Zephyr Hill

A Family Blog

7 Classic Jewelry Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

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Spring brings both Easter and Mother’s Day, and if you’re thinking of gifting jewelry, here are some ways to make it extra nice this year.

Hair Accessories

Adorning your hair is beautiful, too! There are lots of choices when it comes to spring-inspired hair accessories:

  • Jeweled or floral hair clips
  • Gold or silver barrettes
  • French barrettes
  • Vintage hair combs
  • Butterfly and flower hair charms

Classic Gold or Silver Earrings

The best thing about classic jewelry styles is that the gift you give your mother this spring can be worn (and treasured) all year long. The most iconic look is a pair of elegant stud earrings, but other designs like cuffs, hoops and dangles remain perennially popular.

When shopping for stud earrings, choose from among gold, rose or white gold for a durable piece that matches your mother’s personal style. Add a small gemstone or pearl to make it even prettier (see below)!

Mother’s Necklaces and Rings

This type of jewelry honors a woman through the children she has brought up. Here are some ideas:

  • Customized birthstone jewelry (with each child’s birth month)
  • Personalized jewelry with your mother’s name or a personal message
  • Flower discs with the name or initial of each child
  • Linked circle jewelry
  • Stackable name rings (shown below)

Consider the number of children before settling on the style. I have eleven children so something like a stackable ring is not going to work well in my case!

Jeweled Egg

Gorgeous as a tabletop display piece or as a necklace pendent, a jeweled or cloisonne egg fits perfectly captures the spirit of spring. Last year, my husband surprised me with a lovely cobalt blue and filigree egg suspended on a gold chain.

 

Jewelry Box

Think of something that will be not only practical, but nice to look at. Make sure it will blend with your mother’s decor and that the box contains compartments for the types of jewelry that she wears most. My jewelry box doesn’t have any space for rings, because the only ones I’ve ever worn are engagement and wedding!

Jewelry Display

There are some very imaginative and attractive ways to store jewelry without stowing it in a box. Spinning carousels for earrings or black velvet display bars are just a few ideas.

Some jewelry stands feature playful designs from art and nature, like this black bird organizer.

Jewelry Care Kit

I had jewelry for many years before realizing that, like most other things, it requires care. Imminently thoughtful and handy, a jewelry care kit is the perfect thing to include with your next gift of jewelry, and will cost under $10.

You can also get more technical and buy an ultrasonic cleaner if your mother is more into technology.

I’d love to know – is there a piece of jewelry that has a very special meaning or significance for you?

 

 

 

 

 

This post is made possible by a partnership with Responsival

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Resources for Teens Who are Considering Flight School

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Are you interested in learning how to fly? When our son became interested in being a pilot, we all had a lot of learning to do. Whether it’s a private or commercial license that your teen is shooting for, flight school is where it all starts. This blog post is a “quick start guide” with some helpful resources for those who are just getting started.

Nothing can happen without either money or scholarships, so we’ll start with finances first. One thing I should mention right off the bat is that a flexible savings account might benefit your child more than the traditional 529. The latter can only be spent on qualified educational expenses, but UGMA accounts can be used for any purpose. That’s good to know just in case your teen ends up not pursuing flight school. A UGMA is a custodial account created and managed by the parents until the child is of age.

The Tuition

There are many ways to get funds for flight school. The most obvious one is something I hope your child is already doing right now – working and saving up money! That aside, here are some other financial resources:

  • Start a GiveSendGo campaign for your training
  • After saving up a down payment, apply for a student loan. I strongly suggest that parents do NOT co-sign on a loan for a young adult.
  • Look into Airline Sponsored Training programs which offer tuition assistance, stipends, travel privileges and other perks while still in school. They can also put you on a direct path to a career with a specific airline.
  • Apply for as many aviation scholarships as you can!

Keep in mind that unless your son has saved up a lot of money beforehand, there will be a period of time during school/training when he’ll be basically broke! Good options to offset this are a part time job or joining the Reserves.

https://meetfabric.com/blog/a-parents-guide-to-ugma-custodial-accounts

The Gear

Thankfully, this is a short list, because almost everything you’ll need for training is built into the program.

If you already have it, purchase a laptop or tablet (i.e. the Apple iPad), making sure to check the technical requirements of the school first.

When you first show up, a sturdy, medium-sized backpack for college is sufficient for stowing your papers, tablet/laptop and a good quality headset. Many pilots prefer the functional, minimalist look for their flight bag. Something more lightweight is also ideal, since space is limited inside of simulators and cockpits.

As far as clothing goes, this will depend on whether you’re getting a private or professional license. The latter situation obviously calls for classier dress, but don’t dress like a slob and show up in a hoodie and track pants simply because flying is going to be a hobby. It’s ok to dress down a little, but always show respect for yourself and others by the way you present yourself.

