modesty is a good trait but I’m telling you when it comes to going to Walt Disney World I am all that. Here’s the background Disney owns WTVG so I am a Disney employee. In the interest of full disclosure as a Disney employee I flipping love going to Walt Disney World. On our first trip the kids were toddlers and we still go there on vacation even now that they’re teenagers. I’ve also traveled to “The World” with retirees, babies, menopausal women, feverish kids, friends, and someone who’d just had an appendix removed. We’ve had a great time every time. Really if you know anyone planning a trip, send ‘em over. If you are going to Disney or know someone who is think of me as your electronic Sherpa. This is the experience I’ve garnered over many visits and now at the very least I’ll send people who ask to these pages. It will be an ongoing series of sorts.
Over the years I’ve shared tips with friends, family and co-workers and trust me I always get a Mickey coffe Mug and an “I’m so glad I did what you suggested” as a thank you. One friend even called me their Disney Trip “Fairy Godmother.” This made me so happy! So if you or someone you know is planning a trip put up your bibbidi-bobbidi-boo and read on.
First up plan ahead, a successful trip to the park with your kids or your parents requires thought. There’s so much to see and do it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Buy a guide book and use it. I’m not here to tell you my favorite rides or map your route through the park. (Maybe we’ll talk favorite attractions later.) But I can tell you prioritizing rides and mapping out a plan has worked like crazy for our family. As they say at NASA “work the plan” and you’ll have a Magical Day.
Let’s start with traveling to the park. My family and I aren’t campers. It’s just not one of our hobbies. I think we would like camping but we just never got around to it. What we do instead is drive to Florida. We load up our mini-van and hit I-75. I liken it to camping except for the DVD player and electronic games. Oh and except for the air conditioner. Okay so it’s only like camping because we’re in a small enclosure. But we do like driving down to Florida. We like checking off the states as we pass through, it’s fun to go to the ‘Coon Skin Cap Outlet, and there’s always a thrill when we chance it with the “is this gas station safe” game. Some families have traditions rooted in culture or history our tradition is picking a random highway exit and sampling the Waffle House. Waffle House says to us.. we’re on vacation and we’re lovin’ maple syrup!
***DISCLAIMER ALERT***NEVER DRIVE WHILE TIRED*** Now that you’ve read the disclaimer here’s our preferred method for driving to Florida. 
We start in the afternoon and then go straight through. We drive all night. With a small kid this is brilliant because they fall asleep as it gets dark and pretty much STAY ASLEEP until you get through Tennessee. Sure missing Kentucky is disconcerting but only if your small children actually know the states. Don’t encourage them to care about “getting to Kentucky” and you won’t have any disappointment. Maybe if they’re small you could just not mention that there is a Kentucky and then you’re golden. (Nothing against Kentucky mind you we’re just trying to avoid some sort of “why didn’t you wake me up when we hit Kentucky” temper tantrum.) Gettin’ almost to Georgia with sleeping kids is a beautiful thing.
Think of driving at night like a futuristic space travel deal. If astronauts were ever to travel to Mars or something the astronaut would be suspended in some sort of frozen sleep stasis. That way they wouldn’t age during the years it takes to get to the Red Planet. This is scientific fact based on movies I’ve watched. See they go to sleep after blast off and wake up when the little green men stuns them with lasers. Driving to Florida at night is like that. Go to sleep in Ohio wake up in 
Dixie! Plus there’s the side perk of - you haven’t aged. Sure you still get the “are we there yet” chant at dawn but at least you wont’ have it all night. ***DISCLAIMER ALERT***NEVER DRIVE WITH MARTIANS*** (Oh and I’m usually the one chanting “are we there yet?”)
Whether you drive at night or teleport to Orlando pack light. Pack light enough to bring back all the souvenirs you buy in the parks. Take clothes that you know you can sweat in and feel comfortable. Buy a pair of shoes, break them in with a few nice long walks at home before the trip, and then also a pair of flip-flops with that you’re good to go. Disney is a casual place. Sure you can book a fancy dinner or two when you’re in Orlando but if you are going with kids you need to stock-up on comfortable, wearable, and cool clothing.
Disney accomodations are all top notch. In my experience if you stay “on property” as Disney calls it you can always be assured you’ll have clean and beautiful room with great service. Obviously you can learn about the different levels of accomodations at the Official Walt Disney World Site. Basically there’s 
value, moderate, and delux levels of lodging. There’s also a few options that include kitchenettes. Here’s my tip - split your stay. Go for a few days at a hotel with one theme and then half way through switch to another! We often go for a few days at the hotel and then move to a place with a little kitchen or two rooms. That way just when we’re getting on each other’s nerves in a hotel setting we change the setting. PLUS Disney will move your stuff from one hotel to another. Pack up, head to a park and then check at your new hotel with your bags already in place. Brilliant.
To be continued (with discussion of food, protein spills, hot flashes, strollers and Eyeore pics.)
P.S. So probably if you are one of my ten readers (hi mom) and you aren’t going to Disney this was long and boring and I apologize. I DO plan to sprinkle my advice with charming stories of family disasters that everyone can enjoy regardless of your vacation plans. If that helps. If you ARE goin’ to “The World” stay tuned. I’m going to outline some other super secrets to a great trip to Walt Disney World. Or if you know someone headed there have them head here first.
Bedford Junior High Career Day Pic
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Here are some of the good looking and intelligent 8th grade students who were in my career day sessions. They were all fun and inquisitive. I had a great time. Thank you Bedford Junior High for inviting me again this year.