The Requirements

You’ll never get off the runway without a few basic requirements!

If you’re only interested in a private license at this point, you can fulfill your dream of flying in the US with no formal education. The good news is that after getting a private license, you’ll be 20% of the way to becoming a professional pilot if you so choose.

  • High school diploma or GED (for professional career)
  • Pilots must pass an FAA medical exam to fly. You’ll need to get a medical certificate from an Aeromedical Examiner (AME). Call the flight school to which you’re applying if a referral is needed.
  • You will also need an FAA Student Pilot Certificate to fly with your instructor.
  • You have to be at least 16 years old before you can solo an airplane (14 years old for operation of a balloon or glider), and 17 before you can be issued a pilot certificate.

Don’t go spending or borrowing a lot of money until you check out all your local options. Your son should be able to get a Private Pilot Certificate within 5-7 months.

Ready to Launch!

Once you’ve gotten all your ducks in a row, it’s off to “ground school,” where you acquire the practical knowledge crucial to flight planning and actual flying. Next comes flight lessons, first in a simulator and then in aircraft.

Best of luck on your journey to the skies! If you have any questions, experiences or advice to share, leave me a comment!

 

 

 

 

 

This educational post is made possible by a partnership with Responsival.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Origins of Pickleball, and Other Silly Sports Names

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As a child, my favorite sport was badminton, and I always thought the name was so funny. It sounds like “bad mitten” when pronounced. But the game was first played around 1873 at the Badminton estate in Gloucestershire, England, and thus the moniker. It’s the flight of the shuttlecock (another whimsical name) that defines this low-intensity racquet game which can be played in singles or doubles, much like tennis. Incidentally, the English originally called the small racquet a battledore, stemming from the ancient French batedor (to beat, or a beater).

And now we come to pickleball. My family really took to this badminton-ping pong hybrid when two new courts were installed at our local park. The idea was conceived in the 1960’s by three fathers who were trying to drum up some summer fun for their children but didn’t have any tennis equipment on hand. So they improvised with ping pong paddles and “whiffle” balls on the old tennis court instead. Guess what? The balls bounced delightfully well on the court, so they lowered the net and created a new game based loosely on badminton rules.

True to its founding, pickleball is truly a family game. Our 2nd grader enjoys it just as much as we do! All you need are a few rackets and some perforated plastic balls to get started. A bag to hold everything and a comfortable pair of pickleball shoes are also handy.

But what about the name? For some reason, there are two theories (can these three fathers not remember why they chose the name?). Number one says that combining several sports in one is similar to the way that pickle boat crews are composed of oarsmen from the leftovers of other boats. Theory two is that one of the founders had a dog named Pickles who loved to chase the ball. Whatever the reason, it’s both silly and memorable.

Pickleball

Now let’s move from America to New Zealand. Someone there felt very strongly that rolling down the hill in a massive bouncy ball would be highly enjoyable, and zorbing was born. Also known as globe-riding, or sphereing, the intrepid cowboy inside can opt for straps or no-straps, depending on how strong his stomach is.

On the other side of the world, Germany has created an usual sport that centers around a stool. While it’s classified as an “extreme sitting” sport, there is surprisingly no beer drinking involved in sporthocking. Rather, participants perform any number of tricks with the seat, including spinning and kicking, throwing and even juggling. And you’ll never guess what the grand finale is. You sit down on the stool.

Speaking of beer, I’m fairly certain that bog snorkeling was born over a good pint (or three) of ale in Wales. Why else would someone don a snorkel and flippers and swim a 60-yard murky bog trench? Wet suits are optional in this one, but advisable!

Not only unusual but hard to say, clog cobbing is just a bunch of Brits throwing their shoes around. Specifically, one must lob (or cob to use the English slang) a lovely leather Lancashire clog as far as possible, taking care to mind that it doesn’t plop into the water. Even children can compete in this one. Here’s a video clip.

It’s fun to say haxey hood, isn’t it? This is a local English sport dating back to the medieval times and looks sort of like rugby, but has few rules and involves hundreds of villagers, lots of singing and plenty of shoving. Play centers around a leather hood (tube) which is pushed and pulled in different directions in a big scrum. Two things are not allowed: running with the hood or throwing the hood.  But there’s no law against drinking beer while doing your part to move the hood along.

The goal is to navigate the leather tube into one of the four pubs in the town, and the game is over when the pub owner touches the hood while standing at the threshold. He then gets to display it for a year in his tavern. As a spectator sport, this one ranks kind of low on the totem pole because there’s no way you can even see the hood or who’s controlling it in a massive scrum!

By the way, if you’re into weird and wacky games, then check out the World Alternative Games website. Whether you’re into wife-carrying, chariot racing, underwater hockey, or good ‘ole Paper Rock Scissors, this is your crew. Events are held sporadically in Wales, and it hasn’t quite gotten into a reliable two or four year rhythm like the Olympics yet.

 

Here’s How to Treat the Most Common Aches and Pains of Pregnancy

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Pain and pregnancy seem to go to together as naturally as peas and carrots. At some point, every woman is going to experience some type of discomfort and/or pain from the experience of carrying and bringing a new life into the world.

After 12 pregnancies, I’m sharing some of the techniques and remedies that worked for me. Let me know in the comments what worked for YOU!

Backache

There are lots of ways to tackle this one!

  • Massage – Make sure the practitioner has worked with expectant mothers before.
  • Chiropractic care – same caveat as above!
  • Gentle stretches
  • Maternity support belt
  • OTC pain relief – i.e. like Advil and Tylenol
  • Pain relief cream – If you prefer natural options, Dr. Hoy’s has an excellent arnica pain relief cream that works fast on aches and pains. gels and creams
  • Take frequent walks
  • Practice good posture
  • Try to keep weight gain under control – One of the best ways to do this is is to limit (not eliminate) carbs.

Headaches

There are many reasons you might experience a headache during pregnancy, and it helps to try and narrow down the cause to tailor the treatment.

  • Low blood sugar is a common (but often overlooked) culprit, and can result from a woman not eating enough due to nausea and/or throwing up. Eating just a little, especially a complex carb paired with a protein, can ward off hunger headaches and avoid the need for medication.
  • Dehydration can also cause headaches. I think you can guess the fix for this!
  • Respiratory illnesses and allergies can trigger headaches. Your doctor can recommend something safe to take if it’s allergies. Sinus pain responds well to heat and facial massage.
  • Moderate to severe stress can give you a headache. For tension headaches, you can try an ice pack to the sore area, or gentle massage. I really love Celestial Seasonings’ Tension Tamer tea.
  • Hormonal headaches due to pregnancy are usually only alleviated by time and rest and/or medication (see below).
  • Poor sleep can also contribute to head pain, as can neck or upper back problems. Practice good posture and do frequent neck and shoulder stretches throughout the day if you sit or stand for long periods of time.
  • Withdrawal from caffeine or a medication you have stopped taking can also be a trigger.

On the medicinal front, my family doctor has always recommended, for my normal, low-risk pregnancies, either Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. However, steer clear of the latter (and other NSAID’s) in the final month.

Round Ligament Pain

With each subsequent baby, these seem to hurt me more! Sharp, stabbing pains on one or both sides that can sometimes take your breath away are no joke. I’ve learned that moving more slowly when I’m about to change positions (for example, getting out of the car) can help prevent them. But if the pain has already struck, and you need relief, slowly stop what you are doing and change into a position that feels better. Applying heat feels really good, too. If no heat is available, gentle counterpressure from your hands on the throbbing area can help.

Sciata

Many of the exercises out there involve lying flat on your back, which you probably won’t be too keen on with a big stomach!

My midwife recommended the Figure 4 Stretch, which can be done while sitting. It always affords quick relief to me.

Varicose Veins

For many expectant mothers, these veins aren’t just unsightly. They hurt! Some find that after standing or walking for a while, the pain is almost unbearable.

Compression garments are frequently suggested, but I know from experience they can be VERY hard to get on and off when you’ve got a big stomach sticking out. You can actually break a sweat just trying to maneuver into the super tight, super thick hose. And they are hot and uncomfortable; during one summer pregnancy I just endured the pain rather than wear compression tights all day long.

Other than avoiding long periods of standing or sitting, I’ve found the most relief from taking VariPlex by Mountain Meadow Herbs. Just a week or two into this supplement and I notice a marked reduction in both pain and swelling. With my current pregnancy, the pain flared up tremendously starting in the 4th month. After standing in the kitchen and cooking supper I would have to lie down for a while; the throbbing was that bad. That was back in February, and I went ahead and placed an order for VariPlex on Amazon. Now I’m close to 28 weeks, my stomach has grown a lot more, and then pain is almost gone. That’s how amazing this stuff is. If you’re curious, it’s a tincture made of bilberry and bayberry. Don’t balk at the $40 price tag; it lasts a good long while and is cheaper than most compression garments.

 

Now, let me know what helped you with your discomforts as an expectant mother!

 

 

 

 

 

This sponsored post is a collaboration between my blog and Responsival.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What to do About Your Dog…and the Mail Man

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Does your dog go crazy when someone comes to your house to make a delivery? Should you worry about mailmen and other delivery professionals?

Are “good dogs” a cause for worry?

A large number of attacks on mail carriers are from dogs whose owners regularly stated, “Our dog doesn’t bite.” The postal service OSHA Senior Director Linda DeCarlo said “When our mail carriers are bitten, it is usually a ‘good dog’ that had not previously behaved in a menacing way.”

Why do dogs become aggressive towards the mailman?

From his perspective, perhaps he sees the carrier’s daily visit as an invasion into his territory. Your dog barks and growls and the mailman quickly leaves, just like an intruder would when caught. And then he comes back the very next day to try again! This is a challenge to your dog’s repeated warnings!

If you have a mailman that tries to be assertive, that can actually made the dog even more mad. Or when the “intruder” turns his back to walk away, a fearful dog may get a boost of confidence and see this as an easy opportunity to go on the attack.

Some dogs adopt bad habits like chasing mailmen and vehicles because they are bored or anxious. Keeping your dog secured, with regular periods of activity, and providing durable chew toys, are important tools for preventing bad behavior. This is especially important if you have a dog with a strong, aggressive need for chewing or oral stimulation. I highly recommend a high quality, long-lasting treat to help reduce boredom, anxiety and stress.

What do the statistics say?

Judging by the most recent numbers, more than 5,800 mailmen were attacked by dogs, according to US Postal Service statistics.

If you own a dog, keep these three important things in mind:

  1. Your dog’s behavior is your responsibility.
  2. You should carry homeowners insurance.
  3. Mail carriers have the right to carry and use pepper spray, or even refuse to deliver if a dog is deemed a real threat.

Thankfully, there are ways to make sure your dog doesn’t become a statistic…or get you into legal trouble! Let’s explore this in a question and answer format.

Should I get rid of my dog?

There’s no need to send your buddy packing after a minor incident. The “one bite and you’re out” policy can be completely unfair and unrealistic. Do we say that about cats? “One scratch and it’s goodbye.”

What matters most is the facts, and the circumstances of the incident. If a good-natured dog nipped at your child because he got his tailed yanked while eating, it would be unfair to say the dog was at fault or to assert that because he nipped “he’s not a good dog.” But if you adopted a dog from the shelter with an unknown past and he’s nipped your mailman several times, re-homing might be the best option if you’re not equipped to deal with the time and cost of appropriate rehab and training.

How can I prevent this from happening in the first place?

Here are a few practical things you can do:

  • Get a bigger mailbox. If your mail carrier is having to get out of the truck and hand you packages on a regular basis, save him and your dog from a scuffle by installing a larger box that will hold parcels. And even if you have your dog confined, the daily episodes of growling and barking may be really getting on your nerves. Having a bigger box close to the road means your dog may never even be aware when deliveries are made. We invested in the extra large Gilbraltar box and our rural carrier actually thanked us personally he was so pleased!
  • Get a post office box. This might be a good solution if you live in a rural area where free-roaming and livestock dogs are more common.
  • Properly restrain your dog. For an inside dog, this is simple. Isolate him in a room with the door closed when the doorbell rings. Don’t assume that just because you’re answering the door, there won’t be an incident. Dogs, even “well trained” ones, have been known to get excited, rushing right past their owner to menace a visitor, ignoring commands in the heat of the moment. Outside dogs can be kept in a fenced enclosure or a pen. At our mailman’s request, we kept our collie-mix (below) inside for the short period of time that the mail route was run on our street. From about 11 am to 1 pm, Jasper would hang out happily in the garage.
  • Take time to socialize him. Carefully introduce your dog to different people and situations so that he’ll be generally more calm and sociable. This is especially important for rescues or animals whose past history is unknown.
  • Offer treats and toys. As touched on earlier, high quality toys and treats will help reduce anxiety, stress and the desire to chew and nip.
  • Avoid problematic breeds. Pit bulls are involved in more dog attacks than any other breed. The American Animal Hospital Association reports this breed was responsible for 22.5% of bites across all studies. Mixed breeds were a close second at 21.2% and German Shepherds were the third most dangerous breed, involved in 17.8% of bite incidents. Pit bulls are also most commonly involved in fatal dog attacks, with Rottweilers and German Shepherds coming in second and third.

dogandmail2What do I do in case of an incident?

  • Confine the dog and assess the victim’s condition. Call 911 if injuries are very serious.
  • Apologize profusely to the victim and talk reasonably with him. He may be understandably angry or upset so wait until things are calm to have a fruitful discussion.
  • Ask what you can do to make things right. If your dog was previously allowed to roam without restriction, assure the victim that you will confine him in the future. Give the victim your number and express a willingness to rectify in whatever way you can.
  • Unless you personally witnessed cruelty or misconduct on the part of the visitor DO NOT try to exonerate your dog. Telling a victim “he never bites” or “he’s really well trained” will accomplish nothing.
  • Do not file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company if you do not have to. This may raise your rates.
  • If there have been multiple incidents with your dog despite preventative measures, consider professional assistance, or re-homing the dog to a qualified and knowledgeable person or rescue organization.

How does your dog react to strangers and delivery personnel? What are some tips you have for prevention and remediation?

 

 

 

 

 

This post is a sponsored collaboration with Responsival